Muscular football players. Passionate tennis pros. Sexy soccer stars. All sorts of alpha hotties, on the field and off.Have no fear! The team is back again, and this time…it’s thicker. You’ll get your sports romance fix with brand-new stories from eleven bestselling authors.Need one last summer fix? Dive into this anthology.*This anthology contains original, never-before-seen stories from Ella … never-before-seen stories from Ella Fox, Mandi Beck, Teagan Hunter, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Sara Ney, Rochelle Paige, Meghan Quinn, Charleigh Rose, Kennedy Ryan, Emma Scott, and Kate Stewart.
We still aren’t responsible for melted devices.
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Arena Lights by Mandi Beck
Maeve and Benny were awesome! I loved how they have known each other for a while but being near without Levi around is what started their whole attraction. Being out of their normal element has brought out the feeling that had to have been buried deep.
Their chemistry was off the charts and the story was well written. You get the beginning of their story and I hope that we get to see more of them and what happens when they get home in Levi’s story. I really enjoyed their banter. They brought out sides of each other that few have ever seen and compliment each other well.
Reading this just makes me even more excited for Sweater Weather (Levi’s story)! This author is a great writer and can draw readers into her worlds, even in a novella.
Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills
To start off, Ilsa is an amazing writer. Dear Ava gave me shivers of suspense, heartbreaking feels, and lingers of hope and love. In a freaking novella!! Time is limited to make an impact, not only did she do that, she’s left me all grabby hands for the full novel of Dear Ava. This WASN’T ENOUGH!! I did have a little trouble in the beginning reading the prologue and the first chapter. The feel of the story is something I wouldn’t typically read, I would normally watch on TV, somehow it hits me differently, stronger, on paper. But I’m dying for more of Knox and Ava’s story. So many questions are left unanswered, so many things still to be discovered. These characters have complex layers waiting to be revealed at just the right moment. More, more, more please!!
Arena Lights by Mandi Beck
This story is so fun and effortless. The perfect Sunday afternoon treat. Maeve and Benny are inst-connection hawtness!! Mixing softball and hockey players fire up the pages in a quick brother’s best friend romance that’s as perfect as the first, second and last kiss. I loved every second of this novella. Quick and a little dirty, this novella held the perfect pace for this sports collection. Just enough to keep me entertained and smashing my love button with a cute HEA!!
I have read The Guy in the middle by Kate Stewart. She has become one of my favorite authors. This was a beautiful emotional angst filled story. The characters Lance and Harper have strong chemistry that even though at first they didn’t seem to care for each other, the pull was strong. The banter between these strong career minded individuals was amazing. I am so glad that is will story will become a full novel, as this story really needs to continue.
Dear Eva By Ilsa Madden-Mills
5 Hearts
Dear Ava is a novella in the Team Player 2 Sports Anthology by one of my favorite authors, Ilsa Madden-Mills. It’s a fast read that packs a lot of punch. It had so much story!
Ava hasn’t walked the halls of Camden Prep in ten months. She was back and she was ready to kick some ass in her senior year. She might be a scholarship kid but she was at the top of her game. She was going places and nobody was going to get in her way. Not even The Sharks. The football team who are protecting one of their own. She was determined to find out which one was hiding behind the rest of them.
Knox was the king of The Sharks. The rich kids. The football players. He should stay away from Ava but something about her pulls her in. They never even spoke to each other but her eyes told him everything he needed to hear. And when he had an empty seat next to him in film class that was his in. He was going to find out more about her.
I can’t say much more. I can say that I loved their story. It’s unique. It’s raw. It’s full of banter. Good, bad, and ugly. And sometimes even a bit flirty. I can’t wait for more!!
Quotes:
“I don’t want to make your life hell. Maybe you don’t know me at all, Tulip.”
“Ah, yes, the god who needs no one. He rules the school. Girls adore him. Guys are envious of him. Everyone wants to be next to him, wants to bask in his glory. Praise be.”
“Seems accurate.”
I laugh. He is kind of funny with his stone face and black eye.
Knox has secrets and they’re layered in darkness, and part of me wants to know all the reasons why.
*Individual story reviews and ratings as they are completed*
Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills *4.5 stars*
Dear Ava packs in all the emotions! It’s one of those amazing novellas that make you hope for more. You fall so in love with the character and want to delve even deeper and discover more. I’m so happy that Dear Ava is becoming a full-fledged book in the near future and I cannot wait for more from Ava and Knox!
I’m looking forward to making my way through the whole anthology and discovering new stories from some of my favorite authors.
I got this yesterday because of the amazing line up of authors and somehow I’ve managed to read the email thing in 24 hours. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but thank goodness for the occasional free weekend!
My favorite story that left me wanting more was Ilsa Madden’s Ilsa Madden-Mills Dear Ava, because it’s a mystery I need solved. Thank goodness she’s going to expand that into a full length book because I need more!
Second favorite was Meghan Quinn Meghan Quinn’s Holt’s Story because I find myself smirking at Holt and Harmony’s banter, although all of the stories were great! Met some new-to-me authors, so that’s a bonus!
Review for Arena Lights by Author Mandi Beck
Oh this was so good that perfect combination of fun and flirty. I love a good college romance.
Hockey player
softball player
Roommate’s taboo sister
Two weeks away from campus on a softball trip. Benny is a hockey player who is helping to chaperone this softball trip. He is HOT. (always need to mention the sexiness of the boys right?)What could possibly go wrong? What could possibly go Right?
Did I mention Benny has his sights on one of those “off limits”. Oh yes now it gets really good! She might just be looking at him too? Now when you read it you’ll see why this is probably the worst idea. So now you’re really intrigued right? I KNOW ME TOO… but NO SPOILERS!
OH MY Benny and Maeve just the perfect combination of arrogance and innocence but not to inncocent. When you get that warm fuzzy feeling, then you’re all anxious the next page that’s a great story . That’s how this novella made me feel. You get everything. I loved it.
Team player 2 : a sports anthology
The guy in the middle by Kate Stewart
Harper and Lance meet when they are both using a friends gym. He’s trying to release tension and she’s practicing to live her dream. While Lance is watching her, they both feel an attraction but will they act on it? He needs to get a football scholarship but will it happen?
Arena lights by Mandi Beck
Maeve and her twin sister Millie are going out of town for softball clinic. Millie plans on letting loose since her brother won’t be there to scare the boys away but there is only one problem, his hockey teammate is coming as a chaperone. Will Millie get to have any fun? How about Maeve?
Body Heat by Rochelle Paige
Sera is used to dealing with high profile clients as a bodyguard but Rowan is different. Rowan is football player who needs protection after he decides to retire from game. The attraction is immediate but will either act on it?
Guys like you by Charleigh Rose
Halston and Sully meet at a party, the attraction instant. Their attraction is instant but will either act on it?
I read two novellas so far from this book.
The Guy in the Middle by Kate Stewart 5 stars.
I was so excited that we got a Lance story. You really didn’t know that much about him in TGOTR since he always kept to himself in his room. Hearing about his family and the pressure he’s under made me feel for him. I absolutely loved Harper. Her interactions with her bestie made me giggle. I just loved Lance and Harper together, I can’t wait to see where they go from that ending!
A Slice of Love by Teagan Hunter 5 stars
This one was cute and fun! I thought Jonas and Frankie are hot together. They had great banter and chemistry. And omg Julian, I absolutely adored him! He had some of the best lines in the story.
5 Stars!
I read and reviewed The Guy In The Middle (Fair Catch) by Kate Stewart
Harper is a 20 yr. old sophomore at Texas Grand University in College Station, Texas. Dancing is all she’s ever wanted since she was a little girl, so after she gets her degree she plans to pursue dancing. She is driven and determined to make all her dreams come true. Her time is spent at class or dancing. Then she meets Lance, the star cornerback for the Rangers football team at TGU. He’s a broody, arrogant, entitled jerk full of attitude who makes a horrible first impression. They clash immediately, but eventually she begins to see a different side to the rough around the edges hot jock.
Lance Prescott is a misunderstood, mysterious guy who keeps to himself. He loves football and boxing, and he’s worked hard to soon be able to provide for his family and have the life he wants. His focus is on the draft, and his future is riding on him making it to the NFL. Everything else has to take a back seat, including dating. Then he crosses paths with Harper. She’s sassy and challenges him in every way. He begins to enjoy spending time with her, and realizes they have more in common than he knew. They are both ambitious, talented, hard working, goal & family oriented loners with trust issues. Together they feel free to be themselves without the pressure of the outside world, but he soon learns being with her could ruin all his best laid plans. They are happy and falling fast when a secret threatens everything. Will she be the key to his demise or the best thing that’s ever happened to him?
The Guy In The Middle (Fair Catch) is an Underdog series novella by Kate Stewart that is part of the Team Player 2 anthology that contains brand new sports romance stories from eleven bestselling authors.
I read Lance’s story which I’ve been looking forward to since we met him as the reclusive roommate in The Guy On The Right. I loved Lance and Harper’s story! It’s a sexy, emotional enemies to lovers forbidden romance packed with angst and explosive chemistry. I can’t wait for more of this couple in their full length novel coming January 2020!
I’ve only read a few of these novellas so far. Some of the authors are new to me, others are old favorites but they all have one thing in common. They’re short but very, very good.
Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills
I love this author. I haven’t read anything by her that hasn’t made me laugh, cry or rage at times. Ava was no exception. It was mysterious, suspenseful, had a painful incident for Ava and even Knox has his own cross to bear. These two are kinda broken and still teenagers.
Ava doesn’t like, or trust Knox to begin with, neither did I but wow, he made us see him in a whole other light.
This story was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, watching these two become one. Can’t wait for the full-length novel coming early next year.
A Slice Of Love by Teagan Hunter
Frankie Callahan had a huge crush on a star quarterback Jonas Schwartz all through high school. Jonas felt the same way, but it’s only in senior year that he actually has the chance to be with her. Frankie was a ‘no-touch’ girl as her father was the town pastor and her mom the high school principal. Jonas kept his feelings under wraps until they’re are alone one weekend.
Frankie is over-joyed when she finally gets the opportunity to show Jonas how she feels about him. Things go awry shortly afterward and Jonas is forced to do something he never wanted to do.
Four years later, Jonas is injured, his newly started NFL career on hold and is a delivery boy.
Frankie never thought she’d see Jonas again, certainly not with a pizza pie in hand. She’s mad as hell at him but all Jonas wants is a second chance.
This was a sexy second chance romance. It had a few bumps along the way to the finish. I really enjoyed how Ms. Hunter pulled it all together in such a short novella.
Love Game by Emma Scott
A story set in the world of professional tennis. It was fast-paced, tense and very enjoyable. I really liked the characters. Kia was broody, deep and had a chip on his shoulder. Daisy was sweet and kind. Hired by Kia’s agent to help him through Reiki and massage, she was pulled into his world. Daisy had some inner demons of her own challenging her. When they came together it was beautiful.
The Teaching Hours by Sarah Ney
A short but very dorky and sweet story about Hannah Peterson, a young woman looking for the ‘right’ guy. She thinks she knows what she wants, until she comes across Rex Gunnerson on her university’s dating app. Rex seems like a nice guy. He’s quiet and nerdy, the complete opposite of what she is searching for. But, then she asks for his help learning how to date.
Rex is more than just a nerdy guy.
But can he be ‘the guy’?
The Teaching Hours will tell.
I read Fair Catch, a short novella as part of the Team Player 2 Anthology. We met Lance in The Guy on the Right and overall, I wasn’t all that impressed with him in that story but I was SOOO wrong! He and Harper have already won me over and this isn’t even the whole story yet! A football player/fighter and a dancer who definitely don’t start off on the right foot turn out to be each other’s everything and it’s such a great story. I can’t wait for the full book (The Guy in the Middle/Fair Catch) in a few months.
Review for Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills:
5 well deserved stars!!! I absolutely LOVED this novella!!! Dear Ava is one of the best things I’ve read in a long time. It grabs your attention and interest from the first page. The characters and storyline was fascinating and I cannot wait for the full-length story to come out in 2020! Bravo Ilsa!!!
This Review is for Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills
I’m speechless – what a beautiful story of two people who are different in one way but have so much in common! It pulled at my heartstrings for so many reasons. Ava is back at school after leaving in her junior year due to some students known as “sharks”. As much as she hated to go back she has her reason. She’s strong yet still weak in ways that are totally understandable. On her first day back she finds a note in her locker and boy oh boy I couldn’t wait to find out who sent it. There are so many “sharks” on this campus and I couldn’t put this story down as I keep trying to figure out everyone intentions. QB1 Knox and a shark ends up her partner in film class. There is a mystery to him and his family. Slowly we learn a few things and just wow! This novella has left a place in my heart as I wait for the full book. There are many characters within that I’m hoping Ilsa writes stories for all. Bring on 2020!!!
This review is for Arena Lights by Mandi Beck
Ahh, a hot hockey boy & a quiet yet sassy softball girl. Ya gotta love it. I loved reading how Benny & Maeve’s flirting ended up turning into more, though what will her brother say?? Her twin Millie was quite funny with her attitude, which just gives you giggles along with everything else. I totally loved this story!!
I have only read Arena Lights and I highly disliked reading The End. Ugh!! I. Want. More. I fell in love with Benny and Maeve! Their banter was so fun. I loved Maeve’s attitude but enjoyed her softer side as well. Benny was funny but great for Maeve. Their personalities together made a great story. To be clear, I want more!!
5 ‘My reason to fight’ Stars!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review of The Guy in the Middle (Fair Catch) by Kate Stewart.
I believe I’ve said this many times but I love Kate Stewart so freaking much. Even though, I did kind of hate her a bit when I finished reading this.. Wonder why? She made me fall in love with one of her creations again and she left us wanting to know what will happen between Lance and Harper until January 2020. And after that ending, I need to know freaking YESTERDAY because The Guy in the Middle (Fair Catch) was just THAT GOOD.
Because this was just a taste of what’s to come. This novella actually is in the new Team Player 2 anthology (which I will be reading the rest as soon as I can because I am so excited for it) and it’s around Kate’s new series The Underdogs. We met Lance in The Guy on the Right and we all got very curious about this sexy silent sportsman. Everyone get ready for the ride because you’ll love his story with Harper, the forbidden fruit that changes Lance’s game forever.
They’re baiting me. And by committing to Harper, I’ve voluntarily thrown myself into the biggest test of wills.
As always, we get a whole lot of emotions when it comes to Kate Stewart’s words. Fair Catch is an outstanding novella because it has everything I enjoy in a full length novel: a catching storyline, complex characters, a whole lot of sexual tension and chemistry and feelings all over it. Trust me, this was a roller coaster especially towards the end and that’s why I need more because I fell in love hard with this couple in matter of a few hours. I cannot wait to read more about them because they were incredible together.
“What if this moment, right here, is the moment that changes your life?”
Now, my rating for now is only for Kate Stewart’s contribution to the Team Player 2 anthology and it’s a HUGE 5 STARS rating. I am sure I will read the rest but for now I can definitely assure you Kate’s novella is 100% worth it because I literally devoured it. I’ve fallen in love with this crew of characters all over again and I can’t wait to read the rest of Lance and Harper’s story in January. Woman, get to it soon because I need this story soon! Highly, hiiiiiiighly recommend reading this one.
to come.
I’ve read a few of the novella’s in Team Player 2 and can’t wait to finish the rest.
A Slice of love by Teagan Hunter
Damn that girl can write, I absolutely loved this novella, the story of Jonas and Frankie was a page turner, I couldn’t put this down once I started it, I was sneaking pages in while I was suppose to be sleeping then my darling husband kicked me out of bed so he could sleep lol.
I highly recommend getting this Anthology.
Sports Romance is among my favorite of literature genres to read. There is something about the discipline it takes to be an athlete and the release of that control, necessary for athletic success, in order to experience true love. This collection of sport shorts is much anticipated not only because of the subject matter, but also because of the talented authors who are contributing their art to the anthology.
FAST BREAK by Kennedy Ryan.
Is a sports novella supposed to make a reader cry? FAST BREAK did that to me. It is gutsy, raw, and filled with a beautiful honesty which pierced my soul.
Quinn Barrow and Ean Jagger are two very charismatic and intriguing characters KR readers met earlier in her Hoop Series Novels. It is equally nerve-wracking and magical to watch these two powerhouses connect with each other in this shorter work. Their magnetic attraction combined with the combustible nature of their ineractive chemistry makes for one hot and romantic tale.
In FAST BREAK, Kennedy Ryan writes an inspiring and emotional story that will have you fanning yourself and wiping the tears from your eyes. What is always best about her writing continues to shine true – HOPE. Kennedy always reminds us as long as there is life in one’s body, there is hope. She makes us believe we are never so boken that we cannot mend. She reinforces our faith in the belief there is someone out there who will accept us and love us for exactly who we are.
FAST BREAK is truly a story that will stoke the fires which burn deep in heart of romance readers.
The overall book was amazing! So many amazing authors in one book and the stories was great! They did great with this huge book!
Well worth the read!
Guys Like You – Charleigh Rose
Rating –
Omg Sully and Halston story!
It was amazing!
I know these stories are short and sweet but Charleigh manages to grab your attention so quickly with their story.
I always wondered about these two in Allie and Jesse’s story, and I’m so glad i finally got to read their tale!
So good!
End Goal – Ella Fox
Rating –
I love Ella Fox’s writing and this one was no different!
I loved everything about this one!
Law and Addison have a past and to say it was strained would be a understatement but i loved how Addison put all her feelings aside and helped Law.
I hope we get to see more from this couple!
The Teaching Hours – Sara Ney
Rating –
Rex Gunderson!
The ultimate douchebag!
Finally we had his story!
I have to say i was pretty excited and nervous for his little story since for most of the series you know him as the bad guy but he redeemed himself in my eyes!
Hannah was funny and awkward and i loved seeing her again!
Holt’s Story – Meghan Quinn
Rating –
*sigh*
I need more.
I loved seeing this little peek at Holt’s story, i loved him in Knox and Carson’s stories so when i saw he was getting his own book i nearly died!
I love Harmony and Holt together, their banter between them is hilarious, Holt is funny and flirty and Harmony does everything to try and shut him down but fails miserably.
I can’t wait for the rest!