Jock by Tamrin Banks
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not Exactly the Match I Was Hoping For

This was my first time reading Tamrin Banks, and I went in with cautious optimism. Jock came recommended in our book club, and between the cute blurb and the promise of a short, spicy romance (only 53 pages!), I figured—why not?

Well… let’s just say it wasn’t love at first page.

This is a bite-sized entry in the KNK Matching Agency series, which is a fun premise on paper: a matchmaking service pairs people based on their desires, quirks, and emotional baggage. Sounds fun, right? In theory, yes. In execution? Less so.

Click to reveal spoiler

We’re introduced to Clay, our male lead, as he’s filling out his ideal-woman order form—courtesy of the KNK agency. He wants someone shy, sweet, and nothing like the women in his office (a bit of an eye-roll moment, but I held on). His honesty about his desires was actually refreshing, and I appreciated that he was upfront with his intentions once he meets Bitty.

And then there’s Bitty. Poor girl. She’s recovering from a traumatic event—nearly being assaulted—and instead of getting actual therapeutic support, she gets handed a matchmaking card. Because, of course, what better way to heal than by jumping into a relationship with a man who wants full control over your life? Totally healthy coping strategy.

I did feel a genuine softness for Bitty. I get the desire to let go, to feel protected, to rest your mind in someone else’s hands. But this story takes that desire and runs so far with it that we end up in some questionable territory. Clay isn’t just protective—he’s possessive. There’s a difference between caring for someone and controlling them, and this book didn’t seem interested in drawing that line.

Yes, the relationship is consensual. Yes, Clay is clear about his expectations. But at what point does “dominant” tip over into “domineering”? The dynamic felt less like a spicy power play and more like a one-sided power grab. It’s not a healthy sub/dom setup with emotional depth—it’s more like “here’s your life-sized obedient girlfriend doll with trauma backstory included.”

And don’t even get me started on the therapist’s role in this. The idea that someone would recommend a matchmaking service to a woman coping with near-assault felt… wildly irresponsible. Therapy should empower, not redirect vulnerability into dependency.

In the end, Jock left me more uncomfortable than entertained. If you’re looking for a quick read with a very specific kind of romance, maybe this will work for you. But if you’re expecting emotional nuance, actual spice, or character growth—you might want to keep swiping.

View all my reviews