Third and Ten

Camellia Rom-Com Series #1

by Marie Veillon

Welcome to Camellia, Louisiana

Tenley Robin never thought she’d be moving back home to Camellia, Louisiana, and taking over guardianship of her teenage nephew, Ethan—but mais la.

Focusing on her career as a nurse-midwife has led her to develop a more utilitarian view of romance…until she meets Ethan’s super wholesome and charming football coach, JD Bourgeois, the one guy intent on sweeping her off her feet. And now she’s struggling to remember her reasons for avoiding relationships in the first place, especially when there’s a retired football player mowing her lawn sans-shirt…

It’s admittedly getting more difficult for Tenley to resist JD’s advances by the hour, but is she brave enough to risk forming an attachment or adding another complication in her already complex life, especially with Ethan in the middle?

———————————

What’s a man gotta do to get a HEA around here?

JD Bourgeois is beyond ready to settle down and raise a family, yet hanging out with his favorite student and scoring a dinner invitation from Ethan’s grandparents is the closest he’s gotten since returning to his hometown a few years ago.

But the moment he lays eyes on Ethan’s Aunt Tenley (and those nice, big capital letters embroidered on her chest), he senses his prospects are looking up...until “Coach JD Bourgeois: Former Pro Tight End” starts defaulting to “Coach Thirsty: Desperate and Awkward Loser” any time Tenley Robin is around.

He’s not giving up that easily, though. He’s determined to tackle every one of Tenley’s issues and persuade her to ditch her anti-dating policy for good—even if it includes topless yard work, custody hearings, and exercises in chastity.

It may be a third-and-long situation, but JD isn’t afraid to go out for a Hail Mary, especially if the result means ensuring Ethan’s happiness and convincing Tenley to take his last name.

Third and Ten is Marie Veillon’s debut novel and the first installment in the Camellia Rom-Com series.

Genres: Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary, Football, Rom Com

424 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2023

About the author

A former high school lit teacher from South Louisiana, Marie Veillon is still learning to balance her ridiculous accent, Cajun-French—inspired vocabulary, and horrible speaking syntax with writing humorous stories and creating characters and situations relatable enough to make readers forget they aren’t real. She enjoys reading books about her Catholic faith and rom-coms with a guaranteed HEA, watching football, cooking, online shopping, fangirling, traveling, and spending time with her amazing family.

Reviews

[Caroline Rohem · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨️Closed door romance
✨️Cinnamon roll MMC
✨️He falls first
✨️Smart Curvy FMC

" Tall, sturdy former football player with huge arms and a heart of gold just sounds like a dangerously dreamy combo that I need to stay the heck away from right now. "

I couldn't put down this book. It had me hooked from the first few chapters.

This book has the perfect mix of cute and fun moments, and before you know it, you're smiling while you're reading. The characters are really well-developed, and I absolutely LOVED the dynamic between Big E and JD; they were my favorite duo.

I really liked how Tenley and JD's relationship was developed. Everyone knew they were a perfect match, except she wouldn't let herself believe it. And when she finally let herself go, it was amazing.

If you're into closed door romance with just the right amount of sweet moments, banter, and some laugh out loud moments, this book is for you.

*I got an early copy in exchange for my honest review, but all opinions are my own.*

Thanks, Marie Veillon, for sending me this ARC.

[Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review
This is a great closed door romance.

I loved the vibes this book gave off. It was a cute fun read. I might find myself reading this one again and definitely recommending to others.

I also loved that she was a midwife and enjoyed the fertility awareness in this book.

[Emme · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an ad for the catholic church

[Katie Hopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review
This was such a sweet book! I found myself smiling and laughing multiples times throughout. I loved JD and Tenley’s relationship.

[Bi’s Reading Journal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s nice, but it gets boring. It could have ended sooner.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Can I just say how WONDERFUL it is to have an unabashedly Catholic romance book that isn't weird or unrealistic. And it's super marriage- and family-oriented in a way I just love. I love seeing the author, through JD, thinking through the theology of the body and how we are made for marriage and family and being open to life.

I had midwives for all 3 of my kids and I practiced Natural Family Planning (NFP) for a while so I really connected with that in Tenley. Also, I grew up on the western edge of Cajun country in southeast Texas and I am thrilled to see this culture in books - it's so underrepresented!

This book is closed door but it's definitely PG-13, which is honestly my sweet spot. It is a bit longer than average, which I was unsure about at first but I was really drawn in by the story the whole time. I was just so happy to travel with JD, Tenley, and Ethan through the whole journey to the beginning of their HEA - and it's all the HEA you could want!

Thank you Marie for the ARC! I've been excited for this book since your first day on Instagram. 😂 It's really great to have your voice in the romance world and I'm looking forward to Blake's story, and lots more!

[The Bourbon Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bourbon Bookcase Review
Title: Third and Ten
Author: Marie Veillon
Shelf Placement: Top Shelf

Welcome to Camellia, Louisiana where small-town charm, spicy slow burns, and big-hearted characters come together in the best way.

Third and Ten is the kind of debut that makes you want to shout from the rooftops: this author is one to watch. Marie Veillon delivers a heartfelt, hilarious, and totally swoon-worthy romance wrapped in southern sass and sincerity. There’s real depth here too, especially when it comes to themes of family, guardianship, grief, and learning to trust again.

Tenley Robin never expected to be back in her hometown raising her teenage nephew, Ethan. She definitely didn’t expect to fall for his high school football coach. But JD Bourgeois? He’s hard to resist. Especially when he’s doing shirtless lawn work and showing up for the people she loves like it’s second nature.

Tenley is strong, guarded, and practical. JD is wholesome, determined, and clearly all-in. Watching them stumble, flirt, and fight their way toward something real was an absolute joy.

Summary:
Back in Camellia to raise her nephew, Tenley isn’t looking for romance. JD, a retired pro football player turned high school coach, isn’t looking to waste time. But when sparks fly and responsibilities collide, they’ll both have to decide if love is worth the risk—especially when a teenager’s happiness is on the line.

Vibe:
Funny, heartfelt, and spicy. Like Friday Night Lights met Sweet Home Alabama with a whole lot of heart and heat.

Who I’d Recommend It To:
Fans of small-town romance with depth and closed door spice. If you love stories with found family, football, and a genuinely good guy hero? This is your book. A must-read for fans of Abby Jimenez, Lucy Score, and indie rom-coms with emotional weight.

#TheBourbonBookcase #BookReview #TopShelfRead #ThirdAndTen #MarieVeillon #CamelliaRomCom #IndieAuthor #RomComWithHeart #SmallTownRomance #FootballRomance #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #SlowBurnRomance #TopShelfLove #DebutRomance #BookRec

[Courtney | Bookish Beach Babe · Rating 5 out of 5]

♡ 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨 ♡
•sports romance
•he falls first - total simp
•gen z language
•his arms
•the meaning behind the title 🥹
•jd mowing the lawn 😮‍💨
•ethan - mini wingman
•”coach thirsty”
•golden retriever hero
•sassy, independent heroine
•strong family bonds

“𝙏𝙚𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙙, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝…𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮. 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙩, 𝙩𝙤𝙤.”

i enjoyed this debut so much! it was filled with so much heart and the perfect touch of faith. i absolutely fell for jd right away!! what a cinnamon roll. i loved his determination to win over tenley and how once he saw her and got to know her, that was it for him. i love a man that knows exactly what he wants! also, his banter with ethan was my favorite!

tenley was such a relatable heroine. she was so strong, but also real about her insecurities. i loved the tender relationship she had with her nephew ethan and all that she was willing to do to be his guardian. it was also fun to see her play hard to get and make jd work for her love. once they got together, it was easy to see that they were the perfect pairing.

this story was so sweet but packed lots of heat — it was the perfect balance. i loved the secondary characters especially blake and loren. i’m absolutely smitten by this debut from marie veillon and i can’t wait to read more by her!

romance: fade to black

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I thought the author did a good job describing the characters and their emotions. As a Catholic myself, I appreciated the Catholic themes as that’s not something I’ve ever seen in a romcom. It’s always either squeaky clean Christian themes or super spicy/open door romance, but I thought this book had an interesting middle ground with just the right level of spice. Loved the Catholic and NFP representation! I know some people didn’t appreciate the religious undertones, but I definitely did. To each their own I guess. I definitely hope this author continues to write more books like this!

[Dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was great! Loved the main characters and I thought Ethan's relationship with both his aunt and JD was so sweet! Also I'm so glad we finally have a romcom that includes Catholic characters, Catholic themes, and discussions about NFP and being open to life (if there are others out there, I'm not aware of them), but I'm also so glad the characters in this book were respectful and nonjudgemental of others' beliefs. Definitely will read the author's next book, which I believe is out now.

[Maca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Id say a solid 3 star, enjoyable but dont think it will leave a lasting memory.. didnt realize they will be so religious from the start to be honest but okay..

[Krissi Markos · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!!
Marie Veillon crush he first book!! “Third and Ten” is a steamy closed-door rom-com that has me laughing throughout. The banter between all the characters so realistic that I could see myself having some of those conversations or making the same comments.
The chemistry between Tenley and JD is undeniable and I don’t know how she resists that man for as long as she does!
There are some serious topics that are discussed in this book and they are handle so well. Marie did an amazing job addressing these topics in great way by using realistic conversations between the characters.
I could say so many good things about “Third and Ten” but you’re just going to have to read it yourself!!

[lina rabon · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 36%
i’m not feeling the romance at all it seems very love at first sight/only physical so i’m gonna soft dnf
here are some of my thoughts when reading:
***spoilers***
- love at first sight at age 11 and 28: very weird felt so random
- certain things being said about women and pursuing women were not it in my opinion
ex: JD’s brother tells him that he needs to be more agressive toward Tenley for a date
- the way he just talked to her boobs is giving ick like how old r u?! (34%)

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me giggling so much! Like books usually do but this one was so cute and funny! It has all the good vibes and I loved it so much

The characters were amazing too! JD (or should I say Coach Thirsty?🤭) not giving up his pursuit for Tenley was absolutely hilarious but also super cute! Omygosh even I started feeling bad for him at times but genuinely the whole thing between the two of them was just very funny and wholesome! JD is so perfect! Like he was always so patient, mature and yes determined too. There was something very real about him and the golden retriever vibes literally radiating off him was absolutely adorable!! The way he handled his students and just any situation made me fall in love with his calm personality more and more. Him never giving up on his mission to impress Tenley but also setting boundaries when she asked for it had me smiling so hard!
Tenley was complicated but then you get to her pov and there's just so many things that makes sense at once and the you understand where she's coming from and I think the author did a truly great job at making her feel realistic with all her ups and downs. I mean at times she does come off as harsh but then you, again, understand where all her insecurities are coming from and then you just want to give her a big hug 🥺💗

Tenley and JD were genuinely made for each other and I loved how they both balanced each other out. I loved the many and small interactions between them and I loved how everyone teased them too🤭 And not only them but the whole small town and their families were just added goodness to this book! I loved how wholesale it made me feel. The book was sad at times but it was so perfectly balanced and gah I'm just so happy with this book!!

[Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review Third and Ten by Marie Veillon
Genre: Romance, sports romance,
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (I would give it 10 stars if I could!)
#bookloungereviewteam
Marie Veillon Rhonda Lynn Bobbitt Elaina Wall
Are you looking for a book that captures your interest from cover to cover? Do you love fantasizing about the hot guys on the television during NFL games? Look no further than Third and Ten. If you’re a lover of sports romance, this one is definitely the one for you! With a splash of Louisana flare, you’ll be sure to be hooked!
Tenley moves back to South Louisiana when her sister tragically passes away leaving her parents as the legal guardian of her nephew. With her own family reeling from her father’s continued illness, her parents urge her to adopt her nephew, but Ethan’s father has been trying to reach out. Will Tenley still have the opportunity to be his legal guardian?
Enter JD Bourgeois! The man who left their hometown to pursue a career in football who now teaches and coaches her nephew. With meddling family members on both sides, Tenley and JD connect on many levels.
If you’re looking for a great read sprinkled with some Southern Charm, check out Third and Ten today!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely charming and unexpectedly emotional, Third and Ten was such a wholesome small-town romance that completely won me over. I loved JD and Tenley together—their chemistry was adorable, their banter was fun, and their slow-burn journey had me rooting for them every step of the way.

The story balanced heart and humor so well. JD is the definition of a golden retriever love interest: loyal, sweet, and hopelessly smitten from the start. Tenley, juggling a major life transition and caring for her nephew Ethan, brought so much depth and heart to the story. Their relationship felt realistic and tender, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and a few scenes that had me nearly crying.

I also really appreciated the family dynamics woven throughout—especially the way Ethan’s story was handled—and the subtle Catholic themes added warmth without being heavy-handed. I did find myself going back and forth on whether to trust JD’s brother, which kept things interesting!

With its heartfelt themes, single parent dynamics, and small-town charm, Third and Ten is a cozy, feel-good debut that left me excited to read more from Marie Veillon. Perfect for fans of closed-door, dual POV romances with strong emotional cores and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.

[Stephanie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious and heartwarming

3.5 stars - slight spoilers regarding typical rom/com tropes


This book was so cute! I loved that the main characters were approaching 30 and had established careers and such. The family bonds were strongly represented but what sealed the deal for me was the awkwardness that JD and Tenley both had when it came to interacting with each other. JD is completely besotted/twitterpated and he loses all sense and Tenley is right behind him (though she fights the feelings a little longer and harder).

There are some heartbreaking moments that are discussed but not too deeply. The only real spoilers I’ll give is that there is some miscommunication and a third act breakup (which isn’t surprising given how the story started out) and that’s only because I know how a lot of people tend to hate them.

There are some heavy make out moments but heavily detailed and anything beyond that is completely closed door.

There’s a list at the beginning of the book that list out some topics/situations discussed that may be uncomfortable or triggering for people so please be sure to check that out beforehand.

I loved the characters and I look forward to reading more books in the series.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a sports fan AND lover of cutesy rom-coms, I enjoyed this book so much. The single parent trope is one of my favorites, and though this one had a little twist, it was SO good.

The double meaning in the title is great. Third and ten being the final stretch before a "score," and the main MC trying to score his lady was a great tie in. Add in the fact that his name has "the Third" at the end and the main FC's name is (Ten)ley, the title just works perfectly with the overall story.

The only complaint I have is that JD was a creep in some parts, and though I know it was meant for him to look shady in some conversations, he just seemed way too pushy at first. His nickname made it obvious that some pushiness was done intentionally, but there were definitely a few parts where I felt it was overdone and he was bordering on true creep vibes.

I think the best part to me was the mixture of sadness, humor, and awkward relationship situations. The balance here was great, and I just overall really loved this book. I will definitely be reading more Marie Veillon!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in return for an honest review of this book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The characters are well developed and the story itself was very fun. The storyline is a little slow at some points but the author does a good job of keeping your attention enough to move through those slow periods. There are a few topics that some people may find uncomfortable but those are well established before you even start the book. A few grammatical errors but nothing that interrupts the story. Third and Ten is a very quick, easy read and is a very cute story! Great for readers who are looking for romance without the smut! I look forward to seeing who the main characters in the next series are!

[K.L. Hester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could Not Put This Down!

This book was AH-MAZING! I saw an arc review for it a few weeks ago and have been excited to read it since then! I downloaded it the day it came out and stayed up until 1:30 reading and then finished it the next day.
I love that there was slow burn and it was the barest of open door romance. There was just enough spice to get the gist of what was happening, but no eye-opening descriptions! It was a classy read I would recommend to anyone!
Also those Christian values through the book were so refreshing! I am LDS, not Catholic, but I enjoyed reading about characters that have similar morals as myself—especially regarding intimacy.
I am so glad I stumbled upon this book!

[Tabitha Birtch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun to read! I
I will say that the spice was a little much for me but I was warned that it was more spicy. It is still closed door book. But i literally lost sleep, trying to get to the completion of the story. I love the way that the characters develop and a written they are both whimsical and relatable. The storyline, and the events that happen truly are beautifully held. There’s so much reality with expression of pain and turmoil, yet you know there’s so much hope. I would recommend this book for any adult. It’s a little on the spicy stuff for me but I am still looking forward to whenever there’s a sequel!
I enjoyed the humor, the awkwardness, and the dual point of you.
I did receive this as an ARC

[Rachelle LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tinley is a midwife who is returning home to Camellia, LA to help with a dying father and raise her nephew. JD is a former pro football player turned high school football coach.

JD is smitten at first glance but Tinley takes longer to fall (or to admit she fell). Her nephew, Ethan, tries to be JD’s wingman. When her father passes and Ethan starts to withdraw, she realizes how much JD helped and how much she wanted him as a life long partner.

This was a cute story. Especially in the first half of the book, I laughed almost the whole time. There are some heavy topics covered in Third and Ten but done in a good way. I want a Loren and Blake book.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great arc read! 🤩

If you enjoy closed door romances with banter, & LOL moments, this book is perfect for you! (Also maybe shed a few tears like I did)

I loved loved LOVEEDD Ethan & JD’s relationship. My favorite relationship in the book!
I loved the growth of Tenley’s & JD’s relationship. Everyone knew they were perfect for each other from the day they met, even JD. But Tenley had a lot going on and wouldn’t let herself believe the feelings she had for him, until she couldn’t take it anymore.
Overall the book was a mix of cute & funny moments with a couple sad moments. I really enjoyed the book!

[Ani · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best small town non-spicy rom-com I've read in awhile!

Tenley took a bit of time but when she came around, she came around. Tenley and JD were so sweet and great together.

JD, Joseph Drake Bourgeois III, was totally book boyfriend material. He is the perfect golden retriever hero who was a simp for the heroine from the get go. His respect for her boundaries despite all his simping was a turn-on. His mid and awkward rizz was endearing, too.

I loved this book so much! It was sweet and wholesome with the addition of Ethan (though Blake the snake was an a-hole sometimes). The last custody hearing was my favorite scene, however🤣🤣🤣

[Anna Kaaiakamanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ARC review.
This was a wonderful closed door romance. Tenley is a strong herione who will do anything for her family. JD is the perfect hero who loves with all his heart and would do anything for his family. This book has some Catholic aspects for family planning and sex before marriage, but is not the center of the story. This is a wonderful story of love and family that can beat all odds.

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh JD 🫠he falls first (and hard) and just adores Tenley. He’s already mentoring Ethan, her nephew, but to see him be willing to step up and create a family? Literally 🫠💛 there’s a scene at the end in the courtroom that I just melt at🩶 Tenley’s life plans are altering and it takes her a bit, but she steps up beautifully and the three of them make a family🫶🏻 also love the football 🙌🏻🏈! This is fully closed door but a little on the spicy-sweet side 😉

[Savanna Scholet · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHH my friend wrote a book and it's amazing! Such a good rom-rom, and there's Catholic and NFP representation, even though neither is the focus of the book. I don't even care about football and I loved this.
Also, I'm in the acknowledgements for reading early copies?! That was just so so fun and I'm so glad I could offer any thoughts on this book, because it's amazing. And you should read it!

[Tee Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t not like it…

I was warned of all of the things that were in the book. The triggers and content warnings, so I will say that I absolutely appreciate the upfront warnings.

The review:

What I loved:

I loved the dual POVs of Tenley and JD. I loved the found family and the family dynamics represented here. I love how the FMC and MMC both made sacrifices for their families and each other.

I do love the fact that Tenley stepped in and helped her family in a major way when her mother needed her. I won’t give spoilers 🫢

Things I could have went without:

JD spent a lot of time romanticizing Tenley in his head. The sexual innuendos were a bit much. I honestly almost DNFed because the tension was just a lot for me personally.

I screamed at Tenley because she was so afraid of having a relationship that she ruins things(it’s corrected). But honestly if she heard some of the things JD thought about her she’d probably be turned off.


Overall I did get a little bored with the story because it became predictable. However I am a thriller girl to my core and I think you should read it if it’s your type of book!


Language started light but picked up a bit in the middle of the book. I would consider this closed door but not clean. There are a few scenes I could have done without(but like I said I was warned).

The authors writing style was amazing!! She describes the characters perfectly and their emotions.

I was gifted this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Bailey Andrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this cheesy romcom! I literally could not put it down once I started (yes, my kids were completely ignored during this time🤪)! I’m definitely a little partial to it beings it’s set in Louisiana, and I love all of the Cajun phrases that are incorporated. Loved laughing AT and WITH JD throughout this cutesy story💗

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesss! So good. I loved how everything worked out in the end, even if it wasn't quite as we anticipated.
I'm hoping for a book two featuring the other two adults who were supporting characters in this book.