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The Assist: A Spicy Soccer Romance
Love doesn’t follow a playbook.
And it definitely doesn’t ask permission.
The Assist is a steamy, emotionally rich sports romance filled with longing, forbidden attraction, reverse age-gap tension, and moments that make your pulse spike and your heart ache.
If you loved Icebreaker and The Perfect Play, this story belongs on your TBR.
When Carrie Vokler meets Conner Doreland, the head coach of her daughter’s college soccer team, she never expects the immediate, electric pull between them. Set against the high-stakes world of college athletics, what sparks in a single moment quickly becomes something far more dangerous—and impossible to ignore.
At forty-two, Carrie is a successful entrepreneur and a widow who has spent the last three years carefully rebuilding her life. She’s learned how to be strong, self-sufficient, and guarded. Falling in love again was never part of the plan—especially not with a younger man whose career and reputation are on the line.
Conner is ambitious, driven, and on the verge of a career-defining season. The last thing he needs is a complication like Carrie. Yet from the moment they meet, resisting her feels like a losing game.
Their connection deepens fast, but so do the risks. Professional boundaries, public scrutiny, and family responsibilities loom large, turning every stolen moment into a gamble with real consequences.
For Carrie, loving again means risking the life she fought so hard to rebuild.
For Conner, following his heart could cost him everything he’s worked for.
As the season intensifies both on and off the field, they must decide whether playing it safe is worth the loneliness—or if some chances are worth everything.
The Assist is a heartfelt, emotionally charged sports romance about second chances, reverse age-gap desire, and the courage it takes to choose love when the stakes are high. Perfect for readers who crave forbidden romance with real consequences, strong and complex female characters, and slow-burn chemistry that simmers under pressure.Because sometimes, the greatest victories happen off the field.
And it definitely doesn’t ask permission.
The Assist is a steamy, emotionally rich sports romance filled with longing, forbidden attraction, reverse age-gap tension, and moments that make your pulse spike and your heart ache.
If you loved Icebreaker and The Perfect Play, this story belongs on your TBR.
When Carrie Vokler meets Conner Doreland, the head coach of her daughter’s college soccer team, she never expects the immediate, electric pull between them. Set against the high-stakes world of college athletics, what sparks in a single moment quickly becomes something far more dangerous—and impossible to ignore.
At forty-two, Carrie is a successful entrepreneur and a widow who has spent the last three years carefully rebuilding her life. She’s learned how to be strong, self-sufficient, and guarded. Falling in love again was never part of the plan—especially not with a younger man whose career and reputation are on the line.
Conner is ambitious, driven, and on the verge of a career-defining season. The last thing he needs is a complication like Carrie. Yet from the moment they meet, resisting her feels like a losing game.
Their connection deepens fast, but so do the risks. Professional boundaries, public scrutiny, and family responsibilities loom large, turning every stolen moment into a gamble with real consequences.
For Carrie, loving again means risking the life she fought so hard to rebuild.
For Conner, following his heart could cost him everything he’s worked for.
As the season intensifies both on and off the field, they must decide whether playing it safe is worth the loneliness—or if some chances are worth everything.
The Assist is a heartfelt, emotionally charged sports romance about second chances, reverse age-gap desire, and the courage it takes to choose love when the stakes are high. Perfect for readers who crave forbidden romance with real consequences, strong and complex female characters, and slow-burn chemistry that simmers under pressure.Because sometimes, the greatest victories happen off the field.
553 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 10, 2025
DNF . I love the concept but the writing was all over the place.
October 2, 2025
The Assist: A Spicy Soccer Romance by Amy W. Vogel is a fresh, heartfelt, and daring story about love that refuses to play by the rules.
At the heart of the novel is the undeniable chemistry between Conner Doreland, the ambitious head coach of UCC’s women’s soccer program, and Carrie Vokler, the vibrant mother of his star freshman striker. Their connection is instant, passionate, and complicated testing the limits of professional boundaries, personal responsibility, and the courage it takes to embrace second chances.
Vogel beautifully blends the thrill of sports with the tenderness of romance, creating a narrative that resonates with readers looking for love stories that feel both real and bold. What makes The Assist especially engaging is its focus on mature characters navigating midlife reinvention, family dynamics, and the risks of opening their hearts again all while fanning the flames of a reverse age-gap romance that’s as sizzling as it is emotionally authentic.
With its mix of spice, heart, and sports-fueled drama, The Assist proves that love, passion, and fresh starts can happen at any age and sometimes in the most unexpected places.
At the heart of the novel is the undeniable chemistry between Conner Doreland, the ambitious head coach of UCC’s women’s soccer program, and Carrie Vokler, the vibrant mother of his star freshman striker. Their connection is instant, passionate, and complicated testing the limits of professional boundaries, personal responsibility, and the courage it takes to embrace second chances.
Vogel beautifully blends the thrill of sports with the tenderness of romance, creating a narrative that resonates with readers looking for love stories that feel both real and bold. What makes The Assist especially engaging is its focus on mature characters navigating midlife reinvention, family dynamics, and the risks of opening their hearts again all while fanning the flames of a reverse age-gap romance that’s as sizzling as it is emotionally authentic.
With its mix of spice, heart, and sports-fueled drama, The Assist proves that love, passion, and fresh starts can happen at any age and sometimes in the most unexpected places.
October 21, 2025
The Assist is a bold, heartfelt romance that proves passion doesn’t fade with age it deepens. Amy W. Vogel crafts a story that’s both sizzling and sincere, capturing the messy, beautiful complexity of love found later in life.
At its core, the novel celebrates rediscovery and emotional risk. Carrie Vokler, a widowed entrepreneur rebuilding her life, finds herself drawn to Conner Doreland, a driven coach navigating his own professional crossroads. Their connection, charged with tension and tenderness, feels wonderfully real rooted in vulnerability, humor, and desire.
Vogel’s writing shines in its balance of heart and heat. The soccer field becomes a powerful metaphor for second chances each game echoing the rhythms of love, loss, and renewal. By giving space to mature emotion and realistic conflict, The Assist stands out as more than a sports romance; it’s a story about courage, self worth, and the audacity to start over.
A stirring and empowering read, The Assist reminds us that love doesn’t play by the rules and that’s exactly what makes it worth chasing.
At its core, the novel celebrates rediscovery and emotional risk. Carrie Vokler, a widowed entrepreneur rebuilding her life, finds herself drawn to Conner Doreland, a driven coach navigating his own professional crossroads. Their connection, charged with tension and tenderness, feels wonderfully real rooted in vulnerability, humor, and desire.
Vogel’s writing shines in its balance of heart and heat. The soccer field becomes a powerful metaphor for second chances each game echoing the rhythms of love, loss, and renewal. By giving space to mature emotion and realistic conflict, The Assist stands out as more than a sports romance; it’s a story about courage, self worth, and the audacity to start over.
A stirring and empowering read, The Assist reminds us that love doesn’t play by the rules and that’s exactly what makes it worth chasing.
October 25, 2024
The Assist by Amy Vogel was so good!! If you like later in life romance, soccer coach, single mom, reverse age gap, forbidden attraction, dual POV, SPICY, and sports romance then you will love this book!!
Conner Doreland, is the single head coach of UCC’s Women’s Soccer Program. Conner is dealing with a scandal where pictures were altered and could’ve cost him his career. Carrie Vokler, a widow and single mom to Marley, Sabrina, and Elise. Elise is star player on Connor’s team. Carrie is still reeling from losing her husband to cancer and helping her kids heal. When Conner and Carrie meet its immediate chemistry, love at first sight, and they can’t stay away from each other.
I love that Vogel wrote a story with a love story between two older people Carrie’s in her 30’s, and I think Connor is forty. She wrote a story that takes place in Houston that has a great storyline and plot. This story deals with happiness, starting over, spicy, starting over, and second chance at love, life, and romance. I really enjoyed this book!! Thank you Amy Vogel for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
Conner Doreland, is the single head coach of UCC’s Women’s Soccer Program. Conner is dealing with a scandal where pictures were altered and could’ve cost him his career. Carrie Vokler, a widow and single mom to Marley, Sabrina, and Elise. Elise is star player on Connor’s team. Carrie is still reeling from losing her husband to cancer and helping her kids heal. When Conner and Carrie meet its immediate chemistry, love at first sight, and they can’t stay away from each other.
I love that Vogel wrote a story with a love story between two older people Carrie’s in her 30’s, and I think Connor is forty. She wrote a story that takes place in Houston that has a great storyline and plot. This story deals with happiness, starting over, spicy, starting over, and second chance at love, life, and romance. I really enjoyed this book!! Thank you Amy Vogel for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
December 2, 2025
it was a good later in life second chance at love soccer romance, the only reason I gave it one last start I feel like the story could have been just as enticing if it was a little less Long because for me it just made it harder to sleep focused on it, like I said it's a good book and I didn't enjoy it but the story could have been told a little bit shorter in my personal preference.
March 25, 2025
Definitely spicy
If you are not into spicy smut, do not read. This was even spicier than I thought.
It was a good story though, in the beginning, I was starting to wonder if the book was really about soccer.
Though, I must say, I've never meant a man like Conner.
If you are not into spicy smut, do not read. This was even spicier than I thought.
It was a good story though, in the beginning, I was starting to wonder if the book was really about soccer.
Though, I must say, I've never meant a man like Conner.
March 29, 2025
Big soccer fan so this was a cute book to read. It's definitely spicy and at one point I thought it was getting almost too spicy but then the author pulled it back a little towards the end.
April 19, 2025
Was a cute read !
September 22, 2025
I have to say , I was nervous about reading this book just because I was a soccer player and I know what to expect… I had the same connection as Carrie and Conner had …
Overall it was a good read and kept you hooked .. The triggers that Carrie had were definitely understandable and Conner was very patient and understanding of her triggers !!! I would recommend this book to any of my friends …
Overall it was a good read and kept you hooked .. The triggers that Carrie had were definitely understandable and Conner was very patient and understanding of her triggers !!! I would recommend this book to any of my friends …
May 20, 2025
Amazing!!!
Love the relationships!! Great local author! A fun, spicy soccer romance with a super sweet golden retriever male main character!
Love the relationships!! Great local author! A fun, spicy soccer romance with a super sweet golden retriever male main character!
March 9, 2025
DNF at 61%
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews