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.

This was a really well done sports romance, it had that element that I was expecting and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters worked overall and was engaged with how the romance element was going on. I was invested in what was happening with the characters and their story. Cassie Connor has a strong writing style and am excited for more.

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.

A spicy, sports romance with real emotional stakes. Cassie Connor scores with a swoony quarterback and a heroine who holds her ground. Fast-paced and fun with just the right amount of drama.

⭐⭐⭐

if you're looking for a light, spicy, sports rom-com, then this one delivers! i can't lie, when i first requested this book on here, i did it for the cover because i was getting all the taylor swift & travis kelce vibes! in reality, this book had a total miss congeniality meets the super bowl vibe. fake dating meets forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a second chance romance?! buckle up because you're in for a treat.

under high pressure, these two lily, a security guard, and tate, star college quarterback, are forced together once again. will they be able to fake it til' they make it? the spice is there, no doubt about that. and if you’re a sucker for swoony athletes and sassy heroines, then you might want to check this one out! this book is filled with all the banter, spice, and chemistry. considering this was a second chance romance, after heartbreak, it took me awhile to get through their back-and-forth tension.

Thank you to NetGalley, & Cassie Connor, for the eARC of this book.

PS: i saw someone reviewed this book and said "i recommend it to anyone who enjoys Elle Kennedy or Grace Reilly books" and i have to agree COMPLETELY with this!!

I had really high hopes for this book. It has such a cute cover and the description is fab but it just fell a bit flat for me. There was too much backwards and forwards going on in the book and I found some things a little too unbelievable in how the plot went.

This is my first book by Cassie Connor and it won’t be my last. What a fun, reasonably lighthearted and spicy read! If I’m being 100% honest, I started off getting the ick quite early on in this book due to the characters but they turned it around and I ended up really enjoying Lily and Tate’s story.

If I overlook the slightly over-the-top and unrealistic elements of the story, this is a fun little read. I loved that the fmc was given the role of protector and the fact this brought forced proximity with it, ticked all the boxes for me! It’s escapism at its finest and a book I’ll be recommending!

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

#adprproduct

I want to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book.

I love a good sports romance story so this one appealed to me straightaway. I expected it to be fun and entertaining with some spice thrown in, which is definitely delivered on.

The set up between Lily and Tate was great and it delivered on the Miss Congeniality vibes. The added threat also gave the story a different edge to a typical romance. The push and pull between the characters started to get a bit tedious towards the end and I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope either.

Where this story lost me was the final reveal about the threat, it felt messy and clunky and unbelievable.