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Royals and Legends #1
The Keeper
Some secrets never stay buried…
Victoria Chase
It started in the English countryside when he stopped to see if I was having car trouble.
It should have ended there.
But it turned into three of the most intense days of my life. And guess what? It didn’t end there either.
His name is Xavier Maddox. Sexy, talented, untamed. A British soccer star. The enticing bad boy. He should be off limits for me. I have this policy about getting involved with professional athletes…or as I call them, the product.
Xavier was only supposed to be a one night stand. A distraction for me while I dealt with a long ignored family situation.
Fate had other plans…
Xavier Maddox
Pulling off the road to help a stranded motorist should have been simple. But nothing is simple when it comes to this fiery American redhead.
Victoria Chase has me questioning the parts of myself I buried years ago. She’s the gasoline to a fire I once needed to extinguish. Those flames have roared back to life.
Now I’m desperate to unlock her deepest secrets.
Trouble is, those secrets connect us both to one fateful summer. I’ll do anything to protect her. She’s my light and I’ll stop at nothing to make her see that.
Even if it means letting her go.
****
The Keeper is a contemporary sports romance with a twist and a hint of mystery. It's book one in the Royals and Legends series.
Victoria Chase
It started in the English countryside when he stopped to see if I was having car trouble.
It should have ended there.
But it turned into three of the most intense days of my life. And guess what? It didn’t end there either.
His name is Xavier Maddox. Sexy, talented, untamed. A British soccer star. The enticing bad boy. He should be off limits for me. I have this policy about getting involved with professional athletes…or as I call them, the product.
Xavier was only supposed to be a one night stand. A distraction for me while I dealt with a long ignored family situation.
Fate had other plans…
Xavier Maddox
Pulling off the road to help a stranded motorist should have been simple. But nothing is simple when it comes to this fiery American redhead.
Victoria Chase has me questioning the parts of myself I buried years ago. She’s the gasoline to a fire I once needed to extinguish. Those flames have roared back to life.
Now I’m desperate to unlock her deepest secrets.
Trouble is, those secrets connect us both to one fateful summer. I’ll do anything to protect her. She’s my light and I’ll stop at nothing to make her see that.
Even if it means letting her go.
****
The Keeper is a contemporary sports romance with a twist and a hint of mystery. It's book one in the Royals and Legends series.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2023
About the author
Lynn Montagano
6 books141 followersLynn Montagano writes contemporary romance with darker themes and emotionally complex characters.
She's a cat mom, unapologetic football fan, and has a thing for Tony Stark. When Lynn isn't writing, you can most likely find her cheering loudly for her beloved New England Patriots, trying to herd cats, or traveling somewhere (probably London).
www.lynnmontagano.com/links
Instagram: @XOLynnMontagano
Facebook: @XOLynnMontagano
TikTok: @XOLynnMontagano
She's a cat mom, unapologetic football fan, and has a thing for Tony Stark. When Lynn isn't writing, you can most likely find her cheering loudly for her beloved New England Patriots, trying to herd cats, or traveling somewhere (probably London).
www.lynnmontagano.com/links
Instagram: @XOLynnMontagano
Facebook: @XOLynnMontagano
TikTok: @XOLynnMontagano
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 1, 2023
Stars ⭐️ 5
Spice 3 out of 5
Triggers: sexual content and mention of suicide
Tropes: sports romance and long distance relationship
I really loved the plot from this author and the spice 🌶️. Thank you for that.
I love going into a book blind and when I did that with this book I had to stop and read the back of the book to know what am I reading. The beginning of this book started out rocky and it didn’t grab me, but I’m not one to start a book and not finish it. Don’t get me wrong I gave this book 5 stars for a reason, the beginning was just not it. 😔Personally I love a build up of characters and I didn’t get that until I was chapters in.
After I knew what was going on and I knew who was who and what was what I really enjoyed the book. There was spice and a lot of it. I loved the plot of this book bc I can’t wait for Book 2!
I would recommend this book just know you might be confused in the beginning but it is a good book to read and I personally did enjoy it.
Favorite quote: “Forget death by a thousand paper cuts. This was death by filthy words, inflections, and tone. All delivered in an elegant British accent and packaged in the most stunning man alive.” - Victoria page 270. YESSSS HONEYYY ME TOO GIRL!! 👏🏼
I received this book from Verve Romance as an ARC
- THANK YOU VERVE ROMANCE!!
-I volunteered to do this review.
Spice 3 out of 5
Triggers: sexual content and mention of suicide
Tropes: sports romance and long distance relationship
I really loved the plot from this author and the spice 🌶️. Thank you for that.
I love going into a book blind and when I did that with this book I had to stop and read the back of the book to know what am I reading. The beginning of this book started out rocky and it didn’t grab me, but I’m not one to start a book and not finish it. Don’t get me wrong I gave this book 5 stars for a reason, the beginning was just not it. 😔Personally I love a build up of characters and I didn’t get that until I was chapters in.
After I knew what was going on and I knew who was who and what was what I really enjoyed the book. There was spice and a lot of it. I loved the plot of this book bc I can’t wait for Book 2!
I would recommend this book just know you might be confused in the beginning but it is a good book to read and I personally did enjoy it.
Favorite quote: “Forget death by a thousand paper cuts. This was death by filthy words, inflections, and tone. All delivered in an elegant British accent and packaged in the most stunning man alive.” - Victoria page 270. YESSSS HONEYYY ME TOO GIRL!! 👏🏼
I received this book from Verve Romance as an ARC
- THANK YOU VERVE ROMANCE!!
-I volunteered to do this review.
July 9, 2023
This book has an amazing plot, layered characters, and witty dialogue, plus THERES SPICE! 🌶️🔥
And some damn good spice at that!
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish, it had the ability to pull me in from the first chapter and keep me intrigued the whole way through. Our two main characters, Victoria and Xavier are the kind of characters I will always want to read about. The fact that the author aged them up to over 30 years old made the entire story so much more relatable in my opinion. Each of them had trauma that was complex and painful. Reading them work through these traumas together, and heal was beautiful.
I love a good romance book, but when a romance novel is about more than just the romance, I LOVE THAT! When a romance book has a good twist to the plot, that’s how you get me. And the twist got me on this one.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book in this series.
And some damn good spice at that!
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish, it had the ability to pull me in from the first chapter and keep me intrigued the whole way through. Our two main characters, Victoria and Xavier are the kind of characters I will always want to read about. The fact that the author aged them up to over 30 years old made the entire story so much more relatable in my opinion. Each of them had trauma that was complex and painful. Reading them work through these traumas together, and heal was beautiful.
I love a good romance book, but when a romance novel is about more than just the romance, I LOVE THAT! When a romance book has a good twist to the plot, that’s how you get me. And the twist got me on this one.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book in this series.
October 2, 2023
Mñe. Yo esperaba uno de sporty melofó y, si bien lo es (el maromo es portero), me he encontrado con una historia que mezcla muchas cosas y bdsm, algo que no me esperaba y tampoco es que me apeteciera mucho. Supongo que si la autora no hubiera metido tantas cosas a la vez, sobre todo en la parte final, habría sido algo más pasable pero hay mucho y la atención se va. Sobre todo hay una historia dramática de fondo que cobra demasiado protagonismo y que me ha interesado más bien poco.
No es que sea horrible pero a mí no me ha convencido.
No es que sea horrible pero a mí no me ha convencido.
July 20, 2023
This is the first book that I am reading by Lynn Montagano and I actually enjoyed reading Victoria and Xavier's story.
Victoria came back to the UK, because she needed to get closure on her past and sort out one of her parent's properties. But one chance encounter in the english countryside meets her with Xavier. She is instantly attracted to him, but she decides that it's best to continue on her way. They both think that they will not see each other anymore. Well, they were wrong. Over the course of the story, they keep meeting each other.
Victoria feels this pull towards Xavier, but after everything that happened in her past, with her sister's passing, she is not confident enough that she can have a normal relationship with a man. Sure, she had some boyfriends, but what she feels towards Xavier is something different...something stronger and deeper. Xavier is a big football star who has never had long relationships with women before. It only takes one fateful encounter with Victoria and he can't get her out of his head. He literally, can't stop thinking about her. But this time he is ready to try, because Victoria is something different and he thinks that she is the woman for him.
I will not miss mentioning all the good and spicy love scenes between them. They were so so good and full of heat. I can only say that Xavier is an alpha, possessive, dominant man and I love him. What I liked even more...when it comes to kinky stuff, Victoria is definitely not inferior to him in any way.
Through the course of the story, there were various questions that popped into my head. Well, we have to wait for the next book to find out, because Victoria and Xavier adventures will continue.
*I received an ARC from Grey's Promotion and this is my voluntary review.***
Victoria came back to the UK, because she needed to get closure on her past and sort out one of her parent's properties. But one chance encounter in the english countryside meets her with Xavier. She is instantly attracted to him, but she decides that it's best to continue on her way. They both think that they will not see each other anymore. Well, they were wrong. Over the course of the story, they keep meeting each other.
Victoria feels this pull towards Xavier, but after everything that happened in her past, with her sister's passing, she is not confident enough that she can have a normal relationship with a man. Sure, she had some boyfriends, but what she feels towards Xavier is something different...something stronger and deeper. Xavier is a big football star who has never had long relationships with women before. It only takes one fateful encounter with Victoria and he can't get her out of his head. He literally, can't stop thinking about her. But this time he is ready to try, because Victoria is something different and he thinks that she is the woman for him.
I will not miss mentioning all the good and spicy love scenes between them. They were so so good and full of heat. I can only say that Xavier is an alpha, possessive, dominant man and I love him. What I liked even more...when it comes to kinky stuff, Victoria is definitely not inferior to him in any way.
Through the course of the story, there were various questions that popped into my head. Well, we have to wait for the next book to find out, because Victoria and Xavier adventures will continue.
*I received an ARC from Grey's Promotion and this is my voluntary review.***
August 16, 2023
I won the kindle version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and am voluntarily leaving this review.
This is a STEAMY and passionate love story. Victoria is a 35 year old executive for the most successful soccer team in the USA and resides in a “luxurious, but cozy, multi-million dollar high-rise condo.” Xavier is a 36 year old British soccer star with a net worth of 20 million pounds. Both are grappling with trauma from their past. Both have complicated relationships with their families. Both crave to be loved but don’t allow themselves to have it, don’t believe they deserve it. The story started off slow but built into a great plot and now I NEED to know what happens in Book 2. As for the spice 🌶️, it starts almost immediately in Chapter 4 and continues throughout the book- Victoria and Xavier like to play rough, but there is always consent, respect, and love.
This is a STEAMY and passionate love story. Victoria is a 35 year old executive for the most successful soccer team in the USA and resides in a “luxurious, but cozy, multi-million dollar high-rise condo.” Xavier is a 36 year old British soccer star with a net worth of 20 million pounds. Both are grappling with trauma from their past. Both have complicated relationships with their families. Both crave to be loved but don’t allow themselves to have it, don’t believe they deserve it. The story started off slow but built into a great plot and now I NEED to know what happens in Book 2. As for the spice 🌶️, it starts almost immediately in Chapter 4 and continues throughout the book- Victoria and Xavier like to play rough, but there is always consent, respect, and love.
August 26, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
I was happened upon this book by a complete accident, and I am so glad I did!
Victoria, our FMC has had some trauma in her life due to the death of her twin sister, she's visiting England to tie up some loose ends with her childhood holiday "cottage" for her parents. She's not been back since her sister took her own life and understandable is struggling with the onslaught of memories. Insert Xavier, the hot, Alpha male, football player.
Xavier helps Victoria open herself up to her memories, but it turns out their lives are connected from before, and everything that happened with Victoria's twin sister is not as it seems 😱
This was the perfect mix of plot and spice and I was definitely hooked! I'd highly recommend
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
I was happened upon this book by a complete accident, and I am so glad I did!
Victoria, our FMC has had some trauma in her life due to the death of her twin sister, she's visiting England to tie up some loose ends with her childhood holiday "cottage" for her parents. She's not been back since her sister took her own life and understandable is struggling with the onslaught of memories. Insert Xavier, the hot, Alpha male, football player.
Xavier helps Victoria open herself up to her memories, but it turns out their lives are connected from before, and everything that happened with Victoria's twin sister is not as it seems 😱
This was the perfect mix of plot and spice and I was definitely hooked! I'd highly recommend
May 16, 2023
I’ll start by saying thank you to NetGalley and Couture Writer LLC, for an advanced copy of this book!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
It’s not very often that I’m intrigued in the first 10 pages of a book, but this one did that for me! It sucked me in, and I felt like I had to keep reading. I didn’t want to put it down. Dual POV, it’s spicy, chapters that aren’t too long. The main characters are perfect, and have a great story. I loved this book. I’m excited that there are more coming, there are so many unanswered questions!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
It’s not very often that I’m intrigued in the first 10 pages of a book, but this one did that for me! It sucked me in, and I felt like I had to keep reading. I didn’t want to put it down. Dual POV, it’s spicy, chapters that aren’t too long. The main characters are perfect, and have a great story. I loved this book. I’m excited that there are more coming, there are so many unanswered questions!
May 14, 2024
Audio review 🎧
I enjoyed this spicy (and darkish) sports romance story, and cannot wait to see what’s to come in book two of this series.
The audio was great as well, I really loved the British MMC!
I enjoyed this spicy (and darkish) sports romance story, and cannot wait to see what’s to come in book two of this series.
The audio was great as well, I really loved the British MMC!
October 19, 2023
This was boring.....I tried so hard to enjoy this book but seriously this was a book about rich people and their problems. I got to around 50+ pages and was just bored out of my mind. I have talked to others about this one and even past 100 pages this never picked up with any kind of actual conflict. So I was like nope I am out.
May 17, 2024
Xavier Maddox and Victoria Chase
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
The Keeper by Lynn Montagano. Royals and Legends, book 1. It is currently the only book listed in the series on Amazon, but the next books in the series are listed at the end: The Penalty, The Legacy, The Elite, The Striker, and The Trophy. This was a KU borrow/Alexa app listen. This is the first book I've read by this author, and I have no interest in reading her work again. I'm not a fan of books with discreet covers, so I would never have noticed this one without the recommendation from the author on social media. I read romance almost exclusively and want the cover to give me some idea of what the characters look like and the mood of the story. This story is awkward, disjointed, and ends with a major unresolved storyline that left me feeling annoyed. The characters are in their 30s but written as if they're immature teenagers. The odd way the chapter headings are formatted made it impossible for the Alexa app to read them. Multiple typos. A playlist was included. Content warnings: the H's mom died shortly after his birth; a girl was sexu@lly ass@ulted; H was beaten up as a teenager, h's sister saw the attack and was threatened; h's sister was r@ped by the guy who threatened her; sp@nk¡ng; light bond@ge; and bizarrely the h was threatened 20 years after her sister's death by the same guy who threatened and r@ped her twin.
Victoria Ava Chase (35; aka Tori/dirty princess) blames herself for the death of her older twin sister Charlotte (aka Charlie) 19 years ago. Her parents are divorced, and her mom is suddenly in a rush to sell off all of their family's properties (for what reason I have no idea because they are quite wealthy). Victoria travels to England to finalize the sale of one of the properties and to attend a work function. While there, she met Xavier on the side of the road as she was trying to calm down before signing the paperwork. When she finds out the buyer plans to flip the house, she decides not to sell. Victoria is the media relations director of a fictional New York football team and somehow that crosses over to the need for her to attend a party with an English soccer team (make it make sense).
Xavier Maddox (36) is a tattooed soccer player who is playing at being a dominant. He first encountered Victoria on the side of the road during her meltdown, later sees her again at the party his soccer team was hosting, and then coincidentally at a bar. Things escalated quickly between them, and they spent a few commitment free days together. She returns home with the diary she found in the English house, reads her sister's diaries and realized her sister had fallen for Adam, Xavier's stepbrother, while they were visiting England the summer before her sister's su¡c¡de. Charlotte has witnessed a fight, and she was being threatened. Later, Victoria reads another of her sister's diaries that revealed the guy who had threatened Charlotte also r@ped her. Then, 20 years later, in a bizarre and completely unbelievable turn of events, Jordan, the English r@p¡st, shows up in New York to threaten Victoria....
In the end, Xavier and Victoria are in a relationship, but Jordan McKennie, the villain, is still at large.
This story was difficult to get into, 70% didn't hold my attention, and then once it had my attention it left me with unanswered questions that I really couldn't give a single flying f*ck about how they will be resolved. Thankfully, it was a KU borrow, but it did cost me time that I will never get back. I am clearly not this author's audience. PT
2.5 out of 5 on my spice scale.
(There's a fixation with scalp scratching and two ick phrases: "swallowed all of my seed" and "warm, wet folds." 🤮🤢)
1st read 05-09-24 PT
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2024
⚽️The Keeper by Lynn Montagano
Book 1 from the Royals and Legends Series
Ok ok ok, I think I’m taking on too many ARC’s lately especially with my full time job schedule and being a mom! I made the happy mistake with reading this book first, when I received an ARC for the author’s second book, which I missed the deadline to review! Alas, I liked this book so much that regardless of the missed deadline, I’ll be reading it anyways! Anyone one else feel me on taking on too many ARC’s at one time?!? 😅
The Keeper is a contemporary sports romance (soccer/football) with a hint of mystery! I loved going blind into this book because the twists and turns surprised me! Note: there are a couple of trigger warnings in this, so please check them before reading!
Victoria is our FMC and has endured pain and trauma in her youth. An American who spent time in the UK as a youth, goes back to the UK to sell her childhood “holiday” home which is full of happy, but mostly painful memories.
Enter Xavier, our MMC, a famous, superstar goalie that by chance and by fate, runs into Victoria and by the intense connection, jumps into a whirlwind romance together. I love how he starts off as a F boy, but turns into such a romantic, caring man for Victoria.
With time spent together, there is tons of 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and tender movements sharing their traumas to each other, but what comes as a shock near the end of the book is the mystery that pops in out of the blue, leaving the reader on sort of a cliffhanger!
Read this if you like:
* Sports romance (soccer/football)
* Contemporary romance
* Severe Trauma
* Age appropriate couple (both in mid 30s)
* Mystery and some dark undertones
* Instalove
* 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5 but with tons of plot
“I want there to be a reason for you to come back here. To come back to me.”
3.75 out of 5 ⭐️
Let me know your thoughts!
#thekeeper #lynnmontagano #bookstagram #romance #booklover #sportsromance
Book 1 from the Royals and Legends Series
Ok ok ok, I think I’m taking on too many ARC’s lately especially with my full time job schedule and being a mom! I made the happy mistake with reading this book first, when I received an ARC for the author’s second book, which I missed the deadline to review! Alas, I liked this book so much that regardless of the missed deadline, I’ll be reading it anyways! Anyone one else feel me on taking on too many ARC’s at one time?!? 😅
The Keeper is a contemporary sports romance (soccer/football) with a hint of mystery! I loved going blind into this book because the twists and turns surprised me! Note: there are a couple of trigger warnings in this, so please check them before reading!
Victoria is our FMC and has endured pain and trauma in her youth. An American who spent time in the UK as a youth, goes back to the UK to sell her childhood “holiday” home which is full of happy, but mostly painful memories.
Enter Xavier, our MMC, a famous, superstar goalie that by chance and by fate, runs into Victoria and by the intense connection, jumps into a whirlwind romance together. I love how he starts off as a F boy, but turns into such a romantic, caring man for Victoria.
With time spent together, there is tons of 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and tender movements sharing their traumas to each other, but what comes as a shock near the end of the book is the mystery that pops in out of the blue, leaving the reader on sort of a cliffhanger!
Read this if you like:
* Sports romance (soccer/football)
* Contemporary romance
* Severe Trauma
* Age appropriate couple (both in mid 30s)
* Mystery and some dark undertones
* Instalove
* 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5 but with tons of plot
“I want there to be a reason for you to come back here. To come back to me.”
3.75 out of 5 ⭐️
Let me know your thoughts!
#thekeeper #lynnmontagano #bookstagram #romance #booklover #sportsromance
July 17, 2023
3.5 Stars-On the Fence…
In The Keeper, we are introduced to Xavier and Victoria, him a football player in England and her an American publicist for a New York football team. While it sounds like an opposites attract romance, it was much more.
Right off the bat, I wasn’t sure about this coupling. In a damsel in distress incident, Xavier, and Victoria meet, then meet again at an even and like they did, I would take it as a sign. Knowing she was leaving England for New York in three days; Victoria decides why not and gives Xavier a spin. He’s what one would expect, handsome, rich, cocky star footballer. I liked them separately, however together felt forced or fake, I’m not sure which one, either way, I wasn’t feeling any chemistry. What I was feeling is getting to how their paths have crossed in the past.
There’s a lot of these two trying to figure out their “relationship” all the while we are creeping closer and closer to the tragic story of Victoria’s sister. I’m a fan of an angsty read and this one had me turning pages quickly. I was slightly disappointed in the final reveal, not to take anything away from the tragedy.
The book is well written, and my first Lynn Montagano read. While I like her writing style, the steamy scenes weren’t really my taste. I’m over the whole safe word and limits thing and will admit to skimming though those. Along with Xavier and Victoria, we meet a gaggle of friends and family. Killian and Max were my favorite and brought the humor needed to balance things out. The Keeper reads as a standalone with more story to come.
Reviewed for Renee Entress’s Blog.
In The Keeper, we are introduced to Xavier and Victoria, him a football player in England and her an American publicist for a New York football team. While it sounds like an opposites attract romance, it was much more.
Right off the bat, I wasn’t sure about this coupling. In a damsel in distress incident, Xavier, and Victoria meet, then meet again at an even and like they did, I would take it as a sign. Knowing she was leaving England for New York in three days; Victoria decides why not and gives Xavier a spin. He’s what one would expect, handsome, rich, cocky star footballer. I liked them separately, however together felt forced or fake, I’m not sure which one, either way, I wasn’t feeling any chemistry. What I was feeling is getting to how their paths have crossed in the past.
There’s a lot of these two trying to figure out their “relationship” all the while we are creeping closer and closer to the tragic story of Victoria’s sister. I’m a fan of an angsty read and this one had me turning pages quickly. I was slightly disappointed in the final reveal, not to take anything away from the tragedy.
The book is well written, and my first Lynn Montagano read. While I like her writing style, the steamy scenes weren’t really my taste. I’m over the whole safe word and limits thing and will admit to skimming though those. Along with Xavier and Victoria, we meet a gaggle of friends and family. Killian and Max were my favorite and brought the humor needed to balance things out. The Keeper reads as a standalone with more story to come.
Reviewed for Renee Entress’s Blog.
August 19, 2024
This is a book that knows how to equally balance light and dark, love and loss, humor and heartache! Lynn Montagano's The Keeper is an elegant, suspense-filled romance that fascinates you from the first page and never lets go! This modern sports romance, set in the English countryside, introduces us to Victoria Chase, a bright and independent American executive, and Xavier Maddox, a British football star with brooding devotion! Their connection is quick, and their chemistry is pulsating , but the emotional baggage they both carry really delivers a dimension of nuance to this work, elevating it above a basic love tale, this steamy romance has PLOTTTT and a brutally honest, raw and visceral unlike I've read in any sports romance book!!!
.
Lynn Montagano beautifully unfolds a story that brings together obsessed romance with a hint of mystery. The characters are richly nuanced, with each dealing with their own previous traumas, making their road to recovery and love all the more engaging. The story twists are surprising yet satisfying, that kept me on edge without seeming constructed!
.
The writing is sharp and enchanting, and the conversation is full of humour and honesty. Victoria and Xavier's intimate moments are vibrant and passionate, but they are also anchored in vulnerability! This is a story about overcoming the past, accepting the future, and seeking love in the most unexpected places! This story is a must-read for lovers of contemporary romance, thanks to its intriguing plot, well-drawn characters, and ideal balance between spice and structure. Lynn Montagano has written a story that has left me eager for the next volume in the Royals and Legends series!
.
Lynn Montagano beautifully unfolds a story that brings together obsessed romance with a hint of mystery. The characters are richly nuanced, with each dealing with their own previous traumas, making their road to recovery and love all the more engaging. The story twists are surprising yet satisfying, that kept me on edge without seeming constructed!
.
The writing is sharp and enchanting, and the conversation is full of humour and honesty. Victoria and Xavier's intimate moments are vibrant and passionate, but they are also anchored in vulnerability! This is a story about overcoming the past, accepting the future, and seeking love in the most unexpected places! This story is a must-read for lovers of contemporary romance, thanks to its intriguing plot, well-drawn characters, and ideal balance between spice and structure. Lynn Montagano has written a story that has left me eager for the next volume in the Royals and Legends series!
July 16, 2023
The first book in the Royals and Legends series centres around football or soccer depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re from. The hero Xavier and heroine Victoria meet when Xavier stopped to offer assistance when he thought her car had broken down and share a one-night stand. Xavier has his football career in the UK while Victoria will soon be heading home to her career in the US. But the footballing world is a small one and they soon meet again.
The Keeper was an equally angsty and steamy story. Xavier and Victoria were both such complex characters with some seriously hot chemistry between them that leant towards the dominance end of the spectrum. They both had long term issues relating back to incidents that happened in their respective teenage years and returning to the UK had brought a lot of memories involving Charlotte her twin sister, to the surface for Victoria and when she found a connection between Charlotte and Xavier it started her down a path that might ultimately endanger her. When I started reading this book I didn’t realise it was book one in a connected series so while it ends on a ‘happily for now’ for Xavier and Victoria, some elements of the plot of The Keeper have yet to be concluded so I’ll be looking out for the next book in the Royals and Legends series. I’m also hopeful for Bennett and Hannah’s story.
The Keeper was an equally angsty and steamy story. Xavier and Victoria were both such complex characters with some seriously hot chemistry between them that leant towards the dominance end of the spectrum. They both had long term issues relating back to incidents that happened in their respective teenage years and returning to the UK had brought a lot of memories involving Charlotte her twin sister, to the surface for Victoria and when she found a connection between Charlotte and Xavier it started her down a path that might ultimately endanger her. When I started reading this book I didn’t realise it was book one in a connected series so while it ends on a ‘happily for now’ for Xavier and Victoria, some elements of the plot of The Keeper have yet to be concluded so I’ll be looking out for the next book in the Royals and Legends series. I’m also hopeful for Bennett and Hannah’s story.
May 18, 2023
Thank you to Couture Writer and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
This book is a steamy sports romance, but it’s also so much more!!! I was instantly drawn into Xavier and Tori’s world, and couldn’t read their story fast enough. And the spice was just WOW!!
After a rare meeting on the side of the road Tori, and Xavier continue to keep running into each other. Tori works for the New York Legends, a football team. And Xavier is a goalkeeper for an English soccer team. (In my opinion truly the best of both worlds reading about life in Manhattan, as well as London and the English countryside).
Their connection is instant, and it doesn’t take long for sparks to fly. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship begin as a one night stand and develop into so much more. They were truly meant to end up together. As they’re trying to navigate their relationship, Tori is also working to figure out why her twin sister committed suicide so many years before.
It all weaves together perfectly, and wrapped up with a sweet ending. I cannot wait for book 2, and I’m hoping we get more Xavier and Tori, but also Bennet and Hannah’s story!!
If you’re looking for a spicy new romance, this is IT!!!
This book is a steamy sports romance, but it’s also so much more!!! I was instantly drawn into Xavier and Tori’s world, and couldn’t read their story fast enough. And the spice was just WOW!!
After a rare meeting on the side of the road Tori, and Xavier continue to keep running into each other. Tori works for the New York Legends, a football team. And Xavier is a goalkeeper for an English soccer team. (In my opinion truly the best of both worlds reading about life in Manhattan, as well as London and the English countryside).
Their connection is instant, and it doesn’t take long for sparks to fly. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship begin as a one night stand and develop into so much more. They were truly meant to end up together. As they’re trying to navigate their relationship, Tori is also working to figure out why her twin sister committed suicide so many years before.
It all weaves together perfectly, and wrapped up with a sweet ending. I cannot wait for book 2, and I’m hoping we get more Xavier and Tori, but also Bennet and Hannah’s story!!
If you’re looking for a spicy new romance, this is IT!!!
July 17, 2023
Victoria is the media relations director for the New York Legends, so it's safe to say that she isn't interested in getting involved with any type of professional athlete. Xavier is a professional footballer (not American football player) in the UK, so you wouldn't think these two would ever cross paths but you would be wrong. Victoria has gone to England to stay in a cottage that her family used to go to stay at in the summer, and she's going to have to face some things when she's there. Xavier comes up on her when he thought she had car trouble, so they end up doing a one night stand because the chemistry is strong. She is planning to go back home in a few days so what could it hurt right?! Well, fate has other things in store for them, but it isn't easy since both have some baggage, not to mention, Victoria has to deal with her twin's tragedy as that isn't healed whatsoever. There are things she uncovers so there are twists in this story with the suspenseful underlying plot, and I don't have all the answers to it so I'm definitely waiting impatiently on the next book. There's quite a bit of spice as these two are perfect for each other, and maybe just maybe they'll be able to have a shot at a real future but I'll never tell! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
May 16, 2023
Thanks for the ARC, I truly enjoyed the opportunity to read this book.
TW: Suicide, SA, grief
I can't lie, this wasn't so great. I gave it two stars just because it IS well written, it had a lot of potential and the author clearly knows her way with words. BUT it doesn't fix everything, like the instant love/relationship with never any tension in it. Also, if you remove all the smut, the book would be about 50 pages long. Not my cup of tea but I'm sure others would enjoy, as it is, again, very well written. The love interest, Xavier, feels super shallow, I can't find him any personality apart from being angry and loving his girl.
The sister storyline and the diary entries were a great addition, I loved those parts. I would love to have storylines like these in more romance novels, it adds some depth and suspens. Cool idea.
+ unresolved plotline at the end
TW: Suicide, SA, grief
I can't lie, this wasn't so great. I gave it two stars just because it IS well written, it had a lot of potential and the author clearly knows her way with words. BUT it doesn't fix everything, like the instant love/relationship with never any tension in it. Also, if you remove all the smut, the book would be about 50 pages long. Not my cup of tea but I'm sure others would enjoy, as it is, again, very well written. The love interest, Xavier, feels super shallow, I can't find him any personality apart from being angry and loving his girl.
The sister storyline and the diary entries were a great addition, I loved those parts. I would love to have storylines like these in more romance novels, it adds some depth and suspens. Cool idea.
+ unresolved plotline at the end
May 21, 2023
First off, I was not expecting the book I read based off the description. Yes it was a soccer romance book but there were several heavy subjects that I wasn’t aware of. I really hope the author will add a TW in the description or at the beginning of the book for future readers. Honestly, the plot started out good but got weirder and weirder as it went on. To the point where I couldn’t get into the story because of how completely unbelievable it was. I’m still irritated about the last 50 or so pages and how ridiculous the plot was. Also, I was not expecting a bdsm relationship and think that should be made a little more clear to readers before they decide to read this book. Overall it was a good book but not sure if I’ll continue the series.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an ARC to review.
TW:
Sexual Assault
Suicide
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an ARC to review.
TW:
Sexual Assault
Suicide
August 23, 2024
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! Lynn Montagano completely crushed it with this story! First off, Xavier and Victoria are complete and utter FIRE 🔥🔥🔥! The chemistry both emotional and physical is off the charts. I could legitimately read about these two forever. This story was sexy, mysterious, fun, intriguing, and everything else under the sun. I was hooked immediately and never wanted it to end. It also helped that it revolves around soccer - heck yes! - and I got to see what a certain goal keepers hands could do…😉
Even more so, the secondary characters really added some wonderful additions to the story and made me fall in love even more. I seriously don’t have the words to really describe how much I love this book, Lynn floored me and I am beyond happy I read this book and it will for sure be one I return to time and time again. Can’t wait for The Penalty!
Even more so, the secondary characters really added some wonderful additions to the story and made me fall in love even more. I seriously don’t have the words to really describe how much I love this book, Lynn floored me and I am beyond happy I read this book and it will for sure be one I return to time and time again. Can’t wait for The Penalty!
July 16, 2023
This is the firs book in a new series, and this is Xavier and Victoria’s journey. Xavier is a sexy, talented, bad boy, goalkeeper, and he stops at the side of the road to help Victoria who has car trouble. What should have been a one off turned into so much more. This is a well written story which is told in dual POV’s, an easy to read, emotional roller coaster, with secrets, humor, witty banter, trauma, healing, twists, romance, family, friendships, mystery, and love, which leads to an entertaining, unpredictable, tragic, and steamy addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
November 7, 2023
The concept of this whole book sounded great and I was really excited to read it. Sadly this book was not it for me. This book follows a famous soccer player and a woman who comes back to her vacation house. I was enjoying the beginning of this book but then I slowly began to not enjoy it. The pacing was okay and I enjoyed the setting but the storyline was not so great. There wasn’t much conflict in this book that kept me hooked with the story. The only reason I kept on going was to find out what happened to the sister. This book is told from dual povs which was great but I wish I enjoyed the characters.
Victoria is the FMC of this book who goes to England. She wasn’t a bad character but I just felt I didn’t know anything about her so I couldn’t build a connection with her. Then there is Xavier is the famous soccer player. It was the same with him and he felt more as a side character than anything. There are a couple of side characters but none who were important or I thought was special in this book. The book is steamy but I couldn’t feel the chemistry between the couple. There was just too many sex scenes which was like 60-70% of the book which I wouldn’t mind but the writing was okay and the characters.
The ending I didn’t truly care for and I found out another book is coming out. There wasn’t a cliffhanger and I don’t know where the story with the MCs are heading so we will see.
Victoria is the FMC of this book who goes to England. She wasn’t a bad character but I just felt I didn’t know anything about her so I couldn’t build a connection with her. Then there is Xavier is the famous soccer player. It was the same with him and he felt more as a side character than anything. There are a couple of side characters but none who were important or I thought was special in this book. The book is steamy but I couldn’t feel the chemistry between the couple. There was just too many sex scenes which was like 60-70% of the book which I wouldn’t mind but the writing was okay and the characters.
The ending I didn’t truly care for and I found out another book is coming out. There wasn’t a cliffhanger and I don’t know where the story with the MCs are heading so we will see.
July 21, 2024
This book hooked me from the jump! The narrators both embodied what I imagined these characters to be from reading the paperback first!
Branden brought Victoria’s personality to life. She captured her sass as well as her vulnerability to a tee.
Elliot was able to convey Xavier’s dominance and gentle side and they both showed how the author grew the characters over the span of the book.
I can’t wait to read the second book in this series to see how Montagano takes these two into the next stages of their journey.
If you are looking for a spicy romance that rivals the summer heat , look no further than The Keeper!
Branden brought Victoria’s personality to life. She captured her sass as well as her vulnerability to a tee.
Elliot was able to convey Xavier’s dominance and gentle side and they both showed how the author grew the characters over the span of the book.
I can’t wait to read the second book in this series to see how Montagano takes these two into the next stages of their journey.
If you are looking for a spicy romance that rivals the summer heat , look no further than The Keeper!
July 4, 2023
This book was fantastic and I’m dying to read the sequel. The author was able to write a spicy contemporary romance novel with an actual plot. There were a couple of twists thrown in which satisfied the suspense novel reader that I am. Victoria is an amazing character because in my opinion she reflects how most women truly are. She embraces her sexuality instead of pushing it down like society teaches us. There’s a lot of depth to the characters and I can’t wait to learn more on the sequel. I’m hooked!
September 10, 2024
This was a fantastic read! Plot was excellent, characters were likeable and the dynamic between the main characters was great. I was so drawn in and invested in their story.
There was some pretty heavy stuff in this so be sure to check the trigger warnings. A fluffy sports romance this is not. But it was touching and heartbreaking and beautiful.
The side characters were brilliant, bringing love and levity when needed. I hope we hear more about them in future books.
Diving straight into book 2.
There was some pretty heavy stuff in this so be sure to check the trigger warnings. A fluffy sports romance this is not. But it was touching and heartbreaking and beautiful.
The side characters were brilliant, bringing love and levity when needed. I hope we hear more about them in future books.
Diving straight into book 2.
May 19, 2023
This review is hard to write. I really enjoyed the suspense of learning what happened to Tory's twin sister and her left behind diary entries. I wanted to see more of that aspect of the book fleshed out and maybe it will in the next one. The relationship between Xavier and Tory evolved quickly and the sex scenes are smokin' but I wanted more connection between the two. I'll read the next one just for the mystery.
July 18, 2023
This is book #1 in the Royals and Legends series. I love Soccer. Opps, football. Loved the story of Victoria and Xavier. Sweet romantic! There are a few more awww I can’t tell because I would give it away and I want you to go read this book!! I can not wait to read the next book in this series.
CAWFILE: 9.86
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
CAWFILE: 9.86
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
Read
October 26, 2023The Keeper starts out fast and keeps on going. The characters immediately develop an instalove/instalust relationship. But I did love the banter between the MCs. Almost as much as the found family relationships and friendships. I was not aware this was book one of two when I started it (or finished it lmao) so I was a bit confused. But there is a book two for answers to our questions! While I did have a few issues, I was able to breeze through this relatively quickly.
September 6, 2024
What's not to love?
I absolutely devoured this book. It was just the right amount of everything and the spice was spicy but not over done. The characters were believable and the story didn't feel rushed. The relationship was so well developed. The story of her sister within the story of them added complexity separating it from just another romance book..Honestly one of my top 5 romance books of all time.
I absolutely devoured this book. It was just the right amount of everything and the spice was spicy but not over done. The characters were believable and the story didn't feel rushed. The relationship was so well developed. The story of her sister within the story of them added complexity separating it from just another romance book..Honestly one of my top 5 romance books of all time.
June 8, 2023
This was well written and included plenty of steamy spice! I did enjoy it in the beginning, but got a little bored with the sister plot and the frequent trauma meltdowns.
The ending was also a bit confusing because it was completely unresolved.. not what I was expecting.
Overall, it was ok
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The ending was also a bit confusing because it was completely unresolved.. not what I was expecting.
Overall, it was ok
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 30, 2023
Oh my this book was spicy, and I LOVED IT! Both of the main characters have trauma from their teenage years, and are working through it together now. If you love a good romance, with a little bit of mystery in it, this is the book. I can't wait for the next one to see what happens next with the story of Victoria and Xavier.
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