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Nailing Heat
I tackle strikers for a living—not emotional baggage. So, when I’m forced to share an apartment with Dex Langley, the Blaze’s newly divorced trainer with green eyes that draw me in, I vow to keep my distance. He’s sexy, cocky, and way too good at getting under my skin. I’m used to clean tackles and closed doors, but Dex? He kicks them wide open.
Unfortunately, fate has other plans. An injury takes me off the field and leaves Dex playing nurse at home. Living with him means shared space, unexpected vulnerability, and a slow unraveling of the walls I’ve spent years building. I’m supposed to be healing my body—but he’s making me question if my heart’s ready for a comeback too.
Unfortunately, fate has other plans. An injury takes me off the field and leaves Dex playing nurse at home. Living with him means shared space, unexpected vulnerability, and a slow unraveling of the walls I’ve spent years building. I’m supposed to be healing my body—but he’s making me question if my heart’s ready for a comeback too.
- GenresSoccer
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2025
4 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Stray
16 books91 followersJL Stray has always enjoyed reading books and writing stories. Finally, she gathered up enough courage to publish one herself. A former Policy Specialist and current Consultant, she spends any extra moment she has writing, outlining and scheming her next book.
Raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, she graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Most days she uses one of those degrees in either her career or dealing with her children.
J.L. lives in that same small town, with her three very active children, who always have her at a diamond, field or court. She is a lover of books, shoes, beaches, and a strong drink.
Raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, she graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Most days she uses one of those degrees in either her career or dealing with her children.
J.L. lives in that same small town, with her three very active children, who always have her at a diamond, field or court. She is a lover of books, shoes, beaches, and a strong drink.
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November 24, 2025The FMC was really annoying me pretty much from the beginning. Then the repetitiveness had me wanting to bang my head against a wall. There were way too many times when the FMC would tell her friends something, and then 2 chapters later tell them the same thing again. Add in that I just didn’t connect with the characters or the story and I decided it was time to call it quits. This book was obviously just not for me, but I know others will love it.
December 22, 2025
#Review: *Nailing Heat* - J.L. Stray
4.6/5✨
3/5🌶️
How would you react when you're told that you must share your apartment with a stranger? Well, Amelia was in that situation when, the owner of the football team where she was playing, at placed the new trainer in one of her spare rooms.
Dex was trying to get away from his old life, being a bit lost and wanting to start over. He had never expected that his new roommate would completely steal his minds. But was he ready for a new relationship after what happened in his previous one?
It was so much fun to read this book! We actually had real banter from the first moment Dex and Amelia have met and it became a constant thing between them since then. Even though Amelia didn't agree at all with him living with her, somehow Dex got under her skin and made her feel something super nice and fun. It was obvious that Dex was a bit obsessed with Amelia, being so hard for him not to be completely mesmerized by her. But what happens when secrets are unraveled? Where will it leave them?
So nice to read a book about women in sports, our main FMC being part of a very talented football team. It was inspiring and I loved her determination. I liked that crazy chemistry between our main characters and how their relationship was slowly built throughout this story. I definitely recommend it to all sports romance lovers. Go check it out!🥰
I must thank Hambright Pr for offering me this e-copy!
✨Tropes
▫️Strangers To Lovers
▫️Roommates
▫️He Falls Harder
▫️Forced Proximity
▫️Workplace Romance
▫️Lots Of Banter
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Soccer Player FMC / Trainer MMC
4.6/5✨
3/5🌶️
How would you react when you're told that you must share your apartment with a stranger? Well, Amelia was in that situation when, the owner of the football team where she was playing, at placed the new trainer in one of her spare rooms.
Dex was trying to get away from his old life, being a bit lost and wanting to start over. He had never expected that his new roommate would completely steal his minds. But was he ready for a new relationship after what happened in his previous one?
It was so much fun to read this book! We actually had real banter from the first moment Dex and Amelia have met and it became a constant thing between them since then. Even though Amelia didn't agree at all with him living with her, somehow Dex got under her skin and made her feel something super nice and fun. It was obvious that Dex was a bit obsessed with Amelia, being so hard for him not to be completely mesmerized by her. But what happens when secrets are unraveled? Where will it leave them?
So nice to read a book about women in sports, our main FMC being part of a very talented football team. It was inspiring and I loved her determination. I liked that crazy chemistry between our main characters and how their relationship was slowly built throughout this story. I definitely recommend it to all sports romance lovers. Go check it out!🥰
I must thank Hambright Pr for offering me this e-copy!
✨Tropes
▫️Strangers To Lovers
▫️Roommates
▫️He Falls Harder
▫️Forced Proximity
▫️Workplace Romance
▫️Lots Of Banter
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Soccer Player FMC / Trainer MMC
December 6, 2025
Thank you, Hambright PR, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a hard book to rate! For the first half, I was really into it, the (love) story was fun and interesting to read. I didn’t have many big complaints besides the constant grammatical errors. This book clearly did NOT go through an editor.
But around the halfway mark it just became so repetitive. The same sentence was written twice in a paragraph, the FMC repeated the exact same things to her friends in back-to-back chapters… it was exhausting and made it difficult to stay focused.
When the couple finally got together, it did get a little better, because they were a cute couple! But then his past came back to haunt him, her, and ME. Why was this man a serial cheater and at the same time the hero of this story? It didn’t match his personality at all.
Overall, I liked it, but it probably annoyed me more than it entertained me. I’d also advise anyone who wants to read this book to read the whole series first. I found it hard to keep up with the other characters and couples, and maybe I would’ve appreciated them more if I had “known” them.
This was a hard book to rate! For the first half, I was really into it, the (love) story was fun and interesting to read. I didn’t have many big complaints besides the constant grammatical errors. This book clearly did NOT go through an editor.
But around the halfway mark it just became so repetitive. The same sentence was written twice in a paragraph, the FMC repeated the exact same things to her friends in back-to-back chapters… it was exhausting and made it difficult to stay focused.
When the couple finally got together, it did get a little better, because they were a cute couple! But then his past came back to haunt him, her, and ME. Why was this man a serial cheater and at the same time the hero of this story? It didn’t match his personality at all.
Overall, I liked it, but it probably annoyed me more than it entertained me. I’d also advise anyone who wants to read this book to read the whole series first. I found it hard to keep up with the other characters and couples, and maybe I would’ve appreciated them more if I had “known” them.
November 17, 2025
JL Stray delivers a steamy, slow-burn romance packed with charm, tension, and the kind of chemistry that practically vibrates off the page.
Amelia, the fierce and fearless star center back of her soccer team, has her world flipped when Dexter—the new physical therapist—joins the staff and her apartment. He’s still learning the ropes of the sport, but one thing he figures out quickly? Amelia. What starts as a reluctant roommate situation (thanks to a housing mishap from their boss- August) quickly becomes a close-quarters dynamic filled with lingering looks, playful banter, and a mutual attraction they both try—and fail—to ignore.
When Amelia suffers a brutal hit on the field, Dex steps into full caretaker mode, becoming her steady, soothing presence, and most importantly- her safe space. The forced proximity, late-night check-ins, and shared space blur lines they’ve been trying to keep professional. And after a night out, when they finally let go of restraint, their connection ignites in a moment that shifts everything between them. Their first night together is electric, tender, and just the beginning of something deeper.
But Stray doesn’t let things stay perfect for long. After a romantic, intimate night that cements everything they’ve been building toward, the story hits its plot twist that plot twists: Dexter’s ex-wife shows up—on Amelia’s doorstep. The emotional fallout is sharp, messy, and compelling, adding tension that tests their fragile new relationship and forces Dexter to confront the past he thought he’d left behind. Is their new budding relationship worth saving?
Nailing Heat blends sports romance, forced proximity, caretaking warmth, and a delicious slow burn that pays off beautifully. Amelia and Dex’s journey is equal parts heartfelt and steamy, with a twist that keeps the pages turning. If you love workplace-to-roommates romance and emotionally layered love stories, you will devour this one.
Amelia, the fierce and fearless star center back of her soccer team, has her world flipped when Dexter—the new physical therapist—joins the staff and her apartment. He’s still learning the ropes of the sport, but one thing he figures out quickly? Amelia. What starts as a reluctant roommate situation (thanks to a housing mishap from their boss- August) quickly becomes a close-quarters dynamic filled with lingering looks, playful banter, and a mutual attraction they both try—and fail—to ignore.
When Amelia suffers a brutal hit on the field, Dex steps into full caretaker mode, becoming her steady, soothing presence, and most importantly- her safe space. The forced proximity, late-night check-ins, and shared space blur lines they’ve been trying to keep professional. And after a night out, when they finally let go of restraint, their connection ignites in a moment that shifts everything between them. Their first night together is electric, tender, and just the beginning of something deeper.
But Stray doesn’t let things stay perfect for long. After a romantic, intimate night that cements everything they’ve been building toward, the story hits its plot twist that plot twists: Dexter’s ex-wife shows up—on Amelia’s doorstep. The emotional fallout is sharp, messy, and compelling, adding tension that tests their fragile new relationship and forces Dexter to confront the past he thought he’d left behind. Is their new budding relationship worth saving?
Nailing Heat blends sports romance, forced proximity, caretaking warmth, and a delicious slow burn that pays off beautifully. Amelia and Dex’s journey is equal parts heartfelt and steamy, with a twist that keeps the pages turning. If you love workplace-to-roommates romance and emotionally layered love stories, you will devour this one.
November 20, 2025
Forced Proximity + Injury Caretaking = Instant Emotional Tackle
Rating: ★★★★☆
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, athlete x team trainer, injury recovery, slow burn, emotional walls crumble
Review:
Our MC is the Blaze’s star player — a defender who knows how to slam into strikers but avoids emotional complications like they’re career-ending injuries. Enter Dex Langley: newly divorced, annoyingly attractive, sharp-tongued, and way too good at cracking through the MC’s armor.
Sharing an apartment was already bad enough. But when an injury takes the MC off the field, Dex becomes his live-in nurse… which means close quarters, shared silences, shifting glances, and all the vulnerability the MC has spent years suppressing. Dex doesn’t just slip past his defenses — he bulldozes them with charm, competence, and those stupidly dangerous green eyes.
What works: The slow-burn intimacy is chef’s kiss. Watching the MC struggle between attraction and fear gives the build-up real emotional depth, and Dex brings that perfect balance of playful heat and steady reassurance. Forced proximity + caretaking hits exactly the right cozy-but-steamy tone.
What might not: The MC’s stubborn emotional avoidance can feel repetitive, and the pacing slows during the injury-recovery stretch. Readers wanting high drama may find it a bit soft.
But if you want a warm, slow-building romance where a guarded athlete falls hard for the one man patient enough to wait him out? Dex and the MC deliver a satisfying, tender hit.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, athlete x team trainer, injury recovery, slow burn, emotional walls crumble
Review:
Our MC is the Blaze’s star player — a defender who knows how to slam into strikers but avoids emotional complications like they’re career-ending injuries. Enter Dex Langley: newly divorced, annoyingly attractive, sharp-tongued, and way too good at cracking through the MC’s armor.
Sharing an apartment was already bad enough. But when an injury takes the MC off the field, Dex becomes his live-in nurse… which means close quarters, shared silences, shifting glances, and all the vulnerability the MC has spent years suppressing. Dex doesn’t just slip past his defenses — he bulldozes them with charm, competence, and those stupidly dangerous green eyes.
What works: The slow-burn intimacy is chef’s kiss. Watching the MC struggle between attraction and fear gives the build-up real emotional depth, and Dex brings that perfect balance of playful heat and steady reassurance. Forced proximity + caretaking hits exactly the right cozy-but-steamy tone.
What might not: The MC’s stubborn emotional avoidance can feel repetitive, and the pacing slows during the injury-recovery stretch. Readers wanting high drama may find it a bit soft.
But if you want a warm, slow-building romance where a guarded athlete falls hard for the one man patient enough to wait him out? Dex and the MC deliver a satisfying, tender hit.
November 26, 2025
Nailing Heat follows Amelia and Dex, two people who want absolutely nothing to do with sharing a space until life throws them into closed quarters together. Sparks start flying almost instantly, but it’s when Amelia gets injured mid-season that the story truly shines. Dex, recently divorced and armed with both a Physician’s Assistant degree and golden-retriever energy, steps up as caretaker and accidental heart-stealer. Amelia may not have wanted a roommate, but this man makes it very hard to stay annoyed.
As a certified sucker for sports romance, I loved seeing a tough, driven, hilarious female athlete take the spotlight. Amelia had me laughing from the first moment she walked onto the page, and her passion for the game is honestly inspiring. Dex… well, Dex had me at “I can cook.” Add in his soft heart, easy warmth, and the way he supports Amelia? Yeah, I fell just as hard as she did.
And then came the twist one I absolutely did not see coming. It cracked my heart a little, but I thought the emotional groundwork was solid that it worked in this set up. It’s rare that a twist catches me off guard, but this one did, and the writing handled it with just the right amount of tension and tenderness. The HEA felt comforting, and exactly what I needed a positive take.
Special shoutout to the side characters they brought that quirky found-family vibe I adore and added so much warmth to the story. Honestly, this book was the perfect quick, easy, entertaining read to shake me out of a minor reading slump.
Thank you to @authorjlstray and @hambright_pr for this ARC!
As a certified sucker for sports romance, I loved seeing a tough, driven, hilarious female athlete take the spotlight. Amelia had me laughing from the first moment she walked onto the page, and her passion for the game is honestly inspiring. Dex… well, Dex had me at “I can cook.” Add in his soft heart, easy warmth, and the way he supports Amelia? Yeah, I fell just as hard as she did.
And then came the twist one I absolutely did not see coming. It cracked my heart a little, but I thought the emotional groundwork was solid that it worked in this set up. It’s rare that a twist catches me off guard, but this one did, and the writing handled it with just the right amount of tension and tenderness. The HEA felt comforting, and exactly what I needed a positive take.
Special shoutout to the side characters they brought that quirky found-family vibe I adore and added so much warmth to the story. Honestly, this book was the perfect quick, easy, entertaining read to shake me out of a minor reading slump.
Thank you to @authorjlstray and @hambright_pr for this ARC!
December 23, 2025
ARC Review
⚽Nailing Heat 🧡
Book 3 in The Forbidden Heat Series
Written By: J.L. Stray
Overall: 3.5/5
Overall plot: 3.5/5
Character development: 3.5/5
Pace: 3.5/5
World building: 3.5/5
Spice 🌶️: 2/5
She tackles strikers for a living—emotional baggage? Not so much. When an injury sidelines Amelia and forces her into close quarters with Dex Langley, the Blaze’s newly divorced trainer, lines blur fast. What starts as forced proximity quickly turns into vulnerability, attraction, and a lot of feelings neither of them planned for.
The instant connection didn’t bother me—fast attraction made sense here. What I did struggle with was Dex’s past. The crime he committed felt unforgivable to me, and I really wished there had been more groveling on his part to truly earn the forgiveness and emotional payoff. Amelia also felt a bit immature at times, especially when she kept revisiting the same frustrations about losing her personal space once Dex moved in.
That said, there was a lot to enjoy. I loved the role reversal—Amelia as the professional athlete and Dex as the trainer felt refreshing in a genre that often flips that dynamic. The banter was fun, and the found family vibe within the team was a highlight and added so much heart to the story.
Overall, this had a lot of wonderful elements for me - great banter, strong found family, and a refreshing setup, even if some character choices kept me from fully connecting.
Tropes:
⚽ Forced Proximity
🧡 Slow Burn
⚽ He Falls First
🧡 Female Athlete
⚽ Athletic Trainer
🧡 Found Family
⚽Nailing Heat 🧡
Book 3 in The Forbidden Heat Series
Written By: J.L. Stray
Overall: 3.5/5
Overall plot: 3.5/5
Character development: 3.5/5
Pace: 3.5/5
World building: 3.5/5
Spice 🌶️: 2/5
She tackles strikers for a living—emotional baggage? Not so much. When an injury sidelines Amelia and forces her into close quarters with Dex Langley, the Blaze’s newly divorced trainer, lines blur fast. What starts as forced proximity quickly turns into vulnerability, attraction, and a lot of feelings neither of them planned for.
The instant connection didn’t bother me—fast attraction made sense here. What I did struggle with was Dex’s past. The crime he committed felt unforgivable to me, and I really wished there had been more groveling on his part to truly earn the forgiveness and emotional payoff. Amelia also felt a bit immature at times, especially when she kept revisiting the same frustrations about losing her personal space once Dex moved in.
That said, there was a lot to enjoy. I loved the role reversal—Amelia as the professional athlete and Dex as the trainer felt refreshing in a genre that often flips that dynamic. The banter was fun, and the found family vibe within the team was a highlight and added so much heart to the story.
Overall, this had a lot of wonderful elements for me - great banter, strong found family, and a refreshing setup, even if some character choices kept me from fully connecting.
Tropes:
⚽ Forced Proximity
🧡 Slow Burn
⚽ He Falls First
🧡 Female Athlete
⚽ Athletic Trainer
🧡 Found Family
November 22, 2025
**Star Player & Physical Therapist**
"Nailing Heat" is the third book in The Forbidden Heat series. It’s an amazing slow-burn romance that transitions from workplace dynamics to roommates and ultimately to lovers, featuring the characters Amelia and Dexter.
After his divorce, Dexter is seeking a fresh start and takes on the position of the new physical therapist for the Tampa Bay Blaze, where Amelia is one of the star players. A mishap leads Dexter and Amelia to become roommates, allowing Dexter to slowly break down the walls Amelia has built around herself.
When Amelia suffers a major hit on the field that results in a career-ending injury, things begin to shift between them. Dexter steps into a caretaker role, and as they continue to get to know each other, their playful banter evolves into flirtation. Eventually, they can no longer resist their feelings for one another, and their relationship becomes increasingly steamy.
Amelia and Dexter are well-developed characters, and the author has done a fantastic job with the supporting cast, creating a sense of found family. The emotional ups and downs of Amelia and Dexter’s journey to their HEA make their connection palpable. The twists that almost derail their relationship are truly touching and add depth to their story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Nailing Heat" is the third book in The Forbidden Heat series. It’s an amazing slow-burn romance that transitions from workplace dynamics to roommates and ultimately to lovers, featuring the characters Amelia and Dexter.
After his divorce, Dexter is seeking a fresh start and takes on the position of the new physical therapist for the Tampa Bay Blaze, where Amelia is one of the star players. A mishap leads Dexter and Amelia to become roommates, allowing Dexter to slowly break down the walls Amelia has built around herself.
When Amelia suffers a major hit on the field that results in a career-ending injury, things begin to shift between them. Dexter steps into a caretaker role, and as they continue to get to know each other, their playful banter evolves into flirtation. Eventually, they can no longer resist their feelings for one another, and their relationship becomes increasingly steamy.
Amelia and Dexter are well-developed characters, and the author has done a fantastic job with the supporting cast, creating a sense of found family. The emotional ups and downs of Amelia and Dexter’s journey to their HEA make their connection palpable. The twists that almost derail their relationship are truly touching and add depth to their story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 26, 2025
Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - November 21, 2025
Publication Date - Available Now!
*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @authorjlstray, @hambright_pr and @hambrightmarketing!
Nailing Heat is book three in an interconnected series and you can follow along without reading the others first. This is a sports romance, specifically soccer, and I really enjoyed the twist of Amelia being the athlete because it’s usually the MMC who is the athlete. I definitely want to read more books where the FMC plays sports! Some of my favourite scenes involved her soccer games. I love getting inside a player’s head during a game or getting play by plays of the action, rather than just being told what the character does for a living and never actually experiencing it as a reader. Even though I don’t approve of Dex’s actions in the past, I appreciated being able to recognize his growth by the end of the book. For my spicy friends, prepare yourself because you will be adding a book girl spice idea to your fantasy list after reading this book! If you like sports romances where she’s the athlete with forced proximity and dislike to love, you might enjoy Nailing Heat!
Get excited to read Nailing Heat, available now! 🎉
*Please check trigger warnings*
Date Read - November 21, 2025
Publication Date - Available Now!
*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @authorjlstray, @hambright_pr and @hambrightmarketing!
Nailing Heat is book three in an interconnected series and you can follow along without reading the others first. This is a sports romance, specifically soccer, and I really enjoyed the twist of Amelia being the athlete because it’s usually the MMC who is the athlete. I definitely want to read more books where the FMC plays sports! Some of my favourite scenes involved her soccer games. I love getting inside a player’s head during a game or getting play by plays of the action, rather than just being told what the character does for a living and never actually experiencing it as a reader. Even though I don’t approve of Dex’s actions in the past, I appreciated being able to recognize his growth by the end of the book. For my spicy friends, prepare yourself because you will be adding a book girl spice idea to your fantasy list after reading this book! If you like sports romances where she’s the athlete with forced proximity and dislike to love, you might enjoy Nailing Heat!
Get excited to read Nailing Heat, available now! 🎉
*Please check trigger warnings*
November 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5–5 Stars
Sizzling. Emotional. Addictive.
Nailing Heat by J.L. Stray is one of those romances that sneaks up on you — starting off hot, getting hotter, and then hitting you square in the chest with all the feelings you didn’t see coming.
This book blends chemistry, banter, and genuine emotional depth so well that I found myself devouring it in one sitting. The connection between the characters feels natural yet electric, like every look and every touch is charged. The tension is top-tier, the spice is unapologetically present (and written so well), and the emotional layers underneath all that heat give the story real heart.
What I loved most is the dynamic between the characters — the push and pull, the vulnerability beneath the confidence, and the way they challenge each other without losing that crackling spark. It’s the kind of romance that feels intimate, messy, passionate, and real.
If you love:
🔥 Steamy tension with payoff
🧡 Characters who grow emotionally
👀 A storyline that balances heat with heart
🏡 Small but vivid world-building
…then this book will absolutely hit the spot.
Nailing Heat delivers exactly what the title promises: heat, nailed perfectly.
Highly recommend to anyone who loves their romance bold, spicy, and full of genuine connection.
Sizzling. Emotional. Addictive.
Nailing Heat by J.L. Stray is one of those romances that sneaks up on you — starting off hot, getting hotter, and then hitting you square in the chest with all the feelings you didn’t see coming.
This book blends chemistry, banter, and genuine emotional depth so well that I found myself devouring it in one sitting. The connection between the characters feels natural yet electric, like every look and every touch is charged. The tension is top-tier, the spice is unapologetically present (and written so well), and the emotional layers underneath all that heat give the story real heart.
What I loved most is the dynamic between the characters — the push and pull, the vulnerability beneath the confidence, and the way they challenge each other without losing that crackling spark. It’s the kind of romance that feels intimate, messy, passionate, and real.
If you love:
🔥 Steamy tension with payoff
🧡 Characters who grow emotionally
👀 A storyline that balances heat with heart
🏡 Small but vivid world-building
…then this book will absolutely hit the spot.
Nailing Heat delivers exactly what the title promises: heat, nailed perfectly.
Highly recommend to anyone who loves their romance bold, spicy, and full of genuine connection.
December 4, 2025
Nailing Heat by J.L. Stray is a is a forced proximity sports romance that is so AMAZING!!
“When opposites collide under one roof, and sparks aren’t the only thing flying.”
Heat is about Amelia and Dex who are forced to share living quarters, neither of them is happy about this but the sparks eventually fly!!
I played soccer from the young age of 4 all the way up to 25 and still play recreationally. So to see this story play out was so fun for me.
I really enjoyed Amelia! I thought she was so strong and some of her dialogue had been laughing out loud!!
I went into this thinking it was going to be just a sports romance but the emotional depth in these pages were so well written and filled with emotions!!!
There is a very strong sense of found family which I really enjoyed!!
TROPES:
✨he falls first
⚽️slow burn
✨friends to lovers
⚽️found family
This was an amazing read and I devoured this in one sitting because I was so invested in this story!
This was my first read by J.L. Stray and won’t be my last! I love Stray’s writing style! It had the ability to make me feel a wide array of emotions!
I highly recommend this one!
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me!
“When opposites collide under one roof, and sparks aren’t the only thing flying.”
Heat is about Amelia and Dex who are forced to share living quarters, neither of them is happy about this but the sparks eventually fly!!
I played soccer from the young age of 4 all the way up to 25 and still play recreationally. So to see this story play out was so fun for me.
I really enjoyed Amelia! I thought she was so strong and some of her dialogue had been laughing out loud!!
I went into this thinking it was going to be just a sports romance but the emotional depth in these pages were so well written and filled with emotions!!!
There is a very strong sense of found family which I really enjoyed!!
TROPES:
✨he falls first
⚽️slow burn
✨friends to lovers
⚽️found family
This was an amazing read and I devoured this in one sitting because I was so invested in this story!
This was my first read by J.L. Stray and won’t be my last! I love Stray’s writing style! It had the ability to make me feel a wide array of emotions!
I highly recommend this one!
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me!
December 7, 2025
This was a fun, quick read! This book also starts with a very relatable yoga class - and yes there are baby goats! I loved that SHE was the soccer player and HE was the trainer! Amelia and Dex (Dexter) don’t exactly start out on great terms - and I loved their meet-cute - it was a little awkward and messy (and references my favorite serial killer!)
Amelia finds herself with an unwanted temporary roommate when Dex is hired as a trainer for the Tampa Bay Heat in The National Women’s Soccer League which leads to tension and great banter and spicy scenes too!! When she ends up injured he is there to help her…and well things sure get interesting between them. They do try and keep things professional, and when they finally give in to their feelings they are so good together - but there is a twist I never saw coming and it’s NOT smooth sailing…
Amelia felt so relatable - she is funny and witty ant smart and I loved her as the FMC. I loved Dex too - he has this great energy about him and he was funny and supportive.
✨ What To Expect:
⚽️ Sports Romance
💘 He Falls First
🥅 Athlete x Trainer
🔥 Slow Burn
💞 Friends to Lovers
🚪 Roommates / Close Proximity
🫶 Found Family
💔 MMC on the Rebound
☀️ Tampa Bay Setting
Amelia finds herself with an unwanted temporary roommate when Dex is hired as a trainer for the Tampa Bay Heat in The National Women’s Soccer League which leads to tension and great banter and spicy scenes too!! When she ends up injured he is there to help her…and well things sure get interesting between them. They do try and keep things professional, and when they finally give in to their feelings they are so good together - but there is a twist I never saw coming and it’s NOT smooth sailing…
Amelia felt so relatable - she is funny and witty ant smart and I loved her as the FMC. I loved Dex too - he has this great energy about him and he was funny and supportive.
✨ What To Expect:
⚽️ Sports Romance
💘 He Falls First
🥅 Athlete x Trainer
🔥 Slow Burn
💞 Friends to Lovers
🚪 Roommates / Close Proximity
🫶 Found Family
💔 MMC on the Rebound
☀️ Tampa Bay Setting
November 22, 2025
Tropes:
⚽️ Athlete x Trainer
🥅 Slow Burn
⚽️ Forced Proximity
🥅 Sporty Romance
Dex is newly divorced and looking for a fresh start. With the help of his old friend August, he secures a position as the Blazes new trainer. Moving all the way from New England to Tampa on such short notice, he has no other choice than to live with one of the players from the team. Dex is charming, handsome, intelligent and has his own baggage holding him back.
Amelia is the centre back on the Tampa Bay Blaze soccer team. She is fierce on and off of the field. In her words, she’s always been married to the game. She never anticipated being forced to live with Dex and falling in love. I admired that she was strong and also a reader!
This couple goes through plenty of obstacles together. With their blazing chemistry and the help of their friends, I believe that it blossomed the storyline even more. There were a few things that I wanted to jump into the book and fight Amelia on but in the end, it all worked out. Another wonderful sporty romance to add to your TBR!
My takeaway is that I hope something brings Hendrix and August together, I sense they’ll get their own book perhaps? 👀
⚽️ Athlete x Trainer
🥅 Slow Burn
⚽️ Forced Proximity
🥅 Sporty Romance
Dex is newly divorced and looking for a fresh start. With the help of his old friend August, he secures a position as the Blazes new trainer. Moving all the way from New England to Tampa on such short notice, he has no other choice than to live with one of the players from the team. Dex is charming, handsome, intelligent and has his own baggage holding him back.
Amelia is the centre back on the Tampa Bay Blaze soccer team. She is fierce on and off of the field. In her words, she’s always been married to the game. She never anticipated being forced to live with Dex and falling in love. I admired that she was strong and also a reader!
This couple goes through plenty of obstacles together. With their blazing chemistry and the help of their friends, I believe that it blossomed the storyline even more. There were a few things that I wanted to jump into the book and fight Amelia on but in the end, it all worked out. Another wonderful sporty romance to add to your TBR!
My takeaway is that I hope something brings Hendrix and August together, I sense they’ll get their own book perhaps? 👀
November 19, 2025
This one had me kicking my feet the whole time I read it! I desperately wanted to be the one sharing an apartment with the grumpy athletic trainer.
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔: Dexter Langley & Amelia West
𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆: Tampa Bay Blaze
Amelia is at her best when she is on the pitch but when off the pitch? She is warm to her friends but she is not welcoming to new people, especially her new roommate. Dexter is recently divorced and starting over so he takes a job that his friend offers him with the woman’s soccer team. He doesn’t know much about soccer, but he learns a lot through watching Amelia!
Their initial interactions are more of dislike, but living together they really get to know each other. Dex, specifically, is able to find ways to get Amelia to warm up to him. Many late nights together prove that their chemistry cannot be ignored. Thankfully the team has revoked the no fraternization policy so they are able to give a relationship a shot. But will Dex’s secrets ruin everything they built?
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔: Dexter Langley & Amelia West
𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆: Tampa Bay Blaze
Amelia is at her best when she is on the pitch but when off the pitch? She is warm to her friends but she is not welcoming to new people, especially her new roommate. Dexter is recently divorced and starting over so he takes a job that his friend offers him with the woman’s soccer team. He doesn’t know much about soccer, but he learns a lot through watching Amelia!
Their initial interactions are more of dislike, but living together they really get to know each other. Dex, specifically, is able to find ways to get Amelia to warm up to him. Many late nights together prove that their chemistry cannot be ignored. Thankfully the team has revoked the no fraternization policy so they are able to give a relationship a shot. But will Dex’s secrets ruin everything they built?
December 23, 2025
🔥⚽ NAILING HEAT by J.L. Stray ⚽🔥
Talk about a slow burn that scores.
This story gave me friends-to-lovers tension, forced proximity chaos, and a grumpy-sunshine dynamic that felt effortless. Amelia is a powerhouse on the field, Dex is the golden-retriever trainer fresh off a divorce, and their roommate situation? Peak sports-romance serotonin.
I loved their chemistry from the beginning—the banter, the brushes of vulnerability, the way Dex becomes her steady quiet after an injury knocks her out of the game. Their connection blooms slowly, sweetly, and then all at once… and when it hits, it HITS.
The twist with Dex’s past definitely shook things up, and while it added drama that caught me off guard, it pushed both characters to grow and decide what their relationship was really worth. Plus, the found-family side characters? Adorable and full of heart.
If you love:
✨ He Falls First
✨ Slow Burn Heat
✨ Forced Proximity + Roommates
✨ A fierce FMC + soft caretaker MMC
✨ Found-family sports vibes
…this one might be your next bingeable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Talk about a slow burn that scores.
This story gave me friends-to-lovers tension, forced proximity chaos, and a grumpy-sunshine dynamic that felt effortless. Amelia is a powerhouse on the field, Dex is the golden-retriever trainer fresh off a divorce, and their roommate situation? Peak sports-romance serotonin.
I loved their chemistry from the beginning—the banter, the brushes of vulnerability, the way Dex becomes her steady quiet after an injury knocks her out of the game. Their connection blooms slowly, sweetly, and then all at once… and when it hits, it HITS.
The twist with Dex’s past definitely shook things up, and while it added drama that caught me off guard, it pushed both characters to grow and decide what their relationship was really worth. Plus, the found-family side characters? Adorable and full of heart.
If you love:
✨ He Falls First
✨ Slow Burn Heat
✨ Forced Proximity + Roommates
✨ A fierce FMC + soft caretaker MMC
✨ Found-family sports vibes
…this one might be your next bingeable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
December 7, 2025
Le sigh....when Dex was on, he was on! Cooking meals for her, being helpful around the apartment, finding her favorite snacks, took her BOOK SHOPPING, his eyes always sought her out no matter where they were, he was a good friend, quick witted, yummy, and a slightly tortured soul.
I loved when he was attentive and taking care of Amelia. Her teammates and friends were so authentic and delightful. It's always a good read when even the side characters are entertaining. Amelia had some good qualities and great taste in books too 🤣. I did not like that Dex hid the reason for his divorce (I hate miscommunication so that's a me thing) or that it was repetitive at times.
🔥 Tropes:
Sports romance
Slow burn
Chemistry
They work together
MMC on the rebound
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Found family
Grumpy/Sunshine
Close proximity
I loved when he was attentive and taking care of Amelia. Her teammates and friends were so authentic and delightful. It's always a good read when even the side characters are entertaining. Amelia had some good qualities and great taste in books too 🤣. I did not like that Dex hid the reason for his divorce (I hate miscommunication so that's a me thing) or that it was repetitive at times.
🔥 Tropes:
Sports romance
Slow burn
Chemistry
They work together
MMC on the rebound
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Found family
Grumpy/Sunshine
Close proximity
December 2, 2025
I received this book as an arc through Hambright PR!
⚽️Trainer X Soccer Player
🥅 Slow Burn
⚽️ Found Family
🥅 New Beginnings
He calls her “Peach”
She calls him “Football”
I loved reading Dex and Amelia story! I was very invested in this story, I am a big fan of sports romance books, especially soccer so I was really excited to discover this one! Both of them had some prior issues that made them closed off but seeing them develop through the story was one of my favorite things, especially Amelia.
Also, he BUYS HER BOOKS, all you need to know 😭 I loved reading that he bought her books and brought her to a bookstore, and it wasn’t even one book, it was a whole STACK.
All I gotta say is go read this book, loved it!
⚽️Trainer X Soccer Player
🥅 Slow Burn
⚽️ Found Family
🥅 New Beginnings
He calls her “Peach”
She calls him “Football”
I loved reading Dex and Amelia story! I was very invested in this story, I am a big fan of sports romance books, especially soccer so I was really excited to discover this one! Both of them had some prior issues that made them closed off but seeing them develop through the story was one of my favorite things, especially Amelia.
Also, he BUYS HER BOOKS, all you need to know 😭 I loved reading that he bought her books and brought her to a bookstore, and it wasn’t even one book, it was a whole STACK.
All I gotta say is go read this book, loved it!
December 5, 2025
Nailing Heat is a slow burn, forced proximity, sports romance between star player Amelia and new trainer Dex.
Amelia really doesn’t want to share her 3 bedroom apartment with Dex—she said it so often it started to become a little repetitive—but he arrived in town sooner than expected and the team hadn’t been able to find him alternate accommodation.
When Amelia is injured on the field Dex takes on a caretaker role and their relationship evolves from lukewarm to piping hot. Just when things seem to be going well between them there’s a twist that might derail everything.
This was an easy read with obstacles to overcome, interesting secondary characters, found family vibes and sizzling chemistry!
Amelia really doesn’t want to share her 3 bedroom apartment with Dex—she said it so often it started to become a little repetitive—but he arrived in town sooner than expected and the team hadn’t been able to find him alternate accommodation.
When Amelia is injured on the field Dex takes on a caretaker role and their relationship evolves from lukewarm to piping hot. Just when things seem to be going well between them there’s a twist that might derail everything.
This was an easy read with obstacles to overcome, interesting secondary characters, found family vibes and sizzling chemistry!
Read
December 9, 2025Adult • Sports Romance
📘358 Pages
⭐️Available Now!
⚽️soccer romance
🖤workplace romance
⚽️closed proximity
💛grumpy/sunshine
⚽️slow burn
🖤roommates to lovers
Sharing a place is bad when you don’t like each other, but it might be even harder when you... really don’t dislike each other at all.
Well, hello slow burn... We meet yet again to my heart’s utter delight. Amelia and Dexter came in unapologetically and ready to play ball.
Some fresh starts work out better than expected, don’t they?! Even if at first they seem to have “disaster” written all over them. And can we take a moment to appreciate when one of our MCs jumps in to take care of the other one?! It might be my kryptonite, honestly.
📘358 Pages
⭐️Available Now!
⚽️soccer romance
🖤workplace romance
⚽️closed proximity
💛grumpy/sunshine
⚽️slow burn
🖤roommates to lovers
Sharing a place is bad when you don’t like each other, but it might be even harder when you... really don’t dislike each other at all.
Well, hello slow burn... We meet yet again to my heart’s utter delight. Amelia and Dexter came in unapologetically and ready to play ball.
Some fresh starts work out better than expected, don’t they?! Even if at first they seem to have “disaster” written all over them. And can we take a moment to appreciate when one of our MCs jumps in to take care of the other one?! It might be my kryptonite, honestly.
November 20, 2025
💛⚽️ARC Review⚽️💛
4⭐️
Nailing Heat is the perfect storm between hate and want. Forced proximity with a newly divorced, green-eyed cocky trainer? Don’t tempt me with a good time.
Dex is infuriatingly hot, the tension hits like a clean tackle, and the slow-burn is a full-body contact sport.
My only set back was that a few emotional areas felt a bit rushed. I wanted a little more in the emotional unraveling department.
But overall this was a trope win for me! ⚽️💛
Thank you so much Hambright PR for providing me with this book to read and review!
4⭐️
Nailing Heat is the perfect storm between hate and want. Forced proximity with a newly divorced, green-eyed cocky trainer? Don’t tempt me with a good time.
Dex is infuriatingly hot, the tension hits like a clean tackle, and the slow-burn is a full-body contact sport.
My only set back was that a few emotional areas felt a bit rushed. I wanted a little more in the emotional unraveling department.
But overall this was a trope win for me! ⚽️💛
Thank you so much Hambright PR for providing me with this book to read and review!
December 22, 2025
The premise of this book is wonderful. And the first half was overall good - though I found the FMC a bit bothersome. I was able to move past that, and enjoyed the romance aspect of this one. But towards the end I found myself sighing through it because it was a bit repetitive, and I thought the MMC’s past didn’t line up with who I was learning him to be. People change, yes, but it just kind of felt out of left field so to speak.
While I didn’t love this one, I will read more from the author. I just think this one wasn’t for me.
While I didn’t love this one, I will read more from the author. I just think this one wasn’t for me.
November 19, 2025
Another book to add to the love pile! These books are making me like soccer and want to watch more games on tv lol
I love Amelia and Dex! Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes as well as slow burn. Don't let the slow burn scare you because it is oh so worth it. While you do get invested in their relationship and can't help but root for them, JL Stray does an excellent job of throwing a twist in to test them.
I love Amelia and Dex! Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes as well as slow burn. Don't let the slow burn scare you because it is oh so worth it. While you do get invested in their relationship and can't help but root for them, JL Stray does an excellent job of throwing a twist in to test them.
November 26, 2025
This was such a good slow burn book!! I loved how it took time to set up the characters and backstory before jumping into the romance. Dex and Amelia had such solid chemistry and I loved all the tropes featured
Tropes:
-slow burn
-grumpy/sunshine
-athlete/trainer
-close proximity
-he falls first
-friends to lovers
-found family
Tropes:
-slow burn
-grumpy/sunshine
-athlete/trainer
-close proximity
-he falls first
-friends to lovers
-found family
November 27, 2025
I enjoyed Nailing Heat. I honestly am not a sports romance girlie and I never thought id be liking a soccer romance but I really liked the forced proximity trope within this book. I love a little bit of spice through out a more sweet book. I could tell what Dex did to his ex before they told us but for me that didn't take away from their relationship building. I just love love! 🫶
November 17, 2025
2.5 but rounding up.. i liked it but knew he was just going to be a cheater.
How he explained it about Elsie and when they talked?… “we lived separate lives”. That’s why you chest multiple times in your marriage?
Yeah…
How he explained it about Elsie and when they talked?… “we lived separate lives”. That’s why you chest multiple times in your marriage?
Yeah…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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