Scoring His Obsession

Gridiron Gods #1

by E.M. Moore

He’s the star running back with a possessive streak. I’m the small-town girl who just wanted to sell dog tutus. Falling for him? Not part of the game plan.

After fleeing to Nashville to escape my past, romance wasn’t on my radar. Especially not with Micah Freeman—the impossibly hot NFL superstar.

Laughing gas and my social media queen roommate mix one night, and suddenly, I’m going viral for claiming Micah Freeman is my husband. Funny, right? Well, apparently, he ran with it because the next thing I know, he’s storming into my life like he owns it.

Now he’s showing up at my pet boutique demanding I go on a date with him, and making it very clear he won’t take no for an answer.

Micah’s used to getting what he wants on and off the field. And what he wants now, is me.

He’s intense. Protective. Possessive.

As our worlds collide—NFL fame, skyrocketing business sales, and a relationship born from chaos—can we survive the spotlight, my past, and his all-consuming feelings?

One thing’s for sure…this isn’t just a game anymore.

This spicy sports romance is packed with steamy tension, protective alpha vibes, and a jealous football player who will do anything to keep his woman. If you love small town girl meets NFL heartthrob, forced proximity, and over-the-top alpha heroes, get ready to fall hard for Micah and Raeann!

Genres: Sports, Sports Romance, Football, Romance, Contemporary, Fake Dating, He Falls First

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2025

About the author

E. M. Moore is a USA Today Bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. She's drawn to write within the teen and college-aged years where her characters get knocked on their asses, torn inside out, and put back together again by their first loves. Whether it's in a fantastical setting where human guards protect the creatures of the night or a realistic high school backdrop where social cliques rule the halls, the emotions are the same. Dark. Twisty. Angsty. Raw.

When Erin's not writing, you can find her dreaming up vacations for her family, watching murder mystery shows, or dancing in her kitchen while she pretends to cook.

To keep up with her and her books, you can like E. M. Moore on Facebook! (Just copy and paste the following link into your browser.) https://www.facebook.com/EMMooreBooks/

Reviews

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶.5
HEA: 🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️




📌Triggers: Death of a Loved one (past; mentioned) Anxiety & Anxiety Attacks (on-page) Traumatic Past (on-page) Animal Injury (on-page)

📌 No Cheating/Sharing

📌 HEA: While the MCs have a happy ending, there was still some storyline drama left unresolved. I assume that will be cleared up in the coming series.

📌 No OMD/OWD

📌 MMC isn't a manwhore

📌 FMC does have some experience

📌 No Separation/Third-act Breakup

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

My boy Micah was down BAD for Raeann!! Literally from start to finish. There wasn’t an ounce of this book where he wasn’t completely and utterly obsessed with her. His possessiveness also knew no bounds!! He was hilarious in his pursuit of her and she was not having it for a while but the man never gave up. I love that for him!!! I would have loved to know their ages though. I hated not knowing how old anyone was.

Now look Ms. Moore..Tab was one of my favorite characters and if you put her with the likes of Levi I will be so pissed!! No one wants Tab with a man who spent this entire book talking about his conquests and his porn worthy nights. His five girl action he got and his never wanting to settle down ass because he wants all the girls he can have. I BEG OF YOU!! Please do not put that amazing girl with this complete whore. I will not be able to take it or rather I will not be able to read it. I want her with Davis please and thank you! I didn’t appreciate that cliffhanger when it came to her either. She better be okay!!!

NO CHEATING
NO OP DRAMA (just Micah being so completely possessive)
NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP (not gonna lie I was expecting one)
NO VIRGINS AND NO CURRENT MANWHORE (he got around when he was younger and first got into the NFL)
DEATH OF A LOVED ONE (off page)
ANXIETY AND PANIC DISORDER (FMC)
HFN (living together and talk of marriage, will probably be getting married in next book)

[Jenna Polito · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There are only a few things I’ve been sure of in my entire life. I’m really good at football. I was born to lead. And Raeann and I are written in the stars.”

Micah made me fall in love with this book from his very first chapter!

Micah and Raeann are so opposite that they are perfect for each other.
I really liked how he instantly understood her and her struggles. And even worked with Athena to learn how to help even further.

“You and I are inevitable, Raeann Gorman. We didn’t have a choice.”

Although I’m still buzzing from the ending of this book, I really wish it wasn’t over. I have so many questions and I have my theories but I’m really looking forward to the next book. While I know it won’t focus on these two, I am excited to see what happened to our loved side characters.

[samantha ఌ · Rating 3 out of 5]

don't mind the cover bc this hit close to home a little too much

[TarynLA · Rating 5 out of 5]

MF Sports / Mental Health Rep Romance

Firstly….THAT WAS MEAN!! And yes EM Moore did her job well with that being my reaction. I will not talk about it….. moving on.

What a great read!! Well written and a very emotional engaging read!! One of the major topics this portrays is anxiety and panic disorder. It was very well done. ❤️🐕 Athena was adorable and perfect!

I really connected with Reanne and the mental issues she dealt with. I may not deal with the issues the same way and as bad, but I really felt for her and her struggles.

Now on to Micah…. Total red flag and he was the perfect overprotective, jealous, possessive, stalker(ish) MMC, who is a professional football player for the Wildcats. It was a complete insta love from him 😉 Reanne had absolutely no chance!

Not overly spicy but the spice it had was fantastic. Great side characters, that I can’t wait for their stories and some old favourites had cameos.

No cheating , no OWD, no third act breakup with a HEA for Micah and Reanne but with some major unresolved “stuff” I’m still not talking about ……

Definitely recommend!!!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t care for the cliffhanger regarding tab, but u enjoyed it otherwise. Although im also irked there isn’t an epilogue

[Sadan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Micah & Raeannn

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bit of a letdown. It was a little outdated in lots of little ways, like the way the tragedy of Raeann's past was framed and then repeated, or the way her anxiety was so dramatic (not that people don't experience that, just that the way it was handled here felt very 2010).

He is very obsessive, but the handling of that is kind of fumbled, too, and it comes off more controlling than loving. I'm not sure why he likes her so much, because there isn't a ton of explanation there, just him constantly worrying about her (which, again, is fine on its own, but it isn't based on anything). When her therapist is alarmed by his behavior, he skips out on his job to reinforce his power over her; he is constantly hostile towards her (male) employee, and when he finds out she has his assistant's contact info, he gets pissed off because his assistant (HIS assistant!) is a man. I'm not sure why she likes him, either; she really comes off as just a football fan that went along with things when he started taking care of her. They just lacked a connection.

The writing and pacing didn't help things here, unfortunately.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet read with characters I had a soft spot for and really liked. Tennessee Wildcat player- Micah becomes obsessed by Raeann after a funny video of her goes viral with words being said about Micah making her an Internet sensation. Putting Raeann in the spotlight that she's not ready for especially with her anxieties and panic attacks that stem from past events.

Although Micah is a big softie he does go to some questionable lengths to pursue Raeann. Even if in the course of it some of it was also genuinely heartwarming too. I really loved their relationship together. Athena (Raeann"s dog) who was like Raeann's carer in a way. I slso loved Tab (Raeann's friend) who was a source of humour throughout this book. This was a cracking read and I can't wait to read more books in this series.

[Loco Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know if E.M. Moore's writing style has changed or I've just moved past her, but this was definitely not what I was expecting in tone and quality from her. At first, I thought it was just a matter of preference. I didn't care for the whole anxious, southern fan-girl thing and the ludicrous idea that a popular, handsome NFL player would fall instantly in love with a drugged chick bragging about her parasocial relationship with him. So my thoughts were that the characters aren't really for me, but maybe it could be a decent story if it's your vibe. But then it gets just really...out there. It's been maybe a year since my last E.M.Moore read, so I could be wrong, but I remember them being more realistic in tone. This one felt like it was trying to lean way too hard into the whole "morally grey hero" vibe and felt honestly like a bad C.R. Jane knockoff. It's not a good look for her and I wish she'd have just stuck to her usual style. For one thing, it was a bizarre mesh of serious and over the top, with the author seeming to be unable to commit to the whole "red flag for her" thing. So while he was all jealous and possessive and overstepping in a million and one ways, he's also trying to make sure she consents with overwhelming enthusiasm to the point he insists on her making the first moves, which is like completely counterintuitive to the whole "dominate alpha male" thing. It feels like the book is trying to please too many types of readers all at once.

It was weird how seriously they treated her trauma and need for a therapist, only to make it some "my therapist thinks he's crazy, but I like it" cliche. A therapist or at least a decent therapist who wants to keep their license is never going to try to tell you how you should feel or what you should do. That's not their job and it's an outdated cliche'. They're going to give you the space to talk out your own issues and guide you through making decisions that work for you at the time. They may ask you uncomfortable questions that can cause you to deeply reflect on the root of your feelings, which in turn may make you realize you want to leave a relationship, but they shouldn't ever tell you that a person is a red-flag and you should leave immediately. It's confusing that what started off as realistic psychological issues that a therapist could genuinely help her through somehow got twisted into just being a plot device to get a therapist to talk about all his "red flag behavior" like it was some sort of badge of honor for BookTok to fan-girl over.

Ultimately, their connection just wasn't very palpable. It felt very trendy and one dimensional without much explanation or depth. They didn't seem to share anything in common except possibly parasocial delusion, which, while it makes for a bad romance story, is an interesting mind-fuck how two people can have one way relationships with each other 😂 It was like they were both obsessed with their own idea of what the relationship was without any basis in actual reality, thus somehow cancelling each other out.

Finally, they couldn't just tepidly send us off into the sunset with this half-baked romance, so at 92% the plot just goes completely off the rails. The girl who survived a tornado also has her house catch fire 🙄 He saved HER FUCKING DOG instead of her. I get what the author is trying to do, but no, just no. It doesn't work. There's nothing romantic about him saving the dog and leaving her behind. I had already been really turned off by their talk about "Who would you save if a building was on fire?" and she said the dog, so then to double down on it was just so the opposite of sweet, Unless the dog is the real FMC 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️Listen, I am an animal lover and have had pets all my life. I have/had 2 great Pyrenees I got as puppies and they were like my first children. When one of them passed away, it was like a death in the family. So I *get* loving your pet, but if it's between a human being you love and an animal they love? If you don't pick the human being you need to go to another round of therapy. She might have been upset if he hadn't saved the dog, but at the end of the day, she'd have been alive to be upset. If she had died, all he would have is a dog that's going to be gone in a decade anyways and a lifetime of regret, loneliness, and guilt which I feel like she wouldn't have wanted for him either. Of course, his choice didn't ultimately cost him anything because of 🪄 ✨ crappy romance book ✨ 🪄 but once again, this hit in the uncanny valley between realistic and fantasy.

Overall, very disappointed and will be very hesitant to start another E.M.Moore book. After reading this and being so disappointed, I went back through the books of hers I've read to get a feel if this was a fluke or if this sort of thing cropped up before and have come to the realization that this author's thing is kinda "If the MMC is wrong he'll apologize and if the FMC is wrong *he'll* STILL apologize" which is annoying AF to me personally. It feels very Shania Twain "Any man of mine" in its completely unfair double standard, which admittedly a lot of romance readers enjoy, but I don't care for. I won't say I'll never read a book of hers in the future, but I'm definitely going to vet the book with much more scrutiny and skepticism.

[Sammie Bow]

DNF @ 52%. Not sure if it’s me or not but I’m a little bored right now…

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Took me weeks to finish this.

[Sue Harbers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is literal perfection! I loved every word on every page that was written! Micah is the ultimate book boyfriend and Raeann is just too adorable. And as the proud obsessed owner of two golden retrievers, Athena was my favorite character (sorry Micah but I think you’d agree). I really like all the additional characters; the team, Coach, coworkers and Tab (what the heck Tab???). I can’t wait to come back to this world for more!

[Amanda Kintner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Micah was such a teddy bear! He was a little over the top but like, in a good way. In the words of Elf...hes in love hes in love and he doesn't care who knows it! The dynamic between him and Raeann was so sweet. She was a soft spoken compared to his alpha spoken self. They evened eachother out. Super cute! Also everyone needs a friend like Tab. And yes I need to know WHAT HAPPENED TO TAB!!!!

[Nikki Wesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

EM Moore to my slumping rescue. I’m looking forward to more in this series!

[Rozebudzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raeann and Micah

Well this instalove was well done. Micah is crazy, unhinged possessive, protective and falls so deeply in love he can’t see straight. Raeann eventually gets there but her anxiety, fears and past trauma are all holding her back. Micah is so patient and does everything on her schedule. Raeann has so many fears and should’ve been in therapy long ago.

I love her connection to her dog, Athena, and her closeness with her best friend Tab. Sometimes these best friends can be so annoying but Tab is so ‘ride or die’ that you wish she finds her HEA soon too.

There’s no cheating, no OW drama, no 3rd act breakup. These two are so sweet together. Wish there was an epilogue. Ends in a soft cliffhanger, I’m hoping this the start of a long running series. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/5 ⭐️

DNF’d at 48%

There was no chemistry between the main characters and no emotional spark WHATSOEVER

The fmc, Raeann, only started ‘liking’ the mmc, Micah, because he was doing nice things for her, giving her attention, and constantly talking about how he wanted to f*ck her.

EW

Now, I love books where the man is obsessed, but this book just gave me the biggest ick. I think I need to read something entirely different to recover from this garbage.

[Only.ever.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review:
🏈Scoring His Obsession🏈
Giridion Gods #1

By E.M. Moore

🏈 Small Town Romance
🏈 Forced Proximity
🏈 Sports Romance

⭐ 5/5

He’s the star running back with a possessive streak. I’m the small-town girl who just wanted to sell dog tutus. Falling for him? Not part of the game plan.
After fleeing to Nashville to escape my past, romance wasn’t on my radar. Especially not with Micah Freeman—the impossibly hot NFL superstar.
Laughing gas and my social media queen roommate mix one night, and suddenly, I’m going viral for claiming Micah Freeman is my husband. Funny, right? Well, apparently, he ran with it because the next thing I know, he’s storming into my life like he owns it.
Now he’s showing up at my pet boutique demanding I go on a date with him, and making it very clear he won’t take no for an answer.
Micah’s used to getting what he wants on and off the field. And what he wants now, is me.
He’s intense. Protective. Possessive.
As our worlds collide—NFL fame, skyrocketing business sales, and a relationship born from chaos—can we survive the spotlight, my past, and his all-consuming feelings?
One thing’s for sure…this isn’t just a game anymore.

Raeann, her tragic past affects her future
Micah, he will do anything to make her his

Raeann, Micah and a heartfelt journey

First of all, this whole story is amazing and quite different from what I read in the last books. One could say, our male character Micah is a walking, stalking red flag, but honestly? For me he is a man in love. Someone who found the love of his life, his other half, and will do anything for her.
Sure, his ways were unusual but also sweet and not really creepy. His admiration not only was for Raeann but also everything that made her, her and all that was a part of her too.
Raeann had a very tragic past, in more ways, and those left her with aftermaths. Heavy ones she had to deal with, so falling in love was not easy and deep down, not an option for her at all.
But resisting Micah? Impossible.
But their journey doesn’t just focus on them alone. No, there are a few side characters that were important for the story too.
Some we knew and some we want to get to know more. They are two very different characters with different lives who were brought together in a very unusual way and throughout the story learned that they were always meant to meet and to be.
The end left me happy but also had my jaw dropping. I mean, hello, is it only me that is missing something???
But hey, more to look forward to. That all said, best to read this book and swoon over an over protective, possessive and jealous hero with a sweet, scared and lovable woman who deserves everything. And that, he gives her.

[bookaddict2021 · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Two people who were nowhere near each other on this Earth until fate brought them together in one of the oddest ways imaginable.'

Scoring His Obsession is a completely new world for us to explore what life is like as an NFL drafted american football player, with a few cameos from characters in the Warner U series. Although this is just a standalone for the Tennessee Wildcat star player and the object of his intense desire this author was still cruel enough to leave us with a cliffhanger at the end that was most definitely uncalled for!

Micah's and Raeann's story begins as the above quote suggests in the most unimaginable way with an embarrassing viral video that enables them to meet each other in the flesh and from the very first second Micah experiences insta love that gives him a slightly unhealthy and yet utterly adorable laser like focus for his pursuit of Raeann. Intense is the best way to describe Micah who has that 'Mine, Mine, MINE!' complex . Honestly, the lengths that Micah goes would have had red flags and sirens going off incessantly in the real world, his jealously literally knowing no bounds and yet his utter devotion and determination is slightly enviable.

Raeann, is an fmc that everyone can connect with, she's a shy, anxious mess but has the best friend that everybody wishes they had pushing her out of her comfort zone without going too far. She has so much trauma to deal with, but with the help of Micah and especially Athena. The side characters with her grandparents and Micah's teammates really complimented the story.

'What we have defies definition. You're not my wife. You're not my girlfriend. You're my everything. From the moment I wake up until the second my eyes close at night, I think about you and only you."

Overall, Scoring His obsession had a well-balanced, and well-paced plot, with such a high level of jealousy and possessiveness it delves quickly into stalkerish behaviour that should not be as sweet and hilarious to read as it is. Who wouldn't want a insanely, sexy, obsessive footballer play who says such sweet things to them as the above quote? If this is how all american footballer players behave then sign me up! Another fantastic addition to this author's neverending catalogue of truly drool worthy and panty melting stories!

[A. Herlache || The Lucid Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Scoring His Obsession by E.M. Moore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Scoring His Obsession by E.M. Moore is everything I’ve come to love about her storytelling—heartfelt, a little chaotic in the best way, and filled with characters that feel like people you know. This one follows Micah Freeman and Raeann Gorman, and let me just say... I devoured it.

The story kicks off with an utterly hilarious and relatable viral moment—Raeann, fresh out of dental surgery, unknowingly confesses her love for football star Micah in a video filmed by her roommate. What could have been just another embarrassing clip turns into something far more life-changing when Micah sees it (and her) for the first time. From there, this book becomes a wild ride of obsession, sweetness, and deep emotional connection.

Micah is completely unhinged—in the best, most deliciously possessive way. But what made me fall for him even more was how he let Raeann set the pace. His obsession never crossed into forcefulness. He respected her boundaries, her anxiety, and let her take control of their relationship early on. That felt surprisingly tender, especially in a genre that often pushes insta-love.

As someone who lives with generalized anxiety disorder, this book hit home in a big way. Raeann’s thoughts, reactions, and fears felt incredibly real to me. It was like reading a version of myself on the page, and I’m so grateful for that kind of honest representation.

Seeing Reid and Cade again was the perfect nostalgic touch—I adored the Spring Hill Blues series, and this felt like a full-circle moment. E.M. Moore has created a universe I never want to leave.

My only real wish? That we got a little more closure or a longer ending. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these two just yet. Still, it’s a fantastic addition to Moore’s world, and I’m counting down until the next book.

[Sarah Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scoring His Obsession was another great read by E.M. Moore and a brilliant start to the Gridiron Gods series, one I absolutely adored!

When a hilarious video of Raeann declaring her love for NFL superstar Micah Freeman after dental surgery, goes viral, she really doesn’t expect to be thrown quite so quickly into the spotlight. She is also definitely not prepared to come face to face with Micah during a TV appearance, let alone become the focus of his obsession.

Micah is a man obsessed!
Did he show some definite red flag behaviour when it came to pursuing Raeann?….Yes!
Is he a man that’s, intense, jealous, overprotective and possessive?…..Definitely yes!
Did I completely and utterly love him as a character?…..A big fat YES!

Even though Micah did some pretty questionable things to gain Raeann’s attention, he did plenty of sweet ones too and always respected the boundaries she had in place. He was so accepting of her anxiety, giving her the support she needed by taking the cues shown by her dog Athena, as well as understanding when he needed to step back.
The way in which Raeann’s anxiety is covered in this story was done brilliantly well. The way her thoughts, feelings and physical reactions were highlighted throughout made it feel very real and is relatable to so many people that experience the same.
I really did love seeing Micah and Raeann’s relationship build, they were so different in many ways but fitted so perfectly together.

The cameos we got from previous favourite characters was perfect and as always with E.M. Moore’s books, there were some really great side characters. I’m looking forward to seeing more from them in future books and think a few explanations are needed after that ending!

[Lorena Garcia -- Brittany's Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Micah got smitten with Raeann the moment he laid eyes on her and that was quick. He never expected for this beauty to be the sensation of the viral video where where she proclaimed her love for him. So on the tv morning show was the first time he saw her and didn't even know what the hype was about, but he gave her credit for being bold. Although Rae was a shy girl who pretty much stuck to herself and had her best friend/work partner by her side along with her dog and that's all she needed until Micah came into her life.

Micah came in strong and wouldn't take no for an answer, he was persistent and would try to court Rae whichever way he could. I mean, I have to give it to him, he didn't shy away from what he wanted and he made sure he always got what he wanted and he wanted Raeann badly.

Even though Raeann gave him a run for his money, she was starting to have faith and was letting Micah court her and even though she was a bit of a slow burner, she would let her inhibitions take over when it came down to everything Micah. Micah was the one who was actually holding back when it came down to intimacy because he wanted her to believe and trust him and that he was serious about her. He fell head over heels for her the moment he laid on her and was going to prove to her that she was more than just a fling.

I loved Micah, he was this big, soft footballer who showed his love on his sleeve for Raeann and just the way he was with her, so patient and comforting and understanding, it gave me all the good chills from how much he cared for a girl he barely knew. But something about Raeann had him calling to her and they fit perfectly. Raeann just needed to open up and trust that she would be safe and loved by this amazing man.

[Yuliana Montalban · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Obsessed is an understatement. This book completely consumed me

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Obsessed is an understatement. This book completely consumed me.

Scoring His Obsession by Scoring His Obsession was everything I want in a dark sports romance and more. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The tension, the chemistry, the emotional intensity—it all pulls you in and refuses to let go.

E. M. Moore delivers a possessive, obsessive football hero who is completely feral for the woman he wants. But what made this story stand out for me is that beneath the obsession is this fierce protectiveness and devotion that makes you melt. He doesn’t just want her—he claims her, defends her, and refuses to let anyone hurt her again.

The heroine was another highlight for me. She isn’t perfect, she’s been through things, and that vulnerability makes her feel incredibly real. Watching her slowly open up and find strength while this powerful, dominant athlete becomes utterly consumed by her was addictive to read.

The dynamic between them is intense, emotional, and scorching hot. The banter, the jealousy, the possessive moments—every interaction felt charged. E. M. Moore balances the darker themes with emotional depth so the relationship feels raw, messy, and completely captivating.

And the football setting? Perfect backdrop. It adds that alpha-athlete energy that makes the hero’s intensity feel even bigger. If you love obsessive MMCs, protective energy, high spice, and emotional tension, this book absolutely delivers.

By the time I finished the last chapter, I was already desperate for the next book in the series.

🔥 If you love dark sports romance with a hero who becomes completely obsessed with his girl, this one is a must-read.

[Samantha L · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE ⭐️ goes to Micah Freeman and Raeann Gorman’s love story. This is a book featuring insta-love, a jealous/possessive/obsessive…borderline stalker MMC who just happens to be the star running back for the Nashville Wildcats, and his love interest- a girl from East Tennessee who designs fashion for dogs. When an embarrassing video of Raeann goes viral, she becomes the focus of Micah’s obsess…errr… love 😅. This man will do ANYTHING for her. Did I mention she has a dog named Athena who is practically a human?! This book also highlights Raeann’s struggles with PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorder and how Athena and Micah really help her through her tough times. I was laughing, gasping, and crying, all while finding some cold water for myself during the spicy scenes! And the ENDING?! 😱

“There are only a few things I’ve been sure of in my entire life. I’m really good at football. I was born to lead. And Raeann and I are written in the stars. It’s fate, and I won’t let anyone or anything stand in my way.”

“Because there are no lengths I won’t go to make sure you’re comfortable in this world, Raeann. We should adapt to you, not the other way around.”

“No one will love you like I love you,” he promises. “No one will f*** you like I f*** you. No one will treat you like I treat you.”

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

What happens when a social media post ends up changing your life forever?

Raeann is an owner and designer of a pet boutique. She is shy, guarded and trusts very few people. Raeann is the proud owner, more like best friend of a golden retriever named Athena that will steal your heart. Athena is devoted to Raeann and very protective.

Micah is a running back for the Wild Cats football team. His sole focus is football and being the best at it. That is until he sees and meets Raeann, and Athena. It is insta love for Micah and he becomes focused, obsessed and protective of Raeann. He wants to make life better for her in any way that he can. Is he a bit over the top as far as his methods? It depends on who you are asking.
As life, responsibilities, fame and navigating what their life together will be like, will they choose each other in the end?

I do not think that I am alone when I say that Athena is my favorite character. How could she not be? Her and Raeann have a beautiful bond. One of my favorite scenes is when Athena and Micah meet, it is hilarious.

Overall, I really loved this book. As someone that enjoys reading about an obsessive, possessive and protective mmc, this book was right up my alley.

[Charlize · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, let me start by saying I absolutely loved this book! I’m usually not a huge fan of obsessive behavior in romance novels because it often leans into dark romance with orders and command’s and I’m a Sagittarius, so I love my freedom. I just can’t imagine a man talking to me like that and obeying eeeyuck

But this book was amazing because Micah did it right. Because of Raeann’s anxiety, he couldn’t just be that typical possessive guy telling her what to do, and I really appreciated that. The author did such a fantastic job writing this story. The plot was so good, the roommate is super cute, their relationship is adorable, and the entire storyline is just overall super charming.

My only minor complaint is that the second time they met, Micah was a little too sexually suggestive. Mind you, Raeann was into it, but for me, it felt way too soon even though they didn’t actually have sex until much later in the book. That part just felt a bit rushed. But honestly, once you get past that initial awkwardness, the story just flows beautifully and gets even better. And yes AUTHOR I AM LIKE WHAT ABOUT TAB!

[sweetpinkie]

I'm a little tired of reading things that border sexual assault in books that are clearly not tagged as dark romance. When a dark romance explicitly states 1) that it is dark romance, 2) the specific triggers that it contains, and 3) that it's only suitable for mature audiences, the reader gives full informed consent when they pick up the book that they are fully aware of the content and are okay with reading it. There's a level of trust and agreement that occurs between the author and the reader of a dark romance novel that does not exist for a typical romance novel. And while this novel does tags out some of the trigger warnings (Stalking, Surveilling, and Contingency-Based Suicide), it excludes a whole other lot that should have been included. So when a romance novel includes scenes that border on sexual assault without warning, I feel lied to. I feel assaulted (inappropriate use of the word, but I can't think of an alternative). This isn't what I signed up for. And I'm honestly exhausted of how frequently it happens across the romance genre.

I take a deep breath, but it doesn’t help. My anxiety spikes, and Athena whines. “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed right now,” I tell Micah, my voice breathy.
“I like that I overwhelm you.”
“I…um…”

Can we not...this type of behaviour is not normal. There is nothing love-y about a person ignoring someone else's boundaries, especially when they articulate it super clearly. If you want to romanticise this type of dominance, please do so in a dark romance novel where it's made explicit, or at the very least include it in the trigger warnings, instead of sneaking it in.

(like 15% in and really annoyed.)

edit: dnf. I have better things to do

[Chani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so freaking good. It was so good that I started wishing Micah was real and mine. Seriously, who wouldn’t want a football player who’s obsessed with them? He was so obsessed with Raeann and he might’ve done some morally grey things but it was just because he loved her. I see no red flags. I loved how he accepted her anxiety and loved her in the way she needed and treated her dog so well. He knew when to step away and let the dog do her job but he also tried to be for her what she needed. He was also super possessive over her and was willing to go to all lengths to get her. Plus he was so sexy and hot! He knew how to play her body like a fiddle. Seriously how do I get a Micah? Raeann was also a terrific character. As someone with anxiety, I really related to her. But she was so strong and bad@ss. She had her own business and an amazing dog and a great friend Tab. I loved her journey and that she found someone as great as Micah who also saw her greatness. They are the ultimate couple. I need book 2 to come out cuz I need answers about Tab!!!

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever !!!! And a must read for anyone who is a lover of sports romances with a MMC that is equal parts sweet , protective and possessive. I absolutely adored Micah and Raeann more than words can say The way these two hooked me so completely , the the way their story pulled at all my heartstrings and had me laughing out loud , smiling like crazy even sobbing like a baby , yelling outta pure frustration and kept me cheering so freaking hard . Well I honestly do not think there really are any perfect words to express how in love with this story I fell . Seeing the way Micah was right there by her side while she was struggling with some mental health issues , how patient and supportive he was , was so so beautiful . Add into that all the angst and humor and with banter, all the steamy , heartbreaking and heartfelt moments, the love , the passion , the pain , the drama , the family and friendships. All I can say is prepare yourself for a very late night of reading and one heck of an emotional rollercoaster.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need the next book now you can’t cliffhanger a girl like that! This book is a standalone but you fall in love with side characters and there is a big cliffhanger regarding one or more of them. The author’s note says to check out the next book but it doesn’t exist in any way yet. 😫

On to this book. So much good here MMC was possessive and obsessed but also aware he couldn’t force the relationship which was different and I honestly wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Part of me wanted him to be all the way OTT (like pucking wrong number by C.R. Jane), and part of me enjoyed that it was different, like halfway insane instead of all the way. I did feel the MMC character development was a bit lacking whereas the FMC was fully fleshed out. FMC love her! I don’t fully understand anxiety; however, I appreciated the FMC’s strength in dealing with it and the reasons for it. I didn’t once think oh snap out of it because the author helps you understand. The spice was good enough for me. Overall I enjoyed this one.