Review: False Start by Lila Felix

Synopsis

Rex has firsthand knowledge of how love can rip a person to shreds. How it can swallow a person whole, leaving them gasping for air, and dying a lonely person. He watched his mother give everything she had to his father and then she died, too weak and frail to continue on. His father, the deranged man who could barely feed himself—taking care of him left a permanent crease on Rex's heart. He swears he can still hear his pleas for help in his sleep. Nothing can give him solace from the painful memories.

Except this girl.

Hayes is a constant and consistent optimist. She's witnessed her mother and father’s almost perfect marriage and taken it as an example of what she wants. But she can’t seem to find a guy who is sincere. She’s dated them all— snake-in-the-grass jerks, straight-up commitment-phobes, fakes and phonies alike. They all fit her perfect dream on the outside, but when the relationship gets to the nitty gritty, they all crumble like stale bread. 
Unable to find a better man, she settles for nothing instead, wondering if a man who treats her right could even exist. With perfect parents and a team name like I Kilda Girl, that man would have a lot to live up to.

Until this boy.

When she sees a rugged, tattooed guy who shows up at all the derby bouts, she wonders if chasing the bad boy might just be right.

4.5 star review by Jen Skewes

I love this series and just cannot get enough of the Black family.  I was a little sad that this is going to be the last book, but there are hints of the series continuing with the Black family kids, which I am so excited about.  But Rex's story is the last of the Black family men that we have all fell in love with.  The Love and Skate series is what started my love affair with Lila's writing.  She has quickly become one of my go to authors and get excited when I hear that she is releasing a new book.  She has a way of creating such amazing, fun loving characters.  And the Black family is no different. Her stories are fun and witty but at the same time deal with real issues.  

We first met Rex in Down N' Derby when Maddox found out that he had a half brother.  He is now living in Louisianna and has become an honorary member the the Black family, lucky guy right?   Rex is a little different than the rest of the family, he is a little bit shy and isn't as outspoken as the rest of them.  Being the close knit family that they are is something that is unfamiliar to Rex.  But he has quickly fallen in love with the people that he now calls his family.  But it doesn't mean that his past issues have been dealt with and he's moved on.  He is still affected by his childhood and you see that in his actions.  When he sees Hayes at a roller derby match he can't help but notice her.  But because of his shyness and other issues the is afraid to approach her.  Lucky for him Hayes feels the same attraction and pull towards him and decides to make the first move.

Hayes is a pastry chef who love what she does and has a wonderful family.  She definitely has spunk which is one of the things that I love about her.  But she too has a past that she is hiding.  The difference is that she seems to have moved on from it.  She isn't afraid to move forward and isn't afraid to make the first move when it comes to Rex.  She sees him across the way in all of his tattooed, suspender wearing glory and wants to know the man behind those suspenders.  Her best friend helps give her that little push she needs and she decides to call him, only to unknowingly embarrass herself afterwards-of course you will have to read to book to understand, because I am not giving anything away.  

Rex and Hayes begin to spend more time together and you quickly see how perfect they are for each other.  But a part of Rex still has reservations, about his past and what he can give Hayes.  He sees all his "brothers" and how happy they are with their wives but he's not sure that he can or will ever have that.  But the more time he spends with Hayes the more he realizes how much he is falling for her.  He needs to let go of his past and move on from it.  Will Hayes be able to be the one that will help him move on?  Will he be able to let her in?

Anyone who knows me or has read my reviews before on this series, knows that Falcon is and always will be my favorite member of the Black family, but Rex is a close second.  He came across as this grumpy, troubled guy but deep down he was so sweet and loving and amazing.  There were moments between him and Hayes that I just thought were adorable, even if they were little gestures.  He claimed to not know how to do the girlfriend thing but managed to do just fine.  And I think Hayes is the one that brought that all out in him.  I loved them together and thought they were perfect.  

One again Lila Felix has created two more amazing characters to add to this wonderful family.  The Black family is one that will always stay with me. They are a family that everyone wishes they were a part of.  Lila has this way of making you feel like they truly are your family.  That's how much you connect and fall in love with her characters.  You laugh and cry with them, you root for them to find love and happiness.  You fall in love with every male member of the Black family and want to be best friends with all the girls.   False Start was a perfect ending to this series even though I found myself with tears streaming down my face at the very end.  Another fantastic job!!!