Protecting Player #73: Portland, Settlers

by K.L. Donn

Each week, warriors clash on the gridiron to claim victory. Through blood, sweat, and broken bones, the battle rages on. To these warriors, football is more than a game, it’s a religion, a way of life. Their determination and sacrifice echo with every snap, every tackle, and every touchdown.

The playbook is their scripture. The locker room is their sanctuary. The competition is their salvation. But off the field, these warriors continue to fight.

The true test of a warrior is not all about the battles won under the stadium lights, but in the fight for love off the turf. They push through pain, overcome obstacles, and strive for greatness. Not just for themselves, but in the pursuit of love.

Football may be their battlefield but love is their ultimate victory.

Join the authors of the Gridiron Warriors as they bring you right into the action and romance on and off the field.



Blurb coming soon!

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2025

About the author

Krystal writes as USA Today Bestselling Author KL Donn. Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, she has over 50 published books in differing romance genres. She enjoys making her readers cry as they go on a deep journey of love and loss through each book.

Experiencing her own insta-love at 17, Krystal has been with her husband for 18 years and they share 4 beautiful children together.
 
Fun facts about KL:
Perpetual romantic.
Coffee addict.
Sarcasm lover.
Give her an action flick over a romance. But a romance book over action. She’s weird like that.
Did she mention coffee addict?
Closet shopaholic.
Beach lover.
Coffee addict, it bears repeating. Again.
Husband obsessed. Hers that is, you can keep yours.
Mom of 6, well 7 if you count the husband. Oh and 2 of those are a cat & dog, that are confused about their species.

Reviews

[Mona Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Protecting player

I enjoyed the story line, the characters and the build up. And then.... nothing. Don't get me wrong, heat and everything but nothing about what happens to the bad people.
Maybe it's just me, but I wanted the closure about that. Otherwise it was a great story

[Lynne Garlick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a few minutes just to gather my thoughts!! This author, everything she touches turns to pure gold and this is no exception!!
My love for this author and all her words has no bounds! She manages to evoke every single emotion from me as I read her words. And again this book did it spades.
T.K? What can I say? Growly, obsessive, possessive. Not what he was expecting when he first meets Brea, but here we are! And I am here for it all!!! Oh my heart! The connection between them is *chef’s kiss!!
However, someone is out to ruin him and if they come after Brea? Well, get ready for fireworks!!
What a read!!!

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.K. is a typical professional football player, enjoying the perks of his fame. Then, one of his brief partners released a compromising video and suddenly everything is at risk. So the team hires a social media manager, Brea. She is bright and sweet, effervescent and charming. T.K. lays eyes on her and he is cooked. His whole viewpoint shifts and he is determined to be Brea's man. This was a delight, I dove into it and didn't resurface until I turned the last page! Brea sparkles, she is so sweet and genuine, I adored her. T.K. comes across as a typical jock at first. But then he meets Brea and he is struck with Cupid's arrow and he is consumed by her. He is so possessive and OTT, I loved watching him fall completely under her spell. LOVED IT!

[Ꭿຖᥲ·♡ ྀི · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5✯

-dual POV
-no separation
-virgin heroine
-manwhore H
-OTT possessive obsessed jealous hero
-insta love/lust for the H (the h has had a crush on him since she was a teenager)
-om - the h's asshole bff/roommate was into her but she was not interested
-ow - a random woman the H picked up after a game recorded them having sex and leaked the video, this woman caused a bit of drama
-H celibate after meeting the h, no cheating
-the H was a bit of a stalker (he installed cameras in her room, stole her panties, put a tracker on her phone, swapped out her birth control... the h did not get upset when he told her that he'd been stalking her, she actually like it)
-epilogue: a few months and 4 years later -married with 3 kids

[Francheska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tate or TK as everyone calls him is a player on the Portland Settlers football team . Brea is the social media manager hired to do damage control after a video surfaces of him in a very compromising position. What he doesn’t know is she has loved him since she was 16.. but in her 20’s she is still innocent .. he has never thought about settling down until he spends time w her and realizes he can never let her go !

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

TK made a bad decision that could cost him his football career. His coach and agent have hired Brea who is a social media manager. Brea has done an amazing job with every business she takes on and makes their social media followers increase with every post. TK sets his eyes on Brea and he is struck with cupids arrow. He changes to prove to her she is it for him. He is possessive and the things he does to get Brea will have your jaw dropping. Phenomenal beginning to the Gridiron Warriors.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book by KL Donn! KL is s ho to author for me and with this new one she didn’t disappoint. TK is a possessive alphahole and when he meets Brea his possessiveness goes through the roof. Brea is perfect for him in this new series about football players and the women who love them. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love K.L. Donn’s books and this is now one of my favorites!! I personally love a MMC that is unhinged, obsessed, and DIRTY!! T.K is crazy is the best way!! Insta love but it still had me grinning and enjoying the building relationship between the characters and the banter with the other players.
Super spicy!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh TK…. While not a bad guy, he does seem to make bad decisions when it comes to women. But his bad decisions “stop” when he meets Brea. And I use the term stop loosely. He just starts making decisions to make Brea his.

Ms Donn knows how to write possessive men and TK does not disappoint. You have a little bit of a forbidden aspect, a little mystery, a whole lot over the top jealous, possessive behavior, and the perfect spice.

[Amber Pickerill · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.K. Weston has a reputation, but it's time for it to be changed. When Brea is hired to help, the last thing he expected was to fall in love, lust, and be obsessed.
Its a quick, spicy read that sets up this new Gridiron Warriors series right!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a new to me author and I rather enjoyed this read. Good characters and a decent story, even though I wish it would've been a little longer. Too bad this author isn't on KU, I would definitely read more of her works.

[Rodgine · Rating 3 out of 5]

So all that and nothing bad happened to Erika? Or did I miss it? 😂

[Monika · Rating 1 out of 5]

"I want to knock her up and drink from her milk-filled breasts until she’s empty, then do it all over again."

N O P E!

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sa,e complaint as everyone. O repercussions for the chick

[maysen matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Fave!!

Protecting Player 73 follows football bad boy T.K. Weston and sweet social media manager Brea King.

T.K. and Brea start off rocky but things between them quickly become serious. T.K. is over-the-top possessive and protective of Brea, not to mention OBSESSED!

If you’re searching for an OTT hero and light and spirited heroine, look no further!