He's a Keeper

San Francisco Strikers #1

by Stacy Travis

Drunk-texting a grumpy soccer star?
Best worst decision of my life.

Especially when the player is the sinfully handsome, foul-mouthed Holden Sanders… my new library assistant.

The benched bad boy needed an image makeover, I needed to save my job, and his star status was just what the library ordered to raise awareness for our fundraising campaign. The press can’t get enough of Mr. Growly reading to kids.

It's win-win and completely platonic.

Until I need a shoulder to cry on after drowning my heartbreak in too many margaritas. I only typed that invitation to his brawny biceps and perfect pectorals for fun–I never meant to hit send. Holden isn’t the kind of guy to care about tears and feelings, least of all mine. He’s made it clear good girls aren’t his type.

But he shows up–with his strapping shoulder, a box of tissues, and a supersized bag of Doritos.

That’s when I realize there’s more to him than meets the eye.

One soulful, smoldering mistake of a kiss has me craving more, and the heat between us quickly builds to a blaze neither of us can control.

But I’m not the only one guarding secrets, and Holden’s might push us to the breaking point.

Even if I’m surrounded by books, I know better than to believe in storybook endings.

And yet, I want to believe... Because I know he's a keeper.

He's a Keeper is a standalone sports romance in the San Francisco Strikers series with a HEA.

Genres: Sports Romance, Romance, Sports, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Enemies To Lovers, Chick Lit

284 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

Stacy Travis writes charming, spicy romance about bookish, sassy women and the hot alphas who fall for them.

Writing makes her infinitely happy, but that might be the coffee talking. She drinks a LOT of it.

She's worked as a journalist, camp counselor, TV writer, SAT tutor, corporate finance researcher, education technology editor, and non-fiction author. When she's not on a deadline, she's in running shoes complaining that all roads seem to go uphill. Or on the couch with a margarita. Or fangirling at a soccer game.

She's never met a dog she didn't want to hug. And if you have no plans for Thanksgiving, she'll probably invite you to dinner.

Stacy lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and a poorly-trained rescue dog who hoards socks. And she's serious about the Thanksgiving thing.


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Reviews

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

•Grumpy x Sunshine
•Both MCs have dark pasts & jaded about love
•Sports romance
•Bookish heroine

He’s a Keeper is book 1 in the San Francisco Strikers series. I really enjoyed Holden & Molly’s slow-burn romance. They started off as kind of opposites-attract meets grumpy x sunshine, but as the book went on, it became clear that Holden & Molly were more alike than they (or the reader) thought. I like how Stacy develops her characters so well & I truly understand their motives, feelings, etc. Also the fact that it takes place locally to me makes it a treat!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Stacy Travis for my review copy!

[booklover1816 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I actually really enjoyed this book! I loved how Holden hated everyone but Molly, even though he didn’t understand why.

Is it also possible to have a girl crush? Because Molly is perfection! She’s a sassy and quirky librarian, so it’s no wonder Holden fell in love with her at first sight.

Totally recommend this sweet contemporary romance!!

[Bethany (Bee_TheBibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

He’s a Keeper was my first soccer romance and my first Stacy Tracy read and it definitely won’t be my last!

Holden Sanders is a professional soccer keeper and the captain of the San Francisco Strikers. He’s grumpy and a little rude but also charming underneath it all. After getting embarrassed by his ex, he’s closed himself off to love and relationships and dedicated himself completely to soccer. When he gets a concussion during a game, he finds himself with a lot of time on his hands and nothing to do. He takes his niece to the library and runs into Molly.

Molly is a librarian at a private school and part-time at a San Francisco public library branch. She’s perpetually happy, always upbeat and excited but she’s insecure about some things, including her abilities to connect with the kids during story time. Her past always comes back to make her feel even worse but Holden’s presence seems to finally make her hope for more.

They start as acquaintances, Holden helping Molly with story time at the library, but after a drunk text, they get so much closer. I feel like things moved quickly between them and wanted a little more development in their relationship but they balanced each other well and I liked their bantering moments back and forth. I would have loved more chemistry between them - they were cute and drawn to each other, but I just didn’t feel all the sparks I hoped to. The ending of their story was pretty great though - both what Holden did for Molly and what their next steps are together.

I’m intrigued by what’s happening with the Strikers team and new owner and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. Also excited for Tim’s story next - sounds like it’s going to be a fun one!

[Wendy'sThoughts]

April 19, 2022
Never In A Million Years...
Would Sinfully Handsome...
Foul-Mouthed Holden Sanders...
Ever Think He Would Be Able...
To Put Library Assistant On His Resume...

But Here He Is...
Reading to Kids, Fixing His Rep...
With This Image Fix...
And The Press Is Eating It Up...

This Was Supposed To Be...
A Win-Win For The Library...
And Platonic For Me...
The Librarian In Charge...
Trying To Save This Institution...

But When Said Librarian...
Indulges In Too Much...
Drunk-Texting The Grumpy Soccer Star Happens...

And Shock Of Shock...
He Appears At My Home...
With Everything I Wanted...
And So Much More...

Now I Have A Secret To Keep...
Because Mr. Grumpy, Benched Soccer Star...
Never Would Want Anyone To Know...

He's A Keeper-May 24, 2022


He's a Keeper; A Grumpy-Sunshine Sports Romance
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A gifted copy was provided for an honest review

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Brittanica Bold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given this is an ARC of the book and it is yet to be published, I will be keeping my review very high level.

Special thanks to my friends at Smuthood Reviews and Stacy Travis. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

What I liked about the book:
1. This was a cute sports-romance book that definitely embraced the nerdy-girl-player-guy trope, which I love! Furthermore, I love a good drunk texting fiasco, which this book totally delivered.

2. I enjoyed all of the cat and other random facts that Holden spouted off. I love fun facts in books, especially when they come from the character we least expect.

3. I definitely felt that Molly is good people. I loved what her monthly income was going towards. While I can’t say I would have done the same thing in her situation, I did enjoy watching it come full circle for her.

What didn’t do it for me:
1. None of the side-characters were interesting to me.

- A cute as hell niece of the manly soccer player? Barely in the story.
- A twin brother? Absolutely no shenanigans.
- A pop-culture savvy best friend who is also a math genius? Where the hell was she the whole story?

2. There was nothing that stood out about this book as super unique. It was a pretty run of the mill, although cute, romance book.

3.5 stars!

[Perpetual Reads (Angel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of soccer so when I saw that Stacy Travis was going to write a soccer romance, you best believe I signed on the dotted line without even reading the terms and conditions. And can I say, I was not disappointed at all.

He’s a Keeper sees the San Francisco Strikers Keeper Holden out of the game temporarily due to a concussion, which makes this grumpy hero even more pissed off, because he does NOT want to be sitting around doing nothing. While taking his niece for a reading group to the library, he stumbles across sunshine-y Mary Poppins-esque librarian Molly, who not only puts him in his place but ropes him into volunteering for the children’s reading group. And ofcourse, our lovable grump cannot resist her so he just goes along for the ride.

This book was adorable, Molly & Holden were adorable and the tension between them? Uff. I devoured this book in a day, it was that good. Molly is such a gorgeous character, I adored her so much, even when she got in the way of herself. I could see a lot of younger me in her, and I couldn’t help but empathize and want to give her a nice warm cuddle.

Holden, oh Holden. He is just, everything I could want in a book boyfriend. That grumpy exterior hid a soft, sweet and incredibly supportive personality and I loved the way he loved Molly without losing that grumpiness. I can’t help it, I’m a sucker for “I hate everyone but I will always choose you”.

If you’re a fan of grumpyxsunshine, opposites attract, sports romance, then this is definitely a book you need to read!

Thank you Social Butterfly PR & Stacy Travis for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the start of this book but after the 100 page mark it made me angry, all the characters are spineless and it had all the tropes I hate like miscommunication and the forgiving the ex, what a waste of time

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite the grumpy/sunshine read I was looking for, this soft and sweet romance still makes a great series starter. I've been meaning to check out Travis' work, and this was the perfect introduction to her writing - it sets up the series nicely while still remaining a total standalone, and it showcased her unique style. The story is low angst with an easygoing feel, but it also tackles some heavier topics and brings a little heat. I personally would've liked significantly more friction between these characters; our hero is only a grump for a couple of scenes, and then he ends up being a total sweetheart. Which, yeah, I like a sweetheart, but I was hoping for more of that grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract sexual tension. I'd definitely check out more of Travis' work next time I'm in the mood for something softer than my usual.

The story follows Holden, a soccer player who has devoted his life to the sport. After a bad breakup left him reeling two years ago, Holden has sworn off women completely and recommitted himself to his professional. That has made him a little grumpy, and the recent concussion he sustained hasn't helped soften out those rough edges. So when Holden meets a sexy librarian who seems to be hiding some fire behind her sunshiney personality, it catches him off-guard. They've both sworn off love and have been guarding their hearts, but one drunken encounter makes them see each other in a different light. It's not long before Holden and Molly are breaking their own rules, but there's a reason they've been holding back their hearts.

Admittedly, I was eagerly anticipating the drunken texting storyline, which ended up being kinda lame, lol. It really was just a drunken text or two. But that opened the door for Holden and Molly to let down their guards, and then it didn't take much for them to start falling for each other. I liked that this has such a distinct feel; it's not necessarily a sweet or easy romance given both characters' pasts, but it has such a "soft" feel. Kind of like a small town romance, if you know what I mean. There's still some heat and tension, but there's not a ton of drama or conflict. That means it bordered on boring for me at times (and I skimmed a little), but I really did enjoy Travis' writing. If you're looking for something with low angst and a charming feel, then this might be a win for you. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this lighthearted romance.

[Rachel (Rrbookreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚽️ ARC REVIEW ⚽️
Review: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Steam: 2/5 🔥

#hesakeeper is the first book in a new soccer series by @stacytravisauthor

Holden’s life revolves around soccer. After an embarrassing and public split from his then girlfriend he decided the only way to go on is broody and determined. He’s a great goal keeper and catching eyes of teams from the Premier League over sees. Unfortunately he gets a concussion and all dreams are paused again. So now he’s doing very low stress activities including taking out his niece. One trip to the library can’t be that bad. Little did he know, his life was just turned completely upside down by one quirky librarian.

Molly Is always bubbly and excited, especially about books. Not just because she’s a librarian, but because of her general love for reading, except when it involved kids. Her second job at the library is in jeopardy unless she figures out a solution. Enter in broody library patron with a lot of strange facts. Not knowing who he is, she convinced him to help. The more time they spend together (after seeing his softer side, since he rescued her after a slew of drunk texts) her walls start to come down. Can she let him in and trust his intentions or is he going to leave too?

I really liked this book! It had love, guilt, anger, avoidance and determination. Holden was broody, but only after being wronged by his ex. Which in itself was a total d!ck move what she did to him. But once meeting Molly he new she was special. She didn’t treat him differently, challenged him but also listened. Molly carried so much on her shoulders but was always so happy and on the outside, I was so happy when she finally let herself really feel. Holden was so sweet to her, it was perfect to see that side of him. Also loved seeing awkward Charlie in there! Definitely recommend.

Thank you Stacy and @socialbutterfly_pr for the opportunity to read and review.

[alexa | bookishbabez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was wrong. She's not the exception. She's the whole goddamn rule book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐|5
🌶️🌶️|5


heads up - this review may contain spoilers!!


GENRE: sports romance
TROPES: grumpy x sunshine // opposites attract
POV: dual
TW: infidelity (not by h or H)
CLIFFHANGER: no
HEA:yes


I've read so many sports romance books, but I have never read a soccer romance until now!

This book is about Molly, who is a librarian at a school and also works at the San Francisco Public Library, for a second job. The reason she needs two jobs is unbelievably heartwarming. She's wholesome and peppy throughout, which makes the story that much better when she meets Mr. Grump.

Goalkeeper for the Strikers, Holden Sanders, is benched because of a recent concussion. While he has lots of time off, he agrees to bring his niece to the library each week, which is where Grump & Sunshine meet.

Molly needs help proving her worth to her boss at the library, so she convinces Holden to help her with Story Time to bring the library more attention.

This is where the story really starts to pick up. Drunken texts. Hero to the rescue. Unlimited Doritos. you know, typical romance stuff.

gahhhhh, I love when the two main characters swear off love, only to fall for each other 😌🤭 especially when both characters have been burned in the past and are just really understanding with one another and help each other move on from their pain or trauma. No games. No bullshit.

I thought my heart was dead, Mare. You're my proof of life.


This was a cute, fun and easy read!


[I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions and words are my own.]

[Mary Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute and fun to read.

[Thuy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready to fall in love with Holden Sanders! Star athlete, a Keeper with the San Francisco Strikers and also quiet, grumpy and not likely to date anyone anytime soon. Yeahhh, sure buddy. He meets Molly, and is so intrigued by her. He falls so in love and its sooo sweet to watch. Opposites attract and so darn cute together. Looking forward to the next player on the team to get their happy ever after.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly and Holdens story was super cute cause I adored Molly. While she’s sweet and positive to his bad attitude it was surprising how much kids adored him while her not so much but she needs his help and he has a lot of sudden free time but her drunkenness during her texts mad me laugh cause I just really liked her akwardness

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

The start of a new series from Stacy Travis, this is a fun, sexy, sweet and emotional sports romance that completely captured my heart.

Note - this book is a spin-off from the Berkeley Hills series and there's a great cameo from Charlie (hero from No Match for Her: An Opposites-Attract Romance), but this series absolutely stands alone.

Holden is the goal keeper for the San Francisco Strikers soccer team. Two years ago, he was brutally dumped by his pop star girlfriend in front a worldwide audience, and after suffering a near-career-ending meltdown, he has pulled himself together, closed himself off and dedicated himself completely to the game.

Molly is a hard-working, lonely librarian who struggles to get by and has pretty much no life. Though she loves her job, she needs something to prove her worth to the library where she works, and she strikes gold when injured Holden shows up with his niece to reading time, and she manages to rope him in to help. She initially has no clue who he is, but she completely dismisses his grumpy reluctance, knowing that his good looks and easy manner will draw people in – she’s right. It's a boost for Molly’s career, and when the press finds out it starts to turn around Holden’s bad boy reputation, so it’s a win-win situation for both of them.

And then one night, drunken Molly texts Holden when she runs into trouble, and he rides in to rescue her. What a hero! He may be a grump, but he has a heart of gold and he cares for her like nobody ever has. They open up to each other for the first time and see a whole new side to each other, and they very quickly learn that there’s more to each other than they ever knew. Their physical attraction deepens to a more emotional one, and suddenly everything has changed.

A part of me wants her to break through my walls and set me free, though I don’t know why,.
Why her?
The answer seems obvious.
Because. Her.

I love these two together! They’re so honest, they don’t hide, they don’t play games, they just fall together, embracing it as it happens and diving in to explore everything that they feel for each other, and I freaking loved it!

“The day we met, I told myself not to fall for you. Then I ignored all of it and fucking dove off the cliff.”
“You took me with you.”

It’s sweet, fun, sexy and emotional, they have such a beautiful connection, and we get to see so many gorgeous moments between them that had me swooning and falling in love right alongside them.

“I love you … I’m fucking crazy about you. I’d be lying if I pretended I’m not.”

But life doesn’t always bring easy HEA’s, and Holden and Molly have some obstacles to overcome while they figure out their life together, and how to make it all work. There is a bit of a drama and angst, but it’s minimal, it makes sense to the story, and I was funny invested in these two as they found their way forward.

“Wherever I go, whatever path life takes me on, I want to go there with you.”

I love these characters. Molly is smart and sensible, she’s hard a hard life and she’s scared, but I love how she bravely gives herself over to Holden and accepts all of the love that he wants to give her. And Holden… swoon! His broody demeanour is completely understandable and makes him even more irresistible when you see his gooey golden heart underneath it all. He loves openly and honestly, and he’s just the man that Molly needs, and I adore them together so much.

“I thought my heart was dead … You’re my proof of life.”

It’s a swoony, sweet, sexy and heartfelt journey for these two and I loved watching them come together and find their much-deserved HEA.

4.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon / Apple / Nook / Kobo / Google / Universal / Bookbub



Holden's a certified grump. He's a soccer (excuse me, football) player who finds a gorgeous librarian is catching his eye now that he's off in concussion protocols. But will sunshiney Molly give this soccer player a chance? Or is she too busy trying to give of herself to all the kids she supports to have enough left over for a guy who may be taking off to a whole different country?



Ahhh but I love grumpy/sunshine stories! Especially when the grump is a delicious teddy bear like Holden, and even more especially when the sunshine is the loving sweetheart with a sassy mouth like Molly. This author's writing just keeps getting better and I can't wait for more San Francisco Strikers to fall in love now.



ARC provided by author for an honest review.

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[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Well well well, it wasn't like I hadn't had my hands full with enough book boys that this man (Holden Sanders) had to drop. Most probably from heaven. (Or hell, I'm not sure)

•He's the opposite of playboy. He's un-playboy. I mean sure his last relationship didn't work out well but doesn't mean you have to put a self imposed ban on relationships as a whole. (ps, Holden I'm still single you need to come get me)

•Oh Molly, she is 'me'. And even has my dream job. (And complimentary trauma that I sure don't want). Hot librarian, check. Loves romance books, check. Doesn't know a thing about sports, check. Loves a little too deeply, check.

•If I could have my way with Holden (or Molly, I'm not picky), he'd be imprisoned in my bedroom. Sorry not sorry.

•J'adore the plot. And the way they tried to work it out like responsible adults, like I could never.

•He's a footballer ('soccer player' for those who love fancy words), now go fall in love.

•Okay but wait, that epilogue and bread crumbs of the Tim x Jordan encounter, like Stace, gimme the next book already.

•I read it in two nights' time. (As in I read it at night. For understandable reasons, you know if you know)

•This was unique in the sense that, Stacy doesn't put unnecessary stuff into their characters. They're on point, with their lovely, adorable flaws.

•The smut was indeed very smutty. I wasn't warned enough. 👀.

•I had my doubts about the ending but HEA.

•Still doesn't justify making me cry in the middle of the night but yeah, would do it again.

•PS: Holden still gets jealous over a bookish guy Molly likes

[Breck · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’s A Keeper is such a great read! I really enjoyed the love story that unfolds between the two main characters.

Holden is a grumpy soccer player, who suffers a concussion and finds himself at a library for story time with his niece with his extra free time. Molly is a teacher/part-time librarian who desperately needs to increase the amount of children coming in for reading time in order to keep her job. When Holden and Molly meet, the two find themselves falling quickly and through some pretty interesting encounters, develop feelings for one another, despite both of their hesitations to be in relationships. I loved seeing their relationship develop, and this book has so many swoon-worthy moments!

This is a great read from Stacy Travis, and I can’t wait to read book 2!

[Becky Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's a Keeper is a fabulous read. I loved this one so much. If you are a soccer fan then you are just going to love Holden so much. Holden is a little grumpy but he has his reasons. Molly is a rain of sunshine who still lives in the darkness of the past. I love the meet cute with Holden and Molly. I love the chemistry and the build of their relationship. Holden and Molly make so much sense together. I love how Molly supports Holden as he is recovering from injury. You get why she worries for him. You will just love Molly and her big heart. I could not get enough of this one. I cannot wait to see where Stacy Travis takes this new series next. Go one click this one now.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am excited for the books in this soccer series! And this grumpy/sunshine story is a great start!

Holden is a keeper for the San Francisco Strikers, but he is benched with a concussion. With time on his hands and nothing to do, he wanders into Molly’s library with his niece for reading time.

Both Holden and Molly have reasons for not wanting a relationship, and honestly they both broke my heart. I loved that they finally released all that baggage they were carrying with each other.

Holden really showed Molly what it is like to have someone show up and really care for you. He was so thoughtful, even when he was just being her friend. But one drunk text to his biceps and I was rolling on the floor, and they were starting a little something “more.” Who doesn’t love a man who buys you all the flavors of Doritos when you are tipsy?!

These two were the perfect opposites attract and brought out the best in each other. They taught each other about trust and honesty and believing the best in people.

I requested an advance copy of this book from Social Butterfly Pr and these are my honest opinions.

[Kritika · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’m sorry queen but what is this cover 😭😭😭😭 also this was no Kulti and i don’t really remember it even tho i read it not that long ago but i loved that she worked in a library hehe i didn’t think i was a sports romance kinda gal

[Tannie🦋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could, I would’ve given it 10

[Rose Hawks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first ever soccer read and I loved it! I love how the character Molly is a librarian. This book had everything that you’d need in a book. Guilt, love, romance, and so much more. I’d recommend this to my friends and everyone especially a intro to soccer reads!

[Allyson Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved these characters and this was one of the sweeter grumpy sunshine stories I have read. Who doesn’t love a book obsessed heroine though?

These two made me laugh and smile. It was the perfect clean romance to cleanse my pallete.

I would recommend this and I hope to read the next book from the Striker series.

[Season · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - just couldn't get into this one. Not sure why. I might try it again later.

[Jess P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[jessicakaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

A good sports romance book with a soccer and a librarian! Molly was super reliable!

I did find some things wrapped up to quickly or were not explained properly. I also didn’t always buy the chemistry between them but overall, I had a good time.

[Taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holden is a grumpy bad boy after the very public breakup, underneath he is just trying not to fall in love again. Out with a concussion and way too much time on his hand he gets roped into taking his niece to storytime at the library. Molly desperate to keep her job roped Holden into helping her with storytime. What starts as friends evolves into so much more. Holden and Molly fit in a way I don't think either was expecting when the guards came down and they showed who they really were to one another. Holden and his issues with Molly's need for Cheetos was hilarious. Great start to this new series by Travis.

[mary Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book sooo much!! It’s a story of opposites attract with great characters. Holder Sanders, goalie for the San Francisco Strikers and Molly school teacher by day and children’s librarian by afternoon. And you might think that this was such an unusual pairing, but it was really cool how Stacey brought them together. Needless to say I found myself totally intrigued with just how these two would become a love interest.

Holden had been publicly dumped by his rockstar girlfriend in the public eye. Humiliated, defeated and disheartened he was done with women!! His heart had been trampled and he made the decision that he was going to commit himself to ice hockey. Along with his commitment came a lot of grumpiness and foul language. his improved playing gave him a chance to be scouted by the premiere league. Even as excited as Holden was, he could see that chance begin to slip away from him when he was injured in a game and now had to sit out with a concussion. And the bottom line was that there was no chance to play again until released by the team doctor.

Now a little about Molly. Molly was like a ray of sunshine to everyone she met. At her day job at school as well as her job at the library… always a smile on her face. But it was the job at the library that she loved the most!! The idea of being around books made her happy and she shared her love of books with the children that came in for her to read too. It was when her boss told her that they might have to eliminate some of the activities at the library and her position was one of them.

This is where Holden comes in. They meet when Holden brings his niece in for story time at the library. It doesn’t take long before Molly has Holden volunteering at story time. The children (and their mothers) love him!! With the crowd getting larger and larger Molly has absolutely no idea Holden is a pro hockey player… which by the way Holden really liked. It doesn’t take long for the two of the to become friends but secretly feel an attraction for each other.

Molly is having a bad day, for reasons you will find out later, she gets home and has a few too many margaritas!! She then ends up locking herself out of her apartment without her key and she’s stuck!! At a loss for what to do, she sends a drunken text to Holden’s body parts. Of course, Holden is stunned by the texts but he’s certainly not going to leave her locked out so ends up going to get her. Now is when that spark that’s been there between them really starts to heat things up.

I loved these Holden and Molly together!! The banter! The chemistry!! They just seemed to fit, both had baggage that had turned them off to relationships, yet there was such a pull between them you couldn’t help but root for them!!

This is the first book I’ve read from Ms. Travis and I am definitely looking forward to her next book in this series!!

[Gabrielle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

He's a Keeper by Stacy Travis is like the romantic comedy equivalent of a cozy blanket—comforting, a little cheesy, but still surprisingly enjoyable when you need something lighthearted to read. It’s the kind of book where you know exactly what you're going to get, but you can’t help but roll your eyes and secretly enjoy it anyway.

Let’s start with Riley, the protagonist, who is just quirky enough to be endearing but also just cynical enough to make you wonder if she really believes in any of the romantic tropes she's trapped in. Her inner monologue is filled with the kind of self-deprecating humor that’s fun to read—until it gets a little too self-aware and you're like, “Okay, we get it, you're afraid of love... and also that guy's abs are too good for your own good.”

Then we have Sam, the quintessential “he’s a keeper” type—mysterious, swoon-worthy, and shockingly nice despite the fact that Riley can’t seem to get out of her own way. Sam is so perfect that you may start to wonder if he's a real person or just a figment of Riley's wishful thinking. He listens to her rambling, supports her in her career decisions, and still manages to look good while doing it. If he wasn’t fictional, he’d definitely be the type to serenade you on a rainy day and fix your Wi-Fi.

The chemistry between them is cute in that "will they or won’t they" way, but there’s just enough back-and-forth to make you shout at your Kindle in frustration: “Get together already!” Of course, that’s what keeps you reading, even as you roll your eyes every time they “almost” kiss or have a miscommunication that’s so predictable it should be a drinking game.

The plot? Let’s just say it doesn’t win any awards for originality. I mean, who doesn’t love a rom-com where the heroine finds herself falling for the guy who’s too perfect for her, only for her to sabotage the whole thing with her own insecurities? It’s a classic for a reason, right? But despite being able to predict every twist (and side-eyeing the slow burn for the third time), I’ll admit that it’s still a fun, guilty pleasure kind of read.

Now, the book’s pacing can feel a bit like a hamster on a wheel at times. Lots of back-and-forth, “will they/won’t they” moments, but not much forward movement. So, after the fifth awkward “almost-kiss” scene, you may start wondering if this time is the time or if you’ll have to read another 50 pages before any real progress is made. Spoiler alert: You’ll probably have to read another 50 pages.

In conclusion, He's a Keeper is the perfect book for when you’re craving a romance that’s a little predictable, a little cheesy, and a whole lot of fun. It’s like comfort food in book form—uncomplicated, entertaining, and with just enough "aww" moments to make you smile (and laugh at the sheer predictability of it all). Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it a delightful distraction? Absolutely.

[Amy Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Grade: 4.5 ⭐️

Stacy Travis’s He’s A Keeper is an apt reminder of her capacity for writing a contemporary romance that engages its reader. As the first book of a new series, this story draws you in from its prologue with the hero, Holden, who is publicly and humiliatingly dumped. Talk about a hook to engage a reader in the story.

Chapter 1 begins two years later, where we find Holden sworn off women and living his life for his sport: soccer. He’s eschewed relationships and decided to focus on making his dream come true: being chosen for the Premier League in Europe. Unfortunately, he injures himself, and his dream is put on hold as he recovers. With too much time on his hands, he needs connection, so he spends time with his niece at the local library. There, he meets Molly, the quirky, beautiful children’s librarian who, we find, feels uncomfortable with reading to the children.

Molly holds down two jobs: one as a librarian at a private school and the other as the children’s librarian at the public library. Unfortunately, her second job is on the line to be cut if she doesn’t find ways to bring people to the library. When she meets Holden and determines he’s a great partner with children’s storytime, she asks him to help her. Unbeknownst to her initially, she doesn’t realize he’s a famous professional soccer player. At first, she sees a man trying to forgo his responsibility to his niece. With a gruff exterior meant to dissuade others from attaching to him, Molly begins to see something more in him. She starts to feel an attraction to him which she fights because her past, like his, is also complicated. Unfortunately for them, but thankfully for Travis’s readers, these two cannot help but begin to fall for each other. However, the future holds complications. Will they find their happy ending?

As a beta-reader for Ms. Travis, I found myself gobbling her manuscript in a little over a day. With the exception of some story issues, Holden and Molly’s chemistry draws you further into He’s A Keeper. The complications of their pasts and the actions they take to forgo falling for each other becomes child’s play to the love that develops between the two. Travis deftly balances their progression of characterization with the spiciness of romance, keeping you engaged in her story.

There is a certainty to Stacy Travis as a writer. The ease of her style along with her indelible story pacing ensure that future stories are must-reads. As for this reader, I cannot wait for book 2 of her newest series, San Francisco Strikers. He’s A Keeper had made me a fan of Travis’s sports romances.