Review: Homecoming King by Penny Reid

Homecoming King by Penny Reid
Series: Three Kings #1
Published by Cipher-Naught on 2021-12-14
Length: 402 pages
Reviewing Kindle from Amazon
Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2021 New Release Challenge, COYER 2021

Rex “TW” McMurtry’s perpetual single-hood wouldn’t bother him so much if all his ex-girlfriends didn’t keep marrying the very next person they dated, especially when so many of those grooms are his closest friends. He may be a pro-football defensive end for the Chicago Squalls, but the press only wants to talk about how he’s always a groomsman and never a groom. Rex is sick of being the guy before the husband, and he’s most definitely sick of being the best man at all their weddings.

Bartender Abigail McNerny is the gal-pal, the wing-woman, the she-BFF. She’s dated. Once. And once was more than enough. Privy to all the sad stories of her customers, ‘contentment over commitment’ is her motto, and Abby is convinced no one on earth could ever entice her into a romantic relationship . . . except that one guy she’s loved since preschool.

The guy who just walked into her bar.

The guy who doesn’t recognize her.

The guy who is drunk and needs a ride home.

The guy who has a proposition she should definitely refuse.

Penny Reid has done it again! I simply adored this book. Homecoming King is the first in a planned trilogy about the reigning kings from high school, where they are now, and if they can find love. First up is Rex “TW” McMurtry. Told exclusively from the girl who had a giant crush on him in school, the story unfolds. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and then you’ll swoon as Rex sweeps his girl off her feet.

Abigail McNerny’s life isn’t at all what she pictured it would be. Divorced before she was twenty, in debt up to her eyeballs, and still working at the same bar, Gail is treading water, pretending everything is fine, and convincing herself, though not her friends, that she is happy. Then, a man enters her bar near closing and takes up residence in one of the seats. Little did she know it would be the boy she used to fantasize about, who took up all of her daydreaming time as a kid. Rex is as handsome as she remembers him to be, but conflicts with her “no dating” rule. When he proposes, quite literarlly, Gail finds herself in over her head.

As I already said, I adored this one! Gail and Rex’s chemistry is evident from their first encounter in the book. I found myself encouraging Gail to give him a chance and was even ok with the fake-marriage trope. In fact, I kind of loved the curveball that Reid throws in. Rex is dealing with relentless teasing and bad media coverage as his nickname “Training Wheels” has been applied to the girls he previously dated as each one of them marries the next guy she dates. Rex wants to stop the rumors and focus on what matters to him: football and family. It doesn’t hurt that he is clearly attracted to Gail. I love the two of them together. Their banter makes this book.

Overall, I loved Homecoming King. The character growth and the relationship that builds between the two will make your heart smile. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy contemporary romance.

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