💭Super adorable with feel good vibes. I love a good sports romance, especially when they grew up together and now are into each other as adults. It’s a trope I adore. I would rather read that trope than just random strangers. This book also had the fake relationship and the struggling college student with the rich boyfriend. TBH, there are a lot of tropes in this book. The plot isn’t really complex, and the relationship is very back and forth. Even with those two things, the book was able to keep me drawn in and emotionally invested in the story. The book does get quite spicy once the spice happens later on in the book. Until then, there’s just a lot of spicy tension. I thought the narrators did a good job. Teddy Hamilton is my favorite male narrator. Even though the book isn’t a duet, it is still a dual narration, which is great.
💬This is a cute contemporary romance. The romance in this book is a fake relationship. The book is quite spicy with numerous open door spicy scenes. August and Penelope grew up together. August needs to get his PR back on track and proposes a fake engagement to Penelope. Little does August know it isn’t as fake as he expected.
... Read moreOkay, fellow bookworms, I just HAVE to gush about Kristen Callihan's 'Only On Gameday' audiobook! If you're anything like me and adore a good sports romance, especially one featuring characters who grew up together, then this one needs to be on your radar. I picked it up because I've heard so much about Kristen Callihan's 'Game On' series, and let me tell you, this book is a fantastic entry point or addition.
What truly sets 'Only On Gameday' apart, beyond its charming premise, is how it masterfully blends some of my favorite tropes. We're talking fake engagement, a slow burn that builds delicious tension, and that heartwarming 'they grew up together' history that just makes the romance feel so much more earned. It’s not just a quick fling; you genuinely root for August and Penelope. The story follows August, a struggling football player needing a PR boost, and Penelope, his childhood friend, as they navigate a pretend relationship that quickly starts to feel incredibly real. The dynamic between a struggling college student and a more affluent partner adds another layer of intrigue and groundedness to their connection, making their journey even more compelling.
For those wondering about the 'spicy chapters' aspect that Kristen Callihan is known for – yes, this book delivers! While it starts with plenty of tantalizing spicy tension, once the open-door scenes arrive, they are well-integrated into the plot and truly enhance the character's intimacy and emotional development. It's not just about the physical; it's about two people deeply connecting on all levels. The slow burn really pays off, making those moments feel earned and impactful.
And can we talk about the audiobook experience? It’s simply superb. The narrators did an excellent job bringing August and Penelope to life. Teddy Hamilton, in particular, is one of my absolute favorite male narrators, and he truly shines here. Even though it's not a full duet, the dual narration format—where different narrators voice their respective character's chapters—adds so much depth and allows you to really get inside both August's and Penelope's heads. It made my listening experience so immersive, almost like I was right there with them on the football field or in their shared memories. Seeing the beautiful audiobook cover with the man and woman lying down with a football really captures the essence of this heartfelt sports romance. If you're looking for an audiobook that will give you all the feel-good vibes, a dash of spice, and a truly engaging story, you absolutely have to give 'Only On Gameday' a listen. It’s a definite five-star read for me!