Book Review: After the Game by Abbi Glines

After the Game (Field Party #3) by Abbi Glines

Blurb:

The third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Field Party series—a southern soap opera with football, cute boys, and pick-up trucks—from USA TODAY bestselling author Abbi Glines.

Two years ago, Riley Young fled from Lawton, Alabama. After accusing the oldest Lawton son, Rhett, of rape, everyone called her a liar and she had no option but to leave. Now she’s back, but she’s not at Lawton High finishing up her senior year. She’s at home raising the little girl that no one believed was Rhett’s.

Rhett is off at college living the life he was afraid he’d lose with Riley’s accusation, so Riley agrees to move back to Lawton so she and her parents could take care of her grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. But the town still hasn’t forgotten their hate for her, and she hasn’t forgotten the way they turned on her when she needed them most.

When town golden boy Brady Higgens finds Riley and her daughter, Bryony, stranded on the side of the road in a storm, he pulls over and gives them a ride. Not because he cares about Riley, of course, but because of the kid.

But after the simple car ride, he begins to question everything he thought he knew. Could Brady believe Riley and risk losing everything?

My Review:

Seventeen-year-old Riley Young is the most hated person in Lawton, Alabama. Two years after the traumatic event that turned Riley into a mother and turned the whole town against her when she accused golden-boy, Rhett Lawton of rape, Riley is back in town with her parents and her daughter Bryony to help take care of her grandmother.

When the town turned on Riley, so did Brady Higgens. Rhett was like an older brother to Brady so at the time he couldn't believe that Riley would be telling the truth. But all it takes is seeing her and her daughter in the rain, reluctantly accepting a ride from him so the little girl doesn't get sick for him to begin questioning what if Riley was telling the truth.

Riley is the last person Brady should be starting a friendship with. Especially since the town is counting on him to bring the football team into the championship - and win. With more pressure than ever, Brady shouldn't be falling for Riley. But he can't stay away. And when a secret makes his perfect world explode Riley will be the only one Brady wants to turn to.

Once again Abbi Glines has written a novel that makes you feel. I was so glad this book was about Riley and Brady because when Riley was first mentioned in Under the Lights I thought she was getting a raw deal from the people in town and I thought Brady was the perfect character to pair her up with.

Throughout this series, and in the author's other series I've always thought that the author captured the essence of small towns, especially small, football-obsessed southern towns really well. This book especially showed how easily small minded people can turn against someone and Riley's past broke my heart - as does what happens to Brady's family.

The only thing I didn't like so much was that after reading so many of this author's books you realize they're all sort of the same plot/idea. I think I could pick up any one of Abbi Glines's books and be able to tell you the plot without even reading it. I wish her writing was a little less... predictable.

Overall, knowing what to expect from this author, I really enjoyed this book. It's definitely in the top five of my favorites by Abbi Glines and I'm glad I read it. This book is perfect for those looking for a fast-moving, romantic read about small town teens that a reader can throw in a beach bag and spend the day devouring while laying in the sand.

My Rating:

4.5 of 5 Stars!