Amazon Bestselling Author Mickey Miller brings you a sexy, new standalone romance novel.When the NFL goes on strike, Super Bowl champion Peyton O’Rourke ends up back in his hometown as a substitute teacher and high school football coach.The one thing he didn’t count on?Maddy Cooper being newly single.She’s the hot girl next door type.Literally. She’s literally the cute girl next door and his best … girl next door and his best friend’s (now ex) girl.
And even though he knows he should be with anyone other than Maddy Cooper —
Well you know the drill.
Things are going to get hot. Heavy.
Does Facebook still have an ‘It’s complicated’ button?
Because it’s about to go down.
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Sports romance is my absolute favorite! Mickey Miller has delivered!
Poor Maddie, so much drama for that poor girl. Lots of lol moments which I really liked…her Dad, her wit, banter, she’s great!
When Peyton shows up as the substitute teacher and football coach at school, life starts to get really interesting for Maddie! Did I mention Peyton’s her Ex’s bff?!? Loved this book, lighthearted, fun, happy ending…highly recommend
I enjoyed this friends to lovers romance very much. The story offered a great balance of steamy heat, clever banter, powerful emotions and angst. I found it so easy to fall for Peyton. He was hot, smirky, charming and had a heart of gold. He was a totally swoon worthy hero, filled with swagger and toting some heavy emotional baggage from his family, childhood and his past with Maddy. As for Maddy, she was a character that I was torn over. I wanted to like her more than I could and by one point I would go so far as to say I hated her. In the end I was happy to see them get together and get that HEA. The side of Maddy that was a teacher I thought was wonderful. She genuinely cared about the kids and that translated well. With that being said, other than that I found her so frustrating and indecisive. I found it impossible to connect with her emotionally as a solo character. I do not want to go into details (because spoilers) and I will say that this is only my opinion and it’s not a very popular one from the reviews I’ve read. I will say that other than that pet peeve, there was a lot to like about this book. I’m glad I read it and I look forward to future releases from this author.
Maddy Cooper is happy with the life she’s created in her small hometown. She is excited about the new school year and she’s, honestly, not that upset about the breakup of her relationship with her high school boyfriend. Her opinion changes drastically once she realizes who the new Substitute is.
Peyton O’Rourke is back home, if only temporarily, thanks to the player strike. Taking care of his ailing grandmother, should be his top priority not trying to get under the skin of the girl next door who intrigued him all of those years ago. Finding his groove with the struggling high school football team shouldn’t be as fulfilling as it is since this is only a temporary situation.
I loved the premise of this story before I even got my hands on it. The best part of this story was that as it unravels, I started seeing the pieces of the characters that were hiding below the surface. The heroine finds she has to brave changes in order to get what she wants and the hero learns that what he’s always wanted was right there.
I would recommend this to my friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.
“Keep talking like that and you’re going to get yourself in trouble.”
“Maybe I want to be in trouble.”
Oh, why weren’t my substitute teachers like Peyton? I don’t know about yours, but mine were usually older men or women who really didn’t want to be there and just made us sit and read chapters in the text book, only to be told to write a summary. #Boring. If Senor O’Rourke had been my substitute, I think my school years would have been much more memorable!
Petyon O’Rourke is back. The NFL star is out of job now that the league is on strike. So what better way to pass the idle time than to return to his hometown, substitute teach and coach his old school’s football team? Well, it would be better to pass the time with her – Maddy Cooper – his Magpie. Only she was never his. She belonged to his best friend. But, timing is everything they say. She’s single, he’s next door, they work together – perfect -….. and he could be called back to Texas at any time. It wouldn’t be fair to try to start something, only to have them torn apart when the strike is over. But, how long can he fight how he feels? Can he keep it casual and be able to walk away? Does she even feel the same or is he just a way for her to fill her time until her ex comes back? He never had a shot with her before, but he’s not going to lose his chance now. Even if he loses everything.
Maddy Cooper has spent the last months in a funk after her boyfriend up and went traipsing around the word – without her. She loves her job and the kids in her class, but her love life? Non-existent. When her childhood friend, turned NFL hero, returns to his home next door, she can’t help but notice. But, he’s the most self-centered, arrogant, immature man she’s ever met and he’s grating on her every nerve. Until something shifts. She shouldn’t get involved – he could be leaving at a moment’s notice. Plus, a guy like him would never fall for a girl like her – the small town, plain Jane. Her place is here, and his place is in Texas. It would never work. But, she can’t deny her feelings much longer. Will this all end in heartache? Again? Is she doomed to always be the one that gets left behind? Given a choice between sticking with the status quo and risking it all, which will she choose? And will it be the right choice in the end?
You might think this is a friends-to-lovers story. Or a footballer romance. Or a second chance romance. Or a hot teacher romance. Well, you’d be right on all counts!! Technically, its not a second-chance romance – it’s more of a second chance at a first chance kind of story. But, it’s amazing no matter what you call it. The way these two push each other’s buttons is hilarious. The steam is enough to fog up your reading glasses (if you wear them), or your e-Reader screen!
Definitely a must read for me! Go grab it now!
Sparks fly when Maddy’s class gets relocated, and she marches off to find out what’s going on. Peyton is back home, and he’s the new substitute teacher/football coach. Their attraction and angst was immediate, with great chemistry, and this sweet and sexy romance had all the feels! I loved the characters, and I could really feel that small town class environment. Such a fantastic read!
Got up to 16% on my kindle & couldn’t continue. I would request my $$ back if I could…..
The perfect mixture of Hot and sweet. Well written. Loved the story told. Felt part of it. Well done fabulous ending.
love the book
I loved this book, couldn’t put it down
Not really my cup of tea, I guess.
Major chemistry!
A great read. Enjoyed since I was a teacher and my husband is a substitute.
Like this author
Can you ever go home?
Quarterback and hometown hero Peyton comes home to teach and coach the football team while the NFL is on strike. What he doesn’t realize is that his old neighbor and friend Maddy has been pushed to the school’s basement to make room for him. Talk about a terrible new impression.
Maddy hasn’t left their hometown. Not because she didn’t want to but because her longtime boyfriend didn’t want her to. Now he’s left her and is traveling through South America. Talk about disappointing. When she’s pushed to the basement because of Peyton, her disappointment and resentment skyrocket. Can their former friendship be salvaged, maybe become something more?
The Substitute is in session! It is an A+ story about friends and next-door neighbors with sizzling chemistry and complications. The Substitute presents a great balance of steam, wit, raw emotions and angst. Peyton and Maddie genuinely care about their students and each other. I don’t think I will look at a teacher’s desk the same ever again!
The audio edition is an added bonus with CJ Bloom and the unicorn himself Sebastian York bringing Maddie and Peyton to life.
I highly recommend The Substitute and author Mickey Miller!
The Substitute was my first book written by Mickey Miller, but it will certainly not be my last. He captured my interest from the start and did not let go. I loved Peyton and Maddy’s relationship. She’s the girl next door, he’s the hotshot who made his dreams come true. But when a strike brings him back into his home town, neither of them can expect what will happen.
The characters are relatable and brought a smile to my face often. Their chemistry was off the charts and the plot kept me thinking about them long after it was over. My only regret is that their story had to end.
PS – the audio version was fantastic. Sebastian York and CJ Bloom did a fantastic job of bringing Mickey’s words to life. I devoured this audio book.
4.5 star review The Substitute by Mickey Miller
AUDIO REVIEW:
Mickey Miller is a new author to me and I have no idea why that is. This book was narrated by Sebastian York and CJ Bloom who did a great job in bringing Peyton O’Rourke and Maddy Cooper’s story to life for me.
From chapter one I was hooked and kept telling myself, just one more chapter. This is a second chance slightly taboo love story as Maddy is the ex girlfriend of Peyton’s friend.
There is certainly plenty of steam within this story and the narration only enhanced it as the friendship between Peyton and Maddy finally progressed. I loved how feisty and determined Maddy is and that she refuses to settle for second best any more. Peyton to me was swoon worthy and captured my attention from the start, even if I first thought he was a bit of an obnoxious jerk. However he soon grew on my and I swiftly fell for the caring and passionate man who has come back to help put his old school and check n on his grandmother whilst the NFL is on strike.
Once Peyton and Maddy got together, they came into their own, not only as a couple but also separately and this shone through in the storytelling. This may have been my first book from Mickey Miller but be assured it will not be my last.
I love this authir! This is my 2nd favorite story so far and a contender for the number one spot. I love the fast paced, sexy, stories that Mickey writes. Take a xhance you will love them too!
4*
Maddie & Eric we’re together throughout school until he broke it off unexpectedly to travel.
Payton has returned to his home town to visit his grandma temporarily after his football team were on strike.
The two have a chemistry she wasn’t sure she was looking for.
I loved that Payton knew what he wanted & was showing Maddie not just to accept things to look for more.
The Audio narration was fabulous really enjoyed the flow of the words.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! But then again, Mickey Miller is a one click for me. I love his style of writing. Peyton is a big superstar. But with the strike, games have been cancelled, so he returns home. That is where it all began. In a way it is a forbidden love, because Maddy once dated his friend. But these two are so hot together. Their chemistry draws you in, and I found myself constantly routing for them. The banter between them had me laughing out loud. I loved the interaction between them. Maddy has always wanted Peyton. Will she actually get him this time? You need to read this story to find out. This is a must read.
Sebastian York is one of my favorite narrators and he is perfect for Peyton. Mr. York brings out the ruggedness that is expected from a pro football player. But when he narrates the softer side, you will be swooning. This is the first time I have listened to CJ Bloom. I really enjoyed her narration. Maddy is one tough cookie, and CJ Bloom brings that out. I hope to hear more from this narrating team.