#Review: Spinning Out by Lexi Ryan - 4 Wine Glasses

Title: Spinning Out
Series: The Blackhawk Boys #1
Author:  Lexi Ryan
Format: Kindle Edition, First Edition
Publication: May 3rd 2016 by Ever After, LLC
ASINB:01EW37OM2
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviwer: Crystal
Source: Author
Rating: 4 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Once, the only thing that mattered to me was football—training, playing, and earning my place on the best team at every level. I had it all, and I threw it away with a semester of drugs, alcohol, and pissing off anyone who tried to stop me. Now I’m suspended from the team, on house arrest, and forced to spend a semester at home to get my shit together. The cherry on my fuckup sundae? Sleeping in the room next to mine is my best friend’s girl, Mia Mendez—the only woman I’ve ever loved and a reminder of everything I regret.

I’m not sure if having Mia so close will be heaven or hell. She’s off-limits—and not just because she’s working for my dad. Her heart belongs to someone else. But since the accident that killed her brother and changed everything, she walks around like a zombie, shutting out her friends and ignoring her dreams. We’re both broken, numb, and stuck in limbo.

Until I break my own rules and touch her.
Until she saves me from my nightmares by climbing into my bed.
Until the only thing I want more than having Mia for myself is to protect her from the truth.

I can’t rewrite the past, but I refuse to leave her heart in the hands of fate. For this girl, I’d climb into the sky and rearrange the stars.

SPINNING OUT is a sexy, emotional novel of 100,000 words. It is first in the Blackhawk Boys, a series of standalone novels.

Crystal's Thoughts:
Lexi Ryan is one of those authors that when she has a new book releasing, I don't even read the blurb, I just jump right in! So, I was a little surprised when this book was about a football player and not a hockey player. Haha. If you're a hockey fan you'll understand why - go Lightning! ;-) Anyways, Spinning Out was a great start to what is going to be a three book series (so far) centering around these football boys and I am looking forward to more!

Arrow Woodison's life is on hold. After leaving rehab and returning to his father's home to complete his house arrest, he is just going through the motions until he can return to college and his football career. That is, until he see's Mia Mendez playing nanny to his new baby sister. Heartache and anger fuel his responses to her, but he can't deny the spark of life that runs through him with each heated encounter either. But the Mia walking the halls of his father's mansion is not the vibrant girl he once knew...and loved. She's a shell of herself and Arrow can't help but want to breathe life back into her. She's still his best friends girl though, still off limits, still his biggest regret, and still an unattainable dream. With their convoluted past can they even hope to get back to the friendship they once shared? Or will the secrets Arrow keeps destroy even that tumultuous thread?

Spinning Out is a truly gut-wrenching tale full of all those messy, maniacal, and disorienting emotions that I can't seem to get enough of. Lexi Ryan's writing is impeccable as always, as she takes you on a journey of loss, love, guilt, and acceptance with characters that are sure to capture your heart. Arrow and Mia have faced a terrible tragedy together, and each carry a heavy burden of guilt and regret, along with a good amount of anger because of it. But now they are at a crossroads in their lives. Will they take the same path together? Or will they choose to go a different direction from the other? Tragedy can tear people apart, but it can also bring them back together again, and I couldn't help but root for these two to come together despite all of the hurt and anger they had to wade through to get there. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the push and pull between them made my heart pound in my chest.

The plot is immense and complex as it shifts back and forth, from past to present, the before and after, alternating between Arrow's and Mia's view points. Slowly piecing together what brought Arrow and Mia to this point. From that fateful first meeting, to decisions based on insecurities and integrity, to secrets and betrayals. The story will leave you questioning your own morality, and you'll find yourself asking, what would I do? The answer might surprise you. Tension vibrated from the pages as the suspense built, and the twist, while somewhat predictable, will leave you gripping the sides of your book or device.

The group dynamics of Arrow's team, and his and Mia's set of friends, was fantastic. Some characters I liked, others not-so-much. And while I felt sorrow for a certain character and his outcome, I just couldn't find it in myself to forgive him of his actions and decisions. Which was sad. I would have also liked some more closure where he was involved.  Each character however, main and secondary, was well-developed. Chris' character especially intrigued me, and I'm glad his story is next! Fans of Molly McAdams' emotional upheavals are sure to be equally captivated by this poignant tale from Lexi Ryan. Be sure to grab it today!