The Tip-Off

Smart Jocks, Book 3

By: Rebecca Jenshak

Narrated by: Jakobi Diem, Savannah Peachwood

I’ve spent years hiding in the shadows. He’s spent his whole life chasing the bright lights of the NBA. We have nothing in common, except for the fact our friends ditched us for spring break. I have a bucket list for my senior year at Valley U. He’s the only person I know on campus. I’m ready to start checking things off my list.

Frat party: check.

TP the baseball house: check.

Goat yoga: check.

Skinny dipping: check.

Falling for Zeke Sweets, Valley U’s MVP: not going to happen.

©2019 Rebecca Jenshak (P)2019 Rebecca Jenshak

sweet sports romance

I listen to The Tip off by last week and really really enjoyed it. While I havent read the other 2 books in the series I was able to dive in with zero issues. Standalone series ftw. That being said I wouldn't mind going back and reading the other 2 books.

Gabby is a wallflower, after an accident left her face scared she just kinda fades into the background not trying to call attention to herself. But she's kinda ready to let that go. And all I can say is yyyyaaasss honey. Lizzo would be proud.

Zeke is a star basketball player solely focused on his career. He's a good guy (yyyyaaasss) not the jock stereotype at all. He's quiet and reserved and the perfect match for Gabby.

Their adventures together were sweet, funny and just all around perfect. I was rooting for them from the first second.

Idk maybe it's just me and the way I lived my life for so long but I love a good story about adventure. Living life to the fullest and trying new things really guys home for me. I actually have a list of adventures I want to do. And was sooo jealous when those two did GOAT YOGA. I want to do yoga with tiny little goats. I only want to do yoga with tiny little goats.

I hope you pick up this book in whatever form you choose. I do recommend the audio if audios are your thing the narrators are amazing. I really love Jakobi Diem's voice.

Pure lush!

I worried Zeke’s story would be lacking because his lack of communication or emotion in previous books, but the author definitely rocked it!! An excellent story that doesn’t get bogged down on sports details.

Loving This Series!!

Rebecca Jenshak was a new to me author this year. I had a friend recommend her and I'm sooo thankful that I listened. I have now finished all three books in the Smart Jock Series. I listened to all three on audiobook and loved each one of them. I've enjoyed the audio so much that I now wait to read it until it's on audible. I highly recommend these. You won't regret it.

Disappointing

This is my least favorite of the series. Gabby is stilly and seems desperate. Being first embarrassed by her scars which seem overly extensive. She and Zeeland seem like a totally unlikely couple that was not believable. I would have hooked Zemens up with another female athlete.

Narration of Zeus seemed a bit stiff.

Sweet story

Ever since this series began, I was incredibly excited to get Gabby’s story. She already seemed like such a special character, and I was so excited for her to not only get her love story but to also get the college experience she’d always dreamed up after the tragic accident that paused her life.And Zeke- well he seemed like a big broody teddy bear, smart and stoic, ultra focused on his career and always reliable. I was so excited to see he’d be with Gabby- that he could be the solid she needed as she waded back into the life she thought she’d lost.


And Jenshak does not disappoint- I really enjoyed this one, and as always the audio was great. Most of all, I loved and cherished Gabby. Her insecurities, her finding her confidence, finding her wings and learning to fly after all that she’s been through. Acclimating to college life is hard enough, but after what she’s been through, she has a lot to overcome to refind herself. And I related to that so much. I love her perseverance, her kind spirit, and her curiosity. It might not seem like Zeke would be the right fit for her on the surface- since his only love seems to be basketball, and he isn’t looking for any relationships, yet alone with someone like Gabby that needs someone who can really show up for her. But I loved watching him show up for her as a friend, and how naturally that progressed to them being more.


At times I wanted more for Zeke- he’s not a loud or flashy hero, and he’s not an effusively romantic one either. Gabby’s heart is on her sleeve so vulnerably, and Zeke takes much longer to catch up to her feelings. He’s also so reserved, more low key, likable and charming but not super emotive- and I craved that for Gabby. Perhaps its because Gabby was my most anticipated heroine, I felt so protective of her, I wanted a hero that would go so hard for her. Zeke fought her threat to his career, and I’m so glad that he eventually realized she’s worth the risk, that she’s what he really needs. Ultimately, I loved them together, and their chemistry is really quite sweet. And I loved that Gabby gets to sparkle.

Loved this book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I hope it’s not the last book in the series!

A fabulous sport romance with a lovely couple!!!

“A sweet slow burn sport romance. Honestly I never expected this will be a slow burn romance, I though the passion would explode quickly but I’m so glad the way it happened. I’m so in love with Jakobi and Savannah narration, their voces, the emotions, the feels, everything was perfect! Thanks to Jakobi I love Zeke more, his sexy deep voice was all I needed! Hours that seemed like minutes. The Tip-Off was funny, sweet, lovely and yes sexy! This story is a standalone but I highly recommend you the previous books of this amazing series. Gabby and Zeke’s story was so delightful to hear!!! An incredible sport romance with a unique couple that you’ll love.”

Impressed!

I've never experienced Rebecca Jenshak's writing before. I have to say I was impressed.
Gabby is scarred from her childhood and doesn't get out much. She's at a real campus for the first time and she's got a list of things to tick off before she finishes.
Zeke is on track to be first round pick for the NBA. He's bleeds basketball. He's thoughtful and nice. He is so different from other jocks you read about.
Gabby wakes up something in Zeke he never knew was missing and Zeke sees past Gabby's scars.
This book was a great slow burn, but sweet romance. I am off to start the first book in the series to see what I missed out on!

Enjoyed Listening to Zeke and Gabby's Story

The Tip-Off was my first read by Rebecca Jenshak; I had been seeing her name and the different titles of her sports romance series all over social media and because I’m such a sport romance junkie, I knew signing up to listen/review the audio version of Gabby and Zeke’s story was a perfect way to be introduced to this new-to-me author.

Even though I headed into the third book of the Sports Jock series without reading the previous two stories, the fact that they are standalones about different couples allowed me not to feel lost despite not meeting the other couples of the series until The Tip-Off.

Jenshak does a great job illustrating just how ready Gabby is to be a normal college student - one who takes risks, has fun, and spreads her wings without the safety net of her overprotective parents. And while, at times, she does seem like a fish out of water, I admired her tenacity when it came to trying new things and truly experiencing all that life has to offer.

At the beginning of the story, it was clear that it would take Zeke some time to figure out that his life didn’t have to only be about the game he loves and excels at…he was never one to allow anyone to get too close to him and his quiet and reserved demeanor allowed him to flourish on the court, keeping up his training regiment without interruption. As cliche as it sounds, Gabby is a game changer for Zeke and as much as he fights his attraction to her and worries what those feelings would mean for his future and his goal to be number one in the NBA Draft, he finds it way too difficult to keep Gabby at arm’s length which means that if he’s truly going to give in to what he feels for her, Zeke needs to be sure that his willingness to risk it all doesn’t end up a sacrifice that, in the end, he cannot make.

Gabby and Zeke definitely take their time when it comes to exploring what’s between them, but that fits both of their temperaments as well as Zeke’s singular focus on the NBA draft. But even though it takes a lot of awkward encounters, silent conversations, and quick glances at each other before either of them take the first step toward something more, it was clear that what was building between them was a bond that would allow them both to step outside of their shell and see what it was like to want to simply be together, learning about each other and finding out that life has so much to offer them…they just have to be willing to try.

Jakobi Diem and Savannah Peachwood did a good job bringing Zeke and Gabby’s story to life. I especially enjoyed Jakobi’s portrayal because there’s an aloofness and loner vibe that surround Zeke and Jakobi conveys those characteristics with ease and precision, showing just how much he changes and grows as a person with Gabby by his side.

4 Poison Apples

NA slow burn that satisfied

I will preface by saying I love the first two books of this series and was looking forward to this one. This one is slower on the uptake than the first two while I love Gabby and Zeke, I feel like they lack the chemistry. Jakobi is one of my favorite narrator and he narrated the hell out of the Grip series by Kennedy Ryan but I feel like Zeke doesn’t have the depth I kind of associated with his other books. Savannah as always a delight to listen to. Overall I enjoyed this series but feel like this one is the weakest of the three.