Synopsis
An NFL quarterback turned small-town coach gets sacked by a Texas beauty queen in this swoony, passionate romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills.
Gorgeous, talented, and brilliant, NFL quarterback Ronan Smith has the world in his hands. But after losing his career and his fiancée in a car accident, he falls into a pit of grief and bad choices. When a mysterious girl shows up to his party, he feels drawn to her and makes her his…for one night.
Former beauty queen Nova Morgan is on a mission. Scantily clad as a princess from a galaxy far, far away, she sneaks into a high-profile party to capture the attention of her favorite quarterback. But her hopes crash after an awful one-night stand.
Fast-forward two years. Broke and desperate, Nova returns home to Blue Belle, Texas, where, by a cosmic twist of fate, her broody neighbor is none other than Ronan, the shiny new football coach everyone adores. But he has no idea who she is.
The booster club keeps shoving women at Ronan to keep him in town. His solution? He proposes fake dating to Nova. But things heat up for real under these Friday-night lights when he realizes she’s the one who slipped away.
Has this jaded beauty found her forever baller, or will his past keep them apart?
Bite-sized Review
4 solid stars for that “sportsromance”.
This is the way romance is done. Well according to me of course 😉
With two characters who are good at hearts, a lot of chemistry, a little bit of angst but not too much and a meddling town who wants to keep its coach and does not hesitate to scheme.
Both Nova and Ronan are characters with a big heart.
You don’t have a jerk and a shy heroine. No. Nova is confident, embrace her sexuality and is absolutely supportive of others, be it her sister, the kids she ends up teaching to or Ronan.
She is a solar heroine. Also one who has been hurt by her childhood sweetheart and has kept her heart under lock for years even if she has dated her fair share of athletes.
Ronan is that good guy every mother wants for her daughter. Handsome, capable, dedicated, supportive he goes out of his way to give back what he has earned in life. To help poor kids or people who have difficulties to make ends meet.
He also is super sexy and talented in bed!
The plot is fairly simple and centered around fake dating, one of my favorite tropes.
You have character growth, fears to overcome, charming side characters, loads of chemistry and all in all, I read that book in record time.
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
I can’t believe I’ve never read anything from Madden-Mills! As much as I love a good sports romance, this one sounds right up my alley.
I think so too!
It has been a while since I’ve read a good sports romance so I think I need to check this one out. It sounds like a great read.
It really is a good one!
I really can’t wait to read this one! It sounds so good!
This is probably my favorite Madden-Mills books. It was pretty touching in addition to be amusing and swoony. I am very happy she will have more books in this world.
Same! And I saw that you added one to your TBR this Sunday sam!
Awww, then I am extra glad you liked it
I love the title and cover, and I like how the characters both seem to be nice people
I do love books with just good people as characters Tammy!
Glad you enjoyed this! Fab review xx
Thank you Caro!