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March Madness
In the wake of unforeseen tragedy, basketball star-turned-coach Aicha Patterson finds herself checking off the last item on her list of career goals, head coach at a D1 institution, which also happened to be her alma mater. The job didn’t come without its fair share of adjustments and obstacles, but Aicha managed to lead her team and overcome them all, leading them one step closer to The Big Dance. In the midst of March’s madness, she finds herself face to face with the only regret she’s had on her singleminded quest to achieve her goals.
Chase Carrington knew at first glance that Aicha Patterson was the one for him when they met in undergrad as student athletes and instantly connected. Though Chase was blessed with natural athleticism and abilities that led him to the highest level of playing, his heart was never in it. After ending his career in the pros, he returns to the place where he uncovered his real passion, opening a restaurant that’s part family tribute, part dreams fulfilled.
A fortuitous reconnection brings them back into each other’s orbit and the instant connection between the two picked back up like no time had passed. Chase is certain this is destiny, while Aicha’s a bit more cautious. But in the end both let themselves succumb to the undeniable pull that has brought them back together.
Chase Carrington knew at first glance that Aicha Patterson was the one for him when they met in undergrad as student athletes and instantly connected. Though Chase was blessed with natural athleticism and abilities that led him to the highest level of playing, his heart was never in it. After ending his career in the pros, he returns to the place where he uncovered his real passion, opening a restaurant that’s part family tribute, part dreams fulfilled.
A fortuitous reconnection brings them back into each other’s orbit and the instant connection between the two picked back up like no time had passed. Chase is certain this is destiny, while Aicha’s a bit more cautious. But in the end both let themselves succumb to the undeniable pull that has brought them back together.
- GenresRomance
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2024
86 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Falls
65 books556 followersNicole Falls is a contemporary Black romance writer who has taken entirely too long to complete her first project. She's also a ceramic mug and lapel pin enthusiast who cannot function without her AirPods constantly blaring music. When Nicole isn't writing, she spends her time trolling her friends and family while drinking coffee and/or cocktails or checking off yet another of these great United States visited in her quest to see some land! She currently resides in the suburbs of Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 4, 2024
I love me a good sports romance but, March Madness didn't do it for me. If I'm keepin' it a buck, I was bored with it. 🤷🏾♀️
April 20, 2024
Nicole can write a sports scene ok!!!
Bruh this was just the book I needed coming off the real-life March Madness! AJ was so focused on creating a legacy and filling in the role of interim head coach while dealing with grief. It was a lot going on for her! That one moment of taking a break to enjoy the success of their team’s latest win is when the universe gives her another special moment running into Chase! Their story is sweet and gives just enough spice for this novella! The true focal point is AJ and her team defying the odds and proving they deserved to be in the dance! I will probably reread this every March now lol. I also hope to see some of the players in future Nymphs and Trojans books!
Bruh this was just the book I needed coming off the real-life March Madness! AJ was so focused on creating a legacy and filling in the role of interim head coach while dealing with grief. It was a lot going on for her! That one moment of taking a break to enjoy the success of their team’s latest win is when the universe gives her another special moment running into Chase! Their story is sweet and gives just enough spice for this novella! The true focal point is AJ and her team defying the odds and proving they deserved to be in the dance! I will probably reread this every March now lol. I also hope to see some of the players in future Nymphs and Trojans books!
April 1, 2024
Aicha x Chase
This read was short, fun, and cute. It had two of my favorite tropes. Sports romance and second chance love. Aicha was a badass on the court and Chase cheering her on was 🥰
Thanks, Kameel G for this rec.
This read was short, fun, and cute. It had two of my favorite tropes. Sports romance and second chance love. Aicha was a badass on the court and Chase cheering her on was 🥰
Thanks, Kameel G for this rec.
March 30, 2024
Coaching to Love
Yesss to this short Sports Romance!!
This genre is one of my favorites and it didn't disappoint. I love that this story was about the fmc Aicha progressing as a player turned College basketball coach. Women can ball too. Despite the mc Chase being a former athlete, I appreciated that his past didn't overshadow what she was experiencing in the present. I appreciated his support for her, and that he provided a place for her to be soft. Having been reunited after over a decade it was as a second chance for them to love again from a much more mature place.
This was not sexy, but it was a quiet romance that I enjoyed.
Yesss to this short Sports Romance!!
This genre is one of my favorites and it didn't disappoint. I love that this story was about the fmc Aicha progressing as a player turned College basketball coach. Women can ball too. Despite the mc Chase being a former athlete, I appreciated that his past didn't overshadow what she was experiencing in the present. I appreciated his support for her, and that he provided a place for her to be soft. Having been reunited after over a decade it was as a second chance for them to love again from a much more mature place.
This was not sexy, but it was a quiet romance that I enjoyed.
April 25, 2024
I saw Nicole Falls had a new novella out so of course I had to read it.
It's a second chance sports romance where she's the sporty one which was a nice change. I also liked that he had a restaurant that I'd totally go and eat at.
If you like basketball, you'll enjoy how much focus there is on it here, there's more of it than the romance. For me though, I was expecting it to be about equal so I'm a bit sad that we didn't get to see more romance. Because there was so much of the sport, I didn't feel their connection as strongly as I think I would've had it been different.
Still an entertaining read though.
3.5
It's a second chance sports romance where she's the sporty one which was a nice change. I also liked that he had a restaurant that I'd totally go and eat at.
If you like basketball, you'll enjoy how much focus there is on it here, there's more of it than the romance. For me though, I was expecting it to be about equal so I'm a bit sad that we didn't get to see more romance. Because there was so much of the sport, I didn't feel their connection as strongly as I think I would've had it been different.
Still an entertaining read though.
3.5
March 30, 2024
Cute second chance story combining my two loves romance and basketball. Ms. Fall's intimate knowledge of basketball comes through in March Madness.
March 31, 2024
March Madness
This was the perfect novella to incorporate sports romance with second chance romance. This story gave me all the feels and kept me smiling during the interactions between Chase and Aicha. They were so cute together and I could only imagine how beautiful their future will be especially with them being able to pick up where they left off like no time had passed. This was well worth the read.
This was the perfect novella to incorporate sports romance with second chance romance. This story gave me all the feels and kept me smiling during the interactions between Chase and Aicha. They were so cute together and I could only imagine how beautiful their future will be especially with them being able to pick up where they left off like no time had passed. This was well worth the read.
April 15, 2024
Hmmm 🤨 This was definitely more basketball than romance. Of course the title March Madness… I felt like there was A lot of fluff. I kinda got bored at times, wanted to get to the point of the “second chance romance” story but it almost never came because when it did the story was over?!? Not spicy at all. Aicha & Chase did more reminiscing than reconnecting and we didn’t get to see more than “let’s be more than friends this time around.”
March 31, 2024
Cute
With the buzz surrounding women’s collegiate basketball right now, this book was released at the perfect time. It really captured the angst and excitement that comes from the losses and wins. Aicha was a very likable leading lady. She had a dope personality and laser sharp focus. She was so driven and determined. I’d want to be her friend. I was on the fence about Chase. I couldn’t decide if he was thoughtful and spontaneous or creepy and stalkerish. I enjoyed that their second chance at love didn’t come with a traumatic background. It was more of their timing was off the first go round. I also liked that the spice level was quite low in this book. There was a little bit of heat, but it was overly quickly. As someone that loves sports romances, I appreciated the thoroughness of Falls’ research and representation of the sport.
With the buzz surrounding women’s collegiate basketball right now, this book was released at the perfect time. It really captured the angst and excitement that comes from the losses and wins. Aicha was a very likable leading lady. She had a dope personality and laser sharp focus. She was so driven and determined. I’d want to be her friend. I was on the fence about Chase. I couldn’t decide if he was thoughtful and spontaneous or creepy and stalkerish. I enjoyed that their second chance at love didn’t come with a traumatic background. It was more of their timing was off the first go round. I also liked that the spice level was quite low in this book. There was a little bit of heat, but it was overly quickly. As someone that loves sports romances, I appreciated the thoroughness of Falls’ research and representation of the sport.
March 30, 2025
This is the perfect novella to read during March Madness. It tells the story of an interim collegiate women’s basketball coach fighting to earn her position and lead her team to the Championship. Then, woven into all that is the start of a second chance romance. If this had been a full novel, I likely would have rated this higher, but the story just did not feel complete.
I rated this 3.5 stars but rounded up since Goodreads does not have half stars.
I rated this 3.5 stars but rounded up since Goodreads does not have half stars.
April 4, 2024
A good story for the season.
April 11, 2024
The Rebound
Well, this was a pleasure to read. I like basketball, let's just say not a little but a lot. This novella gives you all the emotions of the big games you watch on TV. The heart palpitations when the clock is under a minute and you still have hope that your team creates a possession to win the game. At the same time, you are proud that your team made it to the Elite Eight.
Second-chance love gives the strongest connection because the couple has lasting memories from the past. Chance and Aicha had those core memories and were now building a new and forever chapter. They were meant for each other. Although I do feel like this was a tease, I wish we got to experience more of their budding relationship as adults. Chase knew all along that Aicha was his forever because he made sure to establish his first restaurant in the city she was coaching at. Aicha lost their head coach tragically, but she was still with her spiritually. She was her heavenly guide throughout the tournament. This is a novella, but it gives you what you that basketball tournament experience sprinkled with love.
Well, this was a pleasure to read. I like basketball, let's just say not a little but a lot. This novella gives you all the emotions of the big games you watch on TV. The heart palpitations when the clock is under a minute and you still have hope that your team creates a possession to win the game. At the same time, you are proud that your team made it to the Elite Eight.
Second-chance love gives the strongest connection because the couple has lasting memories from the past. Chance and Aicha had those core memories and were now building a new and forever chapter. They were meant for each other. Although I do feel like this was a tease, I wish we got to experience more of their budding relationship as adults. Chase knew all along that Aicha was his forever because he made sure to establish his first restaurant in the city she was coaching at. Aicha lost their head coach tragically, but she was still with her spiritually. She was her heavenly guide throughout the tournament. This is a novella, but it gives you what you that basketball tournament experience sprinkled with love.
April 13, 2024
Takes your wins with your losses
Sometimes you gotta take a step back, reevaluate, and adjust to the possibilities of more.
Aicha was meeting all her goals that she set out for herself as it came to her basketball career. Checking off all of the boxes early made way for another opportunity for something she’d been missing - love. When she was charting her path to success, she passed on someone who should’ve been her travel companion and confidant along the way - Chase.
Chase was a college basketball superstar that Aicha was stuck to in college. They were inseparable until they had to be and she sacrificed their relationship for her basketball dreams. He never forgot her never gave up on possibilities.
This book had me into all the things happening with the team, her as a coach and her second chance at love.
I enjoyed this read!
Sometimes you gotta take a step back, reevaluate, and adjust to the possibilities of more.
Aicha was meeting all her goals that she set out for herself as it came to her basketball career. Checking off all of the boxes early made way for another opportunity for something she’d been missing - love. When she was charting her path to success, she passed on someone who should’ve been her travel companion and confidant along the way - Chase.
Chase was a college basketball superstar that Aicha was stuck to in college. They were inseparable until they had to be and she sacrificed their relationship for her basketball dreams. He never forgot her never gave up on possibilities.
This book had me into all the things happening with the team, her as a coach and her second chance at love.
I enjoyed this read!
April 19, 2024
Tournament Time
I truly feel like this book could have been a full length swoon worthy love story. I appreciate a good sports romance. AJ and CC connection was cute and it’s clearly spin the block season. I appreciated the real life elements of “ eligibility, interim coaching, tournament bracket, selection Sunday” those were the perfect additional details to make this quick March madness come to life. Usually you want the team to win, but I was happy with how far they made it in the tournament their first time around. Now there’s space to see if Sugar recruited students, if AJ and CC. Start e together, and how coaching progresses.
I truly feel like this book could have been a full length swoon worthy love story. I appreciate a good sports romance. AJ and CC connection was cute and it’s clearly spin the block season. I appreciated the real life elements of “ eligibility, interim coaching, tournament bracket, selection Sunday” those were the perfect additional details to make this quick March madness come to life. Usually you want the team to win, but I was happy with how far they made it in the tournament their first time around. Now there’s space to see if Sugar recruited students, if AJ and CC. Start e together, and how coaching progresses.
March 31, 2024
Short but effective. The passion for basketball can be felt in every page. 2nd chance trope is my favorite one as we get to see the endless possibilities of a passionate love that gives you self-empowerment in a stable and genuine way. I really enjoyed Aicha being all about her craft and work while working through grief. Sisterhood was felt through in different ways and in different levels. There was this touch of hope and healing throughout the story that leaves you this warm feeling, ready to go back to the cold society we live in.
May 21, 2024
Love and basketball, but better...
Aicha has one thing on her mind, win the championship. Chase just wanted his girl forever. When Chase and Aicha laid eyes on each other again, it was like they were never apart. This was a really great read, I couldn’t get enough of the basketball games in this book. It was like a real game. I loved seeing Aicha and Chase figure out their feelings and what was next for them. Nicole Falls never disappoints...
Aicha has one thing on her mind, win the championship. Chase just wanted his girl forever. When Chase and Aicha laid eyes on each other again, it was like they were never apart. This was a really great read, I couldn’t get enough of the basketball games in this book. It was like a real game. I loved seeing Aicha and Chase figure out their feelings and what was next for them. Nicole Falls never disappoints...
April 1, 2024
LOVE a Nicole Falls Basketball jawn!!!!
This was EVERYTHING I need right now!! I’ve been missing NF and she gave me exactly Her!! I laughed, my eyes were sweatin, and I hooked by the first line. Of course I wanted more but it had absolutely every element of a book I needed to be hooked. Buy it, read it, and review it!!!
This was EVERYTHING I need right now!! I’ve been missing NF and she gave me exactly Her!! I laughed, my eyes were sweatin, and I hooked by the first line. Of course I wanted more but it had absolutely every element of a book I needed to be hooked. Buy it, read it, and review it!!!
April 7, 2024
A Quick read
Nicole never fails to immediately capture my attention with a book. This was no different because I ate it up. I actually could have read about Aicha and Chase more and I hope we get to see them again in the future. This was the perfect way to start championship Sunday. The detail in the sport was top tier, I felt like I was at the game!!
Nicole never fails to immediately capture my attention with a book. This was no different because I ate it up. I actually could have read about Aicha and Chase more and I hope we get to see them again in the future. This was the perfect way to start championship Sunday. The detail in the sport was top tier, I felt like I was at the game!!
April 14, 2024
Cool
I was amped about reading this since I'm such a basketball (and romance) fan myself. And it was fine, though I can't say I loved it. Lots of exposition tends to take me out, and the romance seemed secondary to the basketball. I did like the rapport between the love interests, though.
I was amped about reading this since I'm such a basketball (and romance) fan myself. And it was fine, though I can't say I loved it. Lots of exposition tends to take me out, and the romance seemed secondary to the basketball. I did like the rapport between the love interests, though.
August 31, 2024
Secret Chance!!!
Chase and Aicha getting back together in the middle of Aicha's team's March Madness run wasn't something she expected but was very much needed. I loved that even though it had been years since they had been together, the feelings were still there. Great second chance sport romance that was very well-written!!
Chase and Aicha getting back together in the middle of Aicha's team's March Madness run wasn't something she expected but was very much needed. I loved that even though it had been years since they had been together, the feelings were still there. Great second chance sport romance that was very well-written!!
January 4, 2026
Great read
I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Aicha was at a time in her life, where she was fulfilling her dreams of being a basketball coach amidst tragedy. When she reconnects with Chase one of her college best friend by chance. They have an undeniable chemistry that can’t be ignored. This is their journey to a future filled with love.
I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Aicha was at a time in her life, where she was fulfilling her dreams of being a basketball coach amidst tragedy. When she reconnects with Chase one of her college best friend by chance. They have an undeniable chemistry that can’t be ignored. This is their journey to a future filled with love.
March 29, 2024
March Madness
Basketball, second chance love and March Madness…it just doesn’t get any better than this. I loved how Aicha and Chase were able to pick right up where they left off. I would love to see a part 2 to see where they end up
Basketball, second chance love and March Madness…it just doesn’t get any better than this. I loved how Aicha and Chase were able to pick right up where they left off. I would love to see a part 2 to see where they end up
March 30, 2024
MARCH 🏀
You can never go wrong with love and basketball 🏀. The second time around for these two has Chase playing for keeps! Life taught Aicha that he was all that was missing all along.
You can never go wrong with love and basketball 🏀. The second time around for these two has Chase playing for keeps! Life taught Aicha that he was all that was missing all along.
April 4, 2024
march nadness
This book was so dope cute short read! Loved the timing of this all, with wbb really being at the forefront right now 12m views for the elite eight
Plus a lil shade for sequins and shenanigans we love a sense of humour.
This book was so dope cute short read! Loved the timing of this all, with wbb really being at the forefront right now 12m views for the elite eight
Plus a lil shade for sequins and shenanigans we love a sense of humour.
April 9, 2024
March Madness is real
This was the perfect March Madness book. My UConn team lost on a BS call, just as what almost happened in the MAC finals here. Loved the getting back together as true grown folks.
This was the perfect March Madness book. My UConn team lost on a BS call, just as what almost happened in the MAC finals here. Loved the getting back together as true grown folks.
April 10, 2024
Enjoyed this a whole lot
I truly enjoyed this story. Friends to lovers is my jam. Nicole Falls kills it in the sports romance department. Although I was hoping for something a bit different, I was happy with how the book ended. Great read!
I truly enjoyed this story. Friends to lovers is my jam. Nicole Falls kills it in the sports romance department. Although I was hoping for something a bit different, I was happy with how the book ended. Great read!
June 3, 2025
omg this was actually soooooo cute 😭 i wanted more! my current obsessions are reading and women’s basketball so of course this was perfect for me! also the nymphs and trojans inclusion!!! i need more of alllll of this.
April 3, 2024
Good Read
This book was so good it held my attention from the beginning to the end. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author
This book was so good it held my attention from the beginning to the end. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author
May 7, 2024
loved it
Two of my favorite topics love and basketball. I really enjoyed this book I have smiled, cried, and laughed out loud.
Two of my favorite topics love and basketball. I really enjoyed this book I have smiled, cried, and laughed out loud.
May 14, 2024
Who Wins
This story was ok. Being a romantic it moved kind of slow.
I love sports stories so that made up for everything else.
This story was ok. Being a romantic it moved kind of slow.
I love sports stories so that made up for everything else.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews