The Perfect Pass

by Teri Wilson

The new head coach
Is about to get schooled 

A hero’s welcome awaits NFL bad boy Jackson Knight in Bishop Falls. The Texas town lives and breathes football, and they’re thrilled to have Jackson as their temporary high school coach while he rehabs his torn ACL—and his battered image. But one person isn’t rolling out the red carpet. Journalist Calla Dunne knows the damage football can do, and she’s not cutting the coach any slack. Jackson's trained all his life to push through every obstacle stacked against him. But conquering Calla’s heart will take a fight like none he’s ever faced…to claim a reward sweeter than any prize. 

From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Texas Forever After

Book 1: The Perfect Pass

Genres: Audiobook, Sports Romance

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Teri Wilson writes heartwarming contemporary romance with a touch of whimsy. Four of Teri's books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies, including UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (plus its sequel MARRYING MR. DARCY), ROYAL-ISH, based on her book ONCE UPON A ROYAL SUMMER, THE ART OF US and NORTHERN LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS, based on her book SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction and a 2022 inductee into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.

When she’s not writing, Teri enjoys visiting schools and health care facilities with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel Charm, a registered therapy dog and reading education assistance dog. Teri also loves pretty dresses, cupcakes, going to the ballet and following the British royal family. Visit her at www.teriwilson.net or on Instagram @teriwilsonauthor.

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Pass by Teri Wilson
Texas Forever After series #1. Harlequin Special Edition. Closed door, sports romance.
Jackson Knight is having a career crisis. His reputation as the bad boy of the NFL on top of a torn ACL sends him to the small town of Bishop Falls to be the temporary high school football coach. If he can present himself and the team in a good light after the fall season, it may allow him back to his NFL career. The town is excited to have the big name in their midst. Hopefully Jackson can break the town curse.
Calla Dunne hates football but as a journalist in Bishop Falls, football is the number one draw. She doesn’t trust that Jackson will be able to help the team, let alone provide a good influence. It’s up to Jackson to prove to everyone that’s he still pro material.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook of this story, narrated by Stacy Gonzalez. It’s an amazing performance with specific and distinct voices for Calla and Jackson. Calla’s distrust and Jackson’s worry come through clearly in the playback along with the other emotions, bringing the small town football spirit to life.
I listened at my usual 1.5 and slightly higher to match local conversation speed. I don’t feel I missed any of the nuances of the performance at this speed.

Loved the small town vibe of this story on top of the heartwarming connections. The dog, the fifth string, the romance and banter and most of all, the absolute rejection of bullying and hazing.
Delightful.
4.5

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Harlequin Audio.

[Harlequin Books]

Western Romance, Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction
Miniseries
Texas Forever After (Book #1)

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calla Dunne hates football, but is a sports reporter in a town that eats, sleeps and breathes the game. Bishop Falls has always been home and that’s not going to change even though they may be football crazed. Jackson Knight is a bad boy tight end recovering from injury and his in Bishop Falls to try and help clear up his image. The town is in need of a high school coach to help them break their curse and Jackson is their latest hope. Arriving in Bishop Falls, Jackson is ready to get in and out as fast as he can, but once the town and a local sports reporter who hates football enters his heart, getting away might be easier said than done. Does Jackson have what it takes to break the curse? Will he fall in love in the process?

This was the perfect start of fall romance to read and I loved every minute of it. It was so easy to get into and fast paced. I loved the characters and fell in love with this Texas small town. The storyline was engaging and easy to fall into. I was invested in the town and Calla and Jackson’s budding relationship. This romance has humor and moments that pull at your heartstrings. It was a great feel good fall romance. Full of cozy fall romantic vibes and Friday night football feelings, this was the perfect cute romance for me.

[Lindy Dierks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to be completely honest. I ‘m not a huge football fan, and I love my books the spicier the better. I was completely proved wrong as I devoured this audiobook in one day. This book had no spice and lots of football, and I haven’t had that much fun listening to a book in a good long while. I can not say enough good things about this book! It was a perfect fun, fall read! Teri Wilson rocked this story! It was so beautifully crafted with lots of amazing conflict and challenges the characters had to overcome. The character growth for both Jackson and Calla was absolutely perfect! The writing was top notch. The story flowed so well that I felt like I was right there rooting on the Bulldogs. Jackson and Calla had great chemistry, and their connection was organic and felt real. The bulldog mascot provided some fun comic relief. There wasn’t one thing I didn’t love about Bishop Falls. I will be here waiting for the next book to come out. The narrator, Stacy Gonzalez, knocked the narration out of the park. Her voice really brought Calla and Jackson to life. If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. I received this audiobook from Harlequin Audio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackson Knight, known as the bad boy of the NFL, has recently suffered a torn ACL. To improve his image while recuperating , he’s been sent to work as the provisional HS football coach in Bishop Falls, Texas. The town lives for football and hope Jackson’s coaching will finally get them to win a game. But he truly fumbles when things don’t go well during the parade they throw for him upon his arrival.
One person who is definitely not a fan is Calla Dunne, a sports reporter for the local newspaper. Truth be told, she dislikes the game. An understatement of the year, but she has her personal and truly tragic reasons.
Though they beginning at opposite sides of the fence, the town and closeness changes the perspective of each other. In the end , will the football team claim a victory? Will Calla and Jackson realize they are meant to be together?
Stacy Gonzalez did a good job with the various voices in this audiobook
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Hard Audio. The opinions expressed are solely my own

[Kate Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in the Texas Forever After series, in which reporter Calla Dunne can't believe how the rest of little Bishop Falls is going crazy over the arrival of bad boy NFL star Jackson Knight when he's hired to coach the high school football team while his torn ACL heals so that he can get back to his pro football career.

He doesn't want to be there and even more so when he's also required to take care of the school's mascot, one drooly bulldog who is allergic to Astroturf and plagued with separation anxiety, thus requiring Jackson to take the dog with him to practices as well as the games.

Calla hates football and its players, but how she really feels begins to be revealed when Jackson does things that reveal is more than the player who plays more off the field than on. And going back to his pro team begins to look less and less appealing when the students--particularly the fourth string ones--begin to show him how much he's needed.

A tale that plucks the heartstrings in more ways than one.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one in the Texas Ever After series, and it was such a cute and fun start. It gave me all the small town football vibes I was hoping for and had just the right mix of heart and heat. I loved how lighthearted and easy this was to listen to, and it was the perfect feel-good read to brighten my day.

Jackson is a famous NFL player recovering from an injury, and while he rehabs, he’s coaching a struggling high school football team. Calla is the local reporter who’s not at all impressed by his charm or reputation. They clash from the start, but the sparks are undeniable. I loved their playful banter, and the way they slowly started to see each other’s hearts made their connection even sweeter.

Their chemistry had me cheering for them from the very beginning. I loved watching Jackson soften while still keeping that confident edge, and how Calla stayed strong and true to herself while letting her walls down. Their romance had a mix of heart, humor, and just enough tension to keep me hooked.

Stacy Gonzalez did a wonderful job with the narration. Her tone matched the story perfectly, and she gave each character their own personality so it was easy to follow along. She made the story feel lively and engaging from start to finish.

If you love small town romances with a swoony sports hero, a determined heroine, and a fun mix of charm and heart, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC.

[Toni Decaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Pass is about Jackson Knight who used to play professional football but is suffering from an injury and is now recruited to be the head coach for the Bulldogs in a Texas High School. The first day there he has an encounter with Calla Dunne who hates football due to a personal event that happened to her brother when he played football.

I listed to this story on audio. The narrator was Stacy Gonzalez. Stacy did a good job changing her voice when she was voicing different characters. She made you feel like you were part of the story and right there.

I enjoyed the story. Teri did well getting the reader invested in the in Jackson's and Calle's story. I love how throughout the book football and the main characters stayed the central part of the story. There are often times sports romance stories stray from the sports side of the story. I look forward to the next books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an ARC copy for an honest review.

[Denise Houghtlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for allowing me to listen and review this book. I was not sure how I was gonna feel about this book because I was kind of bored at the beginning and thrown off the way it started and actually had to put the book down. I knew I wanted to give it a chance though because I love small town romances and sports romances, so this was the perfect mix of the two! I am so glad I did give it a chance because by the end, I really loved this book and I was sitting here at work cheering on the bulldogs too, like I was there at the game! I loved all the relationships that bloomed, grew and got better throughout this book for everyone! This really was a 4/5 star book and I’m so glad I gave it more of a chance! This is the book for you if you like sports and small town romances!

[Vicki Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great small town romance with 2 easy to love main characters. Jackson is a famous football player who is brought in to coach a small town football team. He meets reporter Calla, and the sparks fly with them from the getgo. I love their banter, but mostly I love that Teri Wilson addresses bullying and small town politics by not shying away from how bad it can be. I also love how she shows strength in the main characters by describing them as standing up for what is right. I listened to the book on audio and I think the narrator did a good job. Her tone was great and she did good with differentiating the characters. While this book touches on some hard issues, it is a very good feel good HEA read.

[L Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

🗓️ Publication Date: September 30th, 2025
Audiobook Review:
🎧 4🌟
📖 4 🌟

"The new head coach
Is about to get schooled"

Narrator: Stacy Gonzalez
Her voice was able to fit each character and was easily differentiated between each other. Giving each their own personality. She was definitely able to bring the story to life. Making you feel like you are attending the final game by the end.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a perfect mix of a small town and sports romance. This is a sweet no spice HEA romance.
In the beginning it is easy to feel indifferent towards the famous football player but you will be cheering for him and his players by the end.
This one should definitely be added to your TBR.
Thank you to Harlequin audio through NetGalley for this ALC in return for my honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a small town Texas enemies to lovers Friday Night Lights style romance between an injured Pro NFL player who is temporarily coaching his old high school team and how he falls for his former crush, journalist Calla who has hated Football ever since someone she loved was seriously injured. I liked the chemistry between the two main characters and thought the story handled the way high school athletes often get special treatment really well. There was more emotional depth to this Harlequin romance than I was expecting and I thought it was well done on audio narrated by Stacy Gonzalez. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a football-obsessed Texas town, injured NFL star Jackson takes on a temporary coaching job, hoping to rehabilitate his career and reputation. He finds an unexpected challenge in journalist Calla—and an unexpected fight to maintain his personal integrity.

This is a heartwarming story. Jackson and Calla start out as adversaries but soon find themselves falling for each other. The town’s obsession with football becomes critical to the plot after a hazing incident, forcing the characters to grow beyond their comfort zone. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Janis Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect read to just relax and get away from it all; no political “opinions” or trash snuck in. The story centers around Calla, whose heart and soul are damaged by her brother’s death and its connection to football in the middle of a town that is all football. Enter Jackson, a flawed major football player whose own life is imploding. Although the main story was somewhat predictable, it contained enough side story to really hold my attention and I whizzed right through it.
The actual writing was excellent. It was obviously written with care and edited with attention to detail.

[Mama Needs to Read Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest. Based on the publisher, the cover, and the title, I assumed this would be a simple, paint-by-number small town contemporary football romance. I was WRONG. This was better than SO MANY football romances I've read! I was blown away by the dramatic elements that had me riveted to the page and dying to see how it would end. It felt like a really good, family-friendly football movie with a romantic relationship on the side. Fun stuff!

Trigger warnings: MC grieving the loss of her brother, bullying, hazing

[Shere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some great giggles, listening to this. I especially had a chuckle about the panties being thrown in the parade.
It was a perfect listen to get into the fall spirit.
Jackson has a rude awakening when he comes to Bishop Falls. Callie wants absolutely nothing to do with him.
Listening to the story evolve, was both heartwarming and heart wrenching. As small town romances can be.
Stacy did a wonderful job narrating and adding depth to story.

[Shawn-Joy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about a fallen professional football player trying to claw his way back in and clean up his reputation by coaching a small town high school football team.

I wasn't really the biggest fan of the inflection the narrator used. It brought me out of the story more than a few times.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to listen to the audiobook for this small town football romantic comedy. Jackson and Calla were fun characters, and I couldn't wait to see how their romance unfolded. Jackson is hired, while injured, to coach a high school football team. Calla is a journalist who is hired to write about football, even though she hates the sport (for personal reasons). 4.5/5

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book by this author and I loved it.
An injured pro player forced to become a coach to safe his goals
A reporter forced to write about the one subject she hates
Opposites attract
Community pressure
Do what's right vs what's safe

[Meli reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed. Good wholesome story.

[K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first time author for me.

It looks like this could be part of a series.

I have to say that this book was good and I can see where things could go from where it left off.

[Paging Snidget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting and sweet. A clean romance which was pleasant. Really liked both the MMC and the FMC. They also both had good character arcs. Definitely recommend, even if you’re not a football fan.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m an avid Teri Wilson reader and I was thrilled to see this latest release. This was a sweet book based in a football obsessed Texas town. The build-up between Calla and Jackson’s relationship was exciting to read. They both had so much backstory. Jackson didn’t want to be coaching high school football and monitoring students during detention, he wanted to be back in the grind of the NFL. Calla was a hometown girl who wrote for the local paper, but when she gets her new assignment and it involves highlighting the highs and lows of the town’s favorite team for the season, she has to get past the terrible memories of the tragedy that cause the entire town to believe in a curse.

[Stacy Alesi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
This book captures the football obsession in the small Texas town of Bishop Falls, where football rules everything and the booster club holds serious power. Injured NFL star Jackson Knight is at a crossroads in his career. After tearing his ACL, he’s struggling through a difficult recovery, and his playboy reputation isn’t doing him any favors. His agent secures him a temporary high school coaching position, hoping to salvage both his career and his public image.

Enter Calla Dunne, a journalist at the local paper who secretly hates football—with good reason. She keeps her opinions to herself as she knows better than to challenge the town’s obsession. She covers football while dreaming of writing features instead.

Jackson’s arrival is marked by a parade in his honor, but Calla happens to overhear him on a phone call, desperately trying to wriggle out of the coaching job. From that moment, she’s skeptical. She doubts he’ll help the team or provide any positive influence. I particularly appreciated how the author addressed bullying among team members and showed Jackson genuinely rising to the challenge.

As Jackson struggles with his recovery and faces the possibility that his NFL days might be over, he begins to see how empty his life was before Bishop Falls. His growing connection with Calla forces him to reevaluate everything.

This enemies-to-lovers, small-town sports romance delivers on every level. The narrator brought excellent vocal variety to the audiobook, making the story truly come alive. This is the first book in a series, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.. If you loved “Friday Night Lights”, this is for you.

Read all my reviews: https://stacyalesi.com/