Ok, I don’t wanna give a bad review but I want to be transparent, From time to time I like a cute, cosy romance but this? This was not that. I couldn't understand the MC’s, like how? What? Why? These is a lot to undress to be completely honest. And this is no different than every other sports romance out there. don’t get me wrong, there were moments of intrigue and interest but overall its not something i would pick up again. I did manage to finish it, but unfortunately it was a real struggle. I hope to find a different book from this author, as her writing was so easy to read, but the story itself just lacked.

The prologue didn't really grab me - I've started and stopped this story for months now. I'm sorry!

I just couldn't get into the story or the characters.

However, I think this would be a fun story for those who enjoy the sports themed-romances.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for an e-copy of THE BIG GAME to review.

I rate THE BIG GAME three out of five stars.

A new sports romance with all the spice!

Featuring forced proximity, second chance romance, and a little suspense. Overall this was a quick read that had great chemistry and all the tension.

*many thanks to Harper UK and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I wouldn’t say I’m a big spicy romance girl as such but I have no problem with occasional sex scenes in books. For me, the characters have to be interesting, believable people and I have to be convinced that the romance is plausible. That’s far more important than gratuitous amounts of spice. I also wouldn’t say I’m particularly drawn to sports romances, which is a sub-genre that is rapidly growing in popularity but I’ve read a few and thought they were fine. So, I’m not quite sure what propelled me to read this book.

Lily’s heart was broken by Tate in high school but Tate never got a proper explanation for why Lily just disappeared that day. Ten years later, Tate is a top NFL player and there appears to be someone intent on causing him harm in the lead-up to the biggest game of his career. So the team hires a new personal security guard for Tate and to his surprise, it’s not a big burly man who shows up -it’s Lily, the girl who disappeared on him a decade ago.

Lily is British and although I don’t know for sure, I am 99% sure that Cassie Connor is American. A British writer would have never referred to a character as having ‘a British accent’. When Americans say that, they generally mean Southern English but Landsfforde looks very Welsh to me. It transpires that Lily is apparently from Oxfordshire because of course she is.

I felt quite uncomfortable with Tate’s supposed 'appreciation’ of Pammie, the coach’s ex wife. She is an older woman who is clearly quite glamorous but I did think it was weird that the players seem to notice her in that way. I wasn’t sure that was entirely realistic and there was just something about it that bugged me.

The start of the third act conflict saw Tate making a terrible decision and I was yelling at him to see sense throughout it. Just as I thought he was starting to put the relationship and his happiness first, he veers off in the same direction he did when he was younger. It was so infuriating to see the growth and then for it all to apparently be undone.

The Big Game is probably a fun read for lovers of spice, sports romance and the forced proximity trope. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it as such because I found quite a few things that irked me but I did like Tate and Lily together, which is probably why I was annoyed when Tate appeared to sabotage it. It has been toted as Miss Congeniality in a sports romance but I didn’t pick up on any comedy unfortunately!

Second chance romance between a bodyguard and am american football player. I struggled a little with the reason behind why the characters fell out in the first place.
I enjoy romantic suspense, and this one was pretty decent in the suspense sections. Unfortunately, though it wasn't enough to pull me through the rest of the book and I stopped reading at 70%.
For me the characters didn't feel late 20s, or maybe they did and I'm a bit old now. Either way, I'm sure people will enjoy it, it would make a good beach read, but it wasn't the right book at the right time.

This was a pretty short read and I enjoyed it. It was weird that they never named what his position was and also that they didn't talk about what happened to them until the end. I liked them together though.

The Big Game was a fast-paced, fun mix of romance and suspense that kept me hooked! I loved the chemistry between the main characters and how their connection held strong even as the danger intensified. The threats, bombs, and high-stakes moments added an exciting edge to the story—especially the intense river escape scene, which was one of my favorites. I just wish there had been a little more explanation behind the threats and the bigger picture of the danger they were facing. Still, the balance of romance, action, and tension made this a super entertaining read!

This wasn’t really my cup of tea. Once I started reading, it quickly became clear that the story just wasn’t for me. I found myself skimming through most of it like the plot was barely there so was a bit disappointed.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded

Okay sports romance and reverse bodyguard trope and second chance romance with fake dating? Y E S.

I kind of walked into this book blind, so I didn’t expect all the action but I greatly appreciated this take on a second chance sports romance. I think the pacing was a little choppy and the events per chapter and per POV could’ve been written more smoothly.

“It’s a good feeling that you can being someone down to their knees.” Um, hello? YES GIRL.

Lily and Tate had a really good chemistry and tension. I think something I would’ve liked more is for them to have more than just sexual attraction (albeit the smut was written well). I would’ve like to have seen more love with aspects more than just physical traits. Give me some character love, supporting one another—especially since they had that fall out. Admittedly, it got better about 70% into the book, but maybe more flashbacks that didn’t revolve around them getting off on each other would’ve been useful.

Also … as usual, a lot of stuff could’ve been resolved WITH A SIMPLE CONVO/TEXT MESSAGE. About 70% in again, a lot of the issues at hand were pretty dumb. Then again, I also have no idea why Tate, a football player, needed this special protection when it seemed like the entire football team was in danger.

(Not me just realizing I’ve read another one of Connor’s books— Love Under Contract— and loved it).

Thank you, Netgalley and HarperCollinsUK & One More Chapter, for the ARC!

This book was promoted with a reference to Miss Congeniality, which grabbed my attention! The cover felt a little more YA targeted and something I might skip past in the book store.

The storyline was good, albeit a bit slow at times. I liked the characters and their developing romance. Undeniable chemistry!!

The authors writing style was good, and I would read other work from them.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was an enjoyable and engaging read. The writing was smooth, and the pacing kept me interested throughout. The characters were well-developed, and the plot had enough twists to keep things moving. While a few parts could’ve been stronger, overall it was a solid read. I’d recommend it to fans of the genre and would definitely check out more from this author in the future.

I love Cassie Connor's books, especially Love Under Contract, so I was eagerly awaiting The Big Game.

This novel follows Tate Donaghue, a football player getting ready for the Super Bowl and Lily Heath, an Englishwoman who has been hired as Tate's close protection as he is under threat. The only thing is, the two of them dated a decade ago when Lily heard a conversation between Tate and his dad and she fled back to England to be with her sick father and never spoke to Tate again.

I love crime thrillers and romances and this gave me a perfect balance of both. The chase of Lily keeping Tate safe and trying to find out who had it out for him plus the developing relationship between the two of them.

It was entertaining, although I did have to suspend disbelief at some moments. I love a badass female character which Lily is. I totally believed in these characters and I really liked the strong plot.

Overall an enjoyable one for me!

A second chance for Tate and Lily begins with anger and resentment, but old sparks reignite—especially once their lives are threatened. A sweet, suspenseful read that keeps you guessing about who’s behind the attacks and why. A love that never truly faded resurfaces once they meet again—older, wiser, and changed.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

This was cute. Kinda wattpad-y for me. If you looking for a simple quick romance read this is definitely for you.

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


✨ sports romance
✨spicy
✨ dash of humour

The story follows Lily and Tate, who have a bit of a complicated past. After a breakup years ago, they’re forced back together when Lily is hired to protect Tate during the Super Bowl. Cue the forced proximity, fake dating, and plenty of sizzling chemistry!

The romance between Lily and Tate is full of tension, humor, and sweet moments, making it impossible not to root for them. The mix of second chances and fake dating gives this book an exciting, playful energy, and I couldn’t stop reading until I finished it.

If you love a good sports romance with a strong heroine and a steamy love story, The Big Game is definitely worth checking out!



❤️shaye.readss

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

DNF at 30%. I started this and just left it too long because it just wasn't grabbing me. I liked the premise and the characters but something about the style just didn't vibe with me.

Okay as soon as I read "Miss Congeniality" I was totally and completely sold, that is one of my FAVOURITE movies. I understand the reference after reading the book, but I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say this was like it.

Absolutely love the sport angle of this, but I do think there were some inconsistencies with what was written and what actually happens - This is coming from an Australian too, so if I picked it up, I could just imagine what Americans would notice!

The push and pull scenarios kind of irritated me, but mostly the book was a cute romance that should be enjoyed lightly without digging through plot holes.

I love my sport romances. I didn't read much about football but this book was simple to understand and quick to read. It was hilarious, super hot and so interesting. I've loved the writing and characters grom the first page.

I absolutely loved this book. It was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. The characters were so perfect. The story was fantastic and exciting. Also the spicy scenes were hot!
I will definitely be reading more from this author.