One Knight's Stand

by Tanvier Peart

Three years ago, I decided to have my first one-night stand. The plan was simple: research how to do it and meet a man at the bar before nerves playing with my guts got the best of me. I wanted to ring in the new year between a stranger’s legs. Someone with good hygiene and exceptional tensile strength to take the edge off of studying mechanical engineering.

Then he walked in.

I’d heard whispers about “a night with Knight,” tales of toe cramps and matted hair. Antonio is the biggest player and not the man to relieve me of my pent-up tension. His thick thighs, veiny forearms, and charming smile promised a trip to the hospital.

I shouldn’t have followed him back to his condo, but I did.

Dinner turned into a kiss, and that kiss led to accidental humping. That’s how we ended up in the emergency room. He had a broken nose, and my wig was stuck on his watch.

Three years and a PhD later, Antonio has cemented himself in my life as my best friend. Moving to the city where my sister lives—and where he plays professional rugby—wasn’t a big deal at first. But everything changed when we hugged. His cologne surrounded me, and his eyes stayed locked on mine.

Our friendship is platonic, ironclad after the one-night stand gone wrong. So why can’t I shake the feeling that we’ve barely scratched the surface?

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2025

About the author

Tanvier Peart is a future bestselling romance author with a healthy obsession with snacks and happily ever afters. She is a good girl with kinks who spends her days working on public policy and enjoys the wild life of being a wife and PTA mom. By night, she writes and reads romance books with steamy scenes.

Reviews

[Cydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Knight's Stand is a rugby romance with great physical comedy, equal parts awkwardness and confidence by the characters, and a whole lot of yearning!

Antonio and Miriam's friends-to-lovers journey is explored in various ebbs and flows of their relationship—and while their friendship does eventually turn romantic, there was something about the execution of it that so preciously upheld their friendship and how much they cared about one another deep-down.

As with all of Tanvier's books that I've read so far (this is a continuation of Antonio's story, who appears in Ella Gets the D, which I haven't yet read but plan to), One Knight's Stand is chock-full of policy in action and a bigger message than the love story. This book thoroughly explores the low pay and meager benefits offered to American rugby players as America struggles with consistently supporting rugby as a sport overall. At the same time, Miriam is coming into her own as a new professional and woman in STEM, trying to decide which path forward is the best path for her.

Something about the pacing felt off for me, which made me feel like this was a bit on the longer side for what it offered story-wise. While I love slow burn romances most of all, I felt like Antonio and Miriam were *sloooooooow* in getting to the point of giving in to one another—which, to be fair, is what the book is marketed as—but it got to be a bit frustrating when it was so clear they wanted each other real bad. While I loved Antonio's story arc, I was less interested in Miriam's, which is totally fine; I'm just usually against loving men more in romances LOL. He was very sweet and attentive which balanced him being a bit of a jock very well.

Thank you to Tanvier for sending me a free gifted copy and an ARC! I can't wait for book 2!

3.5 ⭐️s
2.5 🌶️

[Danni Phantom · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review!

From their failed one night stand to them falling in love. I really enjoyed this book Antonio was everything I crave in an MMC protective, caring, and willing to drop a bag on his lady. The FMC is quirky and stays in her head but is like-able. I loved that she put her education first and didn’t let anyone control her next steps.

The side characters were everything and I hope we get a few spins offs about them. Although, I still want to punch Kerry in his throat.

4/5 starts because I’m not the biggest fan of slow burns I wish they would have gotten together sooner because they were so cute

[Jahda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This was cute. I love a friend’s to lovers story.

[Tea Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Knight’s Stand by Tanvier Peart was such a good read. Sports romance - Rugby, he falls first, age gap - he’s younger, woman in stem, black characters, found family, love, and my favorite ….. yearning. 🤍🖤

[Tatiana | Chapters & Cents · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

[Symone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Tanvier, for the ARC! 🖤

One Knights Stand was super cute, I loved every moment of this sports romantic comedy. Miriam, Marcela, Antonio, and his teammates were hilarious.

I enjoy a good slow burn and sports romance, and this one nailed it. Imagine knowing a guy for years as friends, then proposing a one-night stand at a bar, only to unexpectedly end up in the emergency room all night, kicking off your love story from best friends to lovers.

Antonio was protective, supportive, and caring, while Miriam was equally amazing and smart. They truly deserve each other. The buildup to their love confessions and starting a relationship was beautiful, with both reassuring each other that their friendship would always be the foundation of their strong bond.

Also, this was my first rugby romance, and it made me more interested in the sport.

[Jasmine VanDross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me all the feels. I say this all the time but I love a man who don’t play bout his gal. Friends to lovers is my jam and this book was written so well. Tanvier is always going to bring some hilarious moments to her stories and between me giggling and swooning I want to read it again.
ARC READ

[Mybookscafe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok

It’s a good story line by the story fell short. This story just wasn’t for me. Some moments were good and I liked the characters

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Knights Stand was so good! It was just a tad slow for me at the beginning because it’s the start of a new series and there was a lot of world-building, but Antonio and Miriam are the cutest! The pining, the slow burn - this one is perfect for the friends-to-lovers trope readers. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy and can’t wait for it to hit shelves!

[Books & Locs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review! This book was so good, I love a lovers to friends book trope ! From the beginning I could tell this book was going to give me all the feels ! I really love her writing style because I always feel like I am watching an episode of my favorite tv show . Antonio & Miriam were the perfect match, they both were total opposite but the chemistry was out of this world ❤️❤️❤️❤️ .

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published date : December 18th
Rating: 4.5 stars ⭐️

Tropes:
* Sports romance (Rugby MMC)
* Slow burn
* Friends to lovers
* STEM FMC
* Reverse age gap
My review:
Absolutely best slow burn romance. Absolutely loved it. Tanvier does no wrong in my eyes.
This book was my first book about Rugby and I want to know more about the sport.
This was so cute. Love friends to lovers. One of my favorite. I was really enjoying the slow burn, it took it time for the characters to figure out what they wanted. I was laughing out loud so many times. I love the MFC quirky side, she reminded me of myself. I was so focused on school and the dating life was non existent, so I get it.
Antonio was the perfect example of a friend to lover. He was so caring, sweet, protective and fineeeeeee..
thank you for the arc!!!!! Another amazing book by the amazing Tanvier

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guyssssss!

The absolute gigglefest this was!

The very first line of the book is all I needed. Miriam, this genius of a woman, is so unintentionally HILARIOUS. Her inner monologues and thought process had me cackling.

Antonio and his charmingly wicked, smart mouth had me SCREECHING.

The side characters add so much personality on top of these this very distinct couple.

I could not get enough. Definitely diving into the next if this series as soon as I can.

Representation matters! Women in STEM are literal goddesses. Identifying a lack and designing and developing a solution is the first step in making our world even just a little bit better for the future.

A watch, a wiggle, and a wig have made me a fan.

[Morgan Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolute delight. As a fan of Tanvier’s books, I expected fun and mess—and this delivered. Miriam’s confidence made it impossible not to root for her. I loved that she (and her ruffled shirts) refused to subscribe to the “insecure nerd” trope — she’s simply a woman who wants to feel desired, and Antonio does exactly that. A longtime secret crush holder (since he was eleven!), he has pure cinnamon roll energy. Their chemistry is playful, charged, and rooted in genuine affection that’s been simmering for years.

[Sheena M · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first introduction to a rugby sports romance book and it definitely didn’t disappoint!

The story follows Miriam and Antonio as they go through their own life journeys while trying to handle a friendship that has the potential to become more.

I loved all the humor Tanvier put throughout the book and she definitely had me cracking up, definitely rom-com vibes. The banter between Antonio and Miriam was so cute and I loved hearing it from both POVs especially when they were both in their heads about situations. And their relationship?! The friends to lovers journey was worth it because when they got to the lovers part?! There was no stopping them and they had me kicking my feet and readyyy for the spice 🤭.

I loved the black character representation in this book and I can’t wait to read more of Tanvier’s books! Definitely made a fan out of me! Thank you Tanvier Peart for the opportunity to read this book! 🖤🏉

[Ambra | ambreadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

4/5
- Antonio and Miriam was such a good time in One Knight’s Stand. This was a fun spin of friends to lovers, slow burn.
- The friendship built after a one night stand gone wrong is swoon worthy, the way they bond and show up for one another. The chemistry, banter, humor, temptation and emotional tension between these pages makes up the perfect love story between a rugby player and engineer nerd!

Pub Date: 12/18/25

[EricaLenise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This friends-to-lovers sports romance was a fun ride. Miriam’s carefully planned one-night stand goes completely left when Antonio Knight enters the chat, leading to chaos, an ER visit, and a story they never forget.

Years later, they’re best friends, firmly in the platonic zone until old feelings start acting up. Antonio is charming with soft edges, Miriam is smart and awkward in the best way, and watching them realize there’s more between them was really enjoyable.

Funny, sweet, and just enough heat to keep things interesting.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

4.5 stars
As a fan of the “friends to lovers” trope this book here hit all of the points when it came to it. I also loved that fact that it was also a slow burn romance!

Miriam and Antonio tried to have a one night stand but it failed miserably! They then decided to remain friends for a couple of years until Miriam decided to move to Buffalo (where Antonio is the captain of the Buffalo Steel rugby team) where we see their friends continue to blossom as well as romantic feelings start to resurface.

What I truly loved about this story was the representation of STEM as well as a sport I wasn’t truly familiar with. The pacing of the story was spot on and these two had just the right amount of chemistry. Overall I enjoyed reading the story.

Thank you to Tanvier Peart for the ARC!

[Nadia Latai (Nadiasbookishworld86) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ahhh One Knight's Stand is THAT book!🔥🔥
Antonio and Miriam's story is so relatable! Their relationship is so close knit and Protective of each other ..... after a bit of an embarrassing fiasco. Nothing bonds two people like a shared embarrassing trauma. Could Rugby be a new unlocked fave ?🤔 That man stood on business and could not be swayed..... ekkkkkk winning from ear to ear finishing this!! 😍😍😍😍

[Supermorgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved both characters 🩷 the fmc is a engineer which I loved and the banter btwn the 2 characters. Also I was happy the drama was more outside factors.

[Ann-Marie Herod · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
“I speak from experience when I say the best love affairs come from friendships. It’s the perfect foundation for a love you never imagined.”

That is one of my favorite quotes from One Knight’s Stand, and it perfectly captures how this story made me feel. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, so I am always interested to see how authors take it on, and Tanvier Peart absolutely delivered with this first book in the Buffalo Steel series. We follow Antonio and Miriam, who have known each other since they were younger. Miriam is five years older and was actually Antonio’s babysitter when he was in middle school, and he has had a crush on her ever since. I loved that this is very much a he falls first romance, because Antonio has always been down bad for her, whether she realized it or not.

The story opens with Miriam at a bar, determined to finally have a one night stand with someone she does not know, which is completely out of character for her since she dedicates most of her time to her PhD studies. Antonio ends up offering himself up as that one night stand, and it goes everything but right in the funniest ways possible. While they do not actually hook up that night, that moment becomes the catalyst for what turns into a three year long distance friendship. When Miriam eventually moves to Buffalo, Antonio is 29 and she is 34, and that shift in proximity is what finally forces both of them to confront feelings that have been simmering for years. Enter Antonio now fully in his twenties and with a reputation as a playboy. He is outgoing, charismatic, and a total charmer, the complete opposite of Miriam, who is nerdy, endearing, and constantly letting her intrusive thoughts slip out, which honestly had me cracking up. She doesn’t even know just how much of a baddie she is.

You are in for a funny romcom, so while there is no major trauma explored, there are a few nefarious plots and just enough drama to keep things interesting, including catty frenemies, a dusty opportunist, and a conniving team owner.

Miriam is an engineer, and I loved the women in STEM representation in this book, especially when it comes to her career choices. I really appreciated that she chooses not to listen to her dad or outside voices pushing her toward roles that do not truly suit her or would leave her questioning herself more. Instead, she intentionally goes after a role where she feels she can make a direct, tangible impact. One thing I can always count on when reading Tanvier’s books is that I am going to learn something. The book thoughtfully touches on the fight for food equity underserved communities and community centered advocacy.

One thing I will say, and I see this a lot, especially when it comes to friends to lovers stories where the MMC is a known playboy, is that the FMC often lets her insecurities about being good enough completely take over. What I appreciated about this story is that, at least from my perspective, Miriam does not doubt their friendship. What she doubts is whether Antonio would ever truly want her, which honestly feels very real. That kind of thinking shows up a lot in opposite attract romances, the whole why would someone like that ever choose someone like me mindset. What tends to annoy me in other books is when the FMC constantly talks down on the love interest with thoughts like he is a player, he will never change, he only wants women like that, he would never want me. Especially when they are already friends, because at that point it feels less like insecurity and more like a lack of trust in someone who has already shown up for you.

Did Miriam have doubts before the feelings were fully declared? Of course she did, and that felt natural. When you are dealing with a friends to lovers situation, especially one where one person has a much more public dating or sexual history, it makes sense to question whether those feelings are mutual or if you are reading too much into things. What mattered to me is that once Antonio made his intentions clear, Miriam did not let his past reputation or her own lack of experience get in the way of them giving love a real chance. As Antonio says in the story, “Your past is behind us, as is mine. Nothing else matters except the memories we make. Got it?” That moment perfectly sums up their dynamic. When it comes down to it, Miriam chooses trust, and for me that leap of faith is such an essential part of what makes a friends to lovers romance really work.

On the other side, we also get a look into the world of professional rugby, where Antonio and his team are dealing with a shady owner while fighting to stay in the league as other teams begin to fold. One thing I absolutely loved about Antonio, aka Papa Smurf, our MMC, is that he is not just some typical playboy who magically changes once he gets the girl. He is genuinely a good, endearing person throughout the entire book, and he is very clearly the one who has to make the first move when it comes to Miriam. I loved loved how he was a big brother figure to his teammates and really invested in them and didn’t just think about himself.

This is an open door romance, but it is also a slooow burn because they skirt around each other for a while. We watch them go from barely having a friendship, to long distance friends, to living in the same city, and finally to giving love a real chance. I also have to shout out the supporting cast because they are amazing. I fell in love with the rugby team and their hilarious antics, as well as Miriam’s sister, Marcella. Anytime a story has me just as invested in the side characters as I am in the main couple, it makes me appreciate the world the author has built so much more. Its a light, funny, spicy, easy read, but you will still walk away a little wiser when it comes to certain issues, and if you are anything like me, it might even inspire you to take action and get more involved. I am already looking up urban gardens I can volunteer with here in Chicago. Thank you to Tanvier Peart and Frenchy Press for providing me with an ARC. This is such an enjoyable start to the series, and I cannot wait to read more.

[Neek Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review: One Knight’s Stand by Taniver Peart

One Knight’s Stand is a beautifully layered friends-to-lovers romance that proves some of the best love stories don’t begin with perfection—but with chaos, growth, and time. What initially presents itself as a humorous one-night stand gone spectacularly wrong unfolds into a deeply emotional, character-driven story about timing, vulnerability, and choosing love when the risk feels greatest.

The opening of this novel is unforgettable. The infamous meet-cute—complete with an emergency room visit, a broken nose, and a wig stuck on a watch—is genuinely laugh-out-loud funny and immediately sets the book apart. But what impressed me most is that Taniver Peart doesn’t allow the humor to overshadow the heart of the story. Instead, that chaotic beginning becomes the foundation for a connection that matures and deepens over several years.

Miriam Beckford is an exceptionally well-written female main character. She is intelligent, driven, and unapologetically ambitious, particularly in her academic pursuits. Her journey through mechanical engineering and eventually earning her PhD is woven seamlessly into the narrative, reinforcing that her career is not something to be compromised for romance—but something that exists alongside it. Miriam’s internal struggles feel authentic: her fear of disrupting a friendship she values, her hesitation around vulnerability, and her quiet longing for something more. She is relatable in her doubts and admirable in her determination.

Antonio Knight is equally compelling. While he initially fits the mold of a charismatic athlete with a reputation, Taniver Peart takes care to subvert expectations. Antonio is emotionally intelligent, deeply loyal, and incredibly patient. His love language is consistency—showing up, supporting Miriam without pressure, and honoring the boundaries they’ve both placed around their friendship. The contrast between his public persona and his private tenderness makes him an especially rewarding love interest.

The friends-to-lovers arc is where this story truly shines. Their relationship develops over years, grounded in shared experiences, trust, and emotional intimacy. The slow burn is deliberate and satisfying, filled with moments that carry significant emotional weight: lingering looks, charged silences, and moments of physical closeness that feel monumental because of what’s left unsaid. When the shift finally begins, it feels earned—not rushed or manufactured for drama.

One of the strongest aspects of One Knight’s Stand is its emotional realism. Taniver Peart captures the very real fear of wanting more from someone who already feels like home. The story acknowledges how terrifying it can be to risk a friendship for love, especially when timing and personal growth complicate the equation. These emotions are handled with care, allowing the romance to unfold naturally and honestly.

This novel also stands out for its thoughtful representation of Black love, ambition, and emotional depth. The characters are allowed to be multifaceted—successful yet uncertain, confident yet vulnerable. The romance celebrates partnership rather than possession, emphasizing mutual respect, growth, and support.

Overall, One Knight’s Stand is heartfelt, funny, tender, and deeply romantic. It’s a story about realizing that sometimes the love you’re searching for has been quietly building right beside you. Taniver Peart delivers a memorable friends-to-lovers romance that lingers long after the final page, and I would highly recommend it to fans of slow burns, character-driven love stories, and emotionally rich Black romance.

📖 Thank you to Taniver Peart for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Chasity McCurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanvier makes you fall in love with the characters, with their chemistry, and with the tender, hilarious chaos that brings them together. Her writing is warm, witty, and intimate and makes you forget you’re reading fiction because Antonio and Miriam feel like people you’ve known for years.

In this friends-to-lovers gem, Miriam, a brilliant mechanical engineering mind with a habit of over-researching her personal disasters sets out to have a no-strings-attached one-night stand to ring in the New Year. Instead, she ends up with “a night with Knight,” Antonio, the city’s most charismatic player whose thighs should come with a warning label. What was meant to be a quick fling dissolves into accidental humping, a broken nose, a stuck wig, and a mortifying emergency-room visit that could have spelled the end of a budding romance.

Fast forward to three years later, with a doctorate under her belt, Miriam finds herself moving to the same city where Antonio now plays professional rugby, and where their platonic friendship has become the foundation of something deeper. Every interaction crackles with unspoken longing. Every hug, every lingering glance, every inside joke carries the weight of these two people trying very hard to pretend they don’t want exactly what the other is secretly terrified to admit.

Antonio is the kind of guy you can’t help but adore. He cares for Miriam with a depth that feels real protective without being possessive and affectionate without being overbearing. He treats her like the most important person in the room, even when neither of them is willing to call it love yet. And Miriam… She’s clever, chaotic, vulnerable, and easy to root for.

Tanvier weaves humor, longing, and emotional tension so effortlessly that the entire book feels like being wrapped in a cozy blanket with a good laugh all throughout. From holiday mishaps to university flashbacks, from playful banter to moments of piercing sincerity, this story delivers everything you want in a comfort read.

If you’re a fan of:

✨ slow-burning tension
✨ best-friends-to-lovers tropes
✨ laugh-out-loud disasters
✨ characters who feel like your own friends
✨ chemistry that leaps off the page

It’s the perfect book to curl up with…warm, charming, and full of heart. A story about timing, friendship, and the terrifying, beautiful moment when you finally admit the person you’ve been looking for has been right beside you all along.


Huge thank you to French Press for the eARC!!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 ARC REVIEW 📚
One Knight’s Stand by Tanvier Peart
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Thank you, @tanvierwrites, for providing an ARC!

Three years ago, nerdy and inexperienced Miriam attempted a one-night stand with sexy rugby player Antonio… which hilariously landed them in the ER. Now reunited in the same city, the two are best friends, but the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to pretend that’s all they’ll ever be.

I love a good rugby romance, and this one delivered. As a former player, I really appreciated how the author wove in just enough rules and gameplay to make it feel authentically rugby without overwhelming the story. Add in a reformed playboy, and I was completely sold.

My favorite part of this book was the friendship between Miriam and Antonio. I loved the clever setup — a disastrously aborted one-night stand that turns into a long-distance friendship. Having them live apart for years made it believable that they never crossed the line, despite the chemistry simmering beneath the surface. Once they were in the same city, though? It was only a matter of time. I mean… Antonio excitedly buying small kitchen appliances and making friendship bracelets? Not even Miriam stood a chance — and neither did I.

I also loved seeing Miriam as a woman working in STEM. We need more of this. I’ll always champion stories where women get to shine in traditionally male-dominated fields. I may not understand mechanical engineering, but I loved that Miriam does — and watching a man try to take credit for her work had me absolutely fuming because it happens far too often in real life.

This book struck such a great balance between hilarious pop culture references (shoutout to CT!), sweet acts of service, and some very steamy moments. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

For fans of: 🏉 Rugby Romance | 💞 Friends to Lovers | 🔥 Reformed Playboy | 🧠 STEM Heroine | 🫶 Acts of Service | 😂 Humor + Heart | 🌶️ Open-Door Romance

#ARCReview #OneKnightsStand #TanvierPeart #RugbyRomance #SportsRomance #FriendsToLovers #STEMHeroine #ReformedPlayboy #RomanceBooks #Bookstagram #RomanceReader #ARCReader #SwoonyReads

[Tyler Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you Tanvier for the arc! One Knights Stand was so cute I loved every second of this sports romantic comedy. miriam, marcela, antonio and his teammates were so funny i loved them all.

I love me a good slow burn and sports romance this was done right. imagine you’ve known a man for years and yall have been friends but one night you see him at a bar and propose a one night stand only to end up in the emergency room all night and that starts yall love story of becoming besties to lovers. antonio and miriam had the notion “we’re just friends” to everyone all while saying to themselves that they dont want to just be friends. antonio showed miriam in every way(verbal and non verbal) that he loves her and wanted to be with her by consistent communication, paying attention to little things, being there for her, supporting her, not playing with her or about her. miriam poured love into antonio and let him know that he’s more than just a provider for everyone that she see’s him and wants to be there for him, take care of him, love him, she’s his number one fan, she don’t play about him either. the build up to their love confessions and finally getting into a relationship was so worth it and the moment was so beautiful with them reassuring each other that nothing will change and their friendship is the foundation of their strong relationship and future.

each sex scene was written so well and fit in with the plot and antonio was folding my girl miriam up like a pretzel. but my top 2 favorite scenes were when they finally confessed their feelings and started their relationship, the gym scene with antonio bench pressing..whew they were hot.

can’t wait to see marcela fall in love and who her love interest is in the next book.

[Julie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to lovers……he falls first…..she’s insecure and doesn’t understand how someone like him could want someone like her??? Sign me up!!!

We start the story on New Years Eve where Miriam is intent on “riding in the New Year”. She bumps into Antonio and the only way we can describe the course of events is disastrous ( 🤣🤣🤣). Antonio and Miriam have known each other for years and Antonio has been quietly in love with her for as long as he can remember. While nothing happens, the two develop quite a long-distance friendship. When Miriam eventually moves to Buffalo, their long-simmering feelings finally have nowhere to hide. Antonio is now a charming, outgoing rugby player with a playboy reputation, while Miriam is a brilliant, awkward engineer whose unfiltered thoughts are endlessly funny and she has no idea how much of a badass woman she really is.

The book delivers romcom energy with just enough drama without getting too heavy. I especially loved the women-in-STEM representation and how Miriam chooses a career path that aligns with her values instead of outside pressure. My favorite part about Tanvier Peart’s writing is that she also weaves in meaningful themes around food equity and community development, while not the important parts of the story they are still meaningful in the entirety of the plot.
I don’t think there’s a Tanvier Peart book I’ve read that I haven’t enjoyed (and trust me I’ve read and enjoyed them ALL). This is an open-door, slow-burn romance with fantastic side characters, a lovable rugby team, and lots of humor and heart.

I truly can’t wait to read what shenanigans are in store for the rest of the Buffalo Steel team!

Thank you Tanvier for an opportunity to both Beta read and ARC read this book!

[PurpleGypsyBookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew this book had me wishing Antonio was a real person and Miriam was so relatable with all her awkwardness. Watching love grow from a solid foundation of friendship is special. Tanvier will have your heart swooning, your pulse pounding, and you will be yelling out loud cheering Miriam on so read in public at your own risk.

🏉Miriam was a professional student until her early 30s. She is degreed up and completes her education with a PhD in engineering. She's smart, beautiful, and a little quirky. One thing she neglected to do while in college was date. On New Years Eve she decides she's doing it. She's going to find a one night stand.

🏉Antonio spots Miriam at the bar that New Years Eve. He's known as the pro Rugby playboy that won't be settling down any time soon. He is a few years younger than Miriam and she actually babysat him at one point when he was 11 and she was 16. He's always had a crush on her and there she was in real life. He shoots his shot and they end up at his place.....and then the emergency room. This big Rugby player ended up with a broken nose.

🏉That starts the 3 year long distance friendship. When Miriam moves to Buffalo after she graduates she's in the same city Antonio and her sister live in. What she doesn't expect is for feelings to start developing as she spends more time with Antonio. He has always had feelings for her but they really start to take front and center. From this point forward, be prepared to finish the rest of the book in one sitting.

🏉 @tanvierwrites your debut into sports romcom is going to be a massive success and I'm so excited to dive into the mafia romcom coming in 2026!!!

[Norell Alesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly I love the friends-to-lovers trope, but this one was done exceptionally well. Miriam and Antonio were adorable, and I loved their relationship. They made great friends, and were even better as more. What makes a good friends-to-lovers story is one where you buy into the friendship part, and Tanvier Peart excellently established not only the friendship, but also why they were only friends in the first place.

Many friends-to-lovers novels fall apart right from the beginning because as a reader you’re wondering why the pairing didn’t just try for a romantic relationship when they both have feelings for each other. Here, it made sense as to why they weren’t ‘together’ together.

As for our FMC and MMC, they were lovely. Antonio was a favorite from Ella Gets the D, so I was eager to get a book that focused on him. I love an awkward lead character and Miriam was so awkwardly cute, the kind of awkward though where she’s comfortable with who she is. She’s was a brilliant (she’s super smart) foil to Antonio’s more outgoing personality. Together, they made the perfect pair, and I loved the way Antonio adored Miriam.

As cute as this novel is, it does get steamy. Once Miriam and Antonio get together, there was no surface spared, not even in the gym lol. Our pair get creative.

Lastly, I’m so looking forward to Marcela’s book. Loved her!

[Tiara Lashae · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wanted a romcom that starts with chaos and somehow gets even worse (in the BEST way), One Knight’s Stand understood the assignment.

Miriam is the definition of goals over everything. She’s all about school, success, and checking off milestones—while men and sex have never been a priority for her. But one day she decides she’s finally doing something for herself… and plans her first one-night stand like it’s a research project.

And then Antonio Knight walks into the bar.

Not only is he fine, confident, and fully grown now… he’s also the last person she expected to be her “one-night stand.” What happens next is one of the most embarrassing, hilarious, and unforgettable meet-cutes I’ve read in a while—because somehow it turns into a tackle, a busted nose, an emergency room visit, and her wig getting stuck on his watch. I was crying laughing.

Fast forward a few years later and the friendship between Miriam and Antonio is solid… supposedly platonic… until one moment shifts everything and makes you realize they’ve barely scratched the surface of what they could be.

This book was cute, funny, and full of romcom vibes with a friendship-to-more storyline that kept me smiling. If you love awkward moments, real chemistry, and stories that don’t take themselves too seriously, add this to your list.

[Ebony Essence · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - Thank you Tanvier for my gifted ARC. Make sure to read the authors note.

Now this is what i call a good “strangers” to friends to lovers. This is more of a slow burn which i didn’t mind. Gave me a chance to fully know and love the characters. The way these two started their friendship was so funny, quirky and cute. Antonio is for sure going down in my book boyfriend/husband deck. That man was so protective, supportive, caring, loved on her and everything else. Miriam treated him the exact same way. She was the absolute best and smart with her fine self. Both so deserving of each other. Baby the spice had me with that smirk on my face saying “well damn!” Yeah they had me blushing.

Besides all of their cuteness. Loved the topics of corporations in the mechanical engineering industry taking from smaller geniuses. The building of community and knowledge that Miriam was putting to use is helping to save the world around us. Kieran is so lame. Also this made me more interested in rugby and the things that are not happening as they should be in the sport. Hopefully i can find a local team and go watch some games.

Very good read. Should leave you feeling warm and cozy.

[Lauren Curley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5 Stars
🌶 - Spice Level

Antonio and Miriam were friends who almost had their one night stand together, but it ended with a funny story in the ER. Fast forward 3 years later, still friends, but she's moved closer to where he is.

These two both didn't want to ruin their friendship, but Antonio has been pinning over her since grade school. He finally starts to chase her instead of just be her friend.

I absolutely enjoyed watching these two with "will they or won't they?" Miriam seems to miss the cues about how Antonio feels until she realizes he's been there all along. Antonio literally bought her things to make her life comfortable, but she missed how thoughtful he was. Such is life of someone who is engrossed in STEM work; we miss cues until we let down walls and quit analyzing. I also loved that both were a little awkward with each other until they finally admit there should be more.

Now onto the spicy.. phew they were creating smoke and sparks when it was finally their time. Antonio could make a meal out of Miriam. Licked fingers and all. 😉🫠

Thank you author, for the ARC!
Releases: December 18, 2025