When retired NFL superstar Keller Williams returns to his small town to coach his old high school football team, he’s surprised how much he enjoys being out of the limelight and on the field with the kids. Even more surprising is his immediate attraction to the father of one of his players—single dad Niall Harper.
Problem number one: Niall Harper isn’t gay.
Problem number two: Keller isn’t out to the world.
Problem number three: Niall hates his guts. And Keller has no idea why.
High school librarian Niall Harper has always done the right thing. Except be true to himself. Divorced and raising his teenaged son, Niall is dismayed to discover the new football coach is none other than his long-ago Friday night fantasy and nemesis. Not that it matters—Keller doesn’t remember him. It’s nothing new; Niall has always been easy to forget. Now Keller wants to be friends. And more. Niall can’t deny the annoying man makes him laugh and feel things he’d only dreamed possible. But would a player like Keller be satisfied with a regular guy like him?
Being together is more than complicated, but they are willing to take the risk. Niall reveals he’s dating his son’s coach, and Keller comes out to the team, his fans, the press, and small-town gossips. Neither is prepared for the fallout, but that doesn’t stop them. It’s time to throw the Hail Mary pass of a lifetime and win the game of forever. And they’re ready.
It’s been a little while since I last read an M/M romance and I’d forgotten just how good they could be.
This was my first read by Felice Stevens but I’ll definitely be checking out her other books.
I adored Keller & Niall. I liked the tension when they first met and the misunderstanding and skewed opinions Niall had of Keller added to the build up of their story. Keller’s interest and persistence at getting to know the other man was fun to read.
My heart hurt for them both… one in the limelight letting people think they knew who and what he was while the other was also living a lie and didn’t see that ever changing given the small town he grew up in up in and continued to live in.
I liked that they both saw the other and could be what they each needed. That Keller knew he needed to go at Niall’s pace and was understanding, patient and wanted to explore their connection without urging him to rush things made me like him that much more.
Niall was a sweetheart. Always thinking of others and going with what was best for them, he deserved to live his life, fully. Keller was the last person he expected to find that with but, for me, he was exactly the partner that Niall needed and deserved.
I really liked the supporting characters. David was a great kid, his initial reaction to his dad’s news was understandable but how he dealt with things going forward showed how great a relationship he and his dad had.
There were so many tips of the hat to things that still go on today when it comes to people’s sexuality. The double standards people often live by, the ‘fall from grace’ that can threaten when people don’t like other’s choices or lifestyles…… to name just a couple… these issues were well addressed and handled in the book and added to the story (vague, I know… but I’m not for giving spoilers and I might if I say anything else!!)
This was a thoroughly enjoyable, heartwarming read that had me cheering on Niall & Keller from the sidelines throughout.
Definitely give ‘The Player’ a shot. I’m glad I did!!
Recommend – 4.5*
How about a little sneak peek:
They sat in a booth and David decided he wanted a chocolate shake as well. Marilyn brought it over and smiled. “Great game on Friday, David. I bet you kids take the championship. Especially with Keller Williams as your coach.” “Why thank you, Marilyn. I appreciate your confidence.” Niall froze at the sound of Keller’s teasing laughter. “Hi, Coach.” “Hi you two. Having dinner? No Sunday pizza party tonight?” David wrinkled his nose. “How did you know about that?” Niall blinked rapidly, and decided he needed to speak. “I, uh, must’ve mentioned it on Friday night.” Satisfied with his answer, David sucked up some of his shake. “Where’s your friend?” Niall asked. “Did you leave him at home to pick up dinner?” A bit of light dimmed from Keller’s vibrant face. “No. Elijah left this morning. I got sick of being in the house, so I decided to come out and indulge with a burger and fries. Sometimes you need a little crispy goodness to make yourself feel better.” “Dad?” David stared at him, and raised his brows. Niall knew what David wanted him to do. He wanted it as well but he’d have to keep his guard up. “Want to join us? We just ordered our burgers.” Keller’s face transformed from dejection to pleasure. “’I’d love to. Are you sure?” But he was already sliding into the seat next to Niall. The two of them weren’t small men and Keller’s legs were big and muscular. Of course he was using their proximity to take advantage. Niall had nowhere to go—not that he wanted to. Keller was warm, and Niall wished they could stay in this crowded little booth forever. Keller placed the napkin in his lap, fingers brushing against Niall’s thigh and Niall had to hold back a sigh of pleasure. Until he glanced over and saw the devilish smile on Keller’s lips and knew he was teasing him on purpose. David was busy scrolling on his phone and sucking down his milkshake, giving him an opening. “Stop that,” he muttered. “What?” Keller widened his eyes. “Please?” He pleaded and cut his gaze to David. Keller nodded. “Okay.” He waved over Marilyn. “I’ll have the grilled chicken and fries, extra pickles.” Niall wrinkled his nose. “Extra pickles?” “What? I love pickles.” Their food came first and he felt awkward eating, but Keller waved him on. “I’ll manage.” And did so by proceeding to eat the fries off his plate. Niall had never been with someone like Keller. He was so damn…happy. And being in his orbit made Niall happy as well. It had taken him this long to figure out what that dancing, fluttery feeling in his chest were. For the first time, he was himself.
About the Author:
Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is the Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, and the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Title: Is This Love? Series: Everlasting Ink #2 Author: Kaylee Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Small Town/Age Gap/Marriage of Convenience/Fake Relationship/One Bed Release Date: March 19, 2024
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NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan brings you the continuation of the stand-alone series surrounding five best friends who co-own a tattoo studio. “Is This Love?” is an age gap, marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, small-town romance.
Legend A marriage of convenience is one thing… but falling for your fake wife is all kinds of complicated.
Being married for a year is the only way to claim my inheritance. I couldn’t care less about the money. It’s not like I even knew my grandparents.
I wasn’t even considering it until Monroe volunteered. Sweet, sweet, Monroe. I’ve never let myself consider her as an option for me.
She’s been tucked safely away in a box labeled forbidden. That is until she takes my last name.
Monroe It’s not like I planned to marry one of my friends… or fall for him.
One minute I offer to be his fake wife, and the next, we’re going through the motions— saying, “I do,” and playing house.
Legend is the kind of guy fantasies are made of—tall, dark, and tattooed. Now I’m sharing his bed and his last name for the next year.
Everything looks good on paper, and while this may have started out as playing pretend, the way I feel for him is the realest thing I’ve ever known.
As the weeks pass by, it doesn’t take long before either of us begins to question if we’re just friends or if this is love after all.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has been crowned the Queen of Swoon by her readers. With nearly fifty romance books under her belt, she’s known for penning happily ever afters with heart. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand or hanging out with her family where she resides in her home state of Ohio.
Title: Pretty Drunk Series: Pine Village #3 Author: Lacey Black
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Small Town/Surprise Pregnancy Forced Proximity/Enemies to Lovers Release Date: March 19, 2024
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Hallie
No one pushes my buttons the way Logan Johnson does. I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to ignore him, which isn’t easy when you live in a small town and share the same friends.
So, when I have a little too much to drink and need a place to crash after our friends’ wedding, it would figure I find myself at Logan’s house. What I’m not expecting is ending up in his bed. With him. Naked. More so, I wasn’t anticipating enjoying myself as much as I did, anxious for a repeat, which is why I’m not surprised when it happens again.
The problem is those drunken nights have resulted in something unplanned. Something monumental. Something that will change our lives forever.
Logan
Being attracted to someone who drives you completely crazy is its own form of hell. Hallie Rhodes is entirely infuriating, yet so damn beautiful it makes me ache.
There’s a fine line between love and hate, and we’ve been blurring it for as long as I can remember. So, when a late, drunken night turns into something it shouldn’t, all bets are off. Plans change and futures are cemented, despite having no idea what really comes next. All I know is the more time we spend together, the more I realize having her in my life is paramount.
Now my biggest challenge of all presents itself. Proving to Hallie we’re better together than we ever were apart.
USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.
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