Book Blurb:
Coaching was never this difficult...until the rookie came along.
I had no idea Amber Lakes would become a constant light in my miserable life.
Her smile isn't supposed to warm my heart and the sight of her tears isn't supposed to make me want to protect her.
We're not supposed to touch, let alone kiss. We definitely aren't supposed to exchange hidden stares while we're around each other. But I've fallen too hard for her, and despite how big the risks are, I can't seem to pull away from her now.
None of this was ever supposed to happen because she's my track student, and I'm her coach...and I could lose everything if we get caught.
*This is a standalone college sports romance!*
Coach Me was my first book by Shanora Williams and she did not disappoint! This book was so good! I read it in almost one sitting. I started this book in the evening a few hours before bedtime like a crazy lady. Because I'm not a quitter. When a book hooks me I will go ALL the way. I read until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I ended up passing out at 86%. Woe is me!
I fell in love with Amber Lakes immediately. Her back story touched me. She grew up super close to her dad. Amber's father was a track coach. When she was five years old she started running also. He trained her, and at the same time they spent quality father-daughter time together. Unfortunately, her father passed away when she was thirteen. She continued to pursue running and is now, at age nineteen, one of the fastest runners. Coach Me starts with Amber arriving at BU, Bennett University, to attend classes under a full ride athletic scholarship. This girl is a force to be reckoned with.
Amber and her roommate and fellow runner, Kendall, are the only women of color on the team. Amber is a black woman, and Kendall is Hispanic. They notice some of their teammates react a bit suspect when they arrive to their first team meeting. Amber ignores them. Her dad was a very wise man, and taught her not to pay attention to the stares. And, unfortunately, she's grown used to it at this point in her life. Enter Coach Joaquin Torres. He's one of the assistant running coaches for the university. He's a hottie. He's also thirty. Amber is immediately intrigued by him. She learns very quickly he draws a lot of attention from the other girls on campus.
As usual I don't want to divulge too much, but Coach Torres is tough! He pushes Amber hard because he knows she's great, but she can be better. He has a commanding personality, but Amber sees glimpses of the man he is outside of BU. After some incidents where Amber is targeted because of the color of her skin she sees another side of Torres. Side note: these scenes had my heart racing. I was so upset at the disgusting, racist actions of these characters. It makes me sick knowing this actually happens, and it's not even scratching the surface of the despicable acts that are committed. Shanora wrote a powerful story that truly moved me. It's also why I picked Joaquin's quote above. This was a mic drop moment.
The year continues to pass and Amber and Torres grow closer. Amber and Torres try to fight and ignore their growing chemistry. Not only is there an eleven year age gap, he's also her coach. Torres shares that he also lost his father, and his tragic story also strengthens their bond. Torres' retelling of his father's death chilled me to the bone. It resonated on another level. Shanora put some tough topics in here, and built a beautiful love story around it.
A chance encounter at a carnival leads to them crossing a line they can't turn back from. Oh my this was a sizzling, hot scene! I couldn't wait for them to hit the sheets! These two have some serious self control, though, and were able to hold out for MONTHS! The anticipation built and built.
When they finally do the deed you will not be ready for it. SEXY! Like totally off the charts. Torres is "sex on a stick" as Amber mentally referred to him when she first laid eyes on him. And the words that Amber says to Torres as they're getting hot and heavy... Must. Be. Experienced. My brain exploded. Literally. Spontaneous combustion. Short circuited. Cue system restart. That EPIC.
Coach and Amber are able to maintain appropriate appearances during practices and sporting events. However, we all know everything has to hit the fan at some point. And it does. They have to make some hard choices and see if they can get past everything that's unexpectedly in their path to happiness.
I was very happy that what happened in the climax wasn't predictable. I do have to say I feel the book wrapped up a bit quicker than I expected, but it didn't detract from the book as a whole. I swoon for Coach Torres, and I totally have a girl crush on Amber. She was bad@$$ (I don't cuss, but there isn't any other appropriate term for her). I kept hoping the epilogue would continue. I finished Coach Me with a big smile on my face. I will be reading more from Shanora Williams. I'm a fan. Check her out at the links below.
RATING: 5/5 STARS ✰✰✰✰✰
Website: https://shanorawilliams.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShanorasSweethearts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reallyshanora/
Buy this book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Coach-Me-Shanora-Williams-ebook/dp/B088F6V6MJ/
Happy reading!
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