The Comeback

Houston Pumas #1

by Ranee S. Clark

Eight years ago, he asked me to marry him and I said yes … then I ran.

Ava
Even so, I never dreamed we’d end up here—him hating me for the choices I made to save his career. It’s fine. I’ve moved on.

I’ve had a few bumps in the road with my rising event planning career, but running my best friend’s wedding to her pro-football fiancé will fix all of that. If I pull off the perfect wedding.

There’s one more bump I wasn’t expecting—my ex, Jett McCombs, is a groomsman, and seeing him again makes two things clear.

I still love him.

He still hates me.

Jett
The last thing I need distracting me in the middle of a championship football season is a wedding, especially not some high-profile circus. And I definitely don’t need to face the ghosts of my past and the woman that got away. The woman who gave up on us and shattered my heart.

With her in charge of the over-publicized wedding, there’s no avoiding her or the fact that I’m not as over her as I thought.

One thing I know for sure is that I can’t trust Ava with my heart ever again.

Someone just needs to tell my heart that.

This sweet second chance sports romance is inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Sports Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Clean Romance

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2024

About the author

During her early years of reading, Ranee` S. Clark devoured fantasy books, which continued into her adulthood—since she often believes that a well-written romance novel is a delightful fantasy. Though raising three boys can sometimes hamper both romance with her own Mr. Charming and her writing, she tries to get a little of both in every day. And most of the time she succeeds.

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If sweet sports romances with a side of second chances are your thing, The Comeback is calling your name! Ava and Jett, once high school sweethearts, have a magnetic pull that's impossible to miss. As the story jumps to the present, you'll be dying to know what went wrong and cheering for them to get their happy ending. But don’t worry, they reunite in a rather hilarious way, and that old spark? Oh, it’s still there, even if they try (and fail) to fight it.

This book is a fun rollercoaster ride of love, laughs, and a bit of heartache. Watching Ava tackle her fears in event planning while Jett tries to move past his hurt feelings was really satisfying. While I wasn’t a big fan of the political subplot, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. It’s a slow burn, but the wait is definitely worth it, with plenty of moments that had me smiling all the way through.

Read this if you like:
✨ Second chance
✨ Football romance
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion

[faye ✮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

— 5 stars ✰

As someone who LOVEEESS a good second-chance romance, I was thoroughly impressed by this book and it even surpassed my expectations! There were moments that genuinely brought a tear to my eye lol.

Ava and Jett were once engaged, but Ava had to leave unexpectedly. Initially, her motivations seemed a bit unclear, but as the story unfolded, her choices became more understandable. Ava’s journey to help others while learning to let people in added a meaningful layer to her character.

Jett, who had convinced himself he had moved on after eight years, is still profoundly in love with Ava. His struggle with these lingering feelings added a great deal of emotional depth to the story. Despite his frustrations, Jett continued to care for Ava throughout the book which gave his character added complexity.

I really appreciated Ava’s efforts to respect Jett’s wishes and avoid behaving like a jealous (ex) ?girlfriend when someone else entered the picture. Her drive to prove herself and her attempts to make things easier for Jett were admirable. Oh yeah.. there is a wee bit of owd in the mix, but believe me, the author handled the issue well. The ow was a bit of a bitch, so it was quite satisfying when she disappeared from the picture.

This book beautifully captures the phrase, “If you love someone, let it go; if they are meant for you, they will find their way back to you."

[Evelyn (Ev’s Novel Delights) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story! Pretty clean too! I loved the whole Jane Austen inspired thing.. this one was like a retelling of Persuasion, I think 🤔 lol

3.5 stars

maybe RTC later

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There is so much of the girl I fell in love with inside this woman in front of me that I want to cry for the shame of it. How is the one person who’s perfect for me the one I wasn’t enough for?”

Loved this story SO much! It’s a sweet sports romance, inspired by Jane Austen‘s “Persuasion,” and it was wonderfully done!

Ava and Jett were high school sweethearts, and during their college years they get engaged. When things get tough financially, Jett’s’s ready to quit football to help support Ava, but she can’t let him lose his dream of playing pro football, so she breaks up with him.

Eight years later, they see each other again. He’s still bitter and angry with her, thinking she left him when things got too hard. In her mind, she left because she wanted to save him. To save his dreams.

When that comes out, he’s still not sure he can trust her to not leave again.

What I loved:
🩵 Second Chance
🩵 Grumpy sunshine
🩵 Forced proximity
🩵 Dual POV
🩵 Supportive friends & family
🩵 She’s the one
🩵 HEA
🩵 Persuasion vibes

“My heart is as much yours as it was seven years ago, when I let you go.”

I loved Ava and Jett! I loved that they were finally able to work things out, and the deep love and commitment they had for each other.

I loved the themes of not letting mistakes and fear hold you back, and not to stop fighting for what’s important to you.

Thanks to the author for a gifted copy!

[Jordyn Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

80% (and I’m not exaggerating at all) of this book was the MMC in a relationship with another woman and then he had one conversation with the FMC and they got back together. Terrible

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

ummm, what did i just read?! WOW! i read this is one sitting and i never get to do that anymore, but i could not put this down from page one. it all feels like a fever dream. 😅

first of all, i love that this was i inspired by persuasion; it’s one of my favorites by austen! i really enjoyed the subtle nods which allowed the comeback to completely stand on its own.

second, if you’re looking for all the yearning and pining — look no further. this book made me absolutely ache. 😩 the slow burn is so excruciatingly sweet. i loved it. there was so much hurt between jett and ava, but i loved the growth they went through as they unpacked it.

lastly, there is an element to this story that may bother some readers. i actually thought it worked really well in this instance and i felt it was necessary for jett’s growth. in addition to the this incredibly swoony romance, there were a lot of fun moments with secondary characters! i absolutely loved miss maggie. there was also a lot of football so i can’t recommend this enough for lovers of second chances and sports romance!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main characters were pretty whiny throughout most of the story. Very predictable too.

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Comeback is a sweet second chance sports romance. It's also inspired by Persuasion. I've never read Jane Austen 😲 so I didn't make that connection on my own.

Jett and Ava were high-school sweethearts who struggled making long distance work in college. To ease the stress, Ava switched schools to be with Jett but before college ended, so did their relationship.

Seven years later, after no contact, they are back in each other's orbit due to mutual friends.

I really enjoyed this romance. It was in the short side, not quite a novella but all of the characters were so well developed which is impressive given the length.

It was my first by this author and I will definitely read more by her.

[Jesmin Nawaz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Umm, wtf was this book. I always love a good second chance romance but this book did not deliver at all. For over 80% of the book the story does not move forward at all. At one point I was afraid this was a duet and I thought there was a whole other book to dig into their past and come to terms with it. But nothing of that sort happened. Jett is actively dating an influencer who seems so genuine at first but then suddenly is a two faced bitch and unapologetic about basically using Jett to get into his friend circle. This book needed an "other woman" trope label/warning because I would not have read this book. When Ava finally tells him why she left him, it's such a basic reason that it's nearly pointless for having lost that time. They have one conversation and suddenly everything is ok - Jett forgives her and they move on to their HEA. GTFOH!!

The only thing going for this book is some banter here and there. Gabrielle and Ava had more chemistry than Jett and Ava. I feel like I'm reading a different book from all the 5-4 star reviews. This book also needed a "no spice" trop label - maybe that's why the chemistry was lacking between the MMC and FMC.

[Nydia Escobar Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gaadammit. I really liked it, but I feel like I was waiting for things to escalate romantically the entire book.

I'm going with 4 stars because i was still invested in the story and characters and their HEA. Just know that there is ZERO spice. lol

Never read a sports romance without it, so i was just thrown off, but its IS good, so its a safe choice if you're into something more PG with all the angst and humor that is expected in a good sports romance. :)

[Rhonda 🌒🌕🌘 🐈‍⬛ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was pretty good. Bittersweet and sweet. I’d die if I was allergic to avocados!

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am ALL over sports romance books and this football one is a keeper for the following reasons:

- it’s a Persuasion retelling!!!!!!!!
- this is a kissing only book
- Jett. Jett. Jett. 🔥 (the cover brings it)
- great friendships
- football players and well hello uniforms
- characters I want to know more about
- believable growth in Ava (classy girl)
- second chances are my jam (see first reason and know my North and South, Pride and Prejudice, and Anne of Green Gables obsession is all about this trope🫶🏼)
- the angst (and ok, drama) of said second chance is addicting

So enjoyable and completely satisfying! Looking forward to more!

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE
-sports romance

CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: kisses
-⚠️: allergic reaction on page (EpiPen required)

This was a cute, pretty quick read! Ava and Jett were engaged in college, but when Jett mentioned quitting football to get a job to help with Ava's rent and tuition, she left. She couldn't bear to be the reason he gave up on his dream. Fast forward seven years and they are back in each other's orbits for the first time. Tension is definitely present...but is it hate or desire?

Apparently this is loosely based on Persuasion. I'm gonna be honest with you: I've never read it. I'm not even sure if I've seen the movie. All that to say, I can't really comment on how it aligns with that story. On its own, though, it's cute! I'll definitely be reading the next in the series.

Favorite Quotes:
-“Jett,” she says, and I’m leaning in close to her so her breath puffs against my cheek. I lean back a little so I can see her face, that same so-serious expression from a moment before. “Yeah?” I ask, my eyebrows rising as I wonder what’s coming next. A smile creeps onto my lips too. She drops her voice to a whisper. “Your butt still looks so good in those football pants.”

-Of course I watched it on TV, because even though I walked away, I never really quit him. Not fully.

-“I would have been fine without football. I haven’t been fine without you.”

-“You’ll never be perfect. That’s okay. You’re human. But don’t let mistakes and fear hold you down, okay?”

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava, an event planner, is running her best friend’s high-profile wedding, only to find herself face-to-face with Jett McCombs—the man she left behind eight years ago to protect his promising football career. The twist? He’s a groomsman, and while she’s moved on professionally, her heart hasn’t. Jett, now a successful pro athlete, is battling his own unresolved emotions, torn between the pain of their past and the undeniable feelings that resurface as they work together on their friends' wedding.

I'm a big fan of second-chance romances. I love to see couples work things out and try again, and that's what we see Ava and Jett do. This is a slow-burn romance. As Ave and Jett's story unfolds we learn why she left and see both characters come to terms with their lingering feelings about it. These two never really got over each other. The chemistry between Ava and Jett is undeniable, and their journey towards rekindling their relationship is heartening.

If you're looking for a feel-good romance with a touch of angst, The Comeback is definitely worth checking out. It's also a sports romance and a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion if that will help convince you to read it.

I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

[Tiffany (Work Kids N Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ava. He still has feelings for you. No one hangs on to hurt that long without hanging on to the love too.”

This read was a heartfelt sports romance. Being in love with your high school sweetheart, getting engaged, then having them leave is a hard thing to reconcile. Especially when you run into them unexpectedly 8 years later.

The best part about this story is, this is a Persuasion retelling!

The characters are complex and the story keeps you coming back for more. The encouragement and warnings given are spot on. Such a great modern retelling!

Read this book if you like:
🏈 Janette Austen
🏈 Second Chances
🏈 Relentless Best Friends
🏈 Boundaries
🏈 Planning Events
🏈 Beating Rivals
🏈 Dating

I received a complimentary copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wish this one had worked out better for me. It definitely had potential, and the writing was done really well! However, for me, the relationship was truly lacking.

For a second chance romance to work for me, it has to be done right. In this one, we didn't get to see a whole lot of relationship building between our main characters... We were mostly in the present, not the past. Because of this, it felt like we we're mainly told of their strong past connection, not shown.

I honestly felt zero chemistry between Jett and Ava. He always thought the worst of her, and was extremely dismissive of her feelings numerous times. He chose to trust a woman he just met over his close friends and ex-fiancee. Ava was a great character, but she had more chemistry with the other guy (who's name I literally can't remember). Actually, most of the book was spent building up Ava's relationship with this guy when it was clear they were never ending up together.

[Joe Lipiec · Rating 2 out of 5]

a writing assignment for some class?

While technically correct writing, there are serious issues with the story telling. Logical inconsistencies plague the story. Why, for example, is it a PR issue if he is photographed with his Ex when he is single? The solution is to date somebody else so if the Ex is seen with him, it will an innocent encounter. A character prays a lot but supports porn in schools

The story is a long one but lacks substance, like the author is trying to get the word count up.

On the other hand, it is not porn pretending to be a romantic trope.

[Avery Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars ⭐

This entire book was so dumb and the .5 is only bc the ending was ok (but not really).

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Chance romances aren’t my favorite, but most of the time I find them decent and full of love. I really loved the first half of the book, but eventually I noticed the romance between the FMC and MMC was basically nonexistent.

Both characters wanted each other, but they had very little chemistry. It almost seemed like they only wanted each other because the other was unavailable at the moment. It’s been 8 years. Outside of careers, they know nothing about each other and don’t attempt to learn anything throughout the book.

On another note, this book filled me with anxiety. Our main character is so preoccupied with not messing up her friend’s wedding that everything she does is tinged with worry. We’re constantly on edge, waiting for something to go wrong, and eventually, it does. I don’t know if that makes sense, but I was more concerned about someone ruining the wedding than the actual romance.

I would have loved to see our main characters slowly falling in love again. Doing small things together. Learning new things about one another. Honestly, anything that showed us why these characters should be together.

Overall it was a decent book. It definitely lacks romance but a good story overall.

[lídia · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH HOW I LOVE LOVE 💓 THIS BOOK IS SO FREAKING GOOD!!!!!! AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, PHENOMENAL 😭💘😍
It has been such a long time since a book made me cry, specially a romance so beautiful and pure like this one (It's not sad, I just think this is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. And I also wish someday I'll live a love story as half as amazing as this one, preferably without the seven years apart lol). I loved every single page of this. With every chapter, I would get even more invested in this couple. And I also wanted to mention that Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen's, so my standards to books and media based on it are high.
I couldn't recommend it enough and can't wait to re-read it. Also, miss Ranee S. Clark, you're one of my favorite authors now. I just can't believe how lucky I am that the KU algorithm recommended me this book 💘

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this second chance sports romance! High school sweethearts gone wrong had me hooked from the very first moment. Clark does an amazing job of pulling the reader in and keeping them there. There was so much emotional baggage in this story and I wasn’t sure how the characters would ever wade through it all. In this modern day version of The Persuasion, readers will fall in love with the characters and be rooting for them throughout the book. The pull between Jett and Ava was palpable and I was going crazy wanting them to get back together. But with all of the hurt and baggage, I wasn’t sure if it was even possible. Romance with all kinds of drama, this is one story you don’t want to miss! Fans of sports romance and second chance romance will love this book! I received a complimentary copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[cheyanne jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 2nd chance romance. Very cute! It was well written and the character building was done well. Tiny miscommunication where I was like "JUST TELL HIM WHY YOU DID IT!!" so that speaks to how the author gets you invested in the characters. Such a sweet ending.

[Daniela G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 estrellas 🌟

(17/12/25)

[Cindy Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

adorable story

[Cerelia Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute love story of two people reconnecting after being apart for years. Not spicy at all but cute.

[Maria Merced · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5. ⭐️ This was a cute sweet read. If you like football but clean romance. Read this book. 🏈 there is a bonus Epilogue if you sign up.

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.76 rating for this second chance romance. He is a football player and she ends their engagement. Eight years later, his sister plays matchmaker with this two.

Hoopla listen 🎶

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ rounded up. This was such a cute second chance romance! All story, no spice.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 so cute! looking forward to rest of the series <3

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Persuasion so this book being inspired by it definitely checked some boxes for me.