Here you have Annabelle who goes by Belle meeting up with Declan King who is from the King family and is also the eldest brother and the start and starting quarterback for one of the top teams. Annabelle’s parents died years ago and have left her with the care and raising of her younger brother Tommy who has autism. This just adds to the story, his character, and the autism, for I don’t know how much of the connection between the two would have worked though Annabelle wants to fight it because of her brother. A good story with good characters.

DNF at 30%.

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book but then I found the characters relationship was just too full on too fast for my liking. Instalove just isn't for me unfortunately.

I have read that this book is really good, all these 5 star reviews made me want to keep reading, but it's not for me at this moment. I will come back to it another time.

I only discovered The Kings of Kroydon Hills series a few weeks ago and it has very quickly became one of favourites!
I've been itching for Annabelle & Declans story and I can honestly say - it hasn't disappointed!!

We met them both through previous books, Annabelle more so than Declan.
Belle has had it tough and has had to grow up super fast as she lost both her parents in a tragic accident a few years back and was left to raise her little brother on her own. Tommy has Autism and is so much more than a diagnosis!...Bella Matthews wrote his character with perfection so a big congrats on that!...so she's just trying to find her way in life and has made some undeniably awesome friends (previous books!) who have helped her see that you don't have to go it alone!
Yes she's strong and fierce and kickass but she also has a vulnerable side and that is the side that has me praying she gets the hae she so desperately deserves!

Then we have Declan, the oldest brother of Cooper and Nattie and is the Quarterback of the King's and needless to say - damn he's fine!!! Although he's still a young guy, he has a wise head and he loves big!

These two just gel, there's just this connection with them that leaves no question, that these two make a damn good pair! And we cant deny the chemistry between these two is hot!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, it's not straight forward, there's always something or someone who tries to get in the way...but that's for you to read and find out about 😄


We also get to catch up with the rest of the gang - including Cooper!! I so want him to get his own book too - just saying 😘

All in all - an excellent addition to the series and I'm excited to see what comes next!

I am loving this series from Bella Matthews! Declan and Annabelle were perfect. I loved their chemistry and the suspense element. I can't wait for Sebastian's story.

A perfect story for Declan and Belle. Their love is instant but everlasting. I love that I can still see the previous couples and I love to see everybody so happy.
Now, I can't wait for Bash's book, Under Pressure , and his brother, Sam, Rise Of The King .A fabulous read which has left me wanting more......

Wow was not expecting this from Annabelle’s and Declan’s book. I mean Bella Always delivers in her books, ALWAYS!!

We know both of these characters fairly well I think from the other two books in the series but I was not disappointed to get to know them in detail. Especially Declan. He is the less quiet one in the other books with smaller roles here and there.

Since they are older the rest of the Kroydon Hills Crew, I knew there will be no games played!

I loved it all the storyline, Declan’s swoon moments. The surprise pregnancy. But what I did not see coming and was all for was that added surprise angst and kinda scary moment towards the last few chapters! Like WOW! Amazing.

Aw I loved this book! It’s the 3rd in the Kings of Kroydon Hills series and it follows Declan & Annabelle.

First of.. Declan Sinclair is the SWEETEST guy ever 😭 he was just adorable. He treated Annabelle with so much love and respect I was just swooning the whole book! And the way he treated Annabelle’s younger brother who had autism was just amazing! Such an incredible character!

And Annabelle.. she is so selfless & kind. She always put others before herself and thinks of her own happiness last. Declan was just a breath of fresh air for her and exactly what she needed!

I love the relationships and friendships in this series! They’re all so close and they all intertwine and I just love that! This comes out tomorrow and I think everyone will love it! It is part of a series but could be read as a standalone (I’ve only read book one and three and I didn’t feel I was missing anything!). Highly recommend ✨

I read the description on NetGalley and thought I might really like this. I'm not a big sports romance reader. But this one I thought I'd give it a go. Turns out this is book 3 in the series I didn't know it was book 3. But you don't have to have read the other books to understand each book is a different pair. This one follows Annabelle who was a ballerina who is taking care of her younger brother and Declan a new NHL football player who the media and fans a like think hes on the team because of his father.
Annabelle has had a hard couple of years and had to grow up faster then excepted she lost both her parents in a tragic accident a 2 years ago. Tommy has Autism and her little brother who her whole life revolves around and will do anything to make sure he has the best life.
She is a strong character and made sure even though her dreams were different she still was living them out and was giving her brother the best wife she can. But she's not mean she's so nice and wears her heart on her sleeve and is scared to let anyone in.

Then we have Declan, the Quarterback of the King's he wants to prove he is a football player and the kings #1 pick was not just because of his father. He isn't there for the drama and media he wants to play football and live a private life. Then he has to come into the spot light and go to functions and give interviews to be the captain of this team. So he decided to have a friend be his date enters Annabelle.

They have a history of being friends in the past books and there connection was Fire. He was a great main character and a lot happens besides romance. but you will have to read to find out what I'm talking about. The main and side characters were well written and I loved seeing everyone interacting. the family in this is the #1 thing from the story and honestly I love that. I am going to go back and read book 1 & 2 and carry on when each book comes out.


I received an arc from Netgalley for a honest review. Thank you!!

Bella Matthews has a true gift and a way with words. He books get better and better. By far Declan and Annabelle’s story is her best one yet. This story had me getting emotional from the very beginning. I love how Annabelle loves her brother so fiercely. All of her fears are understandable after the tragedy of her parents.
I adored Declan. He’s absolutely perfect. Everything he says and does is swoon worthy. The love scenes are scorching. Declan and Belle are absolutely perfect together.
I loved the group chats and of course you can depend on Murphy and Nattie for the humor.
Tommy is so absolutely lovable. I love how Declan loves them both and knows that Belle and Tommy are a packaged deal.
The guys and girls they are all great with Tommy and so accepting of him which is great. I loved how even Coach looks out for Annabelle and Tommy.
This story is perfect and I was feeling like Belle all emotional with her.
I highly recommend this book. I loved it from beginning to end.

Having read the [previous books in this series I was happy to see that Declan and Annabelle. the spotlight couple this book, Although part of a series this is a standalone book.
Tragedy struck Annabelle just as she was about to soar on ballet stage,
Declan is a football star about to start the biggest season of his life.
There really is a lot to love about this book . There are themes of family, heartbreak, devotion., friendships and endurance. I don't know if the added suspense was necessary. I am not sure if there was any added value and it was easy to spot who the "culprit" was.

I do not remember who recommended ALWAYS EARNED, NEVER GIVEN but it must have been someone I trust because it turned up in my KU wishlist so I went for it.

While this is Book 3 of a series, I read it before the others. I am going to go back and read books 1 and 2 to find out about the threads of other characters woven through the story.

The reason why this sports romance is not a 5 star read for me is because there was thread that didn't follow along with the cadence of the story. It felt "off". It didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story, but it did take me out of the moment.

I look forward to reading more from this "new to me" author.

Tags: KU, adding series to my TBR, sports romance,

Good book! Liked the twists and turns and enjoyed this very different love story. I'll be looking for more from this author in the future.

Annabelle Hart doesn't have time in her life for love, with caring for her young brother and running her dance studio spare time is pretty limited. Every spare minute she does have goes to her brother's needs or doing bookwork for her business. So she has pretty much given up on the idea of ever finding that happily ever after...

But Declan Sinclair is determined to change that, the moment he saw her he knew they were meant to be. She is everything he could want in a partner, she's beautiful, smart, strong, and loving... and a temptation he can no longer ignore. When he asks her to be his date for an event he's required to attend he sees it as his chance to convince her that their perfect for one another. That they could have so much more... she just has to let him in, and that is the part he's worried about!

Always Earned, Never Given is a beautifully penned friends to more romance that delights on all fronts! These two are perfect for one another, but only one of them is willing to see it or consider it. Well, the other, Belle, has been on her own for so long that she doesn't really know how to let others in. After losing her parents the care of her young brother fell on her shoulders, and it's a task she takes very seriously, almost to the point that she forgets to live herself. Everything she does is for him, but somewhere along the way she forgot about her own happiness. Often blaming her lack of a love life on not having the time, she has been able to ward men off... but Declan isn't about to take that as an excuse. He knows they are meant to be, and he is determined to earn her trust and love... even if it takes a lifetime.

Watching Belle find a little happiness after so much tragedy was so good for my battered heart. The poor girl lost almost everything the day her parents passed, and it left her struggling to find her way. But Declan came into her life and changed it for the better... I loved watching their love bloom. It was not only a heartwarming affair, but quite a steamy one too! Highly recommend you meet these characters, they will steal your heart at first glance!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

When the Always Earned, Never Given opens, Annabelle is on the cusp of achieving her dreams - it's the night before she is to perform for the first time as a principal in a ballet, a part of her life-long dream. But all that changes course when her parents are killed in a car accident and she becomes the sole care-taker for her much younger brother, Tommy.

Two years later and she owns her own dance studio in a suburb of Philadelphia and has surrounded herself with close friends who feel like family to her and Tommy. Declan is the brother of her closest friend and co-worker, and was immediately attracted to Annabelle when he first meets her. Declan is a quarterback and is being thrust into the media spotlight. He is told he needs to attend a charity dinner which is just the push he needs to finally ask Annabelle out.

This is an incredibly sweet romance. Watching Declan and Annabelle's relationship grow, seeing how Declan is with Tommy, and how Annabelle and Declan face the various obstacles they encounter was heartwarming and made for a beautiful story. I had not read the previous books in this series, and had no trouble at all jumping into this one. Now I can't wait to go back and read the first two!

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. I have voluntarily left an honest review.

This is the 3rd book in this amazing series and is Declan and Annabelle’s story. Declan is a professional football player, who loves the sport, but not the limelight that goes with it, which Annabelle gave up her dream as a ballet dancer when tragedy strikes, and she goes back home to take care of her little brother Tommy, who has autism, and running a dance studio, which leaves her little time for a social life. Declan knows what he wants and that is Annabelle, but can she convince her to take a chance on them? This is a beautifully written story which is an emotional roller coaster, and is heartbreaking, humorous, and with family, friendships, witty banter, and love, which all leads to an entertaining and all-consuming and addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

This third Kroydon Hills book had me reading long into the night.
I'm not usually into the extreme opposites of a professional football player and a ballerina, I thought it was a bit of a stretch, this story fooled me. Both of these protagonists were strong characters who overcame so much in order to live the lives they want.
Annabelle became a guardian unexpectedly and had to rearrange her life to give her best to her charge, which also meant avoiding relationships. Declan could see nothing in his life but reaching the NFL, until he decided he wanted Annabelle. But did she want him ?
The author is so good at creating a mood, I laughed, cried and in all honesty, swore at the stubborness of the characters.
If you want a great read, you can't miss with this.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy in return for an unpaid, honest review.

4 ⛤⛤⛤⛤

~Declan Sinclair & Annabelle Hart~

Go KINGS!!!
I love Declan & Belle's story so much!
Since meeting Annabelle in the first book, All In I know I want to read her story and wow. Belle is so strong. After all she's been through, the sacrifices she has made, she's still standing tall. Declan is the perfect partner for Belle. He's more than just a star quarterback, he's every bit human and so humble. His dedication towards the game he plays, his love for his family, which now extends to Belle and Tommy is #swoonworthy.

As always, I love the interaction between the girls' gang. The support Belle gets from them is astounding and I love them for giving Belle the friends she needs. To rival the girls, the guys' group chat is so funny. To sum up: I love these guys.

The story is fast-paced yet I believe it's a perfect story for Declan and Belle. Their love is instant but everlasting. I love that I can still see the previous couples and I love to see everybody so happy.
Now, I can't wait for Bash's book, Under Pressure , and his brother, Sam, Rise Of The King .


*Thank you TheNextStep PR for the ARC!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review

This one was okay… I did better when I skipped around opposed to reading very single page. Overall, 3.5 stars. I’m not sure why I had a hard time reading this one - the plot was great and the blurb sounded awesome. Loved the ending!

I'm really enjoying the Kings of Kroydon Hill series and this latest instalment is no exception. When we started with book one, All In, our characters were still at High School and quite young. Time had moved on slightly by book two, More Than A Game, and the hero and heroine of this book were a little older. This third book focuses on Declan and Annabelle, who are also a bit older than the rest of their friends and family.
This was a great read. Anabelle has had a lot to deal with, but she finds happiness with Declan. He is a very sweet character and offers her all that she's ever wanted, even if she didn't know that was what she was looking for.
There is a slight suspense element to this story. In all honesty, though, it comes as secondary to their romance. Not that it takes anything away from that, it's just that the growing relationship between Anabelle and Declan is so much more interesting and satisfying.
All in all this was a great read and I can't wait for more from the rest of the Kings of Kroydon Hill.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Copy received from the Next Step PR. Voluntarily reviewing and all opinions are objective and my own.

Seems readers were really excited for Annabelle and Declan, but I wasn’t. I suppose because they were the “older” of the generation, they didn’t really stand out for me, but then once I got reading, I fell deep into their story and ended up enjoying them so much.

Of the series, Annabelle and Declan are definitely the best developed couple. Their issues are “real” and bigger than the others, and much more emotionally invested. Annabelle has had some problems in the past, resulting in her caring for her brother with autism and managing her ballet school. Declan is so close to pro football and has the rest of his life mapped out.

This friends to lovers romance is super sweet. I loved how invested Declan got into Annabelle’s life, and with her brother. I enjoyed the progression as well. Annabelle was cautious over a romance, but never annoying in her resistance.

All in all, good read, and Bash’s book is up next. HIM i’ve been excited for since book 1!