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Southern Sports Sweethearts #2
The Interception
When the opportunity of a lifetime knocks on your door, you probably shouldn’t slam it in his face.
Chef in training Layne Rossi is determined to prove her personal twist on popular foods can build a successful restaurant. She only needs to convince investors to take a chance on her. But with each failed attempt to impress, her dream of becoming a popular chef loses a bit of its sparkle.
When Layne enters a cook-off in Charleston, she doesn’t hold out much hope that it will be her big break. After all, she is going against five-time champion, Ender Langley.
The Charleston Timberwolves running back Ender Langley is in deep trouble. Between practice, games, and helping his widowed sister and her daughter, he doesn’t have enough time for sleep, let alone the cook-off. But winning again means providing a home for his sister and niece, so he pushes through the exhaustion.
He doesn’t anticipate one of the other contestants attempting to murder him with seafood. Then again, he also doesn’t mean to knock her unconscious with a bad throw. And he definitely doesn’t mean to kidnap her.
The Interception is a sweet, meet disaster, “rivals” to lovers romance with light faith elements and a side of comedy!
Chef in training Layne Rossi is determined to prove her personal twist on popular foods can build a successful restaurant. She only needs to convince investors to take a chance on her. But with each failed attempt to impress, her dream of becoming a popular chef loses a bit of its sparkle.
When Layne enters a cook-off in Charleston, she doesn’t hold out much hope that it will be her big break. After all, she is going against five-time champion, Ender Langley.
The Charleston Timberwolves running back Ender Langley is in deep trouble. Between practice, games, and helping his widowed sister and her daughter, he doesn’t have enough time for sleep, let alone the cook-off. But winning again means providing a home for his sister and niece, so he pushes through the exhaustion.
He doesn’t anticipate one of the other contestants attempting to murder him with seafood. Then again, he also doesn’t mean to knock her unconscious with a bad throw. And he definitely doesn’t mean to kidnap her.
The Interception is a sweet, meet disaster, “rivals” to lovers romance with light faith elements and a side of comedy!
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2025
32 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Padgett
74 books201 followersM. J. Padgett is first and foremost a mom. Her free-spirited daughter has quite the vivid imagination, and her antics sometimes find their way into her mommy’s work. She is a lover of all things chocolate, a Grimm and Dickens addict, a self-proclaimed smarty-pants, and an introvert to the core.
Writing is her true passion (after raising her daughter, of course), and she writes as often as possible. One of her favorite things about writing is creating a world where people can escape reality for a little while, maybe even walk away feeling hopeful about the real world around them. When it comes to reading, she loves a book that can make her forget where she is no matter the genre. If she can get lost and feel like the characters are her real friends, she’s a happy reader.
Writing is her true passion (after raising her daughter, of course), and she writes as often as possible. One of her favorite things about writing is creating a world where people can escape reality for a little while, maybe even walk away feeling hopeful about the real world around them. When it comes to reading, she loves a book that can make her forget where she is no matter the genre. If she can get lost and feel like the characters are her real friends, she’s a happy reader.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 9, 2025
I loved this story! It’s the second book in the Southern Sports Sweethearts series and Layne is the sister of Andrew Rossi from book one. And while you do not have to have read book one to love this one, it was fun to see Andrew and Charlotte appear a bit in the beginning and ending of The Interception.
I just loved everything about this book. The author did a great job with creating a meet cute that had my heart actually hurting. Ender and Layne work things out and actually become wonderful partners for the cooking competition. And it’s clear that feelings are growing between them.
Layne ends up being just what Ender and his sister need in order to start pulling themselves out of the grief that they are mired in. It was sweet to see how well she fit into their little family, but there were a lot of emotions for Ender to work through before he would allow himself to consider the possibility of love.
This was such a good story with characters that will stick with me for a long time.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I just loved everything about this book. The author did a great job with creating a meet cute that had my heart actually hurting. Ender and Layne work things out and actually become wonderful partners for the cooking competition. And it’s clear that feelings are growing between them.
Layne ends up being just what Ender and his sister need in order to start pulling themselves out of the grief that they are mired in. It was sweet to see how well she fit into their little family, but there were a lot of emotions for Ender to work through before he would allow himself to consider the possibility of love.
This was such a good story with characters that will stick with me for a long time.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
August 13, 2025
Know what I love so much about M.J. Padgett's books? That I just get lost in them. I get completely caught up in every story she writes, and these characters live in my head for a long long time.
I really enjoy that the characters in The Interception and adults not only in age, but also in maturity. If they have issues, they talk about it. And who doesn't love a protective man? Ender takes care of his sister and niece after his brother in law passed.
I love the love for family they all have.
And I'm kinda wondering if we can get a story on that nasty grumpy chef? Why is he the way he is, M.J? 😉
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
I really enjoy that the characters in The Interception and adults not only in age, but also in maturity. If they have issues, they talk about it. And who doesn't love a protective man? Ender takes care of his sister and niece after his brother in law passed.
I love the love for family they all have.
And I'm kinda wondering if we can get a story on that nasty grumpy chef? Why is he the way he is, M.J? 😉
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
September 6, 2025
This was such a sweet book. The characters are amazing
September 25, 2025
Layne + Ender - this one was really sweet. We get football and a cook-off. The stakes are high with this competition. Ender needs to win to help out his family & Layne needs the investors to have a reason to take a chance on her. They pair up after a rough start and begin practicing together. There are a lot of funny moments in this one and faith themes. I loved how he literally runs after her! I am really enjoying this series & am excited for the next book!
*This is a clean read with no foul language & kissing only.
*This is a clean read with no foul language & kissing only.
August 23, 2025
Such a sweet read involving Layne, a chef in training who enters a cook off courtesy of her sister-in-law. After Ender, a football player, and Layne started off at on the wrong foot, they are paired up. Both have entered the cook off for various reasons. Loved the tension, dynamics, romance, and chemistry between the two of them. Looking forward to book 3.
August 11, 2025
This one was a great romantic and sweet sports romance! I really enjoyed the start with the fun enemies vibes! And the cooking competition aspect is so fun! I love the competitive nature of Layne and Ender was fun and added a great layer.
Their story had depth, romance, comedy, and honesty. I enjoyed their story so much! The first cooking scene between Layne and Ender was so good! Loved their draw to each other and the tension between those two was wonderful. I really enjoyed the depth between these two characters and the raw emotions. Ender and Layne had some great slow burn and such a relatable romance and character growth.
Ender and Layne's story was relatable and naturally paced. They had some great tension and I loved how natural the second-guessing was, not forced at all to fit the story.
I am excited to see how the rest of the stories go and I can't wait for some of the side characters to get their own stories too!
Their story had depth, romance, comedy, and honesty. I enjoyed their story so much! The first cooking scene between Layne and Ender was so good! Loved their draw to each other and the tension between those two was wonderful. I really enjoyed the depth between these two characters and the raw emotions. Ender and Layne had some great slow burn and such a relatable romance and character growth.
Ender and Layne's story was relatable and naturally paced. They had some great tension and I loved how natural the second-guessing was, not forced at all to fit the story.
I am excited to see how the rest of the stories go and I can't wait for some of the side characters to get their own stories too!
August 12, 2025
Layne is a trained chef looking for work but nowhere is hiring. She doesn’t know what her next step should be. Her sister-in-law Lottie secretly signs her up for a cooking competition where the prize money could help her open up her own restaurant.
Ender plays football for the Timberwolves who need to win games for the team to stay open. On top of that pressure he also is taking care of his grieving sister and niece. Ender wants to win the cooking competition so he can give the money to his sister Sarah Beth to help her make a new life. He’s won it before six times so how hard can it be?
The competition rules have changed this year and the competitors have to work in pairs. Ender and Layne get paired up and the kitchen isn’t the only thing heating up 🔥
Ender plays football for the Timberwolves who need to win games for the team to stay open. On top of that pressure he also is taking care of his grieving sister and niece. Ender wants to win the cooking competition so he can give the money to his sister Sarah Beth to help her make a new life. He’s won it before six times so how hard can it be?
The competition rules have changed this year and the competitors have to work in pairs. Ender and Layne get paired up and the kitchen isn’t the only thing heating up 🔥
July 22, 2025
M.J. Padgett has quickly become a must-read author for me... and with stories like this, is it any surprise why? She always does such a great job of creating characters that draw me in and blending romance that will have me swooning with elements of faith that feel very natural within the story/characters' lives. And I love it all. Layna and Ender didn't get off the best start, to say the least. As competitors in a cooking competition, they both have good reason to need the prize money-- her to open her own restaurant and him to help out his sister. But this rivalry between them doesn't last too long once they're paired up as a team and forced to get to know each other. The chemistry between them was evident right from the start. I loved how they kind of became a safe place for each other, and just really made a fantastic team... both in their competition and personally. It was the perfect blend of moments that made me smile and those that brought more emotion, and I loved it. If you're a fan of sports romance and cooking competitions, this will certainly be a must read.
The Interception is a faith-filled closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. This is the second book in the Southern Sports Sweethearts series. While those who have read the first book will see some familiar characters make an appearance, I do believe this one could be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Interception is a faith-filled closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. This is the second book in the Southern Sports Sweethearts series. While those who have read the first book will see some familiar characters make an appearance, I do believe this one could be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
July 15, 2025
Yall this was such a cute book!!!!
I received an ARC copy for an honest review.
Seriously I loved the cuteness of this soo much!! It was really light on the “rivals” (hence the quotation marks😄) to lovers because pretty much once Ender and Layne spent more time together that was it 😍. Oh sure there was resistance at first but they worked so well together and felt like they were each others missing piece that it wasn’t long till the feelings began feeling. But a few mixed signals and such and a competition that they both needed to win does pose a few challenges.
M. J. did it again with her relatable characters and hardships and romance and just all the things she writes so well!! It’s always a great book for me when the guy realizes he can be vulnerable with the girl and be safe. I love that so much because that’s not something a lot of guys have or are taught to be and it just always hits the feels for me. 🥹🥹. It does it when the girl realizes that as well of course! But there’s just something about a man finding that!!
So go go go preorder this!!! I love this new series and can’t wait for the next!!
Few favorite things
👩🍳her dancing unabashedly in the kitchen with his sister and niece
🏈him telling her it’s ok whenever something goes wrong in the competition
👩🍳her cooking for him after he shares his grief with her
🏈their hugs being what the other needed
👩🍳ALLL the kisses (especially those pesky forehead/cheek ones🫠🫠 😂)
🏈👩🍳 And soo much more!!!
I received an ARC copy for an honest review.
Seriously I loved the cuteness of this soo much!! It was really light on the “rivals” (hence the quotation marks😄) to lovers because pretty much once Ender and Layne spent more time together that was it 😍. Oh sure there was resistance at first but they worked so well together and felt like they were each others missing piece that it wasn’t long till the feelings began feeling. But a few mixed signals and such and a competition that they both needed to win does pose a few challenges.
M. J. did it again with her relatable characters and hardships and romance and just all the things she writes so well!! It’s always a great book for me when the guy realizes he can be vulnerable with the girl and be safe. I love that so much because that’s not something a lot of guys have or are taught to be and it just always hits the feels for me. 🥹🥹. It does it when the girl realizes that as well of course! But there’s just something about a man finding that!!
So go go go preorder this!!! I love this new series and can’t wait for the next!!
Few favorite things
👩🍳her dancing unabashedly in the kitchen with his sister and niece
🏈him telling her it’s ok whenever something goes wrong in the competition
👩🍳her cooking for him after he shares his grief with her
🏈their hugs being what the other needed
👩🍳ALLL the kisses (especially those pesky forehead/cheek ones🫠🫠 😂)
🏈👩🍳 And soo much more!!!
July 30, 2025
The Interception is the second book of the Southern Sports Sweethearts series by M.J. Padgett and this time Layne, the little sister of the MMC of book 1, gets her own romance and HEA.
This book was so sweet, I really enjoyed Layne and Ender together.
They had a rough start, but the rival part of the story gets quickly resolved and they start working as a team. I love this about Padgett’s books - there is no unnecessary drama and if there is a misunderstanding, in the end, the characters just talk about it like adults.
The romance was really cute, but my favorite part was how Ender cared for his widowed sister and his niece. Layne helped him address his own grief and while I have not been in this specific situation, I think a lot of us know the (unnecessary) guilt of grieving when someone else has “more reason to grieve”. I think you know what I want to say. We all need a safe space to grieve, no matter if there was someone closer to the person we lost and Layne was this for Ender while also encouraging his sister to just live.
Padgett has a wonderful way of portraying heavy topics in a way that feels real but doesn't drag you down. There is always hope in her stories. I also enjoy the light faith themes of her stories, the humor and the relationships between friends and siblings in her books.
I think it’s obvious who will get a book in this series at one point and I am so looking forward to it!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
This book was so sweet, I really enjoyed Layne and Ender together.
They had a rough start, but the rival part of the story gets quickly resolved and they start working as a team. I love this about Padgett’s books - there is no unnecessary drama and if there is a misunderstanding, in the end, the characters just talk about it like adults.
The romance was really cute, but my favorite part was how Ender cared for his widowed sister and his niece. Layne helped him address his own grief and while I have not been in this specific situation, I think a lot of us know the (unnecessary) guilt of grieving when someone else has “more reason to grieve”. I think you know what I want to say. We all need a safe space to grieve, no matter if there was someone closer to the person we lost and Layne was this for Ender while also encouraging his sister to just live.
Padgett has a wonderful way of portraying heavy topics in a way that feels real but doesn't drag you down. There is always hope in her stories. I also enjoy the light faith themes of her stories, the humor and the relationships between friends and siblings in her books.
I think it’s obvious who will get a book in this series at one point and I am so looking forward to it!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
September 30, 2025
📚 Series: Southern Sports Sweethearts (Book 2)
🎭 Genre: Romcom
🥜 In a Nutshell: A chef hoping to open her own restaurant enters a cooking contest to impress investors. She partners with a football player that has won the past several years and needs to win again to support his family.
✅ Rivals to friends to more
✅ Cooking competition
✅ Family & faith
I am loving this series because it has the sports romcom moments that I love but also a lot of heart with the family and faith elements. Ender and Layne were rivals to start but decided to work together in the competition and became friends. Their friendship gives them a solid foundation for their feelings to develop. It also made for stronger feelings by helping each other as friends, both in the competition and in their family lives. They both shared a faith that helped guide them and they opened up about their struggles to each other. There were some funny moments that I enjoyed but the friendship and their family moments took the story deeper and I loved those moments the most. All in all, another great addition to the series and I really hope that there will be a Sarah Beth and Leo story at some point as I really enjoyed their side story too!
🎭 Genre: Romcom
🥜 In a Nutshell: A chef hoping to open her own restaurant enters a cooking contest to impress investors. She partners with a football player that has won the past several years and needs to win again to support his family.
✅ Rivals to friends to more
✅ Cooking competition
✅ Family & faith
I am loving this series because it has the sports romcom moments that I love but also a lot of heart with the family and faith elements. Ender and Layne were rivals to start but decided to work together in the competition and became friends. Their friendship gives them a solid foundation for their feelings to develop. It also made for stronger feelings by helping each other as friends, both in the competition and in their family lives. They both shared a faith that helped guide them and they opened up about their struggles to each other. There were some funny moments that I enjoyed but the friendship and their family moments took the story deeper and I loved those moments the most. All in all, another great addition to the series and I really hope that there will be a Sarah Beth and Leo story at some point as I really enjoyed their side story too!
August 17, 2025
The Interception by M.J. Padgett is the kind of romcom that makes you laugh out loud one minute and swoon the next! With the perfect mix of, hilarious banter, sweet romance, and light faith elements, this story completely stole my heart! I don’t know why I haven’t binge read her backlist of books yet?!
I was cracking up just from the first lines! Layne and Ender are perfect for each other despite their meet disaster 🤭
I love when there is cooking involved and this book made me so hungry while reading it. The heat in the kitchen between Ender and Layne was 🔥
It just felt like they knew each other in another life and were able to be vulnerable so early on. Layne would show up for him and Ender would show up for her 😭
The way Ender has stepped up to take care of his sister and niece was so heartwarming.
He didn’t have to do that but that just shows his character. Layne was the missing puzzle piece he didn’t know he needed! I already want to go back and read this again!
✨ Tropes you’ll love:
🏈Football
💘Rivals to more
🥘Cooking competition
🤭Accidental kidnapping
🔥Forced proximity
I was cracking up just from the first lines! Layne and Ender are perfect for each other despite their meet disaster 🤭
I love when there is cooking involved and this book made me so hungry while reading it. The heat in the kitchen between Ender and Layne was 🔥
It just felt like they knew each other in another life and were able to be vulnerable so early on. Layne would show up for him and Ender would show up for her 😭
The way Ender has stepped up to take care of his sister and niece was so heartwarming.
He didn’t have to do that but that just shows his character. Layne was the missing puzzle piece he didn’t know he needed! I already want to go back and read this again!
✨ Tropes you’ll love:
🏈Football
💘Rivals to more
🥘Cooking competition
🤭Accidental kidnapping
🔥Forced proximity
August 12, 2025
Content Warning: This wonderful story mentions the loss of one of the side characters' husband and the ensuing grief.
The Interception is the second book in the Southern Sports Sweethearts series and if you haven't read the previous novel yet, I would highly recommend it, as the main characters make several appearances.
This sweet romance is filled with some wonderful moments from some very relatable characters. From Layne's struggles with confidence to Ender's devotion to his sister and niece. The contrast of the cooking competition was nice to the other sweeter moments in the Interception.
If you enjoy sweet sports-filled romances, like the Dating a Denver Dragon series, or the Appies Hockey series I would highly recommend the Interception.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
The Interception is the second book in the Southern Sports Sweethearts series and if you haven't read the previous novel yet, I would highly recommend it, as the main characters make several appearances.
This sweet romance is filled with some wonderful moments from some very relatable characters. From Layne's struggles with confidence to Ender's devotion to his sister and niece. The contrast of the cooking competition was nice to the other sweeter moments in the Interception.
If you enjoy sweet sports-filled romances, like the Dating a Denver Dragon series, or the Appies Hockey series I would highly recommend the Interception.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
September 16, 2025
Alright, I’ve never read an MJ Padgett book before and that definitely needs to change. This was such a delightful read. I wanted to read it now while football was going on and I’m glad I did because I loved that it was a fall read. I loved the food competition aspect of this one. It was such a fun added dynamic! Prayer was interwoven in this story and I appreciated seeing little aspects of it throughout.
Layne was so bubbly and fun and the way she immediately connected with Sarah Beth and Lulu was also such a lovely relationship. I liked her no nonsense attitude and her character was so fun.
Ender was sweet if not sometimes completely clueless guy. I really liked how much he loved his sister and niece and his desire to take care of them.
All in all this was a fun read and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it! I can’t wait to read more from this author!
CW: closed door (kisses only), loss of spouse for side character (happens in past)
Layne was so bubbly and fun and the way she immediately connected with Sarah Beth and Lulu was also such a lovely relationship. I liked her no nonsense attitude and her character was so fun.
Ender was sweet if not sometimes completely clueless guy. I really liked how much he loved his sister and niece and his desire to take care of them.
All in all this was a fun read and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it! I can’t wait to read more from this author!
CW: closed door (kisses only), loss of spouse for side character (happens in past)
August 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this clean southern sports story! I love the characters and how miscommunication are resolved in pages not chapters. I love the concept of the cooking contest and how Layne grows in confidence. Im excited for more in this world! Once I started I finished in a day I loved the balance of realistic challenges but positive outlook and thought it was cozy, well as cozy as the heat and humidity can be in the south in the fall! I received an ARC from the author but my review is honest and my own opinion.
August 10, 2025
Such a fun story for Layne and Ender! I loved the overprotective, sensitive athlete falling for the focused but down on her luck chef. Throw in his grieving sister, who I might say needs a book of her own written, and a fun niece and this book is complete. So many fun twists with the cooking competition, but just enough romance and family to make it believable. A must read with a clean happy ending.
August 23, 2025
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Layne & Ender’s points of view
*Layne is Andrew’s (from Caught Stealing) sister
– both characters are Christians & speak to each other about elements of their faith (prayer, giving things to God, etc)
-it is mentioned that a character’s best friend/spouse passed a few months prior in an accident
Review:
This story almost made me cry (from all the emotions in the book)! I loved Layne and Ender’s romance and how many different steps there was to it! 😂 From their rough start to their partnership to their fighting feelings moments it was all so good! I adored Ender’s sister (Sarah Beth) and his niece and how they helped bring Ender and Layne closer together. I also loved getting to see Layne’s brother and sister-in-law (their story was Caught Stealing) and where they were at in their lives at this point!
I’m really hoping we might get a story for Sarah Beth & Ender’s teammate in the future! 😍
Summary:
Layne is a professional chef with a unique spin on her dishes. But finding a job that’ll take her in is hard. Sure her brother would happily keep her employed, but Layne has bigger aspirations than being her brother’s personal chef. In the long run she’d love to have her own restaurant, but only if she makes her own way every step of the way. Though a cooking competition wouldn’t have been her choice to sign up for, she can’t deny that her recent job interviews and the prize money make for a very attractive last chance of sorts. Even if it means working with someone who dismissed her based off her past competition experience…
Ender is the running back for the Charleston Timberwolves and has most of his time already filled to the brim between work and spending time with his widowed sister and niece. He really doesn’t have enough time for the cook-off competition this year despite being the reigning champion. But the prize money would be a way Ender could help provide his sister with a home of her own after the trouble given to her when her husband unexpectedly passed. Ender can’t give his chance up to an unknown, but with everyone else already paired off he has to take a chance on Layne as a partner in the competition. That is if she’ll even accept him after how quickly he dismissed her as an option…
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Layne & Ender’s points of view
*Layne is Andrew’s (from Caught Stealing) sister
– both characters are Christians & speak to each other about elements of their faith (prayer, giving things to God, etc)
-it is mentioned that a character’s best friend/spouse passed a few months prior in an accident
Review:
This story almost made me cry (from all the emotions in the book)! I loved Layne and Ender’s romance and how many different steps there was to it! 😂 From their rough start to their partnership to their fighting feelings moments it was all so good! I adored Ender’s sister (Sarah Beth) and his niece and how they helped bring Ender and Layne closer together. I also loved getting to see Layne’s brother and sister-in-law (their story was Caught Stealing) and where they were at in their lives at this point!
I’m really hoping we might get a story for Sarah Beth & Ender’s teammate in the future! 😍
Summary:
Layne is a professional chef with a unique spin on her dishes. But finding a job that’ll take her in is hard. Sure her brother would happily keep her employed, but Layne has bigger aspirations than being her brother’s personal chef. In the long run she’d love to have her own restaurant, but only if she makes her own way every step of the way. Though a cooking competition wouldn’t have been her choice to sign up for, she can’t deny that her recent job interviews and the prize money make for a very attractive last chance of sorts. Even if it means working with someone who dismissed her based off her past competition experience…
Ender is the running back for the Charleston Timberwolves and has most of his time already filled to the brim between work and spending time with his widowed sister and niece. He really doesn’t have enough time for the cook-off competition this year despite being the reigning champion. But the prize money would be a way Ender could help provide his sister with a home of her own after the trouble given to her when her husband unexpectedly passed. Ender can’t give his chance up to an unknown, but with everyone else already paired off he has to take a chance on Layne as a partner in the competition. That is if she’ll even accept him after how quickly he dismissed her as an option…
August 11, 2025
🏈REVIEW🏈
I’m going to say this once again… M.J. Padgett’s contemporary novels are very comforting. I had just caught a bad bug when I started this book and I couldn’t have started reading at a better time. Like her other books, The Interception is cute, humorous, faith-filled, and touching.
The characters in The Southern Sports Sweethearts series are charming, sweet, and doing their best. Ender and Layne are adorable. They have a meet cute. Or is it a meet hate? I loved watching them dance around each other. Especially Ender. Him trying to practice restraint was hilarious. The two had a lot of heartfelt moments as well.
Overall, The Interception was a sweet addition to The Southern Sports Sweethearts series. I CANNOT WAIT until the next one!
Thank you to M.J. Padgett for an ARC of The Interception. All opinions are my own.
No-Spice Rating: 1.5
Language: Clean
Faith Elements: Mentions of God and faith
I’m going to say this once again… M.J. Padgett’s contemporary novels are very comforting. I had just caught a bad bug when I started this book and I couldn’t have started reading at a better time. Like her other books, The Interception is cute, humorous, faith-filled, and touching.
The characters in The Southern Sports Sweethearts series are charming, sweet, and doing their best. Ender and Layne are adorable. They have a meet cute. Or is it a meet hate? I loved watching them dance around each other. Especially Ender. Him trying to practice restraint was hilarious. The two had a lot of heartfelt moments as well.
Overall, The Interception was a sweet addition to The Southern Sports Sweethearts series. I CANNOT WAIT until the next one!
Thank you to M.J. Padgett for an ARC of The Interception. All opinions are my own.
No-Spice Rating: 1.5
Language: Clean
Faith Elements: Mentions of God and faith
October 3, 2025
This sequel was cute too, but a little unbelievable. A pro football player also being a winning tailgate-food chef? haha. He didn't have enough money to give his sister without the prize money? They never even discussed how/if they would split the prize money? There were some weird factors, and thinking about it now, maybe I'd give it like a 4-, but it was still cute.
October 15, 2025
Competing in Football and Food
Layne and Ender's relationship is so much fun right from the beginning. I love how the whole sports and cooking competitions define who they are and how they work together. They are a perfect fit for each other. Their relationships with their own families and friends are important to the story as well. It's a sweet book from beginning to end.
Layne and Ender's relationship is so much fun right from the beginning. I love how the whole sports and cooking competitions define who they are and how they work together. They are a perfect fit for each other. Their relationships with their own families and friends are important to the story as well. It's a sweet book from beginning to end.
August 10, 2025
I love MJ's books!!!! This one was amazing!!
Layne and Ender's story was super adorable.
🏈 Instant Attraction
🏈 Cooking Competition
🏈 Forced Proximity
🏈 Meet Disaster
🏈 Sports RomCom
Thank you MJ for a copy of your book. This is my genuine review.
Layne and Ender's story was super adorable.
🏈 Instant Attraction
🏈 Cooking Competition
🏈 Forced Proximity
🏈 Meet Disaster
🏈 Sports RomCom
Thank you MJ for a copy of your book. This is my genuine review.
August 12, 2025
Beautiful
This book is great. Love Ender and Layne. They had such great chemistry and the tension was so much fun.
There is something really beautiful about the way faith is woven into the story. It's subtle, but very real.
A great sweet sports romance with great characters.
This book is great. Love Ender and Layne. They had such great chemistry and the tension was so much fun.
There is something really beautiful about the way faith is woven into the story. It's subtle, but very real.
A great sweet sports romance with great characters.
September 3, 2025
Bonus star for a main character named Layne :)
October 22, 2025
Just wow
December 3, 2025
Good book!
I enjoyed reading this sweet story, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series soon.
I enjoyed reading this sweet story, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series soon.
August 28, 2025
The Interception by M.J. Padgett is a delightful, faith-filled, closed-door romance full of comedy, chemistry, and heart. Chef-in-training Layne Rossi is determined to prove herself in a cooking competition, while running back Ender Langley is pushed to his limits trying to provide for his family. Their rivalry is intense—but when they’re forced to team up, sparks fly in all the best ways.
I loved the premise of the cook-off and how Padgett blended romance, faith, and humor naturally into the story. Layne and Ender’s chemistry was instant, and I adored seeing them become a safe place for each other, both in the competition and personally. Their story had depth, slow-burn romance, relatable character growth, and just the right mix of tension, swoon, and laughs.
Even better, familiar characters from the first book make appearances, but this story stands perfectly well on its own. Between the fun enemies-to-lovers start, the cooking competition antics, and the heartfelt moments, this was an absolute joy to read. I can’t wait to see whose story comes next in the Southern Sports Sweethearts series!
ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
August 26, 2025
Just wow🙌🏼 I loved this book so much! It was such a cute rivals to lovers story that will have you giggling and crying, sometimes in the same chapter!
This is a beautifully written story that touches on the grief of losing a loved one and dealing with the heart-wrenching pain of that. You will fall in love with all the characters🥹
I am hoping so badly that we will be getting a Leo and Sarah book in the future👀😂
I seriously loved this story🫶🏼
🧑🏼🍳Rivals to Lovers
💕He Runs After Her
🧑🏼🍳Sports Romance
💕Pro Chef
🧑🏼🍳Faith Themes
💕Cooking Contest
🧑🏼🍳No Spice
This is a beautifully written story that touches on the grief of losing a loved one and dealing with the heart-wrenching pain of that. You will fall in love with all the characters🥹
I am hoping so badly that we will be getting a Leo and Sarah book in the future👀😂
I seriously loved this story🫶🏼
🧑🏼🍳Rivals to Lovers
💕He Runs After Her
🧑🏼🍳Sports Romance
💕Pro Chef
🧑🏼🍳Faith Themes
💕Cooking Contest
🧑🏼🍳No Spice
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