End Game by Monica Murphy is a college football romance. Everleigh is new to the college and needs a place to live. Nico is the college football star wide receiver and needs a roommate to join the house with teammates Frank and Cooper. I loved the instant chemistry between Everleigh and Nico. They tried to deny it and come up with every excuse why they shouldn’t be together. The supporting cast of characters in the roommates, teammates, and friends really makes this book entertaining. I love the premise of the story and everything about it. I didn’t want it to end and I want to see what happens with the other characters. This author is fantastic and I love everything she writes.

nd Game by Monica Murphy 💖
Kings of Campus, Book 1
Interconnected Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
NA • Sports Romance
ARC Review
287 pages
🗓️ September 17

•football romance
•college romance
•good girl/bad boy
•roommates to lovers
•close proximity
•found family

📌“I waved at her. She waved back, and my heart tripped over itself when she did.”

First, don’t be jelly I got to read this first. You’re going to love it just as much as I did once you read it too 😜

Second, I almost doubted Nico for a second there but never Monica Murphy. She delivers these flawed MMCs straight to our hearts😌

Third, while you probably won’t see this until the day after… I finished this book the day football returned and it’s a sign of how much the gods must favor me 😜😂

Lastly, you can’t give me a sports romance with an alpha hero and not expect it to become my absolute favorite Monica Murphy?! It was inevitable 🥹

I also very much adore all those boys. Even you Gavin. Even you 🫣

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Listen, I am not opposed to a slow burn romance.. but when they finally bang at 98% it feels kind of useless. This was a tortuoussssss slow burn, like what are yall waiting for?

I will admit the rest of the storyline was good and I enjoyed watching Everleigh find her footing at a new school, and with a great group of friends. But I just find it hard to categorize this book as a romance, when the actual romance was covered so little, and only developed in the legit last 10% of the book…

I did enjoy the setting up and introductions of everyone in the friend group, and I would definitely continue reading other books if it becomes a series, this one just missed the mark for me. I think I would be super interested in seeing Gavin and Sienna’s relationship next as long as it happens before 90% of the book is over lol

I’m a sucker for a sports romance and when I saw that Monica Murphy was releasing this new book, I was so excited.

I found this book very fast paced and I managed to read it very quickly. I easily liked the characters and the friendships that were formed, getting me excited for future books in this series and seeing some of the other side characters get their happy ending (*cough* Gavin and Sienna *cough*).

I loved some of the tropes that were present in this book and although some of the outcomes were predictable, I loved seeing Everleighs friendship grow with the guys, Sienna and eventually Nico. I will say, this book was a slow burn, the couple do not properly get together until the last like 10% of the book but we still had some cute moments between them in between, as well as a lot of miscommunication and ignoring each other…

As much as I did enjoy this book, I will say that we moved on from situations quickly or I felt as if they were never quite handled. Despite the reconciliation at the end, all the characters went from either being best friends and joking around to ignoring each other and getting annoyed by them.

But this didn’t stop me from enjoying the little parts of this book and I can’t wait to see who’s next in this new series.

I’m always eager to get my hands on new releases from this author because her stories are engaging and addictive. 3.5, rounded to 4 stars.

Everleigh is the new girl on campus, not a super thing to be, as a Junior in college, but she made it happen. Football players convincing her to move in as their new roommate was definitely a win for her.

The guys are your typical football guys, and it was endearing to watch her engage with them. Nico wasn’t my favorite choice for her because of his self-centeredness and player behavior. In my opinion, he gained more from her presence than she did from having him in her life. But overall, they worked together.

There is a mutual attraction and chemistry between Nico and Everleigh, but it ebbed and flowed. Sometimes I felt like it wasn’t really there at all, or questioned why it should be.

I enjoyed this story in one sitting and adored the way the plot unraveled for the characters. Despite some challenges, their journey towards a happy ending matched what I had hoped for and expected.

I do recommend this author this book, and I enjoyed my time with these characters. I just wanted to love it more than I did.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy of this one from Netgalley (thank you), and happily leave my review.

I absolutely devoured End Game! It came as a complete shock TBH how much I enjoyed this book. Sports romances and new adult books can be hit or miss for me, as sometimes I just can’t take the immaturity of younger characters, but the characters in this book were completely delectable.

Literally, this read was a guilty pleasure for me. It felt like a mix of a sports romance with New Girl vibes, and I was totally here for it! I definitely didn’t know going into this book that it’d be a 5-star read for me, but I really had a hard time putting it down. I can’t wait for the next books in this delicious new sports romance series!

You’ll love this book if you enjoy:
- Sports romance
- Bad boy falls for good girl
- Found family
- Alpha hero
- Roommates to lovers
- Opposites attract
- Grumpy sunshine

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first book in the Kings of Campus series, also my first book by this author. I love a good football romance 😍 it was so cute, I loved it from the very beginning. It was giving New Girl vibes, I absolutely love that show! This is like Nick and Jess had a baby named Everleigh 😅

Everleigh has found herself “homeless”, her housing falling through when she just moved to town to attend college. She overhears a group of guys in need of a roommate, she wants the room. It doesn’t matter that it lands her living with 3 football players, one whom she may or may not have a crush on 😉

I loved this book, I seriously finished it in less than 24 hours. I loved Everleigh’s relationship with all of her new roommates, a sense of found family. Watching her and Nico’s relationship develop, the slow burn 🔥 I’m excited to see where this series goes next 😍

Thank you Monica Murphy and VPR for the ARC!

Ahhhh!!! I can't say enough good things about this book! I started right after my kids went to bed last night and could not put it down until I finished! The angst and pining were superb with a great group of friends which made so many scenes fun and enjoyable. I love when a book can have a great mixture of the angst/pining/ chemistry between the main characters and then also have fun side characters that you can hope one day get their on book.

The book started when the FMC, Everleigh is down on her luck and her roommate situation fell through. She had just recently transferred to a new picturesque college that is near the ocean. It is apparently the ideal location with the beach near by, all the coffee shops/restaurants/bars within walking distance. You know what dreams are made of @ Luckily for her she over hears a group of guys talking about needing a fourth roommate. Enter the fun group of guys to the chat

Nico the MMC is the handsome, somewhat broody guy who smiles at her, Cooper is a large stocky tattoo man, and then there is Dollar who is a big teddy bear desperate for love.She doesn't know but they are on the football team for the college and a big deal on campus. The story develops from there with lots of chemistry, new characters being added and fun antics.

I highly recommend you checking this book out! I hope all the characters get a book and l'll also be hoping that / certain football player wakes up!!!

Tropes:
Sports romance
Bad boy vs good girl
Found family
Alpha hero
Roommates to lovers
Opposites attract
Grumpy Vs sunshine

I love that this book is extremely character driven. The main characters, secondary characters, and the background characters were all very much involved within the story. I loved Nico and Ever! I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the arc of this book.

I'm a huge fan of other books by Monica so was stoked to get this opportunity to ARC read this story from a new series!

I haven't read many sports romances, but this one I really enjoyed. I liked how Everleigh wasn't just there watching games, but also ends up working for the team too. Definitely bought the sports trope into it in a different way to what I have read before.

I would have liked to know more about Everleigh and her past, but not knowing didn't effect how this story was told, would have just been a nice to know.

I know Nico was portrayed as a massive player and arsehole, but I honestly didn't feel that from him.

Ultimately this was a short and sweet story. Whilst I think it was a real good read, I don't think it would have fallen flat if it were longer with more exploration of both main characters separately and together.

I liked all the supporting characters. I want to know more about Sienna and Gavin. Frank NEEDS a HEA. And I want to know more about Cooper for sure! Set up really well for future books.

My first Monica Murphy book and I enjoyed it. The book was easy to read and the characters were fun. The side characters seem fun and can't wait for their books.

Perfect for the 2024 college football season, End Game will definitely get you in the mood to watch your favorite teams fight it out on the gridiron. Once again, Monica Murphy channels her love of football with these Kings of Campus who not only 'rule' their school out on the field but set hearts afire with just a smirk or wink. For Everleigh Olmsford, a transfer student, the poor girl is simply looking for a roommate and as fate would have it, ends up as the 4th in an apartment with these so-called Kings and from that moment on, all of their lives are never the same.

End Game is a bit lighter on the angst meter than the usual Murphy book, but is no less full of the kind of sweet feels she can deliver like no other. Nico Valente becomes the focus of Everleigh's heart but their chemistry may not be enough to cross that line between roommate and more. And so begins their push and pull, both somewhat afraid of getting too close and ruining not only their roommate arrangement but affecting Frank and Coop, the other two Kings who share their living space as well.

All the guys are vastly different from each other, play different positions on their team yet will always be there when it matters. Frank, in particular, is a softie who is everyone's friend no matter what and just wants to find a girl for his own. Coop is a bit of a mystery thus far but his sister Sienna is quite the woman who befriends Everleigh and has her own issues with the star quarterback, Gavin, giving plenty of advice and truths that may hurt at times but need to be said.

This book features another kind of coming-of-age storyline with most of the guys ready to tackle the world as college seniors but still have immature hearts when it comes to love. The romance between Nico and Everleigh can be frustrating at times but as they grow closer, thoughts of not being together just won't do, thank goodness.

I will say that there could have been more wrt the playa reputation that Nico has earned, since he really didn't engage anyone else in the book once Everleigh was in his orbit. Sure, there is a bitter ex that is always around at the worst times but otherwise the man has stayed celibate for a while now. The interactions, for the most part, are between the guys as they navigate this new existence with a girl as a roommate, with Everleigh winning over Frank (also known as Dollar) and Coop pretty early one with her mad cleaning and cooking skills. Nico takes a bit longer but that's just because the poor guy doesn't know what to do with these intense feelings he has never had to experience.

Overall, End Game is a very easy read. One that is sweet, cute and full of the schmexy men Monica Murphy loves to bestow upon us. She also gives us smart, resilient and sharp women who give as good as they get and always get their guys to figure out a way to deserve them. But to be fair, only Murphy men would be able to handle these remarkable women and I'm happy that Nico finally got his head straight and figured out how to win over Everleigh for good.

I look forward to more in this series, especially the current substory involving Sienna and Gavin, hoping they can figure their issues out once and for all. When looking for that college romance that is witty, joyful and easy on the heartl, look no further than End Game.

3.5 stars

Thank you net gallery for a chance to review. I am a huge Monica fan so was excited to get into this one. This is a quick easy read & I was able to read within 24 hours.

- Sport Romance
- College Setting
- Forced Proximity (house mates)
- Friends to Lovers
- Slow Burn

When Everleigh's college housing falls through at the last minute, she over hears the local college football guys are also looking for a house mate. She jumps at the opportunity and even though the boys are reluctant - They can't deny her when she offers her cooking skills too.

Nico is in this final year of college for the dolphins football team. He has his goals set on the NFL career & nothing is going to stop him getting there, especially a girl. Even if that girl is gorgeous and his house mate - And soon to be a close friend. She may be different to the other girls he has played around, but Nico is strong on keeping his wall up. Until, he isn't. And as soon as that wall is down, he will stop at nothing to make Everleigh his.

Everleigh has experienced some bad relationships, and really doesn't want to experience another failed relationship with her house mate. Especially one that is known as the play boy with sweet talking. She promises herself she won't fall for his words, even when is actions are showing they want her. But as friendship turns into so much more, she may have to let her walls down too to experience the true love they both deserve.

3.5/5 stars. 2/5 steam.

Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me. I did enjoy reading it and once again, Monica had me addicted with her writing. But I needed more background information to feel an emotional connection to the characters. I feel like Everleigh's past was brushed over & I simply just needed more to feel connected to her. I also was disappointed that they don't properly get in a relationship till 90% - So we unfortunately don't get to read much about them actually having a tackle at being in a relationship after both being such commitment phobes.

A steamy slow burn college (new adult) romance, set in a football house. It’s low-angst and surprisingly sensitive - in a good way. Everleigh has transferred in, and through a convolution of romance reasons finds herself sharing a house with three elite football players. The one she fancies is Nico, and luckily, it’s mutual. However...

They are both sensible enough to realise that sleeping together won’t help their living situation and neither feels ready for a relationship. I loved that it was Everleigh who put the brakes on, and kept them on. It’s a very slow burn - but they get there. They are both busy with study and work/sporting commitments.They do get to know each other, even if they are crushing for most of it.

I’d have liked to see more of their backstories, especially their relationship with their own families, and see them do more together. Nico is a good guy, self-involved and a bit entitled, but he pays attention to Everleigh. I needed to remind myself how very young they are and how new they are to caring about someone else. The side characters are great - Sienna adds girl time in the house and the boys are good value. There’s a bit of a stereotyped villain, but it’s not toxic. This is easy reading, low-angst college fun.

Rounded up to four stars. Thank you NetGalley, Monica Murphy and Montlake for the ARC.

I have been on a Monica Murphy binge lately. I love her writing style and her stories.
End Game is her new sports romance series, Kings of Campus.
I just loved Everleigh, Ever as is her nickname, from the start. She is a transfer student and hoping for a real college experience. She doesn’t start out too well though. Her housing gets canceled and her car broken into. Down on her luck she meets a group of guys, football players that have an empty room. She agrees to cook for them and they agree to let her rent their room.
Nico is one of the football players, he doesn’t want to like Ever but he is attracted to her. And she to him.
Nico and Ever have a slow burn romance, will they or won’t they, but I enjoyed their back and forth and getting to know each other.
I loved seeing Ever have fun and be a real college student. Ever and Nico were so good together once they got together.
I also liked all the supporting characters and can’t wait for their stories.
This was a quick read that I devoured. I love sports romances and Monica Murphy can write them!

This book was a case of it's not you, it's me. I wanted to love it and there were parts that I did, but what fell flat for me was the main couple, Nico and Everleigh. I didn’t feel like there was enough of them throughout the entire thing. They went from strangers, to friends, to not even really getting together until maybe the last 15% of the book.

I found myself enjoying all the secondary characters way more, I was more invested in them. Especially, Sienna and Gavin…and my favorite one, Dollar. I want to know their stories and that was distracting me from Nico and Everleigh.

This was a pretty easy, quick read, but I just wanted more of the main couple and maybe a little less on all the other characters. I know if the rest of the characters are getting books I will be reading those ones.

If you’re looking for a sports, roommates, strangers to friends to lovers romance check this one out.

4 ⭐ 1.5 🌶

This was such a cute and sweet story. An absolute slow burn and light on the spice, but the angst is really great throughout. I really loved the friendships within the story and I'm really excited this is a series and that we'll likely be getting the rest of the roommates and Gavin's stories.

There is quite a bit of other woman and some other man ish drama. This is a college romance with college issues and most of the plot surrounds the forbidden relationship both because of their roommate situation, but also in that Nico is a former playboy with an insanely jealous ex. I loved Nico, but I also wanted to smack him around a bit. He really is an a hole sometimes, but he's a sweet guy at heart.

I'm not sure who I want more, Gavin and Sienna's or Frank and whichever lucky soul gets that amazing man's book next. Either way (or even if it's Coop) I'm really excited to see what's next for the Kings of Campus.

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

This is Book 1 of the Kings of Campus Series!

End Game by Monica Murphy delivers a captivating college romance that’s equal parts steamy and heartfelt. The story centers around Everleigh (Ever) and Nico, two characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways, leading to a tumultuous yet irresistible connection.

Everleigh’s transfer to UC Santa Mira is supposed to be her dream college experience, but things take a turn when her housing situation falls apart at the last minute. Desperate to find a place to stay, she seizes an opportunity to move in with a group of football players who are short one roommate. The last thing she expects is to be captivated by one of them, but Nico—Santa Mira Dolphins' star player—proves to be more than just a handsome athlete.

Nico is in his senior year and fully focused on making his final football season a success. The last thing he needs is a distraction, especially in the form of his new roommate. Ever is everything he shouldn’t want—she’s too beautiful, too smart, and too much of a temptation. Yet, the more they try to keep things platonic, the more they’re drawn to each other.

Murphy crafts a story filled with sizzling chemistry and palpable tension between Ever and Nico. The dynamic between them is electric, with each interaction heightening the stakes of their relationship.

Monica Murphy has a knack for writing romance that is both emotionally charged and utterly engrossing. End Game is a must-read for fans of college romance, sports romance, and anyone who enjoys a story where love defies the odds. With its relatable characters, sizzling romance, and engaging plot, End Game is a touchdown in the world of contemporary romance.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I was super excited to read this book. I have read other books from this author and really enjoyed them. Plus it’s a sports romance. I do wish I loved this book more than I did. It was still an enjoyable read but there were a few things that kept me from loving it. The beginning felt super slow to me. I did like the characters in this book and I understand they are in college but they felt a little too juvenile at times. I wish we got to see more interaction between Everleigh and Nico. I also didn’t like how Nico was a total dick at the end and making dinner was just supposed to excuse his behavior. I do still want to continue with the series because there are some great side characters.

Always LOVE a Monica Murphy book, and this one lived up to every expectation I had going into it! Nico is just perfection and the forced proximity trope makes this story chefs kiss. A thousand stars.