Book Review: WildCard by Cambria Hebert

Reviewer: Tabitha Adkins
Book: WildCard by Cambria Hebert Format: Kindle
Series: Westbrook Elite, Book 5
Published by Cambria Hebert, LLC
Publication Date: August 08, 2023
Genres: Suspense, Romance, College Sports, New Adult Page Count: 459
Buy on Amazon

The original synopsis can be found here.

Pretty sure I was a serial killer in my past life.
Because karma is kicking my ass in this one.
Everything was copasetic. I was coasting on the wave of life… until a gnarly swell pulled me under, and I washed ashore to a nightmare. A nightmare there was no waking from.
So I packed my shit and moved all the way to the other side of the country—to the only place someone was willing to give me a second chance.
I came to swim, and though I’m on the team, I don’t want to be Elite. These bros are exactly like the ones I left behind, and I’m not stupid enough to get betrayed again.
But then karma shows up and laughs right in my face.
I slept with my coach’s daughter.
Because of course I fucking did.
And though she calls to me like a siren, that night was just a distraction. A one-time thing.
Until she shows up at Daddy’s pool as the assistant coach. Now the very girl I can’t get off my mind is the one just declared off-limits.
Naturally, my heart decides it can’t beat without her jade stare, sassy mouth, and car that cruises so slow it uses a calendar as a speedometer.
Now I’m at the top of Coach’s shit list, and everything I left in Cali comes knocking at my door. With Landry’s safety on the line, I won’t just roll over and take it. This time, I’ll put up a fight.
There’s no telling what I’ll do or how far I’ll go to make sure Landry isn’t punished for standing by my side. When things get dangerous, I know this wildcard can’t play this game alone.
Because even if trusting people doesn’t come easy… loving her does.

Wildcard is a college sports romance novel that can be read as a standalone.

THE REVIEW

I swear… NO author can put me into a book hangover like Cambria Hebert can.  Yet another 5-star read here, and I’m here for it. (I’ve read it twice already… and seriously read the series again just to prepare for this one… even though WTF only came out in April 🤣)  

Now you could read this book all by itself, (but why though) however, you REALLY NEED to read all the books, because it makes it that much better, and helps with those little “you had to be there” moments.

WildCard is the 5th book in Cambria Hebert’s Westbrook Elite series.  And let me tell you the emotions this book brought out.  I read it twice… in a two-day span, and may just read it again because I’m loving this world.

This book centers around Jason Rush (umm… I didn’t even realize that Rush was his last name 🤦🏽‍♀️ But boy the way he loves her and only her saying his name 🔥), the bad boy with a mysterious reputation, and Landry, the coach’s daughter… even though that isn’t found out until by Rush until after he’s obsessed.  And boy, do we get to see the explosion of emotions and feelings.

“Clearly, I was a serial killer in my past life.  Because seriously.  What in the fucked-up karma shit was this?  I screwed my coach’s daughter.  Because of course I fucking did.”  – Rush Chapter 5

Rush, from the time we’re introduced to him, seems to be a bit of an asshole (he has no problems with this either), but also has a soft spot for our girls Rory and Maddie.  And maybe it’s because I’ve always loved a bad boy (Lorhaven anyone!), but I was immediately intrigued by him.  Especially when he’s trying to not fall for the coach’s daughter.

Oh, Landry… I love how she’s awkward and a bit nerdy (I mean Bigfoot… I agree, he’s totally real, or she… There’s bound to be a girl one!) And the way that she’s automatically drawn in by Rush is magnetic. Aannndd that she’s got a tie to our Bro boys which of course drives Rush crazy!  And the ways in which she bulldozes passed him pushing her away epic, he never stood a chance.

But when Rush’s past comes out to play, our Swim Bro’s show up in force to back him up.  Which of course, is just what our bad boy needs, people that stand by him and not toss him into the deep end.

“You know when I said desperate times call for desperate measures?  This was not what I meant” -Landry Chapter 10

Somehow Cambria always seems to pick the perfect title to go with her books, and this one was no different, from the beginning we see the Wildcard status in Rush and the transition he has from being “on the outside” to being ELITE.

Also, the amount of spiciness that we get with this one… probably not a good idea to read in public… because wwoww!!! 

And after this, I can’t wait to see whose book is next! I’m thinking Coach…. But we could be surprised yet again! *hint hint *wink wink 

Quotes:

“You’re a fucking siren.  Luring me with that vibrant green stare, running your mouth like you want me to shut you up.  Tsk-Tsk.  His tongue clicked with disappointment.  I gave you a chance, little siren.” – Rush Chapter 2

“I’m in a mood, little siren.  I’m in a mood and you lured me in.” -Rush Chapter 2

“Can you withstand my storm?” Probably not, a voice inside me whispered. But I slipped my hand into his. – Landry Chapter 2

“The top of her head barely rose to my shoulder.  She was small.  Smaller than I realized… Because she takes up so much space inside you.” -Rush Chapter 7

#Wildcard #CambriaHebert #WestbrookElite #sportsromance #steamyreads #bookstagram #collegeromance #bookhangover

Until Next Time!

Tabby

Release Blitz: Wildcard by Cambria Hebert




Title: Wildcard
Series: Westbrook Elite #5
Author: Cambria Hebert
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Coach’s Daughter/Broody Bad Boy
Release Date: August 8, 2023


BLURB

Pretty sure I was a serial killer in my past life.
Because karma is kicking my ass in this one.
Everything was copasetic. I was coasting on the wave of life… until a gnarly swell pulled me under, and I washed ashore to a nightmare. A nightmare there was no waking from.
So I packed my shit and moved all the way to the other side of the country—to the only place someone was willing to give me a second chance.
I came to swim, and though I’m on the team, I don’t want to be Elite. These bros are exactly like the ones I left behind, and I’m not stupid enough to get betrayed again.
But then karma shows up and laughs right in my face.
I slept with my coach’s daughter.
Because of course I fucking did.
And though she calls to me like a siren, that night was just a distraction. A one-time thing.
Until she shows up at Daddy’s pool as the assistant coach. Now the very girl I can’t get off my mind is the one just declared off-limits.
Naturally, my heart decides it can’t beat without her jade stare, sassy mouth, and car that cruises so slow it uses a calendar as a speedometer.
Now I’m at the top of Coach’s shit list, and everything I left in Cali comes knocking at my door. With Landry’s safety on the line, I won’t just roll over and take it. This time, I’ll put up a fight.
There’s no telling what I’ll do or how far I’ll go to make sure Landry isn’t punished for standing by my side. When things get dangerous, I know this wildcard can’t play this game alone.
Because even if trusting people doesn’t come easy… loving her does.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






ALSO AVAILABLE


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

All free in Kindle Unlimited






AUTHOR BIO


Cambria Hebert is a bestselling novelist of more than fifty titles. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.
Besides writing, Cambria loves a pumpkin spice latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching K drama until her eyes won’t stay open. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chihuahuas (the real bosses of the house).
Cambria has written in many genres, including new adult, sports romance, male/male romance, sci-fi, thriller, suspense, contemporary romance, and young adult. Many of her titles have been translated into foreign languages and have been the recipients of multiple awards.

Awards Cambria has received include:

Author of the Year 2016 (UtopiaCon2016)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Best Contemporary Book Cover of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
Romeo from the Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Lead (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Top 50 Summer Reads (Buzzfeed.com 2015)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#NERD Book Trailer: Best Book Trailer of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#Nerd Book Trailer: Top 50 Most Cinematic Book Trailers of All Time (film-14.com)
#Nerd: Book Most Wanted to be Adapted to Screen: (2018)
Amnesia: Mystery Book of the Year (2018)

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.
You can find out more about Cambria and her titles by visiting her website:
Stay up to date on all of Cambria’s new releases and more by signing up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bUL5_5


AUTHOR LINKS