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Boys of Ann Arbor U #2
Love at Second Down
Three years ago, Avery Astor ruined me. Now she’s back to finish the job.
I had the girl.
The scholarship.
The future.
They say quarterbacks have short memories.
But I remember everything.
Every promise. Every plan. Every damn kiss.
Avery Astor was supposed to follow me to college. Instead, she broke me in half and left me to rebuild my life from scratch.
That was nearly three years ago.
Now I’m in my junior year of college in the Big Ten, laser-focused, and headed to the national championships. I'm completely off-limits.
Until she shows up. At my school. And at the worst possible time.
She says she’s here to win me back and there are reasons she left that I don’t know, and she can’t tell me.
The problem is . . . I’m not the guy she left behind.
And I don’t want to be won.
I had the girl.
The scholarship.
The future.
They say quarterbacks have short memories.
But I remember everything.
Every promise. Every plan. Every damn kiss.
Avery Astor was supposed to follow me to college. Instead, she broke me in half and left me to rebuild my life from scratch.
That was nearly three years ago.
Now I’m in my junior year of college in the Big Ten, laser-focused, and headed to the national championships. I'm completely off-limits.
Until she shows up. At my school. And at the worst possible time.
She says she’s here to win me back and there are reasons she left that I don’t know, and she can’t tell me.
The problem is . . . I’m not the guy she left behind.
And I don’t want to be won.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
75 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 13, 2025
4.5 stars
A NEW FAV.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
This is easily going in to one of my top books from Gracie Graham. I was glued to my phone y’all. A unique second chance romance you should read too!
I didn’t know how I would feel about Avery being the chaser/wanting the MMC back (because I feel like it’s often the other way around). As the book progressed I started to enjoy it all the more. I wish Avery had stopped saying I can’t tell you yet, but overall she was an FMC to admire and I liked her tenancity.
I was very much obsessed with Damon too. There’s something about a man eternally down bad that works so beautifully when written well. And GG 1000% achieved that nuance. I loved seeing this group of friends again and really appreciate that both Damon and Avery have strong support groups that banter and love them well.
The classic dash of drama/suspense that Graham likes to add in was present here too. I thought it was intriguing and watching it unfold kept those pages flying. I can’t wait for the next book!!
Overall audience notes:
- NA Sports Romance
- Language: high
- Romance: 2ish open door; innuendo throughout
- Violence: moderate
- Content warnings: loss of loved ones (recounted), blackmailing
A NEW FAV.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
This is easily going in to one of my top books from Gracie Graham. I was glued to my phone y’all. A unique second chance romance you should read too!
I didn’t know how I would feel about Avery being the chaser/wanting the MMC back (because I feel like it’s often the other way around). As the book progressed I started to enjoy it all the more. I wish Avery had stopped saying I can’t tell you yet, but overall she was an FMC to admire and I liked her tenancity.
I was very much obsessed with Damon too. There’s something about a man eternally down bad that works so beautifully when written well. And GG 1000% achieved that nuance. I loved seeing this group of friends again and really appreciate that both Damon and Avery have strong support groups that banter and love them well.
The classic dash of drama/suspense that Graham likes to add in was present here too. I thought it was intriguing and watching it unfold kept those pages flying. I can’t wait for the next book!!
Overall audience notes:
- NA Sports Romance
- Language: high
- Romance: 2ish open door; innuendo throughout
- Violence: moderate
- Content warnings: loss of loved ones (recounted), blackmailing
July 30, 2025
𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝔸𝕥 𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕕 𝔻𝕠𝕨𝕟
𝔹𝕠𝕪𝕤 𝕆𝕗 𝔸𝕟𝕟 𝔸𝕣𝕓𝕠𝕣- 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝟚 -can be read as a standalone.
🩷College Romance
🩷Football Star
🩷Second Chance
🩷Family Drama
🩷Scheming Friends
🩷Grovelling (from the FMC)
🩷YA Romance
This story is about Damon Huhn, star Quarterback at AAU. Damon is a cynic when it comes to love, he doesn’t date and he certainly does not entertain any woman fondling over him. But we soon learn he is jaded because the one girl he did love, that he planned to spend the rest of his life with, broke his heart in a brutal way. But not everything is as it seems.
Damon’s former flame Avery turns up at the AAU campus and swears that she will win him back. There’s a big family secret that forced her to split from Damon two and a half years ago, but she’s fed up sacrificing her happiness to protect her family. Come hell or high water, Damon will be hers again.
I absolutely adored this story! I actually really enjoyed the reverse grovelling aspect of this story, that it was the FMC that had hurt the MMC and she had to make amends.
The usual witty friendship banter between the AAU boys was on point. On more than one occasion I was in stitches at the God that is Chris Collins! I loved how surly and miserable Damon was, but he always melted for Avery. I loved Avery’s determination and confidence. There’s lots aside from their relationship going on… the boys are a make or break point in their college football career. And both Damon and Avery find out what kind of parents they have. There’s scheming from the boys and the girls in the friendship group, to get them together, and there’s also family drama, blackmail and scandal!
Let’s talk spice - I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Gracie does not need the spice! The story, plot and on page chemistry is so palpable that you don’t miss the smut. There is one ‘spicy’ scene, but it’s subdue and sweet, no need for filthiness.
I absolutely loved this book, and extremely excited for the hints at the next one!! #brandonandtatum
𝔹𝕠𝕪𝕤 𝕆𝕗 𝔸𝕟𝕟 𝔸𝕣𝕓𝕠𝕣- 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝟚 -can be read as a standalone.
🩷College Romance
🩷Football Star
🩷Second Chance
🩷Family Drama
🩷Scheming Friends
🩷Grovelling (from the FMC)
🩷YA Romance
This story is about Damon Huhn, star Quarterback at AAU. Damon is a cynic when it comes to love, he doesn’t date and he certainly does not entertain any woman fondling over him. But we soon learn he is jaded because the one girl he did love, that he planned to spend the rest of his life with, broke his heart in a brutal way. But not everything is as it seems.
Damon’s former flame Avery turns up at the AAU campus and swears that she will win him back. There’s a big family secret that forced her to split from Damon two and a half years ago, but she’s fed up sacrificing her happiness to protect her family. Come hell or high water, Damon will be hers again.
I absolutely adored this story! I actually really enjoyed the reverse grovelling aspect of this story, that it was the FMC that had hurt the MMC and she had to make amends.
The usual witty friendship banter between the AAU boys was on point. On more than one occasion I was in stitches at the God that is Chris Collins! I loved how surly and miserable Damon was, but he always melted for Avery. I loved Avery’s determination and confidence. There’s lots aside from their relationship going on… the boys are a make or break point in their college football career. And both Damon and Avery find out what kind of parents they have. There’s scheming from the boys and the girls in the friendship group, to get them together, and there’s also family drama, blackmail and scandal!
Let’s talk spice - I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Gracie does not need the spice! The story, plot and on page chemistry is so palpable that you don’t miss the smut. There is one ‘spicy’ scene, but it’s subdue and sweet, no need for filthiness.
I absolutely loved this book, and extremely excited for the hints at the next one!! #brandonandtatum
June 23, 2025
4.5 🌟
“Because this time, I’m playing for keeps.”
Thank you to Gracie for sending me an e-ARC!
I absolutely loved this book. A first love, second chance romance? Yes, please. Add in a sports romance with a swoony football player, and I’m all in.
I truly loved Damon and Avery and they are so cute! The way he was jealous 🤭. I admired Avery’s strength and determination; she was bold, brave, and impossible not to root for. The friendships and group dynamics were just as memorable; every interaction felt authentic and added so much depth to the story 😌.
Avery broke Damon’s heart right before they were supposed to leave for college together. Now, two and a half years later, she’s back, ready to fight for the boy she never stopped loving. But Damon isn’t the same. After the heartbreak, he’s become closed off, focused solely on football and his dreams of making it to the NFL. Still, the one girl who’s always been his weakness is suddenly back in his life, and he can’t help but wonder: why now?
“Because this time, I’m playing for keeps.”
Thank you to Gracie for sending me an e-ARC!
I absolutely loved this book. A first love, second chance romance? Yes, please. Add in a sports romance with a swoony football player, and I’m all in.
I truly loved Damon and Avery and they are so cute! The way he was jealous 🤭. I admired Avery’s strength and determination; she was bold, brave, and impossible not to root for. The friendships and group dynamics were just as memorable; every interaction felt authentic and added so much depth to the story 😌.
Avery broke Damon’s heart right before they were supposed to leave for college together. Now, two and a half years later, she’s back, ready to fight for the boy she never stopped loving. But Damon isn’t the same. After the heartbreak, he’s become closed off, focused solely on football and his dreams of making it to the NFL. Still, the one girl who’s always been his weakness is suddenly back in his life, and he can’t help but wonder: why now?
June 13, 2025
Absolutely loved it. Five out of Five stars. The angst, the tension, the yearning...all of it was depicted so well. I loved how determined Avery was and while Damon was still hesitant, he was willing to open his heart for her again. The meddling from both sides had me in tears. The girls setting Avery up, not to mention the boys completely blindsiding Damon. I'm in love with this group of friends. Super excited for Brandon's book and desperately hoping West gets one too (He totally wormed his way into my heart)
July 19, 2025
This was a great book, I loved every second I spent reading this book. I was hooked. This was such a well written book, with characters that draw you in and make you feel like you are a part of the story. Avery is determined to win back Damon’s heart after breaking it three years prior will he be willing to let her in again? This story shows that forgiveness isn’t easy but sometimes it allows you to get everything you ever wanted. I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to see what is next in this series.
Received ARC from author for honest review.
Received ARC from author for honest review.
June 16, 2025
“You were never just a game to me, Damon. You were the game" "I want you, Avery. I’ve always wanted you, and some things are worth the risk. You’re one of them.” Avery and Damon's story is powefull, full of feelings, lies, secrets, forgiviness and facing the truth.
June 25, 2025
So much love for this book!!! Avery and Damon gave all the feels with lots of angst, push and pull and so much more. These two were the best to watch....they will go down as one of my favorite couples ever. This author has craved her name on my heart as one of my favorite writers.
July 8, 2025
“I’m stuck in limbo, where loving her feels like breathing, but the fear of breaking all over again feels like dying.”
Avery and Damon give you all the feels, They prove true love will always find away. Excited to see how Brandon wins Tatum over in the next book.
Avery and Damon give you all the feels, They prove true love will always find away. Excited to see how Brandon wins Tatum over in the next book.
September 18, 2025
Loved! This book is a sweet romance but has some real plot twists and leaves you ready for the next book without feeling like you don’t get closure.
November 5, 2025
I completely enjoyed this book. I would give 1 spice only because it's mentioned a little. But a great story where love really does shine through the most horrible things.
June 25, 2025
This is the second book in the Boys of Ann Arbor U series but it can be read as a standalone. It’s main trope second chance romance which is one of my favorites. Avery had a lot to overcome to possibly get Damon back after what happened. There is a happy ending but what it takes to get there is a lot of persistence, honesty, bravery and above all love. There is some spice to this book but I think it adds necessary depth of this second chance romance story. I felt everything these characters were feeling and I just couldn’t put this book down!
June 28, 2025
🤍 Thank you so much @graciegrahamauthor for the arc of Love at Second Down
Gracie Graham has done it again! She is back with an epic love story that follows Avery and Damon. Three years ago Avery broke Damon’s heart, but now she’s transferred to his school and is determined to win him back.
Cue all the tension and angst! Forgiveness doesn’t come easy when hearts have been broken, and I loved seeing both of these characters’ journeys!
Also, I’m just obsessed when books have such strong friendships that shape the characters and support them. It’s one of my favorite things in this book.
Releasing June 24th
★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: mild open door (one scene)
Gracie Graham has done it again! She is back with an epic love story that follows Avery and Damon. Three years ago Avery broke Damon’s heart, but now she’s transferred to his school and is determined to win him back.
Cue all the tension and angst! Forgiveness doesn’t come easy when hearts have been broken, and I loved seeing both of these characters’ journeys!
Also, I’m just obsessed when books have such strong friendships that shape the characters and support them. It’s one of my favorite things in this book.
Releasing June 24th
★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: mild open door (one scene)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews