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She Can Play #3

She's an Anchor

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Alexandre Pierre was an exotic dancer at my sister’s bachelorette party and my one night stand.

We had the night of our lives.

But we haven’t seen each other since.

What happens when a few years later, he shows up to the biggest competition of my life….. as my rival’s new coach?

He wants to pick up where we left off.

Our chemistry is still off the charts.

But we’re on opposing sides.

And I have a secret that will change everything.

Can we make this work? More importantly, will he even want to when he finds out the truth?

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2025

22 people are currently reading
171 people want to read

About the author

Tember Sapphire

5 books64 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for jacarra ☆.
10 reviews
December 18, 2025
firstly I want to thank swipethebook PR and tember sapphire for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book <3⚓️

my rating⭐️: 5 stars
spice rating🌶️: 3.5

she’s an anchor is sooooo good!! like the way I was kicking my feet and giggling the whole time, I was invested to say the least. alexandre and marie-louise have become like my people fr😭 the little village that marie-louise and her baby girl has surrounding them made me so happy I literally couldn’t stop smiling. oh and alex?!?? mister kente oil himself (iykyk🤣🤣) will definitely have you swooning 10/10 execution of his character. the way he loves marie-louise and their daughter??? *chef kisses*

while some books tend to have the sports romance trope hooked to it but only shows a little of the sports side this author did an amazon job of adding the perfect balance of both.

this was my first introduction to this author and this series and I have already planned to buy the first two books of the series.
Profile Image for Nicole  Henderson.
1,464 reviews22 followers
February 4, 2025
Mary-Louise Charles shocked me. I was not ready. Secret baby. What, How?? Ms. Sapphire gives readers all the dirt. We are at Jasmine’s bachelorette party. If you don’t know, please catch up on this series. Mary-Louise is the third Charles sister readers were introduced to. Mary-Louise had plans for Jasmine’s wedding weekend. After spending the night of her life with one of the dancers, Mary-Louise went back to training as a track star. She knew something was different, but did not know that she took a gift from her one-night stand until she took a test to confirm.

Flash forward five years, Eloise Charles was the light of her family’s eye. She is a bright, happy kid. Thankfully no questions of a father have come up. In fact, Mary-Louise has got the whole family thinking she doesn't know who the father is. The past can't stay hidden forever. Imagine her surprise when she sees him at her track competition coaching her rival. Alexandre Pierre is standing right in front her. Mary-Louise finally has a name to go with the face. Alex does not even entertain that he can't talk to Mary-Louise. He refuses to take no for an answer. The attraction is still there after the five-year separation. How will Alex take it when he finds out he has a four year old daughter that he never knew about? Mary-Louise fumbles this delivery from the beginning to the end. Readers will be on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen to this little family. Not to mention, readers will have track competitions to get their heart pumping as well. Mary-Louise Charles is out to prove that having a child did not slow her down. It is definitely worth a read to find out how this story ends.
Profile Image for Nora Ellen (Nbbookery).
690 reviews19 followers
January 15, 2025
Marie-Louise meets an exotic dancer at her sister's bachelorette party and has a night she'll never forget at his place after... especially when she sees those two pink lines six weeks later. When his father falls ill right before the summer althetic games, Alexandre takes his place as coach. Imagine his surprise when he sees the woman who he never forgot as the star runner of his rival team. Stuck between leading his own team to victory and fanning the flames between them, Lou rocks his world yet again when she drops their daughter on him. Determined to make up for lost time with both Lou and their four-year-old, Alex has to win over the love of his life for his place in their world.

I love a good sports romance, but athlete and rival coach is a new trope for me! Can't say I didn't like it, though! Lou and Alex have some smoking hot chemistry, on and off the track. I also love the way he was immediately all in with their daughter. He's a good guy and even withstood the triple threat interrogation from Lou's sisters with no prep time. Lou was a well-rounded character and a good athlete as well as a mother. She prioritized her daughter, even if it meant her own heartache. I love how she let Alex be her partner (even if she made him run the gauntlet for it) and ended up with the perfect ending. I thought this story was well-written and fast-paced enough to keep my attention without sacrificing details or plot. If you're looking for a spicy summer romance, look no further.
32 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2025
Non-Spoiler eARC Review of She’s an Anchor by Tember Sapphire

She’s an Anchor by Tember Sapphire is a heartfelt story of love, redemption, and unexpected turns. The protagonist, Marie Louise, is a determined sprinter balancing her dreams with the responsibilities of motherhood. Her journey is both inspiring and emotional, highlighting her strength in the face of challenges.

Alexandre, the male lead, is equally captivating with his layered personality and past that adds depth to his character. The chemistry between the leads is electric, with their journey from strangers to something much deeper beautifully written.

The story delves into themes of family, forgiveness, and second chances, with a narrative that keeps you hooked. Tember Sapphire’s writing is immersive, making you feel every emotion the characters experience.

If you’re a fan of sports romance with a touch of drama and heartfelt moments, She’s an Anchor is a wonderful read that will leave you satisfied and smiling.
Profile Image for Nita.
720 reviews10 followers
January 30, 2025
This was such a good read. Second chance plus secret baby top tier combination in my opinion. Marie-Louise and Alexander had one wild night after her sister bachelorette party. Five years later they come face to face at an athletic event. Alexander is determined to make Marie-Louise his little does he know she hiding a big secret. Alexander was absolutely swoon worthy with a kinky side.
62 reviews
January 13, 2025
ARC reader Review________________
Hufff best way a sports romance cud have written
perfect balance of sport her profession and her personal life . In first 3 chapters we see a spicy scene i like how it is balanced , not even once i felt the smut is over powering the main plot of the book
__________________

The bond with her sisters Lou darling is blessed . It reminds you of perfect relationship you silently wish for .

And my my lou got tht strong independent vibe its just so powerful it pumps your vein with motivation . And lets ot talk abt tiger and his tigress
both were so cute through out the book alex was wrtitten typically
i like how , he was left to make his choice abt wt he wanted to do with his mother , no one tried to morally force him and stuff i loved tht part i so relate to it the freedom of choice .
____________________________________

If i didnt say it yet I LOVED the book it is so easy flow of writing perfect for small cosy read and parts of it is motivational too .
__________________________________
Quotes/Parts i loved

Him making rose tattoo
The connection o tigers on his body and his daughter
Him having a choice in his family problems and no moral opinions thrown at him
His dad being an absolute pookie
The motivational angle author gave us through her race and life
Her being devoted to her daughter


Profile Image for shinyreads .
88 reviews36 followers
April 2, 2025
3/5

Tember Sapphire's She’s an Anchor is a compelling tale of passion, rivalry, and the complexities of past connections. The story kicks off with an electrifying one-night stand between the Marie Louise Charles, an athlete and Alexandre Pierre, an exotic dancer. Fast forward a few years, and the tension reignites when Alexandre reappears, this time as the coach of the Marie's fiercest competition.

Tember Sapphire’s strength in She’s an Anchor lies in the multidimensional characters she crafts. Both the Marie-Louise and Alexandre are given rich, personal backstories that add depth to their motivations and actions. The emotional baggage they carry and the growth they experience throughout the novel feel authentic. Then, The chemistry between the main characters is electric and undeniable. Sapphire does an excellent job of building this tension from the first encounter and sustaining it throughout the book. The setup of a past lover reappearing as a rival’s coach is fresh and engaging. It creates an immediate conflict that has kept me hooked. Also, The plot is engaging, weaving together romance and rivalry with ease. Sapphire excels in character development, giving depth to both leads.

Overall:
She’s an Anchor is a solid read with an intriguing premise and well-crafted characters. However, the pacing and the handling of pivotal moments could have been tighter. Despite these shortcomings, the book offers a passionate romance that keeps readers invested. 3 stars for a story that, while enjoyable, left room for more intensity and engagement.
Profile Image for Sherley's Reading Corner.
309 reviews4 followers
January 18, 2025
*𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5 ⭐
*𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 3.0 🌶️

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

🆀🆄🅸🅲🅺 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
Relationships who? Marie-Louise doesn’t have time for love. With her motto being “no names, no attachments, just a good f*ck,” a simple hookup is all Marie-Louise has ever had time for. As a professional athlete, her career always comes first. But what happens when one night of fun with a sexy stranger lead to a lifetime connection? Will Marie-Louis be able to deal with the consequences of this not-so-simple hookup?

I really did not know what to expect from this book. It started off hot and heavy and the FMC, Marie-Louise, and the MMC, Alexandre, wasted no time getting it one. As a result of their one night of fun, a baby is created. Lou knows nothing about the guy and now, five years after that faithful night, they meet again during the Summer Games sports event where Marie-Louise is an athlete (sprinter) participating in the games, and Alexandre is the coach of the rival team.

A lot was going on in the book. From Lou and Alexandre’s relationship and dealing with secrets, revelations, and the like, to Alexandre’s relationship with his parents (abandonment issues), there were so many different aspects to the story.

Overall, I enjoyed it and thought it was a solid read. It kept me engaged, I really liked the characters, and the plot was good. It really brought me back to the 2024 Olympics and the author did a good job in building the world/setting in the story. I loved how I was able to feel and see the training camp, the cafeteria, the racetrack, it was all done so well that I got a completely immersive experience while reading.

Sidenote: As someone who has been around the French language my entire life, it was so refreshing to see the language being spoken throughout the book!

I would most certainly recommend this book. It is fast paced with a lot of goodies. We see family, love, hope, determination, fearlessness, forgiveness, and so much more in this story. You will laugh, cry, grab your pears during those spicy scenes and you will leave with a sense of true happiness at the completion of the story. This was my first read from this author, but it will not be my last!

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

⬇️ SOME SPOILERS MAY BE FOUND BELOW ⬇️

🅴🆇🆃🅴🅽🅳🅴🅳 🅳🅸🆂🅲🆄🆂🆂🅸🅾🅽/🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
Lou and Alex were such a cute and lovable couple with undeniable chemistry. I loved them together and I am so happy they able to get their HEA.
I just LOVED Lou as a character. Her focus on her daughter, family, and career was motivating. She never gave up on her dreams, even after her unexpected pregnancy. She never let outside pressures knock her off of her game. Her confidence, determination, hard work, and fierceness was inspiring.

I also want to point out that I appreciated that Lou apologized to Alex and she recognized that she was wrong for not making sure that Alex was informed of her pregnancy and that he was given an opportunity to be in her life from Day 1.

Alex’s relationship with his parents was just heart breaking. Because of his childhood and his relationship with his mom, Alex had abandonment issues. He built walls around his heart and didn’t let people in for fear that they would hurt or leave him. With his turbulent pat, one would understand if he chose to let his anger take precedence when Lou revealed the truth about Elle to Alex. But he didn’t. He chose happiness. I loved how through his daughter and his relationship with Lou, Alex was able to not only face his issues head on, but Elle and Lou were able to show him that he was deserving of love. In addition, I loved that Alex got a big family through Lou’s sister (the Charles Family). The found family aspect of the story was great and the scene where her sisters interrogated him was just so funny! It warmed my heart to see them accept him into the fold. He really needed that.

This helped in healing his relationship with his dad. I really liked that the author did not show that Alex just forgave his mom. This is a good life lesson. Sometimes, we have to be willing to let anyone who brings us pain and hurt and who are toxic and dangerous to our well-being go. Forgiveness is for you, not the person who hurt you. However, Alex’s mom was undeserving of his love and forgiveness and I’m happy he walked away from that relationship.

Elle is such a lucky little girl! She is loved and adored by not only her parents but also by her extended family (her aunts and godparent). I love Alex’s relationship with his daughter. I’m glad he immediately, without hesitation, stepped up to face his responsibilities as it relates to his daughter. His nervousness about being a dad and his willingness to try hard to ensure the happiness of his daughter was heart-warming.

This was a great read!

🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃
• Black Sports Romance
• One Night Stand
• Secret Baby
• Primal Play
• Toy Play
• Rope Play
• Athlete x Rival’s Coach
• He Falls First
• Reformed Playboy/Playgirl
• Sprinter x Exotic Danceer
• Caribbean FMC x French (Billingual) MMC
• Found Family
• Rivals (Enemies) To Lovers
• Spicy Romance

🅵🅰🆅🅾🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂/🆂🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶🆂
🐅 “I’ll need you to list every fantasy you may have for me so that I can make tonight the night you will compare every other night to.”
⚓ “And you won’t hold back anything. I won those moans. Those screams of pleasure are mine to hear.”
🤎 “Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting. It just means you’re ready to move forward.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

* 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 5.0 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆
Profile Image for Maxine.
374 reviews18 followers
January 13, 2025
this is a 4.5 for me. I really enjoyed this! The author wrote a really fun well-rounded story that had my heart pounding during one of the races, me getting choked up during some of the family moments and overall, I had a fun time reading it. I loved the MCs with Marie-Louise and Alexandre who were complex individuals. You had Marie-Louise who is a single mother from a one-night stand trying to balance being an athlete and trying to rise back to the top in her field after having to take time off from having a kid while also trying to be a mother to her daughter. You have Alexandre who has his own issues after being abandoned as a teen by his mother and it has really affected him and his life, but he falls hard for Marie-Louise, and she ends being the one that gets away. But the moment he sees her again he is not letting her get away. But the whole time Marie-Louise is struggling with the fact that she had their child, the man she also can't forget is right in front of her and this is all during the most important races of her career. I just really enjoyed Tember's writing of these characters as they seemed very real, and I enjoyed reading the story and seeing it all play out. This is part of a series, and each book is a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the other books, but I am curious about their stories that I will probably check out the rest of the books.

This book is about Marie-Louise who is about run in some of the most important races of her career after having to take time off for personal matters. So, the question is can she do it... She thinks she can as long as she stays focus and not let anything distract her. Like her biggest rival's coach for example who is none other than the exotic dancer who she had a one-night stand with a few years back. She never forgot that night for a couple of reasons one being the insane chemistry the other the positive pregnancy test she had a few weeks later. She never meant to keep his child a secret from him, but he never responded to her emergency message so what was she to do? Well all these later their chemistry is still there, and he wants to pick up where they left off, but she can't afford any distractions right now and is there really a future for them when he finds out the truth that he has a child?

I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Charlene Alana  Henderson .
1,322 reviews33 followers
January 27, 2025
This is book three in the "she can play series" and what a series it is. I've loved reading every minute of it. The characters are wonderful and the authors writing is excellent, she makes you feel apart of the unique worlds she's creating.

It's an emotional rollercoaster ride that has twists and many ups and downs. It's filled with action, drama, fearlessness, humour, family, spice and loads more. It's a fast paced heartwarming read that keeps you on your toes . The moment I started this book I knew I couldn't put it down not until it was done. I ate their story up in one sitting. Everything about there romance was amazing. To see the chemistry burn between them was hot. The whole one night thing turned into couldn't get you out my mind and surprise you got a kid was funny. I laughed and cried so much through it.

“I’ll need you to list every fantasy you may have for me so that I can make tonight the night you will compare every other night to.”

Marie Louise is a professional athlete she's strong , beautiful and knows what she wants. She's at her sister's bachelorette party, when she catches the eye of an exotic dance called Alexandre, the pair hit it off and spend the most incredible night together. A night none of them will forget. Fast forward a couple years, where marie Louise is attending the summer athletic games, when she spots Alexandre but hold the phone, he's the coach to her competition. Exotic dancer turned coach. Anyways they chemistry and connection is still there, they can set the room on fire with it. Alex has never forgotten her , she's always been on his mind. Now he gets the chance to keep her for good. But she lands a big bomb in his lap. Hey how you doing here's your daughter kinda bomb.

“And you won’t hold back anything. I won those moans. Those screams of pleasure are mine to hear.”

Will Alex accept he's a father? Will they get a hally ending as a family ? You will need to grab the book and find out, I can't wait to read the next one in the series and see where the author will go next . Highly recommend!

“Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting. It just means you’re ready to move forward."
Profile Image for Serlina Rose.
Author 10 books57 followers
January 17, 2025
𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: "For me the tiger is more than just an animal; its a symbol of survial. I was forced to learn self-reliance +independence, just like a tiger on its own in the wild. I see strength and resilience in that animal, qualities I had to build to cope with the hurt and loneliness left behind."

If you like:
🌹Athletics Romance
🌹Secret Baby
🌹He falls first
🌹Caribbean FMC x French MMC
🌹Athlete x Rival Coach
🌹Rope play
🌹Toy play
🌹Reformed playboy/playgirl


Triggers:
❤️Explicit Language
💛Detailed/Graphic sex scenes
💚Pregnancy
❤️Abandonment by parent
💛Alcohol use
💚Slight violence (elbow to ribs)
❤️Sabotage/Equipment Tampering
💛Child (4 year old side character)
💚Hospital
💙Heart attack mention


💬𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: 𝘚𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳 is an extraordinary read. I've read the other books by the author and must say this book left me laughing and totally emotional at times. It was a wonderful read and she did excellent in putting the story together. Though this is the forth book of the series, you can enjoy each read as a standalone. The characters, both the main and supporting, makes the story unique and interesting. Reading Marie-Louise + Alexandre's story was quite hooking and fun. Such a page turner. The best part about the story was how they found their way back to each other, how they forgave each other and grew from their misunderstanding, especially having a child together.


🤝🏽Τακεαωαγ: We don't have to repeat the mistakes made by a parent (s). We don't have to be like our parents in terms of negatives. We can always look for the positives in our parents or the relationships that was there or not and grow past it. Having family love and support is Important, just as finding someone who loves you and is willing to learn and listen and help you to be better. And most importantly, forgiveness is good for our peace of mind, just as understand of situations helps us grow when we mature.

𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕝𝕒𝕚𝕞𝕖𝕣
Thanks to the author for having me part of her permanent ARC team & trusting me with her work.

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫: A. Serlina Rose
IG: @SerlinaRoseBooks + @asrwips
Profile Image for Kia | BookReviewer.
110 reviews5 followers
January 30, 2025
📚: She’s An Anchor
✍️: @authortembersapphire
💜ARC review💜
Iam still reeling from the emotional rollercoaster!

This captivating sports romance novel has left me breathless!
𝒜 𝒮𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝒮𝓉𝓇𝑒𝓃𝑔𝓉𝒽 𝑅𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒

Marie-Louise, a determined and talented athlete, is the epitome of strength and resilience. Her journey, from a one-night stand to motherhood and athletic triumph, is a testament to her unwavering spirit. Alexandre, the exotic dancer turned rival coach, is the perfect complement to her fiery personality. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their romance is a masterclass in slow-burn tension.

𝒜 𝑀𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝐸𝓍𝓅𝓁𝑜𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃

The author masterfully weaves together themes of love, family, redemption, and self-discovery. The novel delves into the complexities of single motherhood, the challenges of balancing career and family, and the power of forgiveness and second chances. The portrayal of strong women, particularly Lou and her sisters, is inspiring and empowering.

𝒜 𝒮𝓊𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒞𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒮𝓉𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝒽𝑜𝓌

The secondary characters are expertly crafted, adding depth, humor, and warmth to the narrative.

𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝐿𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝐵𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓈

The slow-burn romance is expertly crafted, with a tension that simmers just below the surface. The chemistry between Lou and Alexandre is palpable, and their love scenes are passionate and intimate.

𝑀𝓊𝓈𝓉𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝐹𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒮𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒

“She’s an Anchor” is a game-changer in the sports romance genre. Tember Sapphire’s writing is engaging, emotional, and addictive.

𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝒱𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉

_5+ stars!_ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A masterpiece that will capture your heart and leave you breathless. With its captivating storyline, engaging characters, and emotional depth, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves sports romance, strong women, and unforgettable love stories.
Profile Image for Madhur.
92 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2025
This sports romance novel is a captivating blend of love, redemption, and unexpected twists. The story centers around Marie-Louise, a determined sprinter and single mom, trying to balance her athletic dreams with the responsibilities of motherhood. Her journey is both emotional and inspiring as she overcomes obstacles and embraces her strength in the face of adversity.
When Marie-Louise crosses paths with Alexandre, her one-night stand from five years ago—and now the coach of her rival team—the chemistry between them reignites with intensity. Both their personal and professional worlds collide as they navigate their feelings for each other, while also facing the truth about their secret child. This dynamic creates a sizzling tension that’s impossible to resist.

Marie-Louise’s character shines brightly throughout the story. Her resilience and determination make her incredibly relatable, and she quickly becomes a character you can’t help but root for. Alexandre, with his sweet and caring nature, complements her perfectly. Their relationship is filled with raw emotion, and the chemistry they share is electric, leaving readers with those butterfly moments that you just can’t get enough of.

From its vivid sports backdrop to the emotional beats that tug at your heartstrings, this novel offers a heartfelt journey of love, family, and healing. Alexandre’s evolution from reluctant coach to devoted father is beautiful, and his unwavering support for Marie-Louise and their daughter will have readers swooning.

If you're a fan of sports romance with high emotional stakes, sizzling chemistry, and a sprinkle of drama, this book is an absolute must-read. It’s the kind of romance that will leave a lasting impact, with all the feels that come from true love and second chances. Highly recommend to anyone who loves their romance with a bit of spice and a lot of heart! 💕✨

Profile Image for Shanu Readss.
55 reviews3 followers
January 29, 2025
OHH MYY MYYY—Get Ready to Be Hooked on She’s an Anchor!

If you love sizzling rivalries, heart-racing second chances, and chemistry that burns off the page, She’s an Anchor is the book for you!🥰🤌🏻

Marie-Louise lives by a simple rule: no names, no attachments—just a good time. As a dedicated professional athlete, romance has never fit into her life. But one unforgettable night at her sister’s bachelorette party changes everything. A one-night stand with an exotic dancer leaves her with more than just memories—six weeks later, a doctor confirms she’s pregnant. With no name, no way to find him, and no desire to upend her life, she decides to raise her daughter alone, with the unwavering support of her sister.

Fast-forward five years: Marie-Louise, now an elite sprinter at the Summer Games, comes face-to-face with the one man she never thought she’d see again—Alexandre, the rival team’s head coach… and the father of her child.😍

From an unexpected pregnancy to a fiery reunion years later, the tension between Marie-Louise and Alexandre is magnetic, complicated, and absolutely unforgettable. As Lou juggles motherhood, her career, and the reappearance of the man who unknowingly changed her life, readers will be swept into a whirlwind of secrets, redemption, and raw emotion.

But there’s more to She’s an Anchor than just romance. This novel delves deep into themes of ambition, family, and the lingering wounds of the past, from Lou’s struggle to balance love and independence to Alexandre’s battles with his own painful history.

Heartfelt, passionate, and utterly captivating, She’s an Anchor will leave you breathless!💗
Profile Image for Hearts and Pages.
48 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2025
Marie-Louise (Lou) is a sprinter, a mother to a beautiful baby girl and loves her family.
Alexandre (Alex) is a former exotic dancer, now an athletics coach and has some family issues.

Lou met Alex at her sister’s bachelorette party where she hooked up with Alex (said exotic dancer) and they parted ways with no names, no contact info whatsoever.
She got pregnant, and rest… (y’all need to read when it comes out)

I loved the whole book but I really enjoyed:
- how the author has managed to focus on every little detail with the perfect balance of insights of the past of both of the MCs and all the fun and love.
- I love the characters individually and together.. they are perfect
- I loveeddd Eloise’s character (daughter), she’s an absolute cutie.
- I loved the family dynamics (The Charles Sisters) so much.
- I really enjoyed the chemistry between Alex and Lou, the tension as well as the understanding they have for each other.
- ALEX IS THE STANDARD, I mean, he knows what to do and when to do, he’s perfect at it. And the last part, the surprise for Lou, I MEAN…. *absolutely beautiful*
- Alex and Lou’s love for Eloise is so so beautiful.
- Alex calls Lou “Temptress” and Eloise “Tigress” ahh..*my heart*

Tropes:
Athletics Romance
Secret Baby
Primal Play
Athlete x Rival’s Coach
He Falls First
Reformed Playboy/Playgirl
Rope/toy Play
Caribbean FMC X French MMC

I really enjoyed this book and I’d 100% recommend it to y’all. (Swipe to see my favourite quotes)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Profile Image for Manda Jean.
428 reviews7 followers
January 30, 2025
“𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕓𝕖 𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕫𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥. 𝕀, 𝕥𝕠𝕠, 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕒 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕖.”

Alexandre did not come to play from the moment he is introduced you know he will have you kicking your feet and fanning your face. Lou is strong and as a mom it is so easy to relate to her drive and dedication.

This has the perfect amount of romance and sport as well as tension. The chemistry with these two are explosive from the beginning I could not put this down once I started it is so easy to get invested in Lou and Alex’s journey not only as a couple/co-parents but personal journey and growth as well

While this can be read as a standalone I do recommend starting with the first book so much backstory and the prologue of this one actually is Lou’s POV from book 2 She’s a Grinder.

~~What to Expect~~
🏁Sports Romance (Sprinter FMC)
🏁Secret Baby
🏁One Night Stand
🏁He Falls First
🏁Forbidden - Sprinter X Rival’s Coach
🏁Reformed Playboy and Girl
🏁Caribbean FMC X French MMC
🏁Second Chance

~~Quote~~
💜Fate has a funny way of bringing people back together especially when there’s unfinished business between them.
💜This isn’t something that can be easily forgotten or swept under the rug. It is a flame that burns with an intensity that could never be extinguished except for that one thing.
💜I had waited five years before the universe sent her back my way. I’m not letting her go and I’ll wait for as long as it takes for her to see it.
💜For my Eloise. For the mothers who were told their careers would be over once they got pregnant I want to win this for me.
Profile Image for Radha Singh Rajput.
44 reviews
January 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Right from the start and till the end it, I completely adore this book🫂🫠. I’ve completed this Book in a day, just couldn’t keep this book down till I finished it😭🤚🏻

Marie - Louise , a single mom and an athlete and she was returning to the games after her pregnancy, where she meets Alexandre, her one night stand five years ago and now, he’s her rivals couch! The story indeed is completely comfy and beautiful! 💕🥹

I loved each and every character of it, idk why but they have a special place in my heart! Especially Lou! I loved her character sm that I couldn’t get over it!🫂 she made me feel good, her character was 10 on 10 for me! 🫶🏻

Talking about Alex, he’s a complete sweetie!🫂🤚🏻and Elle literally gives me the sunshine vibes🥹✨✨✨

The chemistry between Alex and Lou was so stunning!! Ahh😭😭🤚🏻✨💕💕💕 I had literally butterflies 🦋🦋🦋✨😭

I completely adore this gorgeous sport romance novel, who wouldn’t?💕
And as a romance reader, this novel has a special place in my heart, it’s completely refreshing romance novel!🫂🦋

Talking about it, romance scenes ahh🫠🤚🏻 I just couldn’t take of my mind! And indeed the coziness, romance scenes, togetherness, family love makes the novel complete 5 star read for me!♥️🧿🧿🧿

I highly recommend you to read this one! I promise y’all will love it!🥹🧿🧿🧿
Profile Image for Mansi Sharma.
104 reviews
January 15, 2025
Marie-Louise met an exotic dancer at her sister’s bachelorette party and she never forget that night in her life, especially after the doctor confirmed that she was pregnant after six weeks, but but but that was only a one night stand she had no idea who he was and what was his name so she decided to raise her baby girl all by herself and with her sisters help andddd……..
5 years later Lou was in her game again in the summer athletic games and there she turned her life upside down when she met none other than her baby girl’s father as her rival’s coach😂😅🥰
Alexandre’s life took an unexpected turn when he got a call that his father was in the hospital and he had to take his father's job as a coach and and and in the summer athletic games he saw the woman who hadn't left his mind for 5 years and then got to know that he had a daughter he hadn't know about till now.
They both got hot for each other but each other’s rival team it was so so difficult 😅😅🥰

I like sports Romance but rival’s coach was new for me and I like it, it was a fast-paced read for me and the characters were good. I love Lou’s sisters and that time where they intermediated Alex and he had to hide in his room for a day to avoid Lou’s sisters😂😂😂
Profile Image for Akshaya Ramesh.
31 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2025
I would like to thank tember and @swipethebook.pr for my digital ARC. This is a honest review.
I would like to start with appreciating the portrayal of strong women and depiction of the complications that comes when navigating love in this modern world.
I never thought I would finish this overnight but this gem kept me up. It was refreshing to read a good sports romance where our protagonist is an athlete who is returning to games after her pregnancy where she meets her one night stand, five years ago, who is also her baby daddy and her rival's coach.
I loved Lou's character through and through. She was a fighter both in her professional and personal life. It was never about winning but giving the best for her, which depicts the spirit of sportsmanship every one should posses. Alex was a sweetheart and his chemistry with Lou was smoking hot. And Elle, the secret baby,was adorable and acts as an anchor in her mother's life and hence the title.
The novel of 385 pages was an abundant bundle of athletic romance with a sprinkle of sexy chapters and ample amount of family drama.
Overall, this is a cozy romantic novel and after reading this I am definitely Team Charles😍 (iykyk)
Now what are you waiting for, go and add this to your goodreads TBR!!
Profile Image for Maanya Rathore.
72 reviews4 followers
January 29, 2025
"She's An Anchor" by Tember Sapphire is a poignant sports romance novel that explores themes of love, redemption, and second chances. The story follows Marie-Louise, a determined sprinter and single mom, as she navigates her dreams and responsibilities.

When Marie-Louise meets Alexandre, her one-night stand from five years ago, now her rival's coach, the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they confront their feelings and the truth about their secret child, the story unfolds into a beautiful exploration of family, forgiveness, and second chances.

With its vivid sports setting, heartwarming family moments, and emotional beats, this book is a must-read for fans of sports romance. Alexandre's journey from reluctant coach to devoted father is beautifully written, and his unwavering devotion to Marie-Louise and their daughter will capture your heart.

My only criticism is that Alexandre's initial reaction to the secrets revealed felt a bit off, and I wished for a smoother resolution. However, this minor issue didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

Overall, "She's An Anchor" is a great romance story with heart, heat, and a sprinkle of drama. I highly recommend it to fans of sports romance and second-chance love stories.
Profile Image for Poorvi.
225 reviews5 followers
January 29, 2025
Marie meets an exotic dancer aka our Alexandre at her sister's bachelorette party and had a one night stand from which she got pregnant. When Alex’s father falls ill right before the summer athletic games, he takes his place as coach. To his surprise when he sees the woman who he never forgot as the star runner of his rival team. Stuck between leading his own team to victory and try to be with the girl who is tuck on his mind for 5 years but then she drops their daughter(Elle) on him. Determined to make up for lost time with both Lou and their four-year-old, Alex tries to win over the love of his life for a place in their world.
This become such an emotional read for me. Lou is such an independent and strong character. I love that she has such supportive people around her. Eloise was so cute. I love both their moments with her. I love all the little details that are in the book, the rose and tiger. I love this book. I was hooked from the start of the book. I love flirty banter between them. The moment Alex and Elle met was sweet, I teared up. Alex had gone through some stuff which still affected him now. He is strong and I love how Louise make him feel conformable. Alex is can be both flirty and gentlemen. Love him so much.
Profile Image for Mes Curls Reads.
184 reviews6 followers
January 25, 2025
If you’re a fan of second chances, rivalries, and sizzling chemistry, She’s an Anchor is bound to win your heart! Alexandre and Marie-Louise’s story is a whirlwind of passion, secrets, and redemption.

From a one-night stand with life-altering consequences to facing each other years later as athlete and rival coach, the tension between them is everything! Lou’s determination to balance her career, motherhood, and the reappearance of the man who unknowingly fathered her child is both inspiring and heart-wrenching.

Alexandre? Total heartthrob. His journey from reluctant coach to a father desperate to make up for lost time is beautifully written. Plus, his unwavering devotion to both Lou and their daughter will make you swoon.

I loved the vivid sports setting—it felt like I was right there at the track! The found family moments, the spice, and the emotional beats made this book impossible to put down. While I wish some of the conflicts had been explored a little more deeply, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

If you’re looking for a romance with heart, heat, and a sprinkle of drama, She’s an Anchor delivers! 💖
Profile Image for mithi._.reads.
141 reviews3 followers
January 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this! The author wrote a really fun well-rounded story that had my heart pounding during one of the races, me getting choked up during some of the family moments and overall, I had a fun time reading it.
Marie-Louise who is a single mother from a one-night stand trying to balance being an athlete and trying to rise back to the top in her field after having to take time off from having a kid while also trying to be a mother to her daughter.
You have Alexandre who has his own issues after being abandoned as a teen by his mother and it has really affected him and his life, but he falls hard for Marie-Louise, and she ends being the one that gets away. But the moment he sees her again he is not letting her get away. But the whole time Marie-Louise is struggling with the fact that she had their child, the man she also can't forget is right in front of her and this is all during the most important races of her career.
This is part of a series, and each book is a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the other books, but I am curious about their stories that I will probably check out the rest of the books.
This book is about Marie-Louise who is about run in some of the most important races of her career after having to take time off for personal matters. So, the question is can she do it...
She thinks she can as long as she stays focus and not let anything distract her.
Like her biggest rival's coach for example who is none other than the exotic dancer who she had a one-night stand with a few years back. She never forgot that night for a couple of reasons one being the insane chemistry the other the positive pregnancy test she had a few weeks later. She never meant to keep his child a secret from him, but he never responded to her emergency message so what was she to do? Well all these later their chemistry is still there, and he wants to pick up where they left off, but she can't afford any distractions right now and is there really a future for them when he finds out the truth that he has a child?
A 4/5-
read forosure
Profile Image for Kelly Quirin.
156 reviews
January 27, 2025
Marie-Louise is a runner who isn’t looking for attachments, but all of that changes after a one night stand at her sister’s bachelorette party. This was my first read from Tember Sapphire, and it was a refreshing change from my usual romance reads. As an indie bookseller, I’m always looking to broaden my horizons and find good representation for our customers, and Sapphire has given what feels like an authentic view of a POC female athlete navigating the world. I could tell she really understood the sport aspect of her story. The tension and relationship between Lou & Alex? Spicy. Deep. A little messy. A secret baby and navigating through the challenges that brings? Added great depth to the story. My only complaint that left me from a five star review is I wanted more- more with Alex’s backstory and family life, more descriptions… sometimes the pace felt a little fast. Overall, a great sports romance! I received this sports romance as an ARC, but my review is voluntary and my thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Shama (thor.oughlyfantasy).
436 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2025
4.25

I literally finished the book in 24 hours.
I know how people feel about accidentally pregnancy/secret baby trope but trust me, this is very well written.

It's very rare to find sports romance in which she is the athelete and he isn't.

She's a sprinter and he's an exotic dancer she met at her sister’s bachelorette party and had a one night stand with. In most of the books, the gender roles are reversed, so this really interested me.

I loved how thoughtful and understanding the MMC was and how hard he tried to win them over. I understand the initial reactions but to see how he handled it was really impressive.

I really admire the FMC's strength.
Every race had me on my toes.

The chemistry between the characters was so good! Off the charts. I just love the kind of person they bring out in each other. And the interaction with the kid! I adore those moments.

Tropes:
Secret baby
Athletics romance
Reformed playboy
One night stand
Rival's coach
Profile Image for Sakshi.
65 reviews2 followers
Read
January 26, 2025
Alexandre Pierre is an exotic dancer and Marie Louise's one night stand. But after that night they haven't seen each other After a few years later he comes into her life again as her Rival's coach ! Will that affect her career ? Will that affect her relationship with her daughter ? He wants to pick up where they left off but ...... She has a secret that will change everything.
Can they make this work? More importantly, will he even want to when he finds out the truth?

This story is well written. Alex is such a sunshine and Mary Louise gives black cat energy. They fit perfectly with each and with the "secret" that she had I think it brought them more closer.

If you love these 👇🏻 tropes then you'll love the book
[Athletics Romance,Secret Baby, One Night Stand, Athlete x Rival's Coach, Bilingual MMC, Tattoos for her, Primal Play, Sprinter x Former Exotic Dancer, Sneaking Around, Open Door Spice, Caribbean FMC x French MMC, Reformed Playboy/Playgirl]
Profile Image for Divyanshi.
8 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2025
“She’s An Anchor” is a story that keeps you hooked from the very first page . It's  a Sports Romance  with high stakes, deep emotions,  and characters that feel so real that you forget that they exist only on paper.

The book follows Marie Louise, a fiercely determined sprinter, and Alexandre (Alex), a man running from his past. Their lives collide in a whirlwind of passion, rivalry, and unresolved emotions, taking you on a emotional ride. 

One of my favorite thing about this book is how Authors writing pulls you right into characters minds and gave you a better understanding of their thoughts and perspectives.  The tension, the longing, the internal conflicts— its all so raw and authentic that you don't wanna miss it.

Marie's journey of balancing motherhood and her career, while battling with the ghosts of her past, is incredibly inspiring.  And Alex? Oh girl trust me, He is that kind of flawed, complex love interest that keeps you hooked.

The Romance? Oh please don't make me talk about this. Its a Slow Burn 🔥 Romance at its best - full of tension but deeply moving and satisfying. The chemistry between the two is off the charts and when they finally collide, its damn electrifying, which you surely do not want to miss. But it is not just romance, its a story about Growth, Healing, and Fighting for the life that you want.

So If you love Sports Romance with Strong Female leads, deep emotional stakes, and second-chance Love stories  that feels so real, “ She’s An Anchor “ is what needs to be on your  TBR.  So what are you waiting for. Go Grab it Now!!
Profile Image for Shannan Harper.
2,462 reviews28 followers
March 1, 2025
Man, I don't even know what to say about this book/series that I haven't already. This was such a great addition to the series. I especially love the family dynamic in this one as well as all of the other books in this series. And the drama, I was not expecting that in this story. I had to pick my jaw off the floor several times. Second chance romances is one of my favorite troupes, and it was done so well in this story. And the child added so much more enjoyment and laughter through out the story. We have one more book from what I can tell that should be coming with this series, and although I'll be sad when it comes out (Because it means that the series is done with) I am excited and can't wait for it to be released

I received a copy of the book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions
89 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2025
Ladies get ready to swoon. I don’t know how to explain Alex. He’s hot. He’s kinky. He’s romantic. He’s a reformed playboy/stripper. But overall he is a devoted, loving man and father. I couldn’t get enough of him. Lou is everything a bad b*tch should be on and off the tracks. I love her drive and motivation. She is a character that is a great role model for women to show that you can still have your dreams. Becoming a mother doesn’t stop your dreams. You just have to work a little harder to achieve it. This is book 3 in the series. You don’t have to read the previous ones, but it helps to know who are the characters. The sisters are crazy funny. I love their relationship. I wish I had sisters like that. Overall this is a great second chance story with spice, banter, great cultural value.
Profile Image for Jordan Fiest.
2,120 reviews31 followers
January 28, 2025
She's An Anchor is book three of the She Can Play Series.

This is kind of a second chance romance, as they had met before and had a one night stand. However, we get a lot of secrets within this relationship. Alex bothered me a bit when the secrets are revealed. He was very intense against Marie-Louise. I didn't like how he played the victim and was kind of doing the blame game. It was a one night stand with no information exchanged, but he makes it seem like she was purposely being deceptive. I didn't like that aspect of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the flow of the story and how it all pulled together. This was a new sports genre for me to read and I found it interesting to see more about it.
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