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Seattle Phantom Football #1
Pick Six
What’s worse than playing a fake girlfriend to the all-pro defensive end for the Seattle Phantom?
When the same infamous playboy is my ex-husband’s best friend. I’m normally great at keeping my distance from him—pretending like he doesn’t get under my skin. But after he punches a teammate over me, we’re stuck faking a relationship to save his career and mine. If we play the game well, we could both get out ahead. I just have to remember everything about this is for show, including the reformed player act. A few blurred lines and crossed boundaries won’t change things.
Because falling for your ex’s best friend is wrong, right?
When the same infamous playboy is my ex-husband’s best friend. I’m normally great at keeping my distance from him—pretending like he doesn’t get under my skin. But after he punches a teammate over me, we’re stuck faking a relationship to save his career and mine. If we play the game well, we could both get out ahead. I just have to remember everything about this is for show, including the reformed player act. A few blurred lines and crossed boundaries won’t change things.
Because falling for your ex’s best friend is wrong, right?
352 pages, ebook
First published May 4, 2023
1,843 people are currently reading
8,371 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 724 reviews
September 28, 2023
While working the room at an event for her museum, Harper finds herself in a bad situation with a drunk and handsy guest. When Alex, her ex-husband’s best friend sees her being accosted, he steps in and things quickly spiral.
With the Seattle Phantom’s infamous defensive end’s public perception already an issue, the incident is spun into a fauxlationship. The problem: there are lingering feelings from a missed opportunity some years back.
Let me just tell you that there was not a single thing I disliked about this book. It was angsty and steamy. There was passion and chemistry. The way Alex unabashedly made his feelings known for Harper was downright swoony. And the trope mashup and unexpected twists made it anything but predictable.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😊🤫🥵🥺😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Sports Romance
✨ Tropes: Fake Relationship, Forbidden, Jealous/Possessive, MINE!, Pro Athlete, Reformed Player, Rich AF, Second Chance
💋 Kinks: Praise
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: OM/OW Drama (Mild), VioIençe (Mild)
📣 Type: Pick Six is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
With the Seattle Phantom’s infamous defensive end’s public perception already an issue, the incident is spun into a fauxlationship. The problem: there are lingering feelings from a missed opportunity some years back.
Let me just tell you that there was not a single thing I disliked about this book. It was angsty and steamy. There was passion and chemistry. The way Alex unabashedly made his feelings known for Harper was downright swoony. And the trope mashup and unexpected twists made it anything but predictable.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😊🤫🥵🥺😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Sports Romance
✨ Tropes: Fake Relationship, Forbidden, Jealous/Possessive, MINE!, Pro Athlete, Reformed Player, Rich AF, Second Chance
💋 Kinks: Praise
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: OM/OW Drama (Mild), VioIençe (Mild)
📣 Type: Pick Six is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
June 4, 2024
3 Saint Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Some books are a hit, some books are a miss... and some books just fade into the background with the title - "well that was ok, it passed the time". This one fell into the last category.
This is a dual POV which follows Harper and Alex. Harper is a curator at a museum that is currently having a fundraiser to keep the museum open and garner funding. They have invited the local Seattle Phantoms football team to help raise money. Soon Harper finds herself in a very sticky situation. One that involves her ex-husband's best friend, who she kissed before she started dating her ex and before she knew he was her ex-husband's best friend. Alex cannot keep his eyes off Harper because he has loved her since their one night together. So when he sees one of his fellow teammates getting a little bit handsy, he sees red, and punches his teammate in the face. In an effort to salvage the situation, they agree to "Fake Date" to explain Alex's rage.
There is just something about this book that feels "off" and I think it was how quickly the two of them get together in their fake relationship. It bordered on instalove and I really don't like instalove as a trope. Now I do understand that these two characters have a history and unrepressed feelings for each other as they wonder "what might have been". But it just felt a little bit too quick, and she gave into Alex's pursuits and advances WAY TO FAST! I wanted to see a little bit more pushback, playing hard to get - or just something that wasn't these two immediately jumping into bed together even if Harper's ex is a fucking cheating tool who never deserved her in the first place.
There was one thing in this book that I think was done superbly well, and it's something most books battle with - COUPLE COMMUNICATION. Alex and Harper were perfect at discussing issues, fears, likes, dislikes and if something came up - would immediately try to resolve it with the other person. It felt mature and adult and an excellent example of how to do communication right and not introduce any form of miscommunication into their dialogue/story.
There is not much else I can say about the characters or the book, because you have seen this story before and seen these characters - it's pretty much cookie-cutter of what you would expect in a fake dating sports romance. The spice is spicy and the HOT TUB SCENE - My gosh was that SEXY...
Tropes in this include:
▶ Second Chance (Kinda)
▶ He had her first
▶ Ex Husband's Best Friend
▶ Fake Dating
▶ He Falls First
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ GrumpyXSunshine
▶ Mine
▶ Forehead Kisses
▶ Under Table Touching
▶ Voyeurism
▶ Banter
Honestly, if you just want a good fake dating book with spice - this is a good choice to give you exactly that! It's not the best of the best, but it's not terrible that you'll waste your time reading it!
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Some books are a hit, some books are a miss... and some books just fade into the background with the title - "well that was ok, it passed the time". This one fell into the last category.
This is a dual POV which follows Harper and Alex. Harper is a curator at a museum that is currently having a fundraiser to keep the museum open and garner funding. They have invited the local Seattle Phantoms football team to help raise money. Soon Harper finds herself in a very sticky situation. One that involves her ex-husband's best friend, who she kissed before she started dating her ex and before she knew he was her ex-husband's best friend. Alex cannot keep his eyes off Harper because he has loved her since their one night together. So when he sees one of his fellow teammates getting a little bit handsy, he sees red, and punches his teammate in the face. In an effort to salvage the situation, they agree to "Fake Date" to explain Alex's rage.
There is just something about this book that feels "off" and I think it was how quickly the two of them get together in their fake relationship. It bordered on instalove and I really don't like instalove as a trope. Now I do understand that these two characters have a history and unrepressed feelings for each other as they wonder "what might have been". But it just felt a little bit too quick, and she gave into Alex's pursuits and advances WAY TO FAST! I wanted to see a little bit more pushback, playing hard to get - or just something that wasn't these two immediately jumping into bed together even if Harper's ex is a fucking cheating tool who never deserved her in the first place.
There was one thing in this book that I think was done superbly well, and it's something most books battle with - COUPLE COMMUNICATION. Alex and Harper were perfect at discussing issues, fears, likes, dislikes and if something came up - would immediately try to resolve it with the other person. It felt mature and adult and an excellent example of how to do communication right and not introduce any form of miscommunication into their dialogue/story.
There is not much else I can say about the characters or the book, because you have seen this story before and seen these characters - it's pretty much cookie-cutter of what you would expect in a fake dating sports romance. The spice is spicy and the HOT TUB SCENE - My gosh was that SEXY...
Tropes in this include:
▶ Second Chance (Kinda)
▶ He had her first
▶ Ex Husband's Best Friend
▶ Fake Dating
▶ He Falls First
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ GrumpyXSunshine
▶ Mine
▶ Forehead Kisses
▶ Under Table Touching
▶ Voyeurism
▶ Banter
Honestly, if you just want a good fake dating book with spice - this is a good choice to give you exactly that! It's not the best of the best, but it's not terrible that you'll waste your time reading it!
April 28, 2023
- football
- fake dating
- ex's best friend
- he loved her first
- praise kink
Notorious playboy and defensive end for the Seattle Phantom, Alex, meets the girl of his dreams at a friends party, but his reputation has her hesitant and they part that night as friends. As if that wasn't bad enough, she soon starts dating his best friend and agent, and Alex regrets ever letting her go. (Yall can read their first time meeting in the novella Defensive End)
Fast forward several years and Harper is newly divorced and trying to move on with her life. She bumps into Alex for the first time since the divorce from her ex has been finalized at a party she is working to raise funds for the museum, and despite the years that have separated them the magnetic chemistry between her and the cocky playboy snaps back into place.
When Alex catches one of his new team mates getting handsy with her, he makes a snap decision that throws them into a fake dating ploy to save not only his reputation but her job as well. Except their feelings for each other are not so fake, and lines blur between pretend and reality. Can they makes this work when Alex's past and her ex are doing their best to ruin it?
I honestly don't even know where to start! Pick Six was absolutely fantastic. The chemistry between Harper and Alex was everything, and I loved seeing them get a second chance at being together.
- fake dating
- ex's best friend
- he loved her first
- praise kink
Notorious playboy and defensive end for the Seattle Phantom, Alex, meets the girl of his dreams at a friends party, but his reputation has her hesitant and they part that night as friends. As if that wasn't bad enough, she soon starts dating his best friend and agent, and Alex regrets ever letting her go. (Yall can read their first time meeting in the novella Defensive End)
Fast forward several years and Harper is newly divorced and trying to move on with her life. She bumps into Alex for the first time since the divorce from her ex has been finalized at a party she is working to raise funds for the museum, and despite the years that have separated them the magnetic chemistry between her and the cocky playboy snaps back into place.
When Alex catches one of his new team mates getting handsy with her, he makes a snap decision that throws them into a fake dating ploy to save not only his reputation but her job as well. Except their feelings for each other are not so fake, and lines blur between pretend and reality. Can they makes this work when Alex's past and her ex are doing their best to ruin it?
I honestly don't even know where to start! Pick Six was absolutely fantastic. The chemistry between Harper and Alex was everything, and I loved seeing them get a second chance at being together.
April 20, 2023
I am UNWELL. I just finished this book & I already know I’m going to be in the biggest book slump after this read.
Alexander “Xander” Xavier plays for the Seattle Phantom, the local NFL team. Through one of his teammates, he meets Harper & they spend one night together before they both go their separate ways. Only a month later does Harper meet her husband, who also happens to be Alex’s agent & best friend.
Years later, she’s newly divorced & finds herself in a situation where she needs to fake date her ex-husband’s best friend, the man she’s tried so hard to forget about.
Maggie never ever misses for me. Her book men are just pure perfection and Alex was no exception. The way that man had me downright blushing… 🥵😳 He was possessive & protective of Harper from the very start & I loved every second of it. He also helped her gain her confidence back after her douchebag ex-husband cheated on her & crushed her self esteem. It was so beautiful to see Alex build her back up.
I already know this will be one of those books that I reread over & over again. I already can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I’ll be on the edge of my seat waiting to read both Colt & Tobias’s stories!
Thank you to Maggie & her team for sending me the ARC & allowing me to review early.
Tropes:
- Sports Romance🏈
- Fake Dating
- Ex-Husband’s Best Friend
- He Loved Her First
- Lots of Spice & Praise 😏🔥
5/5⭐️
3.5/5🌶️
Alexander “Xander” Xavier plays for the Seattle Phantom, the local NFL team. Through one of his teammates, he meets Harper & they spend one night together before they both go their separate ways. Only a month later does Harper meet her husband, who also happens to be Alex’s agent & best friend.
Years later, she’s newly divorced & finds herself in a situation where she needs to fake date her ex-husband’s best friend, the man she’s tried so hard to forget about.
Maggie never ever misses for me. Her book men are just pure perfection and Alex was no exception. The way that man had me downright blushing… 🥵😳 He was possessive & protective of Harper from the very start & I loved every second of it. He also helped her gain her confidence back after her douchebag ex-husband cheated on her & crushed her self esteem. It was so beautiful to see Alex build her back up.
I already know this will be one of those books that I reread over & over again. I already can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I’ll be on the edge of my seat waiting to read both Colt & Tobias’s stories!
Thank you to Maggie & her team for sending me the ARC & allowing me to review early.
Tropes:
- Sports Romance🏈
- Fake Dating
- Ex-Husband’s Best Friend
- He Loved Her First
- Lots of Spice & Praise 😏🔥
5/5⭐️
3.5/5🌶️
October 23, 2023
This was my first book by Maggie Rawdon and I’m hooked! Absolutely can’t wait to read everything she has. This book was so good. It had so many good tropes, best friends ex, fake dating, football, he loved her first and praise 🥵
May 16, 2024
Idk not for me…
April 23, 2024
☆2.85☆
Decent, but I did not feel a connect. Might be just me. Or maybe not.
Btw, Harper's ex Drew is a jerk who cheated on her; Xander and Drew aren't really best friends like the synopsis says, but more like frenemies; Harper and Xander had a little thing first.
Okay. Done here.
Decent, but I did not feel a connect. Might be just me. Or maybe not.
Btw, Harper's ex Drew is a jerk who cheated on her; Xander and Drew aren't really best friends like the synopsis says, but more like frenemies; Harper and Xander had a little thing first.
Okay. Done here.
May 6, 2023
Pick Six is OUT NOW!
I gave this one a 4.5 ⭐️ and absolutely loved every second of this book.
It has
👀ex-husband’s best friend
🧐fake dating
🏈 sports
— aka it’s has some of my FAVE tropes 🥵
In an effort to save both of their careers, Harper and Alex are stuck faking a relationship. Two issues:
1. Alex is Harper’s ex-husband’s best friend and client
2. Alex and Harper ✨ may ✨ have a history
What happens when the lines begin to blue and the boundaries are crossed?
You’ll just have to read to find out 😉
Like I said at the beginning, I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down and flew through it. I loved the characters, the plot, the tropes — all of it. It had spice, sports, and sweetness…what more could you want?
If Maggie’s backlog is anything like Pick Six, I know my TBR will be increasing ASAP
Thank you Grey’s Promotions and Maggie for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I gave this one a 4.5 ⭐️ and absolutely loved every second of this book.
It has
👀ex-husband’s best friend
🧐fake dating
🏈 sports
— aka it’s has some of my FAVE tropes 🥵
In an effort to save both of their careers, Harper and Alex are stuck faking a relationship. Two issues:
1. Alex is Harper’s ex-husband’s best friend and client
2. Alex and Harper ✨ may ✨ have a history
What happens when the lines begin to blue and the boundaries are crossed?
You’ll just have to read to find out 😉
Like I said at the beginning, I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down and flew through it. I loved the characters, the plot, the tropes — all of it. It had spice, sports, and sweetness…what more could you want?
If Maggie’s backlog is anything like Pick Six, I know my TBR will be increasing ASAP
Thank you Grey’s Promotions and Maggie for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 2, 2023
This was my first book by Maggie Rawdon and it did not disappoint.
Alex and Harper met one night at a friend’s party and shared a moment. But Alex was known for his non-relationship ways and was not ready to commit, since Harper was looking for more. So they parted ways and both have regretted it ever since. Harper meets Alex’s agent shortly after, didn’t know at the time, and ends up getting married to him.
Now here we are years later and Harper is newly single after being cheated on repeatedly by her ex-husband. She finds herself in a precarious spot with a teammate of Alex’s who won’t leave her alone and Alex defends her. But in order to save face from the team and media, they need to pretend that Harper is Alex’s girlfriend and that he was defending his girlfriend.
Harper was putting the pieces of her life back together after her divorce from Alex’s best friend and had a lot of issues to work through from that. While she had always been drawn to Alex, she felt that he would never be truly interested in her. I loved watched her grow stronger with Alex’s loving care and how she learned to stand up for and trust in what was important to her.
Alex, oh, how I loved him. I love a guy who has secretly longed for the girl for years and he has always thought Harper should have been his. When he finds out that she is no longer married, he’s determined to take to win her heart. He’s protective and possessive and the chemistry with Harper was so apparent on the pages.
I cannot wait to continue this series. Highly recommend this one. Thank you to Maggie and Grey Promotions for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
Sports Romance
Ex-husbands best friend
He fell first and hard
Second chance
Fake dating
Forbidden
Overall: 5
Spice: 4
Alex and Harper met one night at a friend’s party and shared a moment. But Alex was known for his non-relationship ways and was not ready to commit, since Harper was looking for more. So they parted ways and both have regretted it ever since. Harper meets Alex’s agent shortly after, didn’t know at the time, and ends up getting married to him.
Now here we are years later and Harper is newly single after being cheated on repeatedly by her ex-husband. She finds herself in a precarious spot with a teammate of Alex’s who won’t leave her alone and Alex defends her. But in order to save face from the team and media, they need to pretend that Harper is Alex’s girlfriend and that he was defending his girlfriend.
Harper was putting the pieces of her life back together after her divorce from Alex’s best friend and had a lot of issues to work through from that. While she had always been drawn to Alex, she felt that he would never be truly interested in her. I loved watched her grow stronger with Alex’s loving care and how she learned to stand up for and trust in what was important to her.
Alex, oh, how I loved him. I love a guy who has secretly longed for the girl for years and he has always thought Harper should have been his. When he finds out that she is no longer married, he’s determined to take to win her heart. He’s protective and possessive and the chemistry with Harper was so apparent on the pages.
I cannot wait to continue this series. Highly recommend this one. Thank you to Maggie and Grey Promotions for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
Sports Romance
Ex-husbands best friend
He fell first and hard
Second chance
Fake dating
Forbidden
Overall: 5
Spice: 4
May 26, 2023
fun fact: this book used the word fuck(ing) 574 times in 352 pages. no i’m not exaggerating. yes i looked it up.
this was a fun and easy, brain off, smutty read until the third act drama hit and it lost me. i’ll probably give this author another shot, but this one didn’t end up being what i thought it could be.
however! if you like praise kink there’s a good bit of that. i did enjoy alex’s protectiveness and love for harper. i liked all the characters well enough, except drew who is a little weasel. the point is, this could definitely work for you, it just didn’t for me at the moment.
this was a fun and easy, brain off, smutty read until the third act drama hit and it lost me. i’ll probably give this author another shot, but this one didn’t end up being what i thought it could be.
however! if you like praise kink there’s a good bit of that. i did enjoy alex’s protectiveness and love for harper. i liked all the characters well enough, except drew who is a little weasel. the point is, this could definitely work for you, it just didn’t for me at the moment.
March 23, 2025
• Fake Dating
• Sports Romance 🏈
• Ex Husbands Best Friend
• Reformed Playboy
• He falls first
• Praise kink
• Sports Romance 🏈
• Ex Husbands Best Friend
• Reformed Playboy
• He falls first
• Praise kink
May 5, 2023
What an amazing start of a new football romance series!! Yesss!! So freakin good!
I love Brother's best friend and best friend's romance but when I saw that this was a "Ex-husband's best friend" I just knew I had to read it! I knew the spice and tension was going to be out of this world and oh my goodness...yes it was!
Harper and Alex knew each other before she married his best friend but instead of seeing where they could have gone, she married his best friend and what could have been was put on hold until her divorce was finalized.
Alex and Harper. These two were made for each other. I loved how they reconnected. Their attraction and chemistry was out of this world! I loved the slow burn and felt the story was paced well as it built up the tension and gave us time to see how everything unfolded. I was all here for it!
And I can't forget about their friends! They definitely have founded a family and it's amazing!
I loved how Alex was with Harper. He was possessive, sweet, and attentive when it came to his "Saint".
I definitely recommend!
I can't wait for the next book!
I love Brother's best friend and best friend's romance but when I saw that this was a "Ex-husband's best friend" I just knew I had to read it! I knew the spice and tension was going to be out of this world and oh my goodness...yes it was!
Harper and Alex knew each other before she married his best friend but instead of seeing where they could have gone, she married his best friend and what could have been was put on hold until her divorce was finalized.
Alex and Harper. These two were made for each other. I loved how they reconnected. Their attraction and chemistry was out of this world! I loved the slow burn and felt the story was paced well as it built up the tension and gave us time to see how everything unfolded. I was all here for it!
And I can't forget about their friends! They definitely have founded a family and it's amazing!
I loved how Alex was with Harper. He was possessive, sweet, and attentive when it came to his "Saint".
I definitely recommend!
I can't wait for the next book!
August 19, 2024
3.75 stars
A little cheesy, but I can’t resist a steamy fake dating romance where the MMC is all in from the start! Very easy to read and low angst. Enemies needed more of a slap down though.
A little cheesy, but I can’t resist a steamy fake dating romance where the MMC is all in from the start! Very easy to read and low angst. Enemies needed more of a slap down though.
July 21, 2023
Absolutely ate this up! Could not put it down 😍
December 5, 2023
I’ve heard good things about this author and was in the mood for sports romance. There were a few things in the initial characterization that didn’t make complete sense—were Alex and Drew really best friends when Drew was his agent? Harper’s level of antagonism toward Alex and her decision to stay in a bad marriage for as long as she did—but the pages turned quickly enough despite that and the repetitive back and forth and Harper not getting that Alex has been pining for her all these years even though he has told her exactly that. However, when Harper and Alex kept talking about how they were in a fake relationship almost every time they were out in public, I should have let my annoyance lead me and DNFed. This was a 3 star read until about the last 25%. I wish the author hadn’t gone the frustrating and completely nonsensical Evil Ex route with a side of Mentally Ill Villain.
Also, in light of Alex being an NFL player and the direction the plot went, I wish there had been more acknowledgment of the way the NFL protects players who are perpetrators of . Given Alex’s penchant for getting into physical fights and assaulting a teammate who was sexually harassing Harper, there needed to be more of a reckoning, not Harper telling him she thought it was hot. Especially since his history made it far too easy for Violence isn’t an appropriate response to her being sexually harassed, nor should it be his first impulse when Drew’s machinations came to light. He doesn’t seem to have learned anything. I don’t think he’d ever hurt her but this is a big issue in the NFL and it needed a much defter touch here.
I did really like the scene where
Note: this is a white cishet world, which is wild given that Alex plays for the NFL. If any of the secondary characters are POC, they are not identified as such.
Characters: Harper is a white museum director. Alex is a white NFL defensive end. This is set in Seattle.
Content notes: brief sexual harassment and victim-blaming, attempted blackmail , physical assault (MMC has a history of getting into fights), recent divorce (FMC’s husband cheated multiple times), past infidelity (MMC slept with a woman not knowing she was married), accusations of infidelity by FMC’s ex , gaslighting by ex, toxic father, misogyny, FMC slut-shames MMC and sexually shames his ex, casual and overt ableism, Evil Ex Trope, Mentally Ill Villain trope , ageism, migraine, on page sex, voyeurism/exhibitionism with MMC’s teammate, alcohol, inebriation (secondary characters), gendered pejoratives, ableist language, MMC compares FMC to an addiction
Also, in light of Alex being an NFL player and the direction the plot went, I wish there had been more acknowledgment of the way the NFL protects players who are perpetrators of . Given Alex’s penchant for getting into physical fights and assaulting a teammate who was sexually harassing Harper, there needed to be more of a reckoning, not Harper telling him she thought it was hot. Especially since his history made it far too easy for Violence isn’t an appropriate response to her being sexually harassed, nor should it be his first impulse when Drew’s machinations came to light. He doesn’t seem to have learned anything. I don’t think he’d ever hurt her but this is a big issue in the NFL and it needed a much defter touch here.
I did really like the scene where
Note: this is a white cishet world, which is wild given that Alex plays for the NFL. If any of the secondary characters are POC, they are not identified as such.
Characters: Harper is a white museum director. Alex is a white NFL defensive end. This is set in Seattle.
Content notes: brief sexual harassment and victim-blaming, attempted blackmail , physical assault (MMC has a history of getting into fights), recent divorce (FMC’s husband cheated multiple times), past infidelity (MMC slept with a woman not knowing she was married), accusations of infidelity by FMC’s ex , gaslighting by ex, toxic father, misogyny, FMC slut-shames MMC and sexually shames his ex, casual and overt ableism, Evil Ex Trope, Mentally Ill Villain trope , ageism, migraine, on page sex, voyeurism/exhibitionism with MMC’s teammate, alcohol, inebriation (secondary characters), gendered pejoratives, ableist language, MMC compares FMC to an addiction
April 22, 2023
5 ⭐️
🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈
Maggie Rawdon’s previous books were written in the college age and I loved them, but can I tell you that Maggie was made to write professional sports. This is my new favorite book of hers and I can’t say enough good things.
Tropes in this book:
Sports Romance ✔️
Ex-husbands best friend ✔️
He fell first (hard) ✔️
Second chance after a missed opportunity ✔️
Fake dating ✔️
Forbidden ✔️
Alex and Harper met one night at a friends party and shared a moment. But Alex was known for his non-relationship ways and Harper wanted more. So they parted ways and both have regretted it ever since. Seeing as shortly after, Harper meets Alex’s agent and good friend (they didn’t know at the time) and ends up getting married to him.
Now here we are years later and Harper is newly single after being cheated on repeatedly by her ex-husband. She finds herself in a precarious spot with a teammate of Alex’s who won’t leave her alone. Alex defends her. But in order to save face from the team and media, they need to pretend that Harper is Alex’s girlfriend and that he was defending his girlfriend. Sounds easy right?
Not when there are residual feelings from Harper and continuous feelings from Alex.
“I want you to imagine sitting at this table, one holiday after the next. Coming to every stupid dinner and birthday and BBQ because you want to see this person so badly, and it’s the only way you can. Because you f***** up one night years ago, and this is the only way you even get a window into their life now. An opportunity to see them, talk to them. At least know they’re happy even if you can’t be the reason for it.”
God, I SWOONED for Alex. His feelings for Harper were so real and so strong. The fact that this playboy KNEW he messed up when he couldn’t give her more than a night and walked away was putty in my hands. I love how he worshipped the ground she walked on and was thankful for any chance she gave him.
And Harper. I really loved how she gave it to her ex and how she allowed herself to be vulnerable to Alex. Not believing that he could ever want more.
And can we please talk about the hot tub scene?!!! Not going to spoil it, but holy crap. That was so hot. This is definitely Maggie’s spiciest book yet and I AM HERE FOR IT.
Also, I swear this is my last point. It seems like we may be getting a book with Joss in it and I am squealing with excitement!!
🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈
Maggie Rawdon’s previous books were written in the college age and I loved them, but can I tell you that Maggie was made to write professional sports. This is my new favorite book of hers and I can’t say enough good things.
Tropes in this book:
Sports Romance ✔️
Ex-husbands best friend ✔️
He fell first (hard) ✔️
Second chance after a missed opportunity ✔️
Fake dating ✔️
Forbidden ✔️
Alex and Harper met one night at a friends party and shared a moment. But Alex was known for his non-relationship ways and Harper wanted more. So they parted ways and both have regretted it ever since. Seeing as shortly after, Harper meets Alex’s agent and good friend (they didn’t know at the time) and ends up getting married to him.
Now here we are years later and Harper is newly single after being cheated on repeatedly by her ex-husband. She finds herself in a precarious spot with a teammate of Alex’s who won’t leave her alone. Alex defends her. But in order to save face from the team and media, they need to pretend that Harper is Alex’s girlfriend and that he was defending his girlfriend. Sounds easy right?
Not when there are residual feelings from Harper and continuous feelings from Alex.
“I want you to imagine sitting at this table, one holiday after the next. Coming to every stupid dinner and birthday and BBQ because you want to see this person so badly, and it’s the only way you can. Because you f***** up one night years ago, and this is the only way you even get a window into their life now. An opportunity to see them, talk to them. At least know they’re happy even if you can’t be the reason for it.”
God, I SWOONED for Alex. His feelings for Harper were so real and so strong. The fact that this playboy KNEW he messed up when he couldn’t give her more than a night and walked away was putty in my hands. I love how he worshipped the ground she walked on and was thankful for any chance she gave him.
And Harper. I really loved how she gave it to her ex and how she allowed herself to be vulnerable to Alex. Not believing that he could ever want more.
And can we please talk about the hot tub scene?!!! Not going to spoil it, but holy crap. That was so hot. This is definitely Maggie’s spiciest book yet and I AM HERE FOR IT.
Also, I swear this is my last point. It seems like we may be getting a book with Joss in it and I am squealing with excitement!!
April 20, 2024
This book had too much I dislike. The female character with the lousy sex life who talks down about herself (even though she's stunning) and hasn't got much of a back bone, which means I am already finding her pitiful and not in a good way. Contrasted with the hot, celebrity man whore who is also a sex god, whose apparently been pining forever for her. I sure as crap wasn't buying that story line. Which means I am now loathing this entire set up. Add in she also has body betraying syndrome and five chapters in I am already skimming.
So our previously one man woman heroine goes from not a hook up girl to fucking around in a hot tub in front of his teammates that he previously liked to share with. But you know - she's special - not like the other skanks - so its supposed to be hot. Cause you know her nickname is 'Saint' - gigantic eye roll. She's so special that even though he's fucked a ton of women they can go condom free - no STD worries here! At least on her end! I hate this shit - if you want to make your MC a man whore at least own it and all it comes with.
Finally I don't find it romantic he paid for her honeymoon and was obsessing about stealing her away at her wedding. He spent years after screwing around and 'claimed' he never knew her husband did. I don't buy that for a minute, that he was completely clueless - honestly it makes him look like more of a moron than he already comes across as. By the end of my skimming I basically loathed both of these idiots. Add in the pathetic cliche of making the ex 'nuts' and I was sorry I had even finished it.
So our previously one man woman heroine goes from not a hook up girl to fucking around in a hot tub in front of his teammates that he previously liked to share with. But you know - she's special - not like the other skanks - so its supposed to be hot. Cause you know her nickname is 'Saint' - gigantic eye roll. She's so special that even though he's fucked a ton of women they can go condom free - no STD worries here! At least on her end! I hate this shit - if you want to make your MC a man whore at least own it and all it comes with.
Finally I don't find it romantic he paid for her honeymoon and was obsessing about stealing her away at her wedding. He spent years after screwing around and 'claimed' he never knew her husband did. I don't buy that for a minute, that he was completely clueless - honestly it makes him look like more of a moron than he already comes across as. By the end of my skimming I basically loathed both of these idiots. Add in the pathetic cliche of making the ex 'nuts' and I was sorry I had even finished it.
May 4, 2023
4 stars!
Chock-full of fun and fascinating tropes, this is a sexy and intense read that had me hooked!
Frenemies-to-lovers
Fake relationship
She’s his best-friend’s-ex
He loved her first
Football romance
Sexy and intense with lots of light moments and a nice amount of emotion, this is a great read!
This is the start of a new series from Maggie Rawdon, a spin-off from her Plays & Penalties series with character crossover that will be fun for fans, but it can easily stand alone. You can read about Harper and Alex’s first meeting in the prequel novella, Defensive End, available on the author’s website – it’s definitely worth it to understand some context around their relationship.
Harper and Alex met a few years before the start of this book (see above novella). He was an NFL star and epic manwhore, she was a quiet museum creator and friend of one of his teammate’s wives. They shared wild chemistry and an easy attraction and spent an intimate night kissing and talking about anything and everything. While he wanted to take things further, she was only interested in a relationship, and he didn’t feel able to give her that, so they decided to stay friends. A few months later and Harper met a man she ended up marrying. She didn’t know until well into the relationship that that man was Alex’s best friend and agent, but she was happy and in love, and her past with Alex wasn’t really an issue.
Now, Harper is newly divorced from her cheating ex, and Alex finds himself in big trouble when he gets into a fight protecting her from a teammate who behaves inappropriately towards her. In order to protect both of their careers from the potential fallout, they decide to pretend to be in a relationship, claiming that Alex was protecting his girlfriend. It’s the perfect solution for their tricky situation, until things start to get blurry.
It’s a fun set-up, and it’s made all the more intense by the chemistry that Harper and Alex still share. Their relationship while Harper was married was kind of antagonistic – they kept their distance, and didn’t really have much to do with each other even though Alex they did see each other quite a bit. There is never any hint of inappropriate behaviour from either of them, which I really appreciated. But now that Harper is single, and they’re spending a lot of time together, it doesn’t take long before they find their way back to the easy and natural friendship they started on the night that they met. And, like before, the chemistry between them still sizzles, and watching them navigate their fake romance with all of the associated hand-holding, touching, and loaded looks, brings a fantastic sense of anticipation to the story.
Harper is bravely creating a new life for herself, and finding her confidence after her toxic marriage, and Alex is finally getting his shot with the one who got away. Though their situation is complicated, their feelings for each other aren’t – neither is their sexual chemistry (because damn!!!). Things naturally grow and change between them, and I loved watching them finally give in to their feelings and start to fall for each other.
But as easy and inevitable as their love story is, their situation is just begging for drama, and it comes. It’s an intense ride, and brings the feels, but they handle it well, with a satisfying ending, and I loved watching their story unfold.
They have a great bunch of friends helping them along the way – Alex’s teammates, and Harper’s friends bring a lot to the story, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them more as the series progresses.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s sexy and romantic, with an emotional, chemistry-filled and functional romance that felt really authentic, and I loved seeing these two get their happy ending.
4 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Chock-full of fun and fascinating tropes, this is a sexy and intense read that had me hooked!
Frenemies-to-lovers
Fake relationship
She’s his best-friend’s-ex
He loved her first
Football romance
Sexy and intense with lots of light moments and a nice amount of emotion, this is a great read!
This is the start of a new series from Maggie Rawdon, a spin-off from her Plays & Penalties series with character crossover that will be fun for fans, but it can easily stand alone. You can read about Harper and Alex’s first meeting in the prequel novella, Defensive End, available on the author’s website – it’s definitely worth it to understand some context around their relationship.
Harper and Alex met a few years before the start of this book (see above novella). He was an NFL star and epic manwhore, she was a quiet museum creator and friend of one of his teammate’s wives. They shared wild chemistry and an easy attraction and spent an intimate night kissing and talking about anything and everything. While he wanted to take things further, she was only interested in a relationship, and he didn’t feel able to give her that, so they decided to stay friends. A few months later and Harper met a man she ended up marrying. She didn’t know until well into the relationship that that man was Alex’s best friend and agent, but she was happy and in love, and her past with Alex wasn’t really an issue.
Now, Harper is newly divorced from her cheating ex, and Alex finds himself in big trouble when he gets into a fight protecting her from a teammate who behaves inappropriately towards her. In order to protect both of their careers from the potential fallout, they decide to pretend to be in a relationship, claiming that Alex was protecting his girlfriend. It’s the perfect solution for their tricky situation, until things start to get blurry.
I could get used to this. Being around her. Teasing her. Seeing her smile. I wonder if I might even be able to convince her it’s not so bad.
It’s a fun set-up, and it’s made all the more intense by the chemistry that Harper and Alex still share. Their relationship while Harper was married was kind of antagonistic – they kept their distance, and didn’t really have much to do with each other even though Alex they did see each other quite a bit. There is never any hint of inappropriate behaviour from either of them, which I really appreciated. But now that Harper is single, and they’re spending a lot of time together, it doesn’t take long before they find their way back to the easy and natural friendship they started on the night that they met. And, like before, the chemistry between them still sizzles, and watching them navigate their fake romance with all of the associated hand-holding, touching, and loaded looks, brings a fantastic sense of anticipation to the story.
She had me for a long time, but in shattered pieces – memories and desires that I’ve kept bottled up. This new reality where I get to taste and feel her, where she reciprocates the same desperation in the way she touches and kisses me…It’s already quickly becoming an addiction for me.
Harper is bravely creating a new life for herself, and finding her confidence after her toxic marriage, and Alex is finally getting his shot with the one who got away. Though their situation is complicated, their feelings for each other aren’t – neither is their sexual chemistry (because damn!!!). Things naturally grow and change between them, and I loved watching them finally give in to their feelings and start to fall for each other.
“I’m not pretending with you anymore. I want you, nothing fake anymore. I want you to be mine.”
But as easy and inevitable as their love story is, their situation is just begging for drama, and it comes. It’s an intense ride, and brings the feels, but they handle it well, with a satisfying ending, and I loved watching their story unfold.
“She was his wife.”
“Well she should have fucking been mine.”
They have a great bunch of friends helping them along the way – Alex’s teammates, and Harper’s friends bring a lot to the story, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them more as the series progresses.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s sexy and romantic, with an emotional, chemistry-filled and functional romance that felt really authentic, and I loved seeing these two get their happy ending.
4 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2023
This book came HIGHLY recommended to me and this DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! This is possibly the spiciest book I have read in a long time for literally no reason other than this man wants her SO BAD!
The healthy communication and character development that evolved as the book went was so good.
I ate this book UP and can’t wait to try to read the next in the series later this month.
Tropes:
Professional football romance
Fake dating
Ex’s best friend
Second chance
Touch her you die
The healthy communication and character development that evolved as the book went was so good.
I ate this book UP and can’t wait to try to read the next in the series later this month.
Tropes:
Professional football romance
Fake dating
Ex’s best friend
Second chance
Touch her you die
January 19, 2024
this book was hot, the sex was hot and I was here for every second of it. That is all!
June 5, 2024
LOVED. I’ll write more later. If you’ve been thinking about reading this, move it up your TBR! But first read the 10k pre-novella, Defensive End, from Maggie’s website.
October 10, 2023
4.5/5
This book. This man.
Gah. Secret pining, he falls first for his best friend’s ex-wife. The MOUTH on this man is absolutely perfection. Alex can talk to me like that anytime, any place.
The way their fake relationship blossomed and they didn’t fight it was written so wonderfully. I just adored this whole book.
This book. This man.
Gah. Secret pining, he falls first for his best friend’s ex-wife. The MOUTH on this man is absolutely perfection. Alex can talk to me like that anytime, any place.
The way their fake relationship blossomed and they didn’t fight it was written so wonderfully. I just adored this whole book.
April 21, 2023
Ohhhh Maggie, Maggie, Maggie. You did it again... and again. First off, the fact that you give us MORE of Ben (I love you Ben!) and Violet (and a little of Waylon and Mackenzie too) is EVERYTHING! But then you introduce (or re-introduce for those of us who were paying attention in Easton and Wren's book) us to Alex and also Harper. And mmm, mmmm, mmmm! It's so freekin' deliciously sexy, smoldering and sweet!
This new series kind of picks up from Maggie's first series (hence the reference to the above-mentioned characters) and for this fanatic fan of that series, it's like coming home. I say that "Pick Six" is like a homecoming of sorts, but in a new element with the guys (and gals) now in this post-college world. Alex is... he is such a naughty, naughty boy and ladies, we LOVE him for it! But here's the twist: he's also sweet and romantic - and bossy *ehemm. Meanwhile, Harper is beautiful, smart, kind, sexy, and interesting - she's no jersey chaser, and we love all of her.
Alex and Harper's meet cute is the stuff movies are made of ... or romantic books in this case. But this has Maggie's magic written all over it, and we are dying for more. But Maggie hooks us with the smoldering attraction that Alex and Harper have from the very moment they lock eyes, and that evening is... who are we kidding, it has us swooning. Then Maggie fast forwards to years later and we've got a sort of enemies-to-lovers trope, not quite, but sort of. Maggie throws in some forced proximity and fake dating tropes at us, and they are just everything. But my favorite? The absolute epitome of the Maggie Rawdon magic? It's the he-falls-first and he's-in-love-and-she-has-no-idea trope. OMG, Maggie monopolizes those tropes and she owns that wheelhouse, and she should do a Master Class course in those tropes!!! For reals! *Authors, head over to her website and sign up now.*
"Pick Six" is the most delicious start to this series, bringing back some of our favorites, teasing us with what's to come (I need Joss' story NOW!), while having us so totally wrapped around Alex and Harper's fingers - we are riveted by their HEA and the ups and downs of their story. I can't even get into the story for fear of giving something away, because the reader must EXPERIENCE every nuance to their story for themselves. And get ready to fan yourselves off, because phewwwww. Haaawt! You want Alex to boss you around like he does Harper in those intimate moments, and you just die when Harper returns his sentiments in kind! Her bossiness in those moments is a showstopper! How she's the only one who can calm his temper - they just... complete each other. It makes us desperate for so, so much more!
My favorite parts of this book include Alex's honesty, some might think he's blunt, but I just love how he's totally transparent and no bullshit and tells Harper exactly what's on his mind. *Swoon! Harper's kindness and devotion, how she's always thinking of others makes her so endearing. But the best thing about this book is the undeniable attraction between these two - it's written in the stars that they are meant to be and they've had years worth of obstacles to overcome to find their HEA, so when they finally get there (oh stop, this isn't a spoiler! We all know this is a contemporary romance book that ends with a HEA) it is sooooo amazing and makes our hearts and souls go "awwwww" - and the epilogue, phewwwwy!!!! Can you hand me the tissues, please! It's everything.
Now, there's one more thing that I MUST reference and that is Kyle Martens on the cover as Alex, because.... wow! Just wow. The cover art couldn't be any more perfect depicting Alex... it's just... wow! I mean, I know Kyle Martens is all that and a box of M&Ms but this photo is so unexpectedly sexy and mysterious, and this as Alex.... the words are stolen from my mouth! Can you hand me the tissues again to wipe the drool from my lip?
Maggie, you did it again. Congratulations - it is phenomenal and I love every. single. part. of this book! Now.... when is book #2 coming out? #desperateformore #askingforafriend
This new series kind of picks up from Maggie's first series (hence the reference to the above-mentioned characters) and for this fanatic fan of that series, it's like coming home. I say that "Pick Six" is like a homecoming of sorts, but in a new element with the guys (and gals) now in this post-college world. Alex is... he is such a naughty, naughty boy and ladies, we LOVE him for it! But here's the twist: he's also sweet and romantic - and bossy *ehemm. Meanwhile, Harper is beautiful, smart, kind, sexy, and interesting - she's no jersey chaser, and we love all of her.
Alex and Harper's meet cute is the stuff movies are made of ... or romantic books in this case. But this has Maggie's magic written all over it, and we are dying for more. But Maggie hooks us with the smoldering attraction that Alex and Harper have from the very moment they lock eyes, and that evening is... who are we kidding, it has us swooning. Then Maggie fast forwards to years later and we've got a sort of enemies-to-lovers trope, not quite, but sort of. Maggie throws in some forced proximity and fake dating tropes at us, and they are just everything. But my favorite? The absolute epitome of the Maggie Rawdon magic? It's the he-falls-first and he's-in-love-and-she-has-no-idea trope. OMG, Maggie monopolizes those tropes and she owns that wheelhouse, and she should do a Master Class course in those tropes!!! For reals! *Authors, head over to her website and sign up now.*
"Pick Six" is the most delicious start to this series, bringing back some of our favorites, teasing us with what's to come (I need Joss' story NOW!), while having us so totally wrapped around Alex and Harper's fingers - we are riveted by their HEA and the ups and downs of their story. I can't even get into the story for fear of giving something away, because the reader must EXPERIENCE every nuance to their story for themselves. And get ready to fan yourselves off, because phewwwww. Haaawt! You want Alex to boss you around like he does Harper in those intimate moments, and you just die when Harper returns his sentiments in kind! Her bossiness in those moments is a showstopper! How she's the only one who can calm his temper - they just... complete each other. It makes us desperate for so, so much more!
My favorite parts of this book include Alex's honesty, some might think he's blunt, but I just love how he's totally transparent and no bullshit and tells Harper exactly what's on his mind. *Swoon! Harper's kindness and devotion, how she's always thinking of others makes her so endearing. But the best thing about this book is the undeniable attraction between these two - it's written in the stars that they are meant to be and they've had years worth of obstacles to overcome to find their HEA, so when they finally get there (oh stop, this isn't a spoiler! We all know this is a contemporary romance book that ends with a HEA) it is sooooo amazing and makes our hearts and souls go "awwwww" - and the epilogue, phewwwwy!!!! Can you hand me the tissues, please! It's everything.
Now, there's one more thing that I MUST reference and that is Kyle Martens on the cover as Alex, because.... wow! Just wow. The cover art couldn't be any more perfect depicting Alex... it's just... wow! I mean, I know Kyle Martens is all that and a box of M&Ms but this photo is so unexpectedly sexy and mysterious, and this as Alex.... the words are stolen from my mouth! Can you hand me the tissues again to wipe the drool from my lip?
Maggie, you did it again. Congratulations - it is phenomenal and I love every. single. part. of this book! Now.... when is book #2 coming out? #desperateformore #askingforafriend
March 13, 2024
I read Tobias and Scarletts' book first and was curious about this pair. And now I don't know why. Harper was very meh and Xander was a hot meh.
They met years ago, kissed a little, talked a lot and at the end decided to go their separate ways because Xander was a manwhore and Harper wanted to settle down. I'm not a fan of flashbacks but it feels like we are missing something if this was such a pivotal moment in their lives. They hint at it a lot, like its their shared joke or something and it feels very lacking: "this is the night you can't forget? you talked about comets and there was tequila? wow".
Harper met her husband right after, not knowing he was Xander's best friend and manager. Talk about a very small world. They get married and Xander regrets letting her go but not enough to have done anything about it in the month between the magic night and the one she met Drew.
Xander then has to wipe his bitter tears on dollar bills and supermodels' thongs. While Harper goes on to live a predictably boring and sexually frustrated life with Drew. This is romance, the heroine is not allowed to be properly loved or fucked by anyone other than the hero, the same one living his best life after rejecting her. Second chance romance is to the core the same plot everywhere.
After her divorce Xander decides this is his chance to prove all this time he was just acquiring experience to better fulfill her. And Harper just acquired insecurities. There was a fight, they have to pretend to be in a fake relationship with Drew's blessing, who had the worst rationalization for agreeing to this.
At this point I had lost almost all interest in their story. I was not emotionally invested at all. The characters had nothing distinct to make them stand out in anyway, the plot was overused and the final conflict was silly. Drew hit his head somewhere off-screen, developed a mental issue and turned into a cartoonish villain.
I thought Scarlett was more equipped to deal with a famous, experienced hero and Tobias had some depth to him. He was vain, had his own insecurities and didn't feel like Scarlett was in the bag from the beginning. So they remain the superior MCs.
They met years ago, kissed a little, talked a lot and at the end decided to go their separate ways because Xander was a manwhore and Harper wanted to settle down. I'm not a fan of flashbacks but it feels like we are missing something if this was such a pivotal moment in their lives. They hint at it a lot, like its their shared joke or something and it feels very lacking: "this is the night you can't forget? you talked about comets and there was tequila? wow".
Harper met her husband right after, not knowing he was Xander's best friend and manager. Talk about a very small world. They get married and Xander regrets letting her go but not enough to have done anything about it in the month between the magic night and the one she met Drew.
Xander then has to wipe his bitter tears on dollar bills and supermodels' thongs. While Harper goes on to live a predictably boring and sexually frustrated life with Drew. This is romance, the heroine is not allowed to be properly loved or fucked by anyone other than the hero, the same one living his best life after rejecting her. Second chance romance is to the core the same plot everywhere.
After her divorce Xander decides this is his chance to prove all this time he was just acquiring experience to better fulfill her. And Harper just acquired insecurities. There was a fight, they have to pretend to be in a fake relationship with Drew's blessing, who had the worst rationalization for agreeing to this.
At this point I had lost almost all interest in their story. I was not emotionally invested at all. The characters had nothing distinct to make them stand out in anyway, the plot was overused and the final conflict was silly. Drew hit his head somewhere off-screen, developed a mental issue and turned into a cartoonish villain.
I thought Scarlett was more equipped to deal with a famous, experienced hero and Tobias had some depth to him. He was vain, had his own insecurities and didn't feel like Scarlett was in the bag from the beginning. So they remain the superior MCs.
September 4, 2024
HOLY. SH*T. What have I been missing?! Why did no one tell me?! What is this sorcery????
My football romance cherry has been popped 🍒
Starting off with the prequel novella Defensive End, Alex and Harper meet at a mutual friend’s party. They both are instantly attracted to each other but Alex is the typical NFL playboy who only does one night stands and Harper is not that kind of girl. After some steamy kissing they part ways until down the road they run into each other again but Harper is now dating Alex’s agent.
After Harper’s marriage crumbles she runs into Alex again and the sparks are immediately flying just like they did that night. As a fake dating scenario presents itself to work out in the favor of both parties, these two just can’t seem to stop blurring the lines. The chemistry and banter between Alex and Harper but unbelievablely unmatched next level. I cannot believe how hot these two are when they are JUST KISSING. This is some of the hottest spice I have ever read.
As they try to navigate their “fake” relationship that is turning into something very real, the open communication and honesty between the two is honestly a breath of fresh air. I loved how these characters were written and how they interacted with each other and the found family/ teammates/ girl gang that surrounded them. And the “third act breakup” that was not a third act breakup is WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT OKKKKK???
Absolutely loved these two and can’t wait to finish the series. As well as going to have to dive into Maggie’s backlist and read Violet and Ben’s story cause I just know it’s juicy.
My football romance cherry has been popped 🍒
Starting off with the prequel novella Defensive End, Alex and Harper meet at a mutual friend’s party. They both are instantly attracted to each other but Alex is the typical NFL playboy who only does one night stands and Harper is not that kind of girl. After some steamy kissing they part ways until down the road they run into each other again but Harper is now dating Alex’s agent.
After Harper’s marriage crumbles she runs into Alex again and the sparks are immediately flying just like they did that night. As a fake dating scenario presents itself to work out in the favor of both parties, these two just can’t seem to stop blurring the lines. The chemistry and banter between Alex and Harper but unbelievablely unmatched next level. I cannot believe how hot these two are when they are JUST KISSING. This is some of the hottest spice I have ever read.
As they try to navigate their “fake” relationship that is turning into something very real, the open communication and honesty between the two is honestly a breath of fresh air. I loved how these characters were written and how they interacted with each other and the found family/ teammates/ girl gang that surrounded them. And the “third act breakup” that was not a third act breakup is WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT OKKKKK???
Absolutely loved these two and can’t wait to finish the series. As well as going to have to dive into Maggie’s backlist and read Violet and Ben’s story cause I just know it’s juicy.
May 3, 2023
ARC kindly provided for the author in exchange for an honest review
Maggie Rawdon writes the best starts for her series! and with this new team she has won my heart even more, Harper & Alex were unexpectedly sweet and sensual, funny, with ever present chemistry and a love story that does justice to both characters. Also, at times it gives me something like a little extended epilogue for Ben & Violet and Mac & Way.
In the prequel, Harper is the typical good girl who avoids trouble, which is why she rejects Alex's proposal, and although in Pick Six is still a kind and good-hearted woman, she also has her heart and trust hurt by her failed marriage to Drew, she knows VERY well what she wants, what she deserves and I loved that Maggie show the sensual, flirtatious, determined and fun side of this girl who is one of the most interesting heroines I have ever read: with her efforts to save the museum, other people's work and especially in the moments when he confronts Drew so intelligently. I also really liked reading about her friendship with Violet, the way she fits into Alexander's inner circle, and that bond that begins to form when Joss makes her appearance.
I must say that I liked Alex in that first meeting with Harper, but it was reading him in this book when I really fell in love with him! I really liked that he's so sweet, tender and that he really cares about Harper's well-being, also, I LOVE that he is always clear with what he wants from her, with his feelings and makes all of this known to her and Drew too, and even though I don't entirely like his explosive and aggressive side, I really liked his character, his story as a bad boy / womanizer reformed, and everything about his relationship with his dad.
Harper & Alex experience an immediate attraction and chemistry that they cannot explore when they meet because Harper tries to protect herself from Alex's notoriety, and because of things of fate Harper ends up marrying Drew, Alexander's best friend, however, that marriage didn't work and thanks to Alex's temper, he and Harper are forced to fake a relationship for the media to save their careers.. Which gives Alex the second chance he always wanted, helps him show Harper who he really is, and shows us the cutest, funniest, and most sensual moments this couple is capable of! Without a doubt, a VERY GOOD start to this series and one more book by Maggie to my favorites list.
🏈Harper: 5/5
🏈Alex: 5/5
🏈Plot: 5/5
🏈Love story: 5/5
🏈Secondary characters: 5/5
🏈Universe: 5/5
🏈Cover: Model: /5 - Alternative /5
🌶️: 3/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
Maggie Rawdon escribe los mejores inicios para sus series! y con este nuevo equipo se ha ganado aún más mi corazón, Harper & Alex fueron inesperadamente dulces y sensuales, divertidos, con una química siempre presente y una historia de amor que le hace justicia a ambos personajes. Además, por momentos me da algo así como un pequeño epilogo extendido para Ben & Violet y Mac & Way.
En la precuela Harper es la típica chica buena que evita los problemas, por eso rechaza la propuesta de Alex, y aunque en Pick Six sigue siendo una mujer amable y de buen corazón también tiene el corazón y la confianza lastimados por su matrimonio fallido con Drew, sabe MUY bien lo que quiere, lo que merece y me encantó que Maggie mostrara el lado sensual, coqueto, determinado y divertido de esta chica que es una de las heroínas más interesantes que he leído: con sus esfuerzos para salvar el museo, el trabajo de otras personas y especialmente en los momentos en los que enfrenta a Drew de manera tan inteligente. También me gustó mucho leer su amistad con Violet, la manera en la que encaja en el circulo cercano de Alexander y ese vinculo que se empieza a formar cuando Joss hizo su aparición.
Debo decir que Alex me gustó en ese primer encuentro con Harper, pero fue leyéndolo en este libro cuando realmente me enamoré de el! Me gustó mucho que sea tan dulce, tierno y que preocupe realmente por el bienestar de Harper, además, AMÉ que siempre sea claro con lo que quiere de ella, con sus sentimientos y le haga saber todo esto a Drew también, y aún cuando no me agrada del todo su lado explosivo y agresivo, me gustó mucho su personaje, su historia de chico malo / mujeriego reformado, y todo sobre la relación que mantiene con su papá.
Harper & Alex experimentan una atracción y química inmeditas que no pueden explorar cuando se conocen porque Harper intenta protegerse de la mala fama de Alex, y por cosas del destino Harper termina casándose con Drew, el mejor amigo de Alexander, sin embargo, esa relación NO FUNCIONÓ y gracias al temperamento de Alex, él y Harper se ven forzados a fingir un noviazgo para los medios y así salvar sus carres. Lo que le da a Alex la segunda oportunidad que siempre quiso, le ayuda a demostrarle a Harper quien es en realidad, y nos muestra los momentos más tiernos, divertidos y sensuales de los que esta pareja es capaz! Sin lugar a dudas, un MUY BUEN inicio para esta serie y un libro más de Maggie a mi lista de favoritos.
🏈Harper: 5/5
🏈Alex: 5/5
🏈Trama: 5/5
🏈Historia de amor: 5/5
🏈Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏈Universo: 5/5
🏈Portada: Modelo 4/5 - Ilustrada 5/5
🌶️: 3/5
Maggie Rawdon writes the best starts for her series! and with this new team she has won my heart even more, Harper & Alex were unexpectedly sweet and sensual, funny, with ever present chemistry and a love story that does justice to both characters. Also, at times it gives me something like a little extended epilogue for Ben & Violet and Mac & Way.
In the prequel, Harper is the typical good girl who avoids trouble, which is why she rejects Alex's proposal, and although in Pick Six is still a kind and good-hearted woman, she also has her heart and trust hurt by her failed marriage to Drew, she knows VERY well what she wants, what she deserves and I loved that Maggie show the sensual, flirtatious, determined and fun side of this girl who is one of the most interesting heroines I have ever read: with her efforts to save the museum, other people's work and especially in the moments when he confronts Drew so intelligently. I also really liked reading about her friendship with Violet, the way she fits into Alexander's inner circle, and that bond that begins to form when Joss makes her appearance.
I must say that I liked Alex in that first meeting with Harper, but it was reading him in this book when I really fell in love with him! I really liked that he's so sweet, tender and that he really cares about Harper's well-being, also, I LOVE that he is always clear with what he wants from her, with his feelings and makes all of this known to her and Drew too, and even though I don't entirely like his explosive and aggressive side, I really liked his character, his story as a bad boy / womanizer reformed, and everything about his relationship with his dad.
Harper & Alex experience an immediate attraction and chemistry that they cannot explore when they meet because Harper tries to protect herself from Alex's notoriety, and because of things of fate Harper ends up marrying Drew, Alexander's best friend, however, that marriage didn't work and thanks to Alex's temper, he and Harper are forced to fake a relationship for the media to save their careers.. Which gives Alex the second chance he always wanted, helps him show Harper who he really is, and shows us the cutest, funniest, and most sensual moments this couple is capable of! Without a doubt, a VERY GOOD start to this series and one more book by Maggie to my favorites list.
🏈Harper: 5/5
🏈Alex: 5/5
🏈Plot: 5/5
🏈Love story: 5/5
🏈Secondary characters: 5/5
🏈Universe: 5/5
🏈Cover: Model: /5 - Alternative /5
🌶️: 3/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
Maggie Rawdon escribe los mejores inicios para sus series! y con este nuevo equipo se ha ganado aún más mi corazón, Harper & Alex fueron inesperadamente dulces y sensuales, divertidos, con una química siempre presente y una historia de amor que le hace justicia a ambos personajes. Además, por momentos me da algo así como un pequeño epilogo extendido para Ben & Violet y Mac & Way.
En la precuela Harper es la típica chica buena que evita los problemas, por eso rechaza la propuesta de Alex, y aunque en Pick Six sigue siendo una mujer amable y de buen corazón también tiene el corazón y la confianza lastimados por su matrimonio fallido con Drew, sabe MUY bien lo que quiere, lo que merece y me encantó que Maggie mostrara el lado sensual, coqueto, determinado y divertido de esta chica que es una de las heroínas más interesantes que he leído: con sus esfuerzos para salvar el museo, el trabajo de otras personas y especialmente en los momentos en los que enfrenta a Drew de manera tan inteligente. También me gustó mucho leer su amistad con Violet, la manera en la que encaja en el circulo cercano de Alexander y ese vinculo que se empieza a formar cuando Joss hizo su aparición.
Debo decir que Alex me gustó en ese primer encuentro con Harper, pero fue leyéndolo en este libro cuando realmente me enamoré de el! Me gustó mucho que sea tan dulce, tierno y que preocupe realmente por el bienestar de Harper, además, AMÉ que siempre sea claro con lo que quiere de ella, con sus sentimientos y le haga saber todo esto a Drew también, y aún cuando no me agrada del todo su lado explosivo y agresivo, me gustó mucho su personaje, su historia de chico malo / mujeriego reformado, y todo sobre la relación que mantiene con su papá.
Harper & Alex experimentan una atracción y química inmeditas que no pueden explorar cuando se conocen porque Harper intenta protegerse de la mala fama de Alex, y por cosas del destino Harper termina casándose con Drew, el mejor amigo de Alexander, sin embargo, esa relación NO FUNCIONÓ y gracias al temperamento de Alex, él y Harper se ven forzados a fingir un noviazgo para los medios y así salvar sus carres. Lo que le da a Alex la segunda oportunidad que siempre quiso, le ayuda a demostrarle a Harper quien es en realidad, y nos muestra los momentos más tiernos, divertidos y sensuales de los que esta pareja es capaz! Sin lugar a dudas, un MUY BUEN inicio para esta serie y un libro más de Maggie a mi lista de favoritos.
🏈Harper: 5/5
🏈Alex: 5/5
🏈Trama: 5/5
🏈Historia de amor: 5/5
🏈Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏈Universo: 5/5
🏈Portada: Modelo 4/5 - Ilustrada 5/5
🌶️: 3/5
February 25, 2024
This was my first Maggie Rawdon book, but it will not be my last.
I really enjoyed Harper & Alex together. They have great chemistry and I love a fake relationship.
There wasn’t that much football in the book, but the title described “Pick Six” made my little defense loving heart happy.
The conflict was a little clunky in how it wrapped up, but this was definitely a winner for me. I’m excited to read the rest of the series and check out the backlist books.
*I do recommend reading the prequel novella, Defensive End, first. It’s available on the author’s website. You don’t have to read it to understand the story, but I think it adds an unexpected element. Shoutout to my friend Erin for telling me about it & recommending this book.
I really enjoyed Harper & Alex together. They have great chemistry and I love a fake relationship.
There wasn’t that much football in the book, but the title described “Pick Six” made my little defense loving heart happy.
The conflict was a little clunky in how it wrapped up, but this was definitely a winner for me. I’m excited to read the rest of the series and check out the backlist books.
*I do recommend reading the prequel novella, Defensive End, first. It’s available on the author’s website. You don’t have to read it to understand the story, but I think it adds an unexpected element. Shoutout to my friend Erin for telling me about it & recommending this book.
May 4, 2023
OMG Where do I start with this book!!!
I LOVED IT!!!
The mouth on Zander/ Alex just WOW!!!
This book had the best tropes!!
Fake Dating,
Football Romance,
Ex-husband’s Best Friend
ALL the heat - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
He loved her first
Every time Zander called Harper “Saint” I can’t! It was such a great nickname!!
OMG the spice! All I can say is I will never look at a dinning table the same again 😳🥵
Harper’s ex-husband Drew was such an a$$$$$.
Highly recommend you read this one!!!
I’ll forever be thinking about a tattooed Zander 😳🥵🔥😍
Maggie you did an amazing job! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!!
Thank you to Maggie and Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC ❤️
I LOVED IT!!!
The mouth on Zander/ Alex just WOW!!!
This book had the best tropes!!
Fake Dating,
Football Romance,
Ex-husband’s Best Friend
ALL the heat - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
He loved her first
Every time Zander called Harper “Saint” I can’t! It was such a great nickname!!
OMG the spice! All I can say is I will never look at a dinning table the same again 😳🥵
Harper’s ex-husband Drew was such an a$$$$$.
Highly recommend you read this one!!!
I’ll forever be thinking about a tattooed Zander 😳🥵🔥😍
Maggie you did an amazing job! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!!
Thank you to Maggie and Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC ❤️
October 23, 2023
Football, fake dating. Best friends ex wife
Harper and Alex shared a kiss one night and then went there separate ways. She’s the one who got away, but when Alex’s best friend fucks it up and Harper is no longer married, Alex can finally get the girl!
The reason for the fake dating was a little far fetched and the third act conflict was a little crazy I still really liked this story. The spice was hot, loved when Alex grabbed Harpers chair to pull her closer, and I love that moment when they both decide it’s not so fake anymore.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Harper and Alex shared a kiss one night and then went there separate ways. She’s the one who got away, but when Alex’s best friend fucks it up and Harper is no longer married, Alex can finally get the girl!
The reason for the fake dating was a little far fetched and the third act conflict was a little crazy I still really liked this story. The spice was hot, loved when Alex grabbed Harpers chair to pull her closer, and I love that moment when they both decide it’s not so fake anymore.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
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