Fumbled Futures Collection (2024)

Meagan Brandy is the queen of new adult, coming of age dramas, and this series shines just as brightly as the much beloved Brayshaw crew. And now you can get it all in this one amazingly priced boxset. This amazing boxset has two full length novels Fumbled Hearts and Defenseless Hearts and a short six chapter novella Fourth Down (formerly Fumbled Future). Each centers on a different couple, all interconnected in the Fumbled Futures world.

Fumbled Heart is one of my favorite Meagan Brandy stories, centering on tough girl Kalani and love interest Nate. Meagan always writes such fierce heroines, and Kalani is one of her best- she's a fighter, a survivor. And even when Nate makes me mad, I still loved him. As usual we have all that we love from Meagan- a juicy storyline, teenage angst, first love drama, tons of sexiness, funny moments, and emotional ones. One of my favorite from MB and my favorite of the trio in this set.

Defenseless Hearts is the story of Kenra and Parker- characters we meet in the first book (and we see parts of their relationship from the outside that help shape up this book, though it can be read alone if desired, but I recommend meeting them in Fumbled Hearts). This one is angst city- at times a bit too slow paced, even overly angsty for me, because these two have QUITE a fight on their hands, and despite me empathizing with Kenra, at times I found her unlikable- not quite the fierce and saavy MB heroine I usually adore. But, ultimately, I enjoyed where they ended up, even if this one isn't my favorite of the batch.

Fourth Down was formerly in another limited anthology and is now retitled and only available in this boxset, and it is well worth grabbing. While short (6 chapters) it features a character we meet in the prior 2 books I wanted to know more about, and I'm so glad we do now! Mia and Austin’s second chance story is sweet and swoony, with a dash of steam. I fell hard for Austin- and Mia is so endearing, sweet but spicy. This was adorable.

All in all, this boxet has it all! All that I love about Meagan Brandy - angst, deep connections, emotions, twists, and epic soulful young love.

Cause of the second book in the bundle...it's 4 stars

This review is for mia and Austin the other books have separate reviews .

Fumbled Hearts by Meagan Brandy is a high school, football/sports romance which will suck you into the story immediately. This is the first book in the Fumbled Futures collection.

Kalani aka Lolli has recently moved to Alrick Falls to complete her senior year of high school. Lucky for her, she has her cousin Mia living next door and attending school with her. But it’s not like Lolli needs anyone, with a sassy, no filter mouth and a backbone to match. However, she does hold deep secrets and a past that takes awhile to come to the surface.

As the new girl, Lolls becomes the talk of the school, all thanks to a QB who’s a little obsessed with her - or maybe intrigued. Plus she’s got girls who instantly hate her and guys who want to be with her, which is what you’d expect with a high school setting.

It does take awhile to find out the reason behind Kalani moving, but as the plot flows so well you'll be absorbed in what’s happening in her current life that you can patiently wait for that story to unfold.

The chemistry between Kalani and Nate, is an intense slow burn romance that leaves you on the edge of your seat waiting for their passion to reach its peak of no return. And that build up is perfection!

The side characters Mia and Parker are absolutely ideally matched to Kalani and even Nate’s characters.

The football elements of the story are interwoven into the story at the perfect moments, and the overall emotions are well written.

This story does also have dual POV’s from both Kalani and Nate, but the story is mainly told from Kalani’s point of view, and a few bonuses from Mia.

This is definitely a book I won’t soon forget

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Defenseless Heart by Meagan Brandy is a secret friends to lovers, second chance romance which will pull at your heartstrings. This is the second book in the Fumbled Futures collection.

Parker’s history with Kenra is briefly mentioned in Fumbled Hearts, and their story was one I was keen to know more about.

I wanted to rush through this book, because I just wanted the HEA/HFN for both Parker and Kenra, but I had to stop myself from skim reading and just read each line at a time.

Their story is filled with heartbreak, pain, silent suffering and secrets. But these two characters need each other so much, and that’s clearly told throughout. They do get their happily ever after, but it just takes a long time to get there. So patience and tissues are needed for this story.

This story does also have dual POV’s from both Parker and Kenra, but the story is mainly told from Parker’s point of view.

Side note: a trigger warning should be noted in regards to self harm, it’s only minorly told, but I think it’s important to mention.

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Fourth Down by Meagan Brandy is a novella set in the Fumbled Futures collection.

This is Mia’s story, as she’s appeared in each of the other books, it was great to have this novella to tell her story.

Whilst Mia and Austin broke up before finishing High School, that doesn’t mean their lives are still slightly entwined. With the setting just right, these two are reunited but appearances aren’t what they seem.

This second chance romance is a perfect addition to this collection.

(Please Note this review is SOLELY for the novella Fourth Down I already have individual reviews for the other two books in the series on my page! This novella is exclusive to the ebook box set and isn't listed as an individual book so I have no other way to review it!)

The books in this series already weren't good at developing and making relationships seem real and this extremely short novella also didn't help. They should have gotten an entire book or just had nothing at all as this novella really added nothing and quite frankly made me like the characters less. It's a second-chance romance, but the way Austin and Mia go on about it is odd. I wouldn't even recommend this if you want to read the full-length novels and I also don't see myself even thinking about this book.

4.25

I read this for Mia and Austin’s story and it was GOOODDD!!! I literally felt how much they still loved each other and Austin made me literally swoon. Although this was a novella, I felt it was short and sweet and just perfect for them.

Here are my thoughts on each book. Fumbled Hearts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I love Kelani. She was fire. She was strong. She didn’t take crap from anyone not the men not the women. She was confident and I wish that was me in high school. I know she was hurting and going through a lot, and only a select few she let into her heart, but I loved how she stood up for herself all the time.
One thing that always irks me in these stories with the playboys is, why is it that when the story begins you hear of the Playboy being with this girl and that girl and in this instance, Kelani saw Nate after having sex with Liv, she saw him hitting on somebody else and the one time that she is flirting with different guys, he tells her she can’t when they weren’t even together. Instead of her saying something to him, she just lets him stronghold her because she likes that she likes for a man to take control which is fine but I kind of wish she would’ve said hey dude like you can’t go off being with all these women and not let me have my fun.
But I did end up liking Nate and Kalani together. Now, yes, this is a high school story but it’s their senior year in high school going into college but trust me that this is not sound like a high school story. I enjoyed every minute of this.

Defenseless hearts ⭐️⭐️⭐️ was a different story. This one was about Parker and Nate‘s sister Kenra. Now I am going to be completely honest and I feel like Parker could have done better. He deserved better. Parker was a great man a great person, a lovable person, and there were so many times that Kendra could’ve been with Parker before she got deep in with Kellen, but she kept taking him back when he treated her so bad. Before it got to the part was blackmailing her she had an opportunity to have left him. She saw him cheating on her and still took him back when she could’ve left him and been with Parker. So I was not happy with the story at all. Yes I felt sorry for Kendra for what she was being blackmail for and how she was treated by Kellen, but like I said all of that could’ve been avoided. Had she just left him long time ago. My heart broke though for Deaton. That was so sad.

Honest review

Not a typical sports story, but enough sports to keep you interested if you enjoy the game. The characters and stories are pretty deep emotionally and they keep you moving from page to page.

I wish I had read this book before “Say You Swear”. It was so amazing to meet all of the characters and hear their stories.

Epic stories

Some of my favourite sports romances combined in and amazing collection. If you love sports romances or Meagan Brandy then I 100% recommend this collection.

IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THIS YET. YOU NEED TO. AND THEN READ SAY YOU SWEAR. When I tell you, this was the best thing I’ve read this year and the way it flows into say you swear! Bloody brilliant.

Let’s start with fumbled hearts. Now I’d give this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but the 3 as a whole is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lolli and Nate! bad boy football star into a soppy mess over a girl. Yes please.

The way all the lives link was beautiful. That they could of met on countless occasions. STOP IT. 😩

Liv I hate her but love the chaos and carnage she leaves behind.

Jarred. I had high hopes for you. And you had to go and ruin it. Not ok. You and Liv belong together.

Getting mason, Ari, chase, Brady, Cam and them even talking about NOAH RILEY!!

Lolli and Parker’s friendship had me on my knees. Parker Baylor is the ultimate Friend and boyfriend (DH)

LOVE THE SANDLOT REFERENCES! “You’re killing me smalls!!”

Fave quotes-

“my beautiful broken blue eyed girl… is a lying f*cking bitch, caught red handed.”

“This is Nate Monroe, the star quarterback, playboy extraordinaire. A stranger”

Defenceless hearts! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nate’s sister Kenra and Parker’s story had me sobbing.

Loved learning about Payton and the baby and how all their lives are connected. And knowing promise me not comes out this year!! The car crash took me out. I had to have a break because I couldn’t see past the tears. Chase I see you in the hospital 👀 I see you snapping at mason.

All the parents at the hospital was incredible getting their claws out.

FALSE MISCARRIAGE! Are you kidding!!! What a manipulative slimy man. The way i gasped.

“Did you let him F*** you?”
“I begged him to”

MIAS NOVELLA I NEEDED MORE! SO MUCH MORE! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nate and lolli not telling mia 1. They have a new house mate. And then 2. Not correcting her when she’s spinning out about Austin getting married 🤣 and Austin also watching her revelling in the fact she obviously loves him.

Each one got better and better.

Can’t wait for the stories to continue.

Meagan brandy is a genius. She must have a map of all the lives connected as this stuff is next level.

The twists and turns had me constantly surprised. I loved some of the obvious hints too throughout the 3 stories.

The only thing that pisses me off but come to learn it’s a US thing is “sitting Indian style”

A fantastic collection!

It was so great to read these books and get to know Parker, Nate, Kalani, Kendra, Mia and Austin better. I read Say You Swear - a book very connected to this collection first, even though timeline was it fits in last so far and the appreciation for all the characters and history I feel after reading these and connecting it to that wonderful, five star book… wow. I will fully admit, the first book in this collection - Nate and Kalani’s - is by far my favourite. Both were incredible characters, incredibly well developed and the book was executed perfectly. I loved Nate so much and Kalani was fierce. One of the most memorable heroines I’ve read in awhile - and certainly one of the sharpest tongued ones as well. She has backbone in spades!

The other two books were also great and I adored all these characters. Side note: I love the hero from Say You Swear, the next connected book, so deeply that the very mention of his name this one had my heart pitter pattering. Noah Riley is just that special.

Meagan Brandy does it again — fantastic characters, great pacing, high intensity, well developed romances and a vibe that just has an edge few authors can deliver. I can’t wait for more works about these characters! Mason, Chace and Brady still need their stories told and I’m ready for it!

A fantastic series for anyone who loves young adult sports romances. Please don’t forget to read Say You Swear after reading this - because no one should miss getting to know Noah Riley.

Touchdown!

Fumbled Hearts

I didn’t know when I read Say You Swear that this series should be read first. Nate and Kalani’s story isn’t easy. She’s had it tough over the past year and different a few years before that. She believes in honesty, because it’s better to be true n all things than live a life of lies. Nate, when she meets him, is a classic high school QB and manwhor*. She’s something he’s never known and makes him want to be more. Their relationship isn’t the regular ones you see. They become friends and then more. They were placed together at the time they needed to be. Meagan Brandy writes wonderfully intriguing stories that have plots that steal your heart. I’m looking forward to reading the stories about Kalani’s friends.

Defenseless Hearts

Meagan Brandy knows how to write stories that grab you, make you feel for the characters, and take you on a rollercoaster of a ride. Parker and Kenra’s story spans years. Details can’t be written here, because it would spoil it. The Fumbled Futures books need to be read before Say You Swear. This was a story that had me on pins and needles at times, waiting to see how things played out.

Fourth Down
Mia and Austin’s story gets told in a short novella.

These stories are well worth reading. Make sure you read them before Say You Swear!

Fumbled Hearts (Fumbled Futures) by Meagan Brandy
4.75⭐️
After reading Say You Swear, I had to go back in time and read about some of the people that were in it. I wasn’t so sure, again, but instantly loved it and couldn’t put it down. I loved the playboy turned all in boyfriend vibe. I loved their crazy deep connection. It is a little unrealistic because they were in high school, but I didn’t let that trip me up. I can’t get enough Meagan Brandy!!

Defenseless Hearts (Fumbled Futures) by Meagan Brandy
4.5⭐️
So glad I continued the story. This one was pretty heavy and it had a lot of information that we already knew.. but I needed to know what happened. I would suggest looking into trigger warnings for this book for sure. I’m so glad that Parker finally had his time to shine and that we had Lolli and Nate there for all of it. Kenra’s point of view and experiences were so hard to read, but also necessary. Also, so much more made sense from Say You Swear, now that I read this book. So I will definitely recommend that people read this series before starting Say You Swear. But again, thank you Meagan Brandy!

Fourth Down (Fumbled Futures) by Meagan Brandy
4⭐️
Loved this short bit to give Mia and Austin their time to shine! Just a continuation of the crew and I loved it.

Fumbled Hearts - Gah!! Love love loved this book so much!! This has certainly pulled me well and truly out of my book funk. It was addictive and fun with a little angst thrown in too. I can’t believe this is the authors debut novel! Great job Meagan!

Defenseless Hearts - Meagan Brandy completely blew me away with her first book Fumbled Hearts (book one in the Tender Hearts series) and I was pretty unsure on how I’d feel about Defenseless Hearts (book two) if I’m honest. After you read a great book at the start of a series there’s always that apprehension that the next will be just as great and this one was! I bloomin loved it!! Oh Parker!! I’m super happy you got your story and although it took me on a whirlwind of a trip with my emotions I wouldn’t change a single thing. I loved everything about this book, all of it even though I wanted to scream and shout, a lot! It really played with my emotions and oh the angst! It was everything and more. I think it’s safe to say that Meagan Brandy has a new lifelong fan!

I was reading this duet in preparation for Say You Swear.

In addition to Fumbled Hearts and Defenseless Hearts, this box set includes a novella called Fourth Down that brings Mia and Austin back together in California. I don't think we got a lot of their story in Fumbled Hearts, so it might be helpful to read this if they're going to show up in Say You Swear.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Maybe this, tonight, is what my girl needs to remember.”
“Remember what?”
“Us”

“You let me think you were getting married,” I inhale.
“You let me think you didn’t love me,” he counters instantly.

“I’m afraid of sharks.” Austin freezes a half a second before a light chuckle leaves him and he allows my body to drop a couple inches, bringing us face to face.
“I know.” He nods, staring intently. “But you swim in the ocean every day,” he whispers, his hand coming up so he can trail his thumb along my cheek. “Swim with me, baby.”

“This can’t be like before,” he stresses. “You want me, Mia, you take me. All of me, all the time. I can’t handle small pieces, not anymore.”

Simply Love This Series

It has been a long time coming, but I'm glad to see this series put into a boxset with Mia's short story added in. I didn't realize the first book was the author's first published book. Regardless, I've loved this series since I first downloaded the books and have read both books too many times to count.

I love Kalani and Parker. Their friendship is one that can truly be called unconditional love. I know Nate and Kenra adds to the stories as the other halves but even they didn't have the unconditional love and friendship. There were issues before things were good. It would have been amazing...Kalani and Parker...if only.

I didn't think it would be Mia and Austin but their short novella was a nice ending to the series. I only wished it was longer.

All the feels...

So I've read the first book in this series before and I absolutely love Nate and Kalani. The struggle that Kalani went through. All the loss, I felt her pain I understood it. It was something to see how Nate helped her open her heart once again.

I was hesitant on reading the second because I love them so much, but than I got to Parker and Kenra and I fell more in love with Parker. They way he loved Kenra and help save her. Kenra strength and resilience it was amazing.

The Novella with Mia and Austin kind of brought it all together. Figuring out where they stood in life and with each other..

My favorite thing with this was Kalani and Parker friendship. You see it develop in the first book but the second absolutely blew me away. Everybody deserves a friendship like theirs.. Meagan Brandy is one of my faves.. she draws me in Everytime.. ❤️❤️

Great books - just a few errors in the eBook

I just love me some Meagan Brandy. I loved both stories and the quick novella at the end.

First…if you’re reading this version as a ebook, there are some chapters that have a header at the beginning and end of the chapter, it starts with book 2. I thought a chapter was left out at first so checked the standalone version and realized it was just an error. There are several of them, but once I knew I wasn’t missing any content, I was good to go.

Love that we get to see the same characters throughout all three stories. Kalani/Lolli and Nate were my favorite, but loved Parker and Kendra’s story too and glad we get Mia and Austin’s HEA too. Love that all these friends stuck together and made their own family.

Downloaded this solely for Mia's story--she was the one loose end from this series. I like Mia, but the way she handled everything in Lolli's book really bothered me. She's kind of a brat? And for someone who was "so loyal" to Lolli, she definitely abandoned her over a misunderstanding surrounding a boy. Which 100% did not make sense with her character development otherwise.

This novella was cute and ties up loose ends. I wish it was longer because I think her and Austin's story would be interesting, but I enjoyed it.

Wonderful series

Lolli and Nate are such amazingly strong characters. And Lolli is a freakin badass! Liv can eat dirt seriously though.
I absolutely loved Parker and I’m so glad he got his own book. I loved all the issues that the characters face. In real life a lot of people go through some of the same things.
Mia is adorable and I’m glad she got her happy ending.
Also want to add read this series before Say you Swear!!

Having reviewed book 1 and 2 separately. This is the review for Mia and austin.

However I will add that her next book - Paytons story, what if its chase? The hints are there, the texting the holding her when deaton died. What if it's always been him and that's what causes the rift between him and mason not ari and chase. Payton and chase. Hmmm. Gets you thinking.

Love this series. I think we needed more of austin and Mia though

LOVED

I had read these a few years as when they first came out, but wanted to read them again and then read the novella with this set! It. Did. Not. Disappoint! And then I get to the end of the book and see the best news ever lol bc I really needed more!! I loved Nate and Lolli! And Parker and Kenra!! Great characters, great books

fumbled futures is everything

Meagan can write pure GOLD! From Lolli and Nate, Parker and Kenra to Mia and Austin. These are the books you didn’t know you needed until you’ve read them! And I need them all!!

Fourth down!

So I'm going to review fourth down on this box set then review the other 2 separately on goodreads!

I love it, it was short and sweet and exactly what I wanted from them! So happy for their getting together, I was a little surprised but happy they got the HEA

Love this author

Amazing again, I have now finished all books by this author and loved everyone of them, but I do need more books on the other characters like Mason and Brady, which I know are in Say You Swear.... Which is also amazing! But they need a books of their own too :)

MEAGAN BRANDY IS AMAZING

I love this collection, it was soooooo good. I also love how her book intertwine... I read say you swear and now I'm seeing the other side of the "family".. love ALL her books

Very entertaining and enjoyable read.

I thoroughly enjoyed these stories, about friendship, love and loss. The storylines were interesting,, and the characters were likeable. I laughed a lot, I cussed, and I also cried. Worth reading!

I read this book set after I read Say You Swear.... even though Say You Swear still takes the cake, the stories in these books were so great! I love that Meagan gave us more about the othe characters.... I hope there are even more to come!

Full of unexpected love, raw and unquitting love with many laughs and tugs on the heart strings! I highly recommend!!

love Parker and Kenra

I love how big this family is and how they are always there for each other. The combination of the Monroe’s, Baylors, and Lolli was amazing !! I love how they were able to outsmart everyone in the end was a great ending !!!