Only on Gameday by Kristen Callihan Pages: 414
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also by this author: The Hook Up, The Friend Zone, Idol, Managed, The Hot Shot, Dear Enemy, Make It Sweet
Goodreads
An ALL-NEW sports romance from New York Times bestseller Kristen Callihan with high emotional stakes and a slow-burn, steamy heat level.
A “fake” fiancée is just the trick to help a bad-boy football player clean up his image. Trouble is, there’s nothing fake about the way August feels about his “pretend” fiancée.
August Luck is on the brink of greatness: top NFL draft pick, a great team, multiple corporate sponsorships, but he keeps messing it up with bonehead moves. After his latest shenanigan goes viral, everyone is telling him to get his act together.
Penelope Morrow grew up with August. Their mothers were best friends. Unfortunately, Pen always fled the room with a look of disapproval on her pretty face whenever August was around. But Pen has a problem too: she inherited her grandparent’s house and can’t pay the estate tax.
On a whim, August decides a temporary public engagement is the solution to both their problems—he’ll pay her taxes, and she’ll help his image. Win-win.
But, when it comes to Pen, nothing is certain or safe. Because Pen isn’t so reserved anymore. This time, she’s smiling back at him. And he likes it. A lot. Will they each survive the ruse unscathed?
Game on...
Perfect for readers who love:
• Shy girl/sunshine boy
• Hero in hot pursuit
• Unrequited love + epic yearning
• Fake dating (or is it?)
• Delicious slow-burn romance
• Childhood nemeses (all grown up)
Only on Gameday brings us back to Kristen Callihan’s footballers (but this is NOT part of the Game On series, so don’t expect any cameos)! In this edition, we get August, a pro footballer who was highly celebrated (and had the weight of high expectations). Penny, the child of his mothers BFF, has always had a low opinion of August (but did she really?). So, when he needs an image rehab, Penny is his go to!
The characters were interesting. August is a new play with a bad image, but we don’t really “see” that. We are told about some of his antics, but honestly, they didn’t seem that bad. Penny is shy and reserved, but her BFF is an actress, so she is in the spotlight a lot for a shy/quiet girl. These issues were a bit of a struggle for me at first, but once the story gets going with the fake relationship, both characters are very likable and I could let my initial confusion slide. August’s family features in the story as well and they are entertaining for sure! Both Penny and August thought the other didn’t like them, but if they just talked honestly, this could have been cleared up way sooner.
There was a bit of lack of communication that made me ragey, but overall, this was a very enjoyable story. If you like fake relationships, fun families, and football, this is a solid read.
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: fake relationship, siblings best friend
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: standalone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen, Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley, On the Edge by K. Bromberg…then you will probably like Only on Gameday!
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You had me until you said there was a lack of communication. It’s probably my biggest bookish pet peeve, lol. Glad you were able to enjoy this one!