Synopsis
She might have scored a celebrity footballer, but the game isn’t over yet …
Rebecca Dunning should be blissfully happy – after a whirlwind weekend, she and top footballer Alex Heath are still going strong. But as the murkier side of the celebrity lifestyle reveals itself, so does the creeping doubt.
Rebecca finds herself isolated in the fake, flashy world of toxic WAG cliques and ruthless reporters, and when a mysterious online admirer follows Alex’s every move, she struggles to cope. Can she keep playing the media game for the man she loves, or will she have to admit defeat?
Sequel to As Weekends Go
Jan Brigden
Jan lives in South East London with her husband and motley crew of cuddly toys. Jan’s written for pleasure from a young age; short stories for classmates, odes for workmates, fun quizzes for family and friends, progressing to her first novel, the idea for which sprang from a script she composed as part of a creative writing course assignment via The Writers Bureau. Following much secret plotting, research and feigning of passion for the customer accounts she was supposed to be reconciling during the day job, the chance finally arose to put pen to paper.
After attending many author talks, literary events, and connecting with writers and readers on Facebook and Twitter, Jan learned of and subsequently joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme. An avid reader, reviewer and all round book devotee, Jan is also one eighth of online group blog The Romaniacs.
Jan won Choc Lit’s Search for a Star competition with her debut, As Weekends Go.
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It was lovely to catch up with Rebecca and Alex (having read As Weekends Go) and see where their journey took them. There was a very tense part which kept you reading and not able to put the book down,
More to come from this author I hope.
I read this in 3 parts over a few days, because I had to sleep, work and home school in between too, such is lock-down life!
Jan has not disappointed with this next episode of Rebecca and Alex’s relationship. Readers are whisked along with warmth and panache feeling that the characters are within your own friends circle.
Rebecca is a modern woman who is strong and determined to live her life with empathy and kindness but is no push over. I love that Jan has moved Rebecca on from betrayed wife perceived as naive, to strong, determined but even handed and supportive friend and ally.
Alex the smouldering striker and does not disappoint in the handsome and irresistible stakes! Rebecca is indeed a lucky lady. I must admit I wasn’t too struck by Alex’s male friend in the first book, but I am happy to report that Jan has rather endeared him to me in this one.
I spent a whole day reading to finish this, and I do not feel guilty at all. A superb sequel and very hard to put down without finishing. I am very much hoping there’s a third in the series being conjured up by Jan!
5 Striking Stars!
Rebecca and Alex are settling into their new life together. But for Rebecca, it is a life unlike anything she has ever experienced before. Football wives, new friends, family far away, and paparazzi. She and Alex will have to pull together if they want to make it through the chaos.
This was a great follow-up to As Weekends Go. The characters of Rebecca and Alex are endearing and I really enjoyed reading a continuation of their story.
I very much enjoyed reading this, a bit different from your run of the mill romance, not only because it’s set in Football Land, but because the couple are already together – although this is because it’s a sequel, but that didn’t affect my enjoyment.
The characters were engaging, there was tension, mystery, lots of romance, drama and a gasp reveal, and the struggle for the couple to learn to live together felt authentic.
I have no idea if it was an accurate representation of life with a famous footballer, but it was a believable depiction, and certainly the cliquey bitchy competitiveness of a group of women was recognisable.
A great story, lots going on, easy to read style of writing, loved it!
This follow up book I was pleased to realise stands alone well but you will enjoy it a bit more if you have read As Weekends Go. In this Rebecca has moved in with boyfriend Alex and is trying to adapt to life as a WAG! The story is one which will make you feel deeply for Rebecca and her troubles, from ex husband, other WAGs, so called friends and hardly seeing Alex due to his full on footballing career. I felt great sympathy with her, and impressed with how she dealt with the problems. Jan Brigden shows a gentle touch in how she writes this story, involving you the reader fully in Rebecca’s life. I found I was turning the pages to find out what happened next, really wanting to see where she went next. The ending was a real surprise, exceptionally well drawn together. Break out the chocolate and enjoy.
This is a novel about Rebecca and Alex trying to keep their relationship together whilst dealing with the media spotlight from Alex being a top footballer. You really get to know about these two characters, their personalities and weaknesses, as well as their closet friends and family. I really enjoyed being drawn into their world, which seems so different to other people’s world, yet they still have to deal with our issues of trust, ex partners and “true” friends. This is a sequel – I hadn’t read the first novel (but want to now!) which really didn’t matter as you grasp what had previously happened very quickly. A lovely relaxing read which I really enjoyed and recommend. Love of football optional!
Absorbing and well written
Although this is book two it’s not essential to read book one, As Weekends Go, to fully understand and enjoy this book. But it would be a shame to miss when Rebecca and Alex first meet.
After Rebecca’s divorce from her controlling husband, she is finally free to start a relationship with Alex, a celebrated footballer. When Rebecca moves from London to York to live with Alex, she finds life difficult adapting to her new lifestyle being one half of a famous couple. The media are constantly watching and criticising. Some of the WAGs are so jealous and insecure that they invent malicious lies about her and Alex and post them on social media.
With Alex’s love she begins to regain her confidence, only to have her ex-husband appear attempting to sabotage her new relationship.
An insight into a celebrity’s life, showing the downside of fame with jealousy, envy and intrigue plus unsavoury types who claim friendship for personal gain.