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Needing to Score #1
Kick Out of It
After helping Ireland win the World Cup, striker Ronan O’Leary spends the next year flirting with Nora Knightly, a stunning, ruthless reporter who interviewed him. Nora’s the epitome of off-limits, but when she moves to Ireland to cover his football club, Ronan lasts a total of three minutes before he throws caution to the wind and asks her out.
Reluctantly agreeing to date Ronan, Nora risks her credibility as a journalist, but the irresistible footballer is willing to give up everything—including his football career—for a chance at a happily ever after with his favourite night owl he’s been pining after for months.
Kick Out of It is a deliciously spicy romantic comedy novella, intended for mature audiences. Just because it's a romcom, doesn't mean you should forget to check your content warnings...
Reluctantly agreeing to date Ronan, Nora risks her credibility as a journalist, but the irresistible footballer is willing to give up everything—including his football career—for a chance at a happily ever after with his favourite night owl he’s been pining after for months.
Kick Out of It is a deliciously spicy romantic comedy novella, intended for mature audiences. Just because it's a romcom, doesn't mean you should forget to check your content warnings...
Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2024
28 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Irene Bahrd
53 books187 followersIrene Bahrd is a feisty Capricorn and one of the most avid readers you will ever meet. Her favorite genres to read or write include romantic comedies, political romance, romantasy, and the occasional contemporary dark romance.
She started her writing journey as a dare from a friend, after recounting dating stories from her early twenties. They inspired her to write spicy romantic comedies and parodies that feature a variety of book boyfriends—though most are cinnamon roll golden retrievers. Many of her stories contain LGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodivergent characters.
Irene can be found on Instagram and TikTok under @irenebahrdauthor
She started her writing journey as a dare from a friend, after recounting dating stories from her early twenties. They inspired her to write spicy romantic comedies and parodies that feature a variety of book boyfriends—though most are cinnamon roll golden retrievers. Many of her stories contain LGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodivergent characters.
Irene can be found on Instagram and TikTok under @irenebahrdauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 17, 2025
I absolutely adore Irene’s quick and dirty novellas! They are the perfect palette cleanser after a hard read. They are full of fun and spice!
Roman and Nora have had a secret, distant friendship for a year that was never supposed to turn into anything. He is the football player (soccer in the US) and she is a sports reporter. So when she relocates to cover his team, he knows that he needs to shoot his shot.
You can just tell that these two were met to be! He immediately fits into the fold with Nora and her son. He is the missing piece to their family puzzle.
And Roman’s dedication and sweetness and dirty mouth all combined had me swooning!
Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase really were the perfect duo for this audiobook! Their accents and smooth talking were beautiful for these characters. And Gary’s voice during the spicy times – chefs kiss!
Thank you to High Gravity Productions for the ALC.
Roman and Nora have had a secret, distant friendship for a year that was never supposed to turn into anything. He is the football player (soccer in the US) and she is a sports reporter. So when she relocates to cover his team, he knows that he needs to shoot his shot.
You can just tell that these two were met to be! He immediately fits into the fold with Nora and her son. He is the missing piece to their family puzzle.
And Roman’s dedication and sweetness and dirty mouth all combined had me swooning!
Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase really were the perfect duo for this audiobook! Their accents and smooth talking were beautiful for these characters. And Gary’s voice during the spicy times – chefs kiss!
Thank you to High Gravity Productions for the ALC.
January 16, 2025
so good
Nora and Ronans story hits all the right notes. Her move to Ireland with her son sets the stage for her reunion with Ronan, who is charming and good with kids. The banter and chemistry keeps the story going. The spice was just right.
Nora and Ronans story hits all the right notes. Her move to Ireland with her son sets the stage for her reunion with Ronan, who is charming and good with kids. The banter and chemistry keeps the story going. The spice was just right.
February 1, 2025
Awe this was so adorable I loved it so much 🥹🙌👌
January 16, 2025
I just adore Ronan🥰🥰🥰
January 19, 2025
Audiobook Review of Kick Out of It, narrated by Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase
Thank you High Gravity and Irene Bahrd for sending me this little treasur of an audiobook. I absolutely loved it!
The MMC, Ronan, is an Irish pro football player for Cork who has a major crush on the FMC, Nora, a sports journalist and ex-girlfriend of Ronan's team-mate. They've chatted online for a year and they finally meet in person when Nora moves to Ireland with her 10-year-old son.
Irene Bahrd is a queen when it comes to writing green flag men that you can't help but fall in love with! Also, her books tend to include physical or mental health issues, which make them very relatable to so many people and brings awareness, which I'm a big supporter of, having similar personal issues myself and in my family and friends.
The more of her books I read, I just find myself wanting MORE, and, thanks to an Instagram post I have now discovered her books the place in the same universe, so some characters have 'cameos' in other books!
The narrators of Kick Out of It were fantastic, portraying the characters in distinctive ways and their accents were great.
Overall a great production of a fabulous story and I devoured it!
I highly recommend giving it a listen! Coming soon in Jan 2025, so not long to wait! , )
Thank you High Gravity and Irene Bahrd for sending me this little treasur of an audiobook. I absolutely loved it!
The MMC, Ronan, is an Irish pro football player for Cork who has a major crush on the FMC, Nora, a sports journalist and ex-girlfriend of Ronan's team-mate. They've chatted online for a year and they finally meet in person when Nora moves to Ireland with her 10-year-old son.
Irene Bahrd is a queen when it comes to writing green flag men that you can't help but fall in love with! Also, her books tend to include physical or mental health issues, which make them very relatable to so many people and brings awareness, which I'm a big supporter of, having similar personal issues myself and in my family and friends.
The more of her books I read, I just find myself wanting MORE, and, thanks to an Instagram post I have now discovered her books the place in the same universe, so some characters have 'cameos' in other books!
The narrators of Kick Out of It were fantastic, portraying the characters in distinctive ways and their accents were great.
Overall a great production of a fabulous story and I devoured it!
I highly recommend giving it a listen! Coming soon in Jan 2025, so not long to wait! , )
January 20, 2025
🎧 Since reading sport romances, it is mostly American Football or Hockey that I find. So, when the chance comes to read one with a sport I do understand like "proper" Football, is not something I will pass out on. :)
🎧 Bahrd audio books are becoming like that shot of either my favourite alcohol drink, or a smoothie, or a cookie in between larger books. They are to the point, with a love story, the spice, and your tid bit of seriousness in them.
🎧 Ms. Chase is new for me. I loved the warmth in her voice and since it's a reverse age gap and she is a single mother, I think she was very well chosen. I loved Mr. Furlong's accent. Subtle but definitely there. Not to mention the ability to one minute listening to him being like the fun character you also see on his insta posts, and the next minute serious and sultry when needed.
🎧 I will look out for the stories of the other three sports guys mentioned in this.
🎧 Bahrd audio books are becoming like that shot of either my favourite alcohol drink, or a smoothie, or a cookie in between larger books. They are to the point, with a love story, the spice, and your tid bit of seriousness in them.
🎧 Ms. Chase is new for me. I loved the warmth in her voice and since it's a reverse age gap and she is a single mother, I think she was very well chosen. I loved Mr. Furlong's accent. Subtle but definitely there. Not to mention the ability to one minute listening to him being like the fun character you also see on his insta posts, and the next minute serious and sultry when needed.
🎧 I will look out for the stories of the other three sports guys mentioned in this.
February 13, 2025
Kick Out of It
By: Irene Bahrd
Narrated by: Gary Furlong, Anais Inara Chase
Series: Needing to Score, Book 1
Looking for a quick way to fall in love? Irene Bahrd has you covered! This novella has it all. Nora is a sports reporter, enjoying some time with handsome soccer player, Ronan. The two enjoy their time when she is on the scene, but now she is covering his team, and the time is much more frequent. But they have to keep things quiet, not only for their reputations, but Nora has an adorable son they don't want caught in the mix. But this is just a quickie, right? Give this a listen and see just how serious Ronan can be! I loved it!
Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase are amazing together. The accents make this story, and the voices are perfect for each character. Furlong is the flirty Ronan, and his scenes with Leo made my heart melt. Chase is Nora, a bit more reserved when it comes to giving her heart, but a lion everywhere else! Loved their performance.
By: Irene Bahrd
Narrated by: Gary Furlong, Anais Inara Chase
Series: Needing to Score, Book 1
Looking for a quick way to fall in love? Irene Bahrd has you covered! This novella has it all. Nora is a sports reporter, enjoying some time with handsome soccer player, Ronan. The two enjoy their time when she is on the scene, but now she is covering his team, and the time is much more frequent. But they have to keep things quiet, not only for their reputations, but Nora has an adorable son they don't want caught in the mix. But this is just a quickie, right? Give this a listen and see just how serious Ronan can be! I loved it!
Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase are amazing together. The accents make this story, and the voices are perfect for each character. Furlong is the flirty Ronan, and his scenes with Leo made my heart melt. Chase is Nora, a bit more reserved when it comes to giving her heart, but a lion everywhere else! Loved their performance.
January 9, 2025
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️.5
I love when people find the missing piece or pieces from their life/lives to make them whole….
By a twist of fate life takes Nora & her son back to Ireland….Ronan can’t wait for his “friend” & her son to be back on the same soil…their story evolves from there
I love their banter…I definitely love that the ex (not the father) thought he even had a chance
I’m so ready for the next one…I could be wrong but I know this is a series & I’m pretty sure we already know who the next books are going to be about….but I’ve been known to be wrong a time or 2 before
This was a quick read….I started it during my lunch break & finished it less than 24hrs later….there was a lot in the few pages but the story was missing nothing
On to the next 🩵💛
I love when people find the missing piece or pieces from their life/lives to make them whole….
By a twist of fate life takes Nora & her son back to Ireland….Ronan can’t wait for his “friend” & her son to be back on the same soil…their story evolves from there
I love their banter…I definitely love that the ex (not the father) thought he even had a chance
I’m so ready for the next one…I could be wrong but I know this is a series & I’m pretty sure we already know who the next books are going to be about….but I’ve been known to be wrong a time or 2 before
This was a quick read….I started it during my lunch break & finished it less than 24hrs later….there was a lot in the few pages but the story was missing nothing
On to the next 🩵💛
October 5, 2024
A sweet novella (with just the right hint of spice) about a sports journalist and a football striker from Cork and the journey their HEA. Just enough tension to keep you on the edge of your seat about whether they will or won't give in to the inevitable and when you do get the spice? It is SPICIN. Personally, I think everything is better with an Irish accent so I was all about this MMC and I just wanted him to talk more... just me? Maybe but it works. I can't wait to see who get their story in book 2! There were four friends in that support group... is rugby boy next? Please let it be rugby boy!
October 15, 2024
Nora is a sports journalist who helped out the Cork's get the World Championship Cup she started chatting with Ronan, the football stricker, but her ex Keith is his friend, and they are on the same team. Nora lived in America with her 11 year old son Leo but got a job offer in Ireland, so they moved, and now she will be working for the Cork's and with Ronan and her ex Keith. Ronan is 8 years younger than Nora, and he is in therapy with some other athletes. Ronan and Nora's story is amazing, and how Ronan treats Leo is adorable. This is a very good novella, and I can't wait to read bout Bridget and Lucas in the next novella.
November 19, 2024
Never in my life would I think a book could make me want to go find me my very own footballer, Irene Bahrd enters and I stand corrected. I adored this book from the beginning and it quickly became one of my favorites of hers. Ronan is total BF goals. I would love to have someone as all in with me as he was with Nora and Leo. It’s a quick read but doesn’t skimp on the story or spice. I love that she showcased SPD and what that looks like and how important it is to have others around that understand and can make you feel seen. Trust me you won’t regret this visit to Ireland. See you on the Pitch.
December 5, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was a cute little novella. A perfect palette cleanser if you will 😍 Kick Out Of It is a novella that follows a single mom reporter & the Irish footballer that is madly in love with her. It had the perfect amount of swoon worthy moments, plus the spice amount felt right. There was actual plot plus spice in this one. I honestly could have read a full length book about these two 😍
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
“When I’m not with you, you’re all I think about. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Nor. I’ll never let anything hurt you or Leo. If anyone is at risk of a broken heart, it’s me.”
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲:
• Soccer Romance
• Single Mom
• Friends To Lovers
• Sporty Novella
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was a cute little novella. A perfect palette cleanser if you will 😍 Kick Out Of It is a novella that follows a single mom reporter & the Irish footballer that is madly in love with her. It had the perfect amount of swoon worthy moments, plus the spice amount felt right. There was actual plot plus spice in this one. I honestly could have read a full length book about these two 😍
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
“When I’m not with you, you’re all I think about. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Nor. I’ll never let anything hurt you or Leo. If anyone is at risk of a broken heart, it’s me.”
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲:
• Soccer Romance
• Single Mom
• Friends To Lovers
• Sporty Novella
🌶️🌶️🌶️
February 11, 2025
Audio Review:
This super fast paced, quick spicy read has me loving Irene Bahrd and how she can capture the listener and tell a full story in the quick and spicy novellas. They are perfect to be a palette cleanser and packed full of romance and steam. Roman and Nora finally meet taking that secret friendship to the next level. Roman is completely swoon worthy and stays holding that title with his interactions with Nora and her son. Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase did a fantastic job narrating this audio boo. The accents were spot on and making it easy to listen to their beautiful voices as the characters were delivered to the listeners ears.
This super fast paced, quick spicy read has me loving Irene Bahrd and how she can capture the listener and tell a full story in the quick and spicy novellas. They are perfect to be a palette cleanser and packed full of romance and steam. Roman and Nora finally meet taking that secret friendship to the next level. Roman is completely swoon worthy and stays holding that title with his interactions with Nora and her son. Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase did a fantastic job narrating this audio boo. The accents were spot on and making it easy to listen to their beautiful voices as the characters were delivered to the listeners ears.
August 8, 2025
✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮ Audiobook Review! ✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮
This is the first novella in the Needing to Score series — a fun, feel-good sports romantic comedy. Ronan and Nora’s off-limits romance is full of banter, passion, and heartwarming moments. Ronan, a footballer, is handsome, sweet, and charming. Nora, a sports journalist and single mom, is smart, strong, and determined. They’re perfect together, and Nora’s young son, Leo, is absolutely adorable. The story is entertaining and engaging from start to finish. Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase did a great job with the narration — I especially loved the Irish accents! Looking forward to more in this series. #HighGravityProduction
This is the first novella in the Needing to Score series — a fun, feel-good sports romantic comedy. Ronan and Nora’s off-limits romance is full of banter, passion, and heartwarming moments. Ronan, a footballer, is handsome, sweet, and charming. Nora, a sports journalist and single mom, is smart, strong, and determined. They’re perfect together, and Nora’s young son, Leo, is absolutely adorable. The story is entertaining and engaging from start to finish. Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase did a great job with the narration — I especially loved the Irish accents! Looking forward to more in this series. #HighGravityProduction
January 17, 2025
Ronan is an Irish footballer and Nora is a sports reporter who met just over a year ago. They have developed a long distance friendship via text over the past year. Nora and her son, Leo relocate to Ireland for her job. Ronan is delighted and very determined to have them in his life permanently. They make a perfect family. The narration of this fabulous story by Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase was phenomenal. Their accents were brilliant. This audiobook has the right amount of sweetness and spice. I highly recommend listening.
February 19, 2025
Nora and Ronan are super cute together! I appreciated Nora's very cautious single mom approach to dating a celebrity athlete. From the minute she moves to his town, Ronan is wooing her and her son. I just had a lot of really good vibes on this one. All the green flags.
The accents for the narrators were glorious! I loved them so much. Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase are another example of wonderful casting by Irene Bahrd and the High Gravity Productions team. Great choices for the characters and they did amazing bringing this story to life.
Thank you to High Gravity Productions for the ALC. My review is voluntary and my honest opinion.
The accents for the narrators were glorious! I loved them so much. Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase are another example of wonderful casting by Irene Bahrd and the High Gravity Productions team. Great choices for the characters and they did amazing bringing this story to life.
Thank you to High Gravity Productions for the ALC. My review is voluntary and my honest opinion.
March 5, 2025
What a cute, sweet short story!
Nora is embarking on a new job in Ireland as a reporting correspondent for a professional soccer team with her young son in tow. Ronan is a professional soccer player on said team and these two have been flirting with each other for a long time virtually, so when they finally are forced into close proximity, Ronan doesn't waste his chance to win over Nora and her son. She fights him along the way, finding every excuse for them not to work but test after test, Ronan passes with flying colors and is the perfect book boyfriend. I'm definitely excited for who in the group is next!
Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase provided fantasticly fun performances! Gary's accent game is no joke! It's impressive hearing him switch between so many different accents so well.
Nora is embarking on a new job in Ireland as a reporting correspondent for a professional soccer team with her young son in tow. Ronan is a professional soccer player on said team and these two have been flirting with each other for a long time virtually, so when they finally are forced into close proximity, Ronan doesn't waste his chance to win over Nora and her son. She fights him along the way, finding every excuse for them not to work but test after test, Ronan passes with flying colors and is the perfect book boyfriend. I'm definitely excited for who in the group is next!
Gary Furlong and Anais Inara Chase provided fantasticly fun performances! Gary's accent game is no joke! It's impressive hearing him switch between so many different accents so well.
January 16, 2025
-Reverse Age Gap
-Sports Romance
-Friends to Lovers
-Golden Retriever, Irish, Football (Soccer) Striker MMC
-Sports Journalist, Single Mom FMC
-Sensory Processing Disorder Rep (SPD)
-HEA
A cute and sweet novella that captures just the right amount of plot and spice. Ronan was the perfect book boyfriend and his connection with Nora is evident. I loved how sweet Ronan was with Nora's son Leo. Another great palette cleanser!!
*AlC provided by High Gravity Productions
-Sports Romance
-Friends to Lovers
-Golden Retriever, Irish, Football (Soccer) Striker MMC
-Sports Journalist, Single Mom FMC
-Sensory Processing Disorder Rep (SPD)
-HEA
A cute and sweet novella that captures just the right amount of plot and spice. Ronan was the perfect book boyfriend and his connection with Nora is evident. I loved how sweet Ronan was with Nora's son Leo. Another great palette cleanser!!
*AlC provided by High Gravity Productions
April 3, 2025
I swear, if choosing a book by Irene, you can never go wrong! This one was short, sweet, and packed a bit of heat. It was perfection. I loved all the banter over text messaging between Ronan and Nora. Ronan is like the ultimate book boyfriend. An Irish footballer who is a sweetheart but is also growly. Plus, the way he took right to Leo. So swoon-worthy! Nora didn't stand a chance against him. I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read about Lucas and Bridget next!
October 4, 2024
This should surprise nobody, but this was such a fun and spicy novella 🔥 Irene does such an amazing job creating these believable and likable characters. Ronan was so complex and his love for Nora and Leo was so sweet to experience. The neurodiverse representation was beautiful and so great (and unexpected) to see. Such a great quick read!
October 16, 2024
This was such a spicy little reverse age gap romance! I am not usually a fan of friends to lovers but I really liked this one! Ronan was so cute and book boyfriend worthy. When he brought Leo to the training stadium, I almost died it was so frigging adorbs. And truly, who wouldn’t love a hot and sweet Irish footballer who can cook? 🫠
January 16, 2025
ALC Review.
This was such a cute novella..
short, sweet, and just a little spicy. A top tier palette cleanser.
Ronan is such a swoon worthy man, and I loved the connection between him and Nora. As well as the instant connection of him and Leo.
Plus the accents were amazing as well..
ALC Review.
This was such a cute novella..
short, sweet, and just a little spicy. A top tier palette cleanser.
Ronan is such a swoon worthy man, and I loved the connection between him and Nora. As well as the instant connection of him and Leo.
Plus the accents were amazing as well..
ALC Review.
January 26, 2025
Kick Out of It is a short but impactful love story with a lot of spice. It’s a story that could really take place affecting many different people and livelihoods. There is effort put into place to bring the story to fruition. Very well done. Highly recommend. The narrators for the audiobook did a fantastic job.
February 5, 2025
Audiobook Review
3.5 stars
I normally love Irene Bahrd’s short and smexy books but this one left me a bit confused and with a sense of wanting more/something else. Their relationship and how they met and became friends is bit well explained. On the other hand Gary Furlong’s portrayal of Ronan with that Irish accent was swoon!!! Anais Inara Chase was new to me but I hope to hear more from her.
3.5 stars
I normally love Irene Bahrd’s short and smexy books but this one left me a bit confused and with a sense of wanting more/something else. Their relationship and how they met and became friends is bit well explained. On the other hand Gary Furlong’s portrayal of Ronan with that Irish accent was swoon!!! Anais Inara Chase was new to me but I hope to hear more from her.
October 10, 2024
Ronan is the book boyfriend we are need. I loved his and Nora’s story so much. I have no idea how Irene wrapped so much spice and so much sweet into one small package, but here we are. This is an absolute must read.
December 29, 2024
Cute, quick read
I picked Kick Out of It as a palette cleanser after reading a couple of Christmas romances. Overall, it was cute, but along with several typos, there were holes throughout the story and the Irish/British lingo felt forced at times.
I picked Kick Out of It as a palette cleanser after reading a couple of Christmas romances. Overall, it was cute, but along with several typos, there were holes throughout the story and the Irish/British lingo felt forced at times.
January 15, 2025
Super quick and cute! Their little love story was super cute! This was my 1st sports Romance and it was worth it the read! Nora and Ronan love blossom over year that they was talking thru text and quickly grew into something more when they met facecto face was worth the read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2025
This novella delivers a delightful mix of sweetness and spice, following Nora, a sports journalist, and Ronan, a younger football star from Cork. A slightly longer novella, it’s still fast-paced and utterly engaging—I couldn’t put it down.
January 16, 2025
I adore stories where people find the missing pieces that complete them, and Nora and Ronan’s novella did not disappoint. Add the spice and just enough tension to keep you guessing, and this story becomes a quick, satisfying read.
March 31, 2025
The fmc is Nora, who is a single mom of a son. The mmc is roen who is a puppy and a sports player overseas. She and him text as friends daily, and Nora moves to the city and country that Roen is from, and Roen believes this is his chance so swoon worthy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews