Fourth and Long

Too Famous #1

by Britt Belle

He might be a quarterback, but he knows how to tackle.

Ellie
My professional life is a failure.
I’ve convinced more couples to divorce than to work on their marriages. My personal life is a mess. My mother wants my attention, but not my advice. My father is pushing me to bond with his second family. And my sister, who likes to meddle in my love life, thinks I need to get laid.
When I meet Slater, an infamous quarterback trying to salvage his career, I know better than to form expectations. Our relationship starts out casual, but as our lives become more intertwined, I can’t help falling for him. Problem is, he’s leaving as soon as he signs with a new team, and I have no choice but to let him go.

Slater
It’s my last chance to prove I have what it takes to be a starting quarterback. I need to be the reason my team wins, not the reason we lose, so my offseason plan consists of clean eating, watching film, and working out. I barely even have time to go to the Grammys to watch my best friend perform.
I can’t risk distractions, so when I hook up with Ellie, I tell myself she’s nothing but a pretty girl. We keep it casual because as soon as the ink is dry on my new contract, I’ll be hundreds of miles away. She follows my rules and lets me go without a fight, but even though football consumes me, I can’t forget her. What if loving her is what makes everything else worthwhile?

Genres: Sports, Sports Romance

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2024

About the author

I began reading romance novels in high school. Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux, Amanda Quick and Johanna Lindsay were the first authors I loved. I have always devoured historical romance, but I also enjoy contemporary romance. In recent years, I have embraced sports romance (because it combines two of my favorite things: sports and love stories!). 

I am an ex-collegiate volleyball player with an undergraduate degree in history, a former elementary school teacher, and the mother of three daughters. My husband and I spend our free time transporting our girls to dance rehearsals, bantering about sports, and eating entirely too much Mexican food.

Reviews

[Melanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!

Quirky, genuine characters, and best of all it pulled me out of my slump.

[ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

stars: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

as a psychologist surely you would know how to communicate, right? wrong! the fmc couldn't communicate even if it would save her life.

thank you to booksirens and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Sam I AMNreader]

This book and me, and probably the two characters didn't have chemistry. DNF 22%

[୨ৎ Annie ୨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
-sports romance
-second chance (happens pretty fast as well but makes sense)
-found family
-happily ever after (2 epilogues)
-friends to lover (happens pretty fast)

(SLIGHT MENTION OF BOOK PLOT!!!)

If you like any of these tropes this book was a perfect mixture of all of these everything happened at the right time and made sense when happening which I love in a romance book FMC does have some family issues that get resolved towards the end of the book which I love for her as I think many can relate too and MMC is a self loathing jock who can’t seem to find reason in the game anymore until Mallory(FMC) comes around to befriend him as a favor for her sister and her sisters fiancé who is his manager if you like any of these would definitely recommend reading this book

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as a free eARC but these opinions are my own.

I expected to enjoy this book but I didn’t expect to bond with these characters so thoroughly! They felt real and flawed, I will miss them.

The development of the relationship I loved, there wasn’t that instant jump to a perfect relationship they had to work through their own problems that were holding them back. The emphasis on the friendship bond was very refreshing to see, they helped each other grow.

This is how I want sport to be in romances I read. It’s an important part of an athlete’s life so I has to feature but it doesn’t have to be so overpowering that you get bored. I also feel the way football was talked about was not alienating to people who know nothing about it. The great device of having the FMC not know anything about football allowed for a slow development of the readers knowledge along side her.

The ending result is a relationship that feels long lasting as it has strong foundations (can’t say the same for other romance books 👀). I think double epilogues should be standard practice now to show that they haven’t just gotten the easy “married with kids” ending.

I Britt Belle is definitely on my autobuy author list now. Anyone who can develop characters that well and keep me engaged in the story will always have me wanting more!

[Yesmina · Rating 3 out of 5]

MMC is an American football player. He lost Super Bowl and it was his fault as a quarterback.
He loses confidence and becomes reclusive while trying to think how he'll salvage his career the next season.

FMC is a psychologist. She used to be a couples therapist and since a lot of couples ended up having a divorce under her watch, she quit.
She's thinking what to do with her career while unemployed.

FMC's sister who is a super model tells her to be the MMC assistant. And to help him navigate his negative emotions.

That's the general idea. However, if you think it'll be a cute romance between a grumpy quarterback and a cute assistant you'll be sorely mistaken.

She did not end up being his assistant. But his fuck buddy. FMC has a lot of baggage from her family (the same old story of the father choosing another woman to love and mother half siblings. And a mother who is super strict and does not believe in love)
MMC hates dating cuz it's a lot of commitment. And they kept sending each other mixed signals.

And between MCs there were no burning chemistry. They were not even best friends.
Quite frankly it could've been 2 stars for me but since the author is a beginner, I'm going to encourage her. And if she ends up writing up about a particular couple (that threw crumbs for in this book) I'll give her another chance to dazzle me.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a cute and fun football romance. I normally don’t read football romances but the blurb was just too great not to want to dive right it.

The amount of mental health awareness especially for children in divorce and how it doesn’t truly leave you was refreshing as a child of divorce.

Elle is a psychologist who recently quit her job and is going stir crazy.

Slater has lost another game, as starting quarterback and is unsure what life will be like. What distractions he can eliminate and how to be the best player.

With a meddling sister and some forced proximity, Elle and Slater become friends and maybe have a chance at love.

While I loved the story, my review was only 4 stars simply because the characters while they did grow, their personalities were a little two dimensional, Slater only caring about football and his diet and Elle’s control on tidying up.

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an eARC from Booksirens and this review is based on my own opinion.

This book fits right in my shelf of perfect books. I've enjoyed it from the beginning of the book all the way to the last epilogue.
I giggled at the whole nosebleed scene and my feelings when he flew to her appartment to win her back after he had a concussion 🥺
Slater is such a golden retriever character and it immediatly made me fall in love with him 🩷
I love sports romance and this was my first football one but it definitly didn't disappoint.
Would really recommend this book if you like: sports romance, golden retriever MMC, he falls first and hard and a bit of drama.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do adore a football romance and Fourth and Long didn’t disappoint. I really loved how the emotional struggles both main characters faced was written, it was so heart felt. Salter’s dramas all resolve around football and Ellie’s are family related and I adored how the both helped each other. If you like a sports related story then I highly recommend Fourth and Long.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kelsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and emotional ride!

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️

In Fourth and Long we meet a quarterback down on his luck after he seems to be unable to win any high pressure games, and a psychologist who has quit her job after feeling like she’s ruining relationships instead of helping them. When their meddling friends and family step in through the two are thrown together and may just become exactly what the other needs to find the light at the end of the tunnel!

I really enjoyed the plot of this story, watching the two MCs go from absolute strangers, to best friends, to friends with benefits, to their HEA was so beautifully written! And the challenges they faced along the way not only together but separately just made the whole story feel relatable, as if I was sitting down listening to friends tell me about their lives! And the characters!! I absolutely fell in love with Slater, he was a bit of a grump to start out, but he was so kind and caring once you got past his exterior how could you not love him! And Ellie was such a good soul, people couldn’t help but be charmed by her and I loved reading her growth and seeing her become confident enough to get the things she’d been bottling up for years off her chest!! And the romance scenes… not to give anything away but picture your favorite T-Swift romance songs and you’ll have an accurate depiction of the romance in this story… just swooning everywhere!!

Overall, Britt Belle has written a sports romance filled with heart, spice, a bit of drama and just the right amount of swoon!! So if you’re looking for a new book for your TBR this is it!

HAPPY READING 📖

[Ikram · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75

[Cathy Krejci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a new book boyfriend!❤️

[Roshini · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. I liked it.

[Linda Dominick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review
Fourth and Long
By Britt Belle
Pub Date: February 4, 2024
Ellie and Slater met by way of family/agent. She is a psychologist and was asked to check in on Slater. After having a bad game and not taking calls or replying to texts his agent is worried about Slater. Their initial meeting is brief, and Slater is a bit of a grump. The one thing Slater really likes about Ellie is she is not a football fan and doesn’t know anything about him. She is just there to help. Little by little Slater begins to look forward to her coming over to talk. He is lonely but he is also lost in his head, constantly going over what he did wrong in his last game. Ellie is comforting and he finds himself opening up to her. As time goes by it’s impossible to deny their mutual attraction, the only problem is Slater is married to football. He also has endorsements and meetings off season that keep him traveling. But the real issue is makes it very clear he cannot be distracted; his focus can only be on football. The last thing Ellie wants to be is a distraction.
This friends to lovers’ story is one I am still thinking about. I enjoyed the slow way they came to be friends. I also liked the fact that Ellie was strong and wanted to do the right thing. What I didn’t like about her is her negative attitude towards relationships. After her dad left her mom, all thoughts of a happily ever after vanished from her mind. What I liked about Slater is how patient and caring he was toward Ellie. What I didn’t like is his belief that he couldn’t have a relationship if he expected to excel at football. This is only my second football romance, and I can say I will be reading more of them.

[Esther Caspers · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC review ✨

I received this book to review and really enjoyed it.

This book was a breath of fresh air in a sense that there was great character development. From the beginning of the story we get to know the characters and the struggles the face. And thru the relationship they learn to overcome them. Navigating love with a high pressure career and trust issues is always a good story line in my book.

Tropes:
Insta attraction 🤍
Friends to lovers ✨
Sports romance 🏈
Grumpy/ sunshine
FMC with family trauma, resolved by end of book (no abuse)
Friends with benefits/ secret relationship 🥰
Open door spice 🌶️


Slater is a starting quarterback for Miami and has just played one of his worst games to date. He is feeling down and doubting his ability to win games. He isolates him self during the off season and his agent and friends starts to worry. In comes Ellie. Ellie is a psychologist who just quit her job after feeling like she was not helping the couples she counseled. After her parents divorced when she was 10 she has struggled to feel connected and accept by them. She is a people pleaser and wants to help. Her sister who is married to Slaters agent asks her to become his new assistant.

Ellie goes over to Slaters apartment and that’s how they agree to become friends.

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a book with characters who evolve and become stronger together. Britt Belle is an author I will be following from now on 🤍

[chelseabrookelikesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth & Long is the first installment in the “Too Famous Series” by Britt Belle. It follows Ellie West and Slater Jones. Ellie is a psychologist who has recently quit her job and is trying to figure out her next move. Slater is a quarterback in the NFL that is down on his luck. He recently finished the season after losing another game and is in limbo as a free agent awaiting to see if another team will end up picking him up for their team. Football is Slater’s life and there is no room for any distractions to get in the way.

Ellie’s meddling sister ends up uniting Ellie and Slater and they fall into a comfortable routine and friendship. But will they be able to overcome their mental hurdles that hold them back from being together?

I really enjoyed watching the characters grow and their relationship evolve throughout the story. Slater was the biggest grump in the beginning and was struggling mentally so it was great to see him learn to relax and enjoy himself. Ellie is the biggest sweetheart with such a genuine soul. She was dealing with her own struggles throughout the story and was also able to find herself and begin to heal from emotional trauma from her childhood. The pair really balanced one another out and built a strong foundation for a lasting relationship. This was such a cute story and I really enjoyed it!

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
* Sports Romance
* Found Family
* Friends To FWB To Lovers
* Grumpy/Sunshine
* Family Drama
* Slow Burn

[Jennifer Riis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of Piper Rayne, this Britt Belle football romance is a must read! This is her second novel, and first in the sports romance genre.

Dual POV

Friends to lovers

Meddling sisters

Sports romance (football)

Messy family dynamic

Ellie is a product of divorce who carries the resentment of her mother and lack of acceptance from her father’s new family. So, of course she is a therapist who specializes in marriage — but she never felt successful in her career with more couples divorcing after seeing her than staying together.

Her sister is a supermodel married to a sports agent, and meddles in Ellie’s lonliness and aversion to relationships.

Slater is a quarterback who is known for choking at the worst possible time and costing his teams critical wins. He has prioritized nothing but football, and refuses to allow any distractions.

Their dialogue was stunted at times, and there wasn’t much “forward progress” between them. Their communication wasn’t very strong, and they both kept a lot of their thoughts around what they wanted inward.

I think the weirdest part of this sorry was grown adults referring to friends as buddies. It made me feel awkward and I kept thinking about the Dane Cook sketch about how “I’m not your buddy, guy.”

Overall, a cute read with a balance of drama, love, and finding yourself.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️, .5 🌶️

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you BookSirens and Britt Belle.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth and Long by Britt Belle

3.5/5⭐️

•My Blurb•
After quitting her job as a psychologist, Ellie is feeling a little lost. When she meets Slater Jones, a professional QB, who is also feeling a little adrift, they strike up a friendship. As they continue to spend time together, their connection grows but their lives are not simple. Ellie is disenchanted with relationships and Slater can’t afford any distractions with being a free agent and an unknown future. With their future seemingly incomparable, is it even possible to have a relationship?

•My Thoughts•
I love a sports romance that actually includes the sport. This was the perfect amount of actual football without being too much for someone who doesn’t really care about football. It’s a fine balance and I thought the author nailed it! I enjoyed watching the characters navigate their own personal baggage and how their relationship snuck up on them naturally. There were a few moments where the time line zooms out and chunks of time pass and that made the story feel little disjointed for me. The family dynamics and impact of a divorce during the FMCs childhood made my heart hurt but were handled with care. Over all, a fairly light romance that still managed to delve into some deeper topics.

Thank you Britt Belle for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slater is having a rough season as quarterback- he can’t seem to do the things he wants to and can’t figure out why. Now that the season is over, he has nothing to do other than wallow in his apartment alone.
Ellie recently left her job after realizing it wasn’t really what she wanted to do. Her sister calls her with a strange request- to help football star Slater as a personal assistant/ friend. She agrees and when they meet, they find out that they really like spending time together. How will this work if Slater is traveling all over the US for football games?
This was such an enjoyable read! I especially liked the friendship between Slater and Ellie before they decided to be something more. It made everything seem so much more believable and helped bring the character to life.
Yes, this is a football romance and there are a few parts about football in the book, but if you haven’t ever watched a game before- that's OK! The author did a great job explaining what was going on without being over the top.
I loved the ending and can’t wait to read more books by this author!
I received and reviewed a complimentary advanced review copy of this book which I received from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Slater and Ellie are in between jobs, and her sister just gives her a temporary job being his assistant. Slater is a NFL quarterback and Ellie is a therapist.

Slater is a good football player full of doubts due to a couple of horrible games, and he isn't able to shake off the doubts in the most important moments.  His relationship with Ellie makes him see everything in a different perspective. I liked how down to Earth he is, although a bit slow understanding that you need a life apart from work (even if It is your passion), if not, you'll get burnt by It.or you'll hace nothing when it finished.

Ellie has a difficult family life and an unfulfilling job, she manages to still be a normal girl around a NFL player. She's a bit shy and strange in some situations. I liked how she makes Slater open up to her.

I liked how naturally evolves their relationship: first forced aquaitances, then friends, lovers, and, after some personal evolution from both sides, a real relationship. 

I enjoyed the side characters, their own stories happening at the same time, they all rounded the good experience with the book.

This is the first book in a series, I will sure read the next ones.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touchdown and 5+ Stars for Fourth and Long!! 🏈♥️⭐️

I loved reading Ellie and Slater’s story and I. Want. More!!!!
I identified with Ellie on so many levels (her relationship with her parents felt like Britt wrote my story, it was scary how close she got to my own experience). Slater is a young but failing professional football quarterback and Ellie’s an out of work psychologist (she just resigned from a clinic, she was failing at being a marriage counselor). Ellie’s sister and Slater’s agent (they’re married) bring Ellie and Slater together to help (they think) them with their loneliness and bring a friend (and maybe spy) to check on their well-being. Slater and Ellie begin a friendship that develops into something more (it is a romance after all).
There are several bumps along the way, no spoilers here. And angst? Yes, but not over-the-top kind, it’s just the right amount to keep you reading and boy what a read!! I adored the way Slater and Ellie just clicked and the heat…🔥🔥WOW!!
I love sports romances and the ending is pure romance, this is definitely a touchdown!!♥️🏈🎉
Brava Britt!! And High Five!! 🎉✋🏼

[Abby Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fourth and Long is a really fun sports romance following a quarterback, Slater, and a psychologist, Ellie, as they learn to grow as people. Both of them are struggling in different aspects of their life. Slater is feeling insecure and loses confidence during really important football games. Ellie just quit her job as a divorce lawyer and doesn’t know what she wants to do. They are thrown together by mutual relationships and help each other through their issues.

Ellie and Slater were really relatable and sweet characters. They really helped each other grow and I found myself rooting for them. I did struggle as the relationship was a bit of a slow burn and I was just waiting for them to get together through all of their problems.

Overall, I really liked this book. I found it to be really easy to read and the writing style was smooth and simple (in a good way). I would recommend this book to anyone who loves football romances and wants a quick and simple read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kelsey Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review - thank you to the author, Britt Belle for allowing me to read this!

Ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️/5

Tropes:
Football
Strangers to friends to lovers
Slow burn
Family drama
HEA

This was a quick read, I’m a sucker for a sports romance, and once I picked it up I didn’t want to put it down. Ellie’s family history/dynamic made her so relatable, I really enjoyed her character. I also loved the celebrity elements to the plot, like Slater casually introduces Ellie to her idol, Amber, and Ellie’s brothers being obsessed with Slater, but it all felt so down to earth that I imagine that is what those situations are like in real life. The writing was enjoyable, very easy to read, the characters were well intertwined and no noticeable plot holes, which is always a huge plus for me with my indie reads. If this turns into a series, I would definitely check out the rest of the books! If you love a good sports start falling in love with a normal gal, definitely check this one out. Highly recommend! Thank you again, Britt Belle!

[Andie James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this sports romance from Britt Belle, her first contemporary romance. Having read and loved her historical romance debut, I was excited to read this book, and it didn’t disappoint! Following Slater, an NFL player who’s not been playing at the top of his game, and Ellie, a therapist who is assessing her career.

Thrown together because both could use a friend as they evaluate their passions and purpose, the two quickly become friends, and then slowly start to fall for one another.

Ultimately, both are standing in their own way when it comes to finding happiness, unable to let go of past events that have them reacting in ways that only serve to sabotage their ability to get what they really want, including a future with one another.

It’s a sweet love story with just enough football in it to not be overwhelming but serves the story well and shows the pressures of performing at that level, while also providing the romance we want. Britt Belle proves once again she is an author I will continue to come back to!

[Amanda Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️3/5🌶️

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book follows an unlikely friendship of Slater and Ellie this book is the cutest strangers to friends with benefits but struggling with the miscommunication trope I have read.

The fact that Slater struggles with his mental health and he doesn’t hide it all from Ellie, and Ellie being a psychologist but not practicing on Slater but just being human offering him friendship and connection. Slater struggles with confidence with his football carer and isolates in his personal lives seeming to not care about many people until his manager sets his wife’s sister in Slaters path and it’s instant connection.

Defiantly a slow burn worth the read; I devoured this book so fast and usually the miscommunication trope annoys me but this one flowed easy and even when you are wanting them too get their shit together you cannot wait to see it play out.

[Jennifer Leigh (jenjenbookfan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth and Long is the first book in the Too Famous series by Britt Belle, featuring an entertaining football romance between Slater and Ellie. He’s a NFL quarterback who’s lost his confidence, and she’s an unemployed psychologist who doesn’t trust love, thanks to family issues. She was supposed to be his friend while he waited for a new contract. Their friendship led to more, but they knew their time together was limited. What happens when he leaves as planned?

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I enjoyed these characters! I love the progression of their relationship, and the way the could relate to each other. The banter, chemistry, sweetness, emotion, drama, and the football action was all balanced well into a compelling story, and a great start to the series! And can I just say, I LOVED having 2 epilogues!!😍 I look forward to seeing more of this series.

I received a review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth and Long was such a cute read. Both characters had issues they had to go through. Ellie still working through the aftermath of her parents divorce and Slater with football. Ellie’s need to obsess clean and Slater working out and eating healthy so he could be ready for the next football season.

I loved how easy it was when they were together. How easy their conversation would flow, how comfortable they were with each other. But it was only when they worked through their trauma when they could finally talk about their feelings and truly be together.

I loved Ellie, I just hated that she had to pretend a lot to make things less awkward and easy for other people. I hated that she felt like a distraction. That she didn’t feel comfortable with her fathers family or with her relationship with her mother.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth and Long is the first book in the Too Famous series by Britt Belle. This book was an absolute joy to read!

Ellie and Slater are thrown together by Ellie's well-meaning sister and Slater's worried agent. Slater is hung up on some bad losses on the football field, and Ellie tries to be his friend to help him out. The fact that she is a psychologist doesn't hurt the situation. The unlikely pair hits it off and become friends and lovers. Ultimately, Ellie thinks she is becoming a distraction and calls it quits. Slater knows they are meant to be together and finally tells her how he really feels after she reaches out when he is injured on the field.

It just goes to show you that love can't flourish without communication and honesty. I loved Ms. Belle's writing style and can't wait to read more from her!

[Angela Speir · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - 3.5 stars

First book by this author and I wasn’t sure what to expect - I did enjoy the premise of this story but something was missing. The characterization of the FMC Elle was choppy and very two dimensional. She is presented as an awkward, emotionally stunted psychologist who quit her job because instead of helping save marriages she helped facilitate their divorce!

Slater, the MMC, is a NFL quarterback who can’t follow through in a clutch so he lives and breathes football, exercise and diet to the exclusion of everything else. He is presented as an athlete with no confidence in his athletic abilities or time for romance and relationships.

Even though I did enjoy the book the character development was slow and iffy. There is a happy ending but the “big moment” felt rushed and was kind of anti-climactic. I did love the 2 epilogues!

[Mrs Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth and Long follows Slater and Elle. Elle is taking a break from her professional career and Slater's professional life is in downward motion. Slater's sports agent is worried about his mental place and sends Elle to check on him. They forge a friendship and eventually fall in love with one another.

This was a very quick read for me. It is 261 pages packed with ups and downs. There is a 3rd act break and make up BUT Slater needed it. I loved the history between Slater and his ex, and her encouragement for him to realize his feelings for Elle.

I enjoyed this book and am excited to share it with my friends and family. I will recommend it to all sports romance lovers. Thank you for the advanced copy, these are my honest opinions.