Review Tour – The Player, Felice Stevens
March 19, 2024 | Posted in Review | By Two Book Pushers
Cover Designer: Reese Dante
The Player is Felice Stevens’ newest small town, sport romance. I really enjoyed this romance between Keller, former NFL star who returned home to coach his high school football team and the school librarian, single dad whose son plays on the team. Niall never expects to see Keller again. They went to high school together and he blames him for his friends bullying him. He quickly learns Keller had no idea that it was happening. Neither Keller or Niall are out and it’s a small town so the more time they spend together, the more reality hits. What happens when the town finds out? Are they all small minded like the few who protest? I really enjoyed the relationship between Keller and Niall. It was sweet and fun and a little spicy. I loved Niall’s son David and the strong, respectful relationship they have. I thought the way Keller bonding with his players was great and I loved all the football. Overall, I really enjoyed getting to know Keller and Niall and loved the secondary characters. The only thing that took me a minute to get over was Keller Williams is a real estate company (the one my realtor actually works for) so that was odd at first. I wouldn’t mind a short follow up to see where Keller and Niall are today and maybe some of the kids!
Blurb:
Friday night lights hide more than they reveal…
When retired NFL superstar Keller Williams returns to his small town to coach his old high school football team, he’s surprised how much he enjoys being out of the limelight and on the field with the kids. Even more surprising is his immediate attraction to the father of one of his players—single dad Niall Harper.
Problem number one: Niall Harper isn’t gay.
Problem number two: Keller isn’t out to the world.
Problem number three: Niall hates his guts. And Keller has no idea why.
High school librarian Niall Harper has always done the right thing. Except be true to himself. Divorced and raising his teenaged son, Niall is dismayed to discover the new football coach is none other than his long-ago Friday night fantasy and nemesis. Not that it matters—Keller doesn’t remember him. It’s nothing new; Niall has always been easy to forget. Now Keller wants to be friends. And more. Niall can’t deny the annoying man makes him laugh and feel things he’d only dreamed possible. But would a player like Keller be satisfied with a regular guy like him?
Being together is more than complicated, but they are willing to take the risk. Niall reveals he’s dating his son’s coach, and Keller comes out to the team, his fans, the press, and small-town gossips. Neither is prepared for the fallout, but that doesn’t stop them. It’s time to throw the Hail Mary pass of a lifetime and win the game of forever. And they’re ready.
About the Author:
Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is the Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, and the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Author Links:
Newsletter: https://tiny.one/Felicenewsletter
BookBub: https://geni.us/FeliceBB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felicestevens/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/felice.stevens.1
