Loving the Wildcard

by Debra Elise

If only he wasn’t my best friend’s brother.

Do I want Easton?

Yes. Always have. Always will.

Do I love Easton? I’m not sure love is the thing I care about any longer, so ask me again after my biological clock stops ticking.

What I will say is that Easton, “Mr. Wildcard” Cameron is an arrogant, talented, sometimes grumpy (well, with me anyway) pro footballer and even though he’s infuriated me for years, he also lights up all my happy places no matter if I see him on TV or in person.

Then one fateful night, our years of snarky banter and “will we, won’t we” takes an unexpected turn.

It’s the NFL’s off season, and he’s back in Pineville for his sister’s housewarming party. An explosive kiss melts my brain and my resolve quickly turning into the complete loss of any good sense I may have ever possessed.

But I just as quickly learn the reason behind that soul shattering kiss that not only wrecked any chance another man could match it, but I’d begun plotting numerous ways to repeat it.

Apparently, he overheard desperation in my voice when I confessed my troubles to his sister. Being the consummate troublemaker and tormentor of my youth, he offers a solution that benefits us both.

As temporary as it is, I say yes. And now only time will tell if the years of avoiding our real feelings can bring us more than a bundle of joy.

Welcome to Pineville, Idaho, where love always finds a way.

***
Get ready for a scorching summer! Join these hardened, sexy footballers as they risk it all off the field, chasing victory... and love. The bright Sunday Night Lights illuminate their path, but the winning touch has these fiery hearts racing.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Sports, Ebooks, Sports Romance, Contemporary

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2023

About the author

Debra Elise, a USA Today Bestselling Author, lives with her husband and their two teenage sons in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Her books are steamy & sweet featuring later in life characters across several genres.

A self-proclaimed extroverted introvert, when not writing or procrastinating, she enjoys a strong cup of coffee, a good nap and teasing her three 'boys' into displaying their killer smiles. Visit Debra at www.debraelise.com

Reviews

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biological clock ticking brings an unexpected surprise

Loving the Wildcard by Debra Elise is part of the multi-author Sunday Night Lights series. The story is about Natalie Lane and Easton Cameron who have a forbidden romance with a lot of heat and banter. Natalie is a single woman who has a good career but wants a baby. She feels her chances are dwindling to have one naturally as there is no man on the horizon. Easton is the star wide receiver for the Washington Sentinels and the older brother of Mazie, who is Natalie's best friend. Natalie has had a crush on Easton for years but knows that he does not feel the same way about her. But when he is home and overhears her conversation with Mazie things are about to change.
This is a sweet, light, enjoyable, forbidden, baby making, and smexy romance. The story is nicely crafted, has likeable characters, and a nice pace. I found the book to be enjoyable and entertaining.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easton and Natalie have known each other since they were kids. Younger they would constantly fight, not much changed since they got older or had it.

This is a fast and steamy story as Easton and Natalie realizes that they both hid the truth of their feelings. When Easton overheard Natalie's plans, he knows she could not go through with it without him.

Loved Easton and Natalie together. Their connection and chemistry explode sending bright sparks off the page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Loving the Wildcard: Sunday Night Lights Series Sunday Night. There’s a fine line between love and hate. Natalie pretends to hate her BFF’s brother, funny enough he does the same. Overhearing her conversation makes Easton jump into action to make her his. Will she agree to be his? Hopefully, they haven’t waited to long to explore their feelings. This is a short and sweet story, and I loved the characters. I would definitely recommend this book and the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Best Friend's Brother
Tangling Series
Pineville Novella

Trigger/ Content warnings
Mentions sprmbank

Natalie wants to start a family, even if that means going to the clinic since she hasn't found her forever man. Well, she has, but she can't have him. Easton is her best friend's older brother. There are lines you just don't cross. Until he offers to cross them so she can have the baby she so desperately wants. His rule? They make it the old-fashioned way. Will it give him time to convince her he really has feelings?

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, sports romance story.

A quick, sports romance. Natalie and Easton has a love/hate relationship, as best friends to his sister they try to avoid each other. When he hears her plan of being a mother, he knew he had to be the one to make it come true. Now he just needs to convince her that he doesn’t hate her instead always have loved her. What happens next was a short, cute romance story that didn’t disappoint.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review..I enjoyed this quick story about Natalie and Easton. He's her bff's brother and the things of her fantasy. Unfortunately he loves to torture her. When an overhead conversation leaves him suggesting what she needs, she jumps at the chance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easton is a pro football player and brother to Maizie. Natalie is best friends with Maizie since childhood and has had a crush on Easton for years. Natalie figured he would never feel the same so she acted snarky and competitive with Easton. Easton was doing the same to not jeopardize Maizie and Natalie’s friendship. When he hears the two friends talking about Natalie’s plans, Easton goes all in the to let Natalie know how he feels.

This is a great short story with characters I fell in love with. Loved the storyline! The author is one of my favorites to read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bonnie McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read

I enjoyed this. It is short so it’s a quick story with a little spice. I loved the storyline though. I was rooting for them right off the bat. I think I may have to go back and start this series from the beginning.

[Linda Olinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another short novel by Debra Elise, and as usual it’s a hit with me! A cute story about two adults totally enamored with one another, but afraid to rock the boat with his sister who is the heroine’s best friend!
But maybe the time has come to make a move!
Loved the story! I think you will too!

[Evy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great short story about Natalie and Easton. They’ve known each other all their lives and were crazy about each other without showing it. Luckily they come to their senses when they are adults. A very swoony love story. I loved the epilogue ( starry eyes) I wouldn’t mind it if the story was a lot longer! They make such a great couple.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie and Easton have a love/hate relationship over the years, masking their attraction to each other and hiding their feelings from his sister, their best friend.
It's a quick, sweet, short romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie has been best friends with Mazie and her older brother and pro football player Easton since grade school. Both had feelings for each other but the rule of dating a best friends family hits hard, so instead they tormented each other. He has one more year and then he is retiring when he overhears Natalie tell her friend that she is tired of waiting to find someone and will do the sperm donor thing. Well, he wants her and children, too, so a new option is on the table. Totally enjoyed the storyline and the wonderful characters. Quick book for a lunch hour.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story. Easton is a pro football player and Maizie's brother. Maizie's best friend is Natalie, who has crushed on Easton since childhood. Easton happens to hear Natialie tell his sister what she is planning so Easton puts a halt to those plans and suggests a different plan. He has always been attracted to Natalie but doesn't want to mess things up between her and his sister. Easton convinces Natalie that he'll father her baby and be the greatest father. This was a sizzling steamy story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easton and Natalie don't seem to get along whenever they are around each other but they are just trying to hide their real feelings. When Easton overhears Natalie talking to his sister/her best friend about wanting a baby he decides he's going to be that baby's father. All bets are off and when Easton and Natalie finally reveal how they feel for each other things take a steamy turn. Loving the Wildcard is a great addition to the multi-author Sunday Night Lights series. The writing is good, the characters are believable and this enemies to lovers/best friends brother romance had me cheering Easton and Natalie on to get their happily ever after. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easton and Natalie bickered every time they came near each other, but it turned out to be a tactic to cover up their true feelings to protect Natalie's friendship with her bestfriend and Easton's, sister. Only Easton over heard Natalie telling Mazie about wanting a baby, and she was going to the clinic to pick a donor. He was not going to let that happen in no uncertain terms. He no longer cared what his sister, Mazie thought. A wonderful taboo bestfriend seeing brother story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie has been in love with her bestie's brother but he has never given her any indication he feels the same. She wants to have a baby before she is too old to have one, and decides to get a sperm donor. Easton over hears the discussion with his sister about it and decides he has waited long enough, he has had feelings for Natalie.

He offers to help her get a baby the old fashioned way. Can he convince her wants more?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K Webz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story! Natalie and Easton had such a great dynamic, he was such a grump towards her until he overheard her plans to have a baby. Then it was a whole different game.

Natalie has always been secretly in love with Easton, so when he says he will be the father of her baby, she is over the moon. Especially when he finally confesses he always had feelings for her.

Great story, great characters and spice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toy story

Natalie & Easton. Live stories that are short and sweet. People who have decided to open up about their true feelings for each other. After years of the don't "cross the line Rule". This only happens when Easton overhears Natalie tell his younger sister that she is planning to go to a Fertility clinic for a sperm donor donation so she can have a baby. Easton is not allowing that to happen. Read the short steamy love story of these two characters. My only suggestion is that there be another love scene before it ends.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short, steamy, hot read by Debra Elise. Can't wait to read her other books.

Easton has come back into town for his sister. But when he hears what her best friend Natalie (he's secret love) has decided to do, he will stop at nothing to get her to realize they are meant to be forever with the family they both want.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie is an independent woman who has decided she is tired of waiting for Mr. Right. She wants a baby. Easton is lucky he has perfect timing and overhears a private conversation. This is a cute couple who needs the right nudge. I like this sweet story. Maybe we will get his brother's story next, or maybe a story about Maisie.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story!

A quick and cute read and oh, so believable… both Natalie and Easton are developed enough in this short read to be real enough, comfortable, like a friend at work or a neighbor down the street. It’s intriguing - I can recall friends at college who acted so similar to these two … maybe that’s why I liked it so much. In any case - if you are looking for a quick read with great characters and no real angst … this is a good choice!

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a heartwarming story that pulls us into the lives of Natalie, Easton and her best friend/his sister, Mazie. The story keeps us turning the pages with unspoken love, realization and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nat wants a baby, hearing her declaration to his sister gives Easton the opening he’s waited years for. Two people wanting the same thing, denying it for years, now finally getting the go ahead they needed.
Quick read, slow-burn steamy and a sweet HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always arguing and disagreeing with one another allows both Natalie and Easton to conceal their true feelings. Cute short read of finally getting the point across. Liked how Maize attributes everything to fate and of course her doing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easton is a NFL star who has been sidelined with an injury. He has decided it time to retire. Natalie his sister’s best friend has decided she is tired of waiting for Mr. Right she wants to have a child now. Easton overhears and decides to make Natalie an offer. Can two people who have been in love but avoiding each other for years finally get their happily ever after?

[Katelenn Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

45 min to 1.5 hours to read fepending on your speed. Nice, fun, short story. No drama, minimum push and pull. Been reading dark romance back to back for the last 5 months so this was a good little pick me up without any long time commitment giving off hallmark vibes where everything just aligns with minimum effort.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. An overheard conversation allows Easton to make his move on Natalie to make her his. It is what she wanted too. I liked that they finally get together as they should have before.

[Lizette Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the newest book in the Sunday Night Lights series. Natalie has fought her feelings for her brothers best friend. These two truly complete each other, and you will love their story when they finally break down those walls. Debra always delivers that perfect five-star read.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildcard Wins

They didn’t realize they had feelings for each other until he heard her tell his sister she was going to have a baby by donor. Total no go for him, he wanted tobe the dad. Fun characters and situations I loved this story.

[Carley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice filler book. From the start you knew how the story would end. The story isn’t long enough to have any surprises which was what I was looking for.