May 24, 2021
Rochon follows The Boyfriend Project with a nuanced rom-com that sees Taylor Powell working to launch her career as a fitness consultant. Taylor is broke, struggling to get her business off the ground and fearfully considering the possibility that her only way forward is to go back to school. The solution to her problems comes in the form of former NFL star Jamar “Diesel” Dixon, who hires her as his personal trainer after attending her pop-up workout session. Jamar hopes to return to the field after an injury and offers Taylor a hefty fee to get him back into shape. But he has one condition: to avoid feeding into fan speculation about his career, no one can know they’re working together. Taylor agrees, and to cover the true nature of their relationship when pressed by reporters, she blurts out that they’re lovers. With both of their careers on the line, the pair create a “Dating Playbook” to guide their fake relationship—but the game plan changes when their chemistry becomes too powerful to ignore. There’s no shortage of sexual tension, and Rochon’s emphasis on boundaries and healthy communication creates a strong central pairing. Exploring themes of self-doubt and recovery, this emotional romance is sure to win hearts. Agent: Evan Marshall, Evan Marshall Agency.
July 30, 2021
In Rochon's ("Bayou Dreams" series) follow-up to The Boyfriend Project, Taylor and Jamar's relationship starts off as a lie, but they fight to stay focused on their ultimate goals as the feelings between them become the real deal. Personal trainer Taylor hopes that helping Jamar get into shape to return to the NFL will bring her the professional success and familial validation she lacks. Jamar sees returning to pro football as a way to silence his critics and right past wrongs. Taylor and Jamar's compatibility extends beyond an initial physical attraction, and they support each other as they deal with the serious issues that prevent them from realizing their dreams. Rochon interweaves serious topics such as debt, misogyny, and online bullying, with her signature laugh-out-loud dialogue, and imbues her scenes with enough detail to give readers the fly-on-the-wall experience. The novel features the fake dating trope, but will likely appeal to anyone looking for a good romance. Events of the first book are referenced, but with enough context that those new to the series won't feel lost. VERDICT Highly recommended for all collections.--Nicole Williams, Englewood, NJ
Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from June 1, 2021
An injured football player hoping to return to the NFL falls in love with his personal trainer. Jamar Dixon was the star of his high school and college football teams, but a devastating knee injury cut his NFL career short in his first season. Although some doctors predicted he would never play again, Jamar is determined to prove them wrong. He hires Taylor Powell, an independent personal trainer, to get him into shape. Jamar hopes to keep his dreams of a big, splashy return a secret for as long as possible. Taylor knows fitness and nutrition, but she can't land the jobs she wants without a college degree. Working with Jamar is the opportunity of a lifetime, and Taylor hopes the prestige of working with an NFL player will eventually boost her flailing business into solvency. Taylor and Jamar pretend to be dating to keep the plan under wraps, but their training sessions and fake dates only amplify their explosive chemistry. Rochon creates realistic and interesting personal dilemmas for each character while still keeping the romance front and center. Jamar's best friend died in high school, and he still carries grief and guilt for his role in the tragedy. Taylor struggles with financial insecurity, which she keeps secret out of shame and the fear of disappointing her high-powered family. The romance between the two is charming and well developed. They are well matched as competitors and workout partners, but it's her emotional care of his wounded soul and his staunch support of her dreams that make them winning partners. This football romance is a total knockout: funny, sexy, and full of heart.
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July 1, 2021
The best-friend trio Taylor, Samiah, and London forged a tight bond in The Boyfriend Project (2020), and now readers learn that they have been supporting each other's life goals ever since. But lately, personal trainer Taylor can barely afford her portion of the dinner check. She's willing to work hard for her money, but without formal credentials, it's almost impossible to build the Fitnessgram empire of her dreams, and an undiagnosed learning disorder may be the problem. A bad knee is what has kept former NFL star Jamar Dixon away from the big leagues, but now that he's ready to get back into shape, he's calling on Taylor for secret one-on-one training. When the media catches wind of their partnership, Taylor rushes in with the save, pretending to be Jamar's girlfriend, but their fake relationship comes with a rule book she insists they follow, even when their hearts lead them in another direction. Fans of multicultural romance with a sporty twist, similar to Alexa Martin's Playbook series, will be cheering for ""TayJar"" as they push past their physical and emotional limitations.
COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.