Forbidden Play

The O'Ryan Family #2

by Kristin Lee

Eine USA Today-Bestsellerautorin präsentiert Ihnen ihre unverwechselbare, leidenschaftliche und emotionale Liebesgeschichte.

NOELLE —
Regel Nr. 1: Verliebe dich nicht in den besten Freund deines Bruders.
Regel Nr. 2: Und tu auf keinen Fall so, als würdest du mit ihm ausgehen.
Regel Nr. 3: Lass ihn dir auf gar keinen Fall beibringen, was Nähe wirklich bedeutet – schon gar nicht, wenn du kaum weißt, was du überhaupt willst.
Tja … ich habe jede einzelne Regel gebrochen.

Matt Stricker küsst, als wäre der Kuss die ganze Geschichte.
Er hört zu. Er merkt sich alles.
Und oh – diese glühenden Augen setzen mein Innerstes in Brand.

Und dann gibt es noch eine Regel, die ich vermasselt
Regel Nr. 4: Werde nicht schwanger.
Zu spät.
Ich bekomme das Baby von meinem Ex.
Und Matt beginnt langsam zu begreifen, was los ist.

Ein Teil von mir will mein Geheimnis unter der Bettdecke verstecken
und ihn weiter spüren lassen, wie es sich anfühlt, wirklich gewollt zu sein.
Echt gewollt.
Doch wenn er die Wahrheit rausfindet – wird er weiter so tun, als wäre alles okay?
Oder geht er?

MATT —
Noelle O’Ryan ist die eine Grenze, die ich niemals überschreiten wollte.
Die kleine Schwester meines besten Freundes – und viel zu jung für einen alten Coach wie mich.

Mein Leben basiert auf Disziplin.
Entschlossenheit.
Commitment.
Loyalität.
Und all das habe ich über Bord geworfen.

Aber sie bittet mich immer wieder, ihr zu zeigen, was sie noch nie erlebt hat.

Und ich will ihr alles beibringen.
Ihr alles geben.
Jede Nacht.

Doch sie kennt die Kämpfe nicht, die ich jeden Tag mit mir ausfechte.
Die Warnzeichen, die ich ignoriere.

Ich möchte der Mann sein, auf den sie – und dieses Baby – zählen können.
Aber wie soll ich das sein, wenn ich nicht genug Morgen habe, um ihr das Leben zu geben, das sie verdient?
Genau deshalb gibt es bei mir nie mehr als ein einziges Date.

Noelle braucht mehr, als ich ihr auf Dauer geben kann.
Sind wir nur einen einzigen verbotenen Spielzug davon entfernt, alles zu verlieren?


Footballtrainer
Sportreporterin
Altersunterschied
Bester Freund des Bruders
Fake-Dating
„Bring es mir bei“

Buche 1: Broken Play (Greyson/Sutton) Romantik am Arbeitsplatz, Sie ist die Chefin, Geheime Beziehung, Er fällt zuerst

Genres: Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Surprise Pregnancy, Disability

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2026

Reviews

[Brittany Hayley Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Forbidden Play by Kristin Lee. It follows the only daughter in a huge football family Noelle. Her brothers and dad are huge in the football world being either a coach and players. She catches her boyfriend cheating on her so she runs to her brother Parker to see if he’s home so she can talk to him and when she finds out that his best friend Matt is there instead she confides in him and ends up kissing him. Matt a former football player now coach has always preferred the bachelor life so he didn’t hurt anyone. Matt has diabetes so bad that his kidney failed once before now going through dialysis until he can get a new kidney kept it mostly a secret except to those who are closest to him. While Noelle is hired at ESPN to travel to rookie training camps to get interviews she finds out she has to go to her cheating ex’s team and interview him, she convinced Matt to pretend to date her. Her family hates the idea but prefers fake dating Matt so her ex won’t try to weasel his way back in. So what happens when Matt becomes her fake boyfriend, and a surprise pregnancy comes into play, will Matt survive his health crisis? I did like this book however I do like some drama in this book I was a little disappointed in the reaction of Noelle’s brothers reaction to her really dating Matt given how they reacted to them fake dating. The spice was good not super crazy but it works with this story.

[Linsey Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden Play


🌶🌶 Not overly spicy but some detailed sceans that can easily be skipped if thats not your thing.

Fake Dating
Sports Romance
Brother's BFF
Age Gap
Unplanned pregnancy
Diabetes complications including dialysis, and kidney failure.

When you over heard your BF was cheating dor fogave him then you catch him getting head from another girl and your drunk and this happens....

✨️ only to feel everything I’ve kept down all night expelled right onto her perfect hair and his now-limp dick. “Fuck, Noelle,” Brooks shouts. “My hair is ruined,” the girl gripes under her breath, but when her head turns, I realize it’s Tabby. “Good. Best of luck. If he cheats on me, he’ll cheat on you too.” ✨️

So you decide to pretend to fake date your brothers older BFF and accidentally fall in love.

This book is written well. I enjoyed most of the characters minus the cheating ex of course!.

⚠️This book touches on multiple sensitive subjects that may be difficult for some readers so please read trigger warnings. ⚠️

Thank you to Kristin Lee for the E-ARC
As always this review is 100% my own thoughts and feelings about the book and was in no way influenced by the author or anyone else in any way.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a box of tissue before you read this one. Author Kristin Lee knows how to write her books to bring out all the emotions her characters are experiencing. Forbidden Play is an emotional roller coaster you will not want to miss. You will definitely cry, but you will also laugh and might even feel a little hatred towards one character. There are some spicy scenes that accompany this sweet love story. You just might fall in love with Matt right along side of Noelle.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

[Anca A · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Review: *Forbidden Play* - Kristin Lee - ARC [18+]
4.5/5✨
3/5🌶️

Noelle and Matt never thought that they would end up in this situation, but it seems like they did. What am I talking about? Well, they needed to pretend to be together because of Noelle's dush ex boyfriend, Brooks. The problem was the age gap between them of 14 years, being something to gossip about. But what happens when both of them were actually having feelings for each other? Will everything remain fake or things will shift? Will Matt be able to let someone in his life, taking in consideration his fragile situation? (he had some health problems)

Even from the moment I read the dedication of this book I knew that it was going to be really emotional and it definitely has been that way🥺. I could feel all that helplessness and struggle Matt was facing and I just wanted the best for him. I was so glad that he was part of that fake dating situation with Noelle because this way he got the chance to live some really wonderful moments alongside her. They were super cute together, even though they tried to ignore their feelings in the beginning, considering that the age gap between them was a bit too much. But it seems that love doesn't work like that and the pull was too strong. I loooved how they supported each other and how many emotional moments they overcame.

Such a heartwarming story, full of angst and more emotional than I initially thought . It was sweet, but also heartbreaking because Those final chapters were soul consuming, making me cry 😭. My heart was racing so fast and it was so hard to keep my tears at bay. You should definitely check the triggers of this book before reading it!

Thank you so much Kristin for this e-ARC. Grateful for being part of your ARC team🤗.

✨Tropes
▫️Fake Dating
▫️Age Gap (14 years)
▫️Brother's Best Friend
▫️Not His Baby
▫️Forbidden Love
▫️Close Proximity

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love in a forbidden romance: brother’s best friend tension, fake dating that feels far too real, and two characters who are equal parts vulnerable, stubborn, and deeply human. While this is part of a series, it can be read as standalone. This book had my emotions all over the place.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brothers best friend
Age gap
Fake dating
Not his baby
Teach me
Surprise pregnancy
Angst
Sports romance 🏈
Forbidden love

“Slowing down is how you feel everything rushing is how you miss it.”

He holds out his hand. “Shake on it”
“Boring. You are old.” I press to my toes, kissing him on his cheek.
“You want to seal the deal with a kiss on the cheek? Maybe you’re the one that’s boring.”

"If her brothers find out, I'm out my best friend and my job. If her dad finds out, I'm a chalk line."

"Because if there's one thing football taught me, it's how to keep playing even when you know the hit is coming. "

"Worrying about you is my job. A job I want. I applied for it, remember?"

"Wow, I need an older man. He's a five- alarm fire that I wouldn't want to put out."

“I love you butterfly.”
“I love you coach.”

“Some plays are risky. Some break every rule. But the forbidden plays? They’re the ones that change your life.”

"Noelle, loving you was a forbidden play I wasn't supposed to make, but I'd call that play again. Every time."

What an emotional read! Matt the quarter back coach and Noelle’s brothers best friend. Noelle is also a cheerleader going to same college for sport journalism. I devoured this read. Loved the forbidden romance of the age gap and brothers best friend. The tension. The spice ❤️‍🔥 the emotional depth! Their chemistry was was palpable. I read with anticipation. And when they fake date and lines began to blur! Gah I ate this up! You’ll just have to read this for yourself to find out what happens 😍

[Alex Sedrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another O’Ryan Family hit! Noelle and Matt are too sweet together. After finally ditching the terrible college boyfriend who has been cheating on her forever & she lost her v-card to (one and only time she’s been with some e that way), Noelle is desperate to be done with him & says at her college graduation she is dating her older brother’s bestie & QB coach for her other older brother’s coaching staff of NFL team the Austin Armadillos. Being a stand up guy he goes along with the fake dating, it also doesn’t hurt that he’s had a small thing for Noelle since his best buddy’s wedding but as the little sister to his head coach & his best pal the QB she is off limits. He also had his own medical issues happening. Noelle begins her dream career as a sideline reporter for ESPN and begins to feel sick during her coverage. She finds out she is pregnant from her ex & the only time she’s ever had sex. She gets super emotional and it leads to Matt agreeing to “coach” her on all things sex. This obviously leads to fake dating turning real and some fun coaching spicy scenes. There is major drama surrounding Matt & his health and these two face a lot of emotionally huge things. They do get their HEA & the O’Ryan fam continues to be big and messy and wonderful. I loved these two and their support and love for one another through fun times and tough ones too. I can’t wait to read Parker’s book next!

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smouldering heat as well as sweet . This story leaves you feeling complete in your seat. Kristin Lee keeps setting the bar high and this highly emotional ,devotional story will make you emit the longest sigh of happiness by far. An happy ever after you’re rooting for from the start ,told with feelings and from the heart. Matt Stricker is struck by lightning as Noelle O’ Ryan his best friend’s little sister comes for lessons that light him afire with a desire he shouldn’t be keeping . Heck because of her he has trouble sleeping . He hasn’t got too many tomorrows on his horizon so it isn’t surprising that he wants this fake fling to be just that even though his heart does sing matter of fact. She’s forbidden ,so is he but it don’t stop the wanting ,the empathy for the empty feeling their both reeling . It’s the power love brings ,it makes hearts sing ,with a roar ,a need to explore , a soar for the stars in the sky ,not an haunting sigh of despondency so heavy heartedly. He teaches her the ways in the fake dating ways. Throw in the mix that she’s in a bit of a fix ,expectant with her ex’s baby. She has to come clean and confess ,press her dilemma about her ex . She needs her ex off her back and so begs a cover and will he be her fake lover ? Here the decks are stacked because she certainly does not want her ex back. He has things going on too does Matt . His health isn’t too great and he’s only just hanging on for himself without adding another two dependants stat. But like pendants hanging around his neck ,he sure as heck wants to try .This book is steamy ,it’ll make you cry . It has every emotion ,your eyes won’t stay dry for long ,but it’s strong enough to hold you in its grasp all along. Does he maybe run for cover or take this as a sign ,she needs a more dependable lover? I absolutely adore this book . The writing is sublime ,every page cover to cover . The pages turned and these two’s happy ever after yearned for so much. Go take a look Kristin Lee . I love your book ,I love your writing style ,always makes me smile and on edge in a number of ways and the places you take us up and down dales ,vales and alleyways . The mainstays of your craft are such that you’ve hone your skill and every book I read of yours gives me a thrill. So a book of yours I’d pick up eagerly to read? I very much would indeed! With greed . This book is emotional and devotional reading .I love my hockey guys as everyone knows . This had me with tears in my eyes I can tell you . Had to blow my nose.

[Cindie Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

Wow, just wow! Matt and Noelle’s story has blown me away. Noelle shows her strength when she refuses to let a man treat her like dirt. She takes the bull by the horns to recover her life. Matt has been a friend of the family. He comes to her aid when she needs him the most. She doesn’t realize the crush he’s had on her since they first met. His health isn’t good, but she stands by her man. The road is rocky with so many twists and turns, but they both show their strength. I love this family how loyal and bolsterous they all are. They all gather around when needed. Can’t wait to see what happens with Parker.

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

a spicy age gap sports romance. this book is part of a series but can definitely be read as standalone as each book focuses on a different couple within the same family.
there are several spicy scenes for smut readers.
I liked the friends to lovers/fake dating troupe in this book. the story is very touching.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I wasn’t expecting to get so emotional over this book.

Matt and Noelle went through so much. Luckily they had each other and their families to lean on.

Poor Matt he really went through a lot. He just wants to be the man she deserves but his body might not allow it. Diabetes isn’t easy and it was really hard on him. I was crying at one point because of how bad it got.

I felt for Noelle she didn’t deserve to be cheated on. The only good thing is she ended up with Matt. She grew so much in this book. She became confident and was going for what she wanted in life.

This book made me happy that she has such a large and supportive family because they were all there for both her and Matt when they needed that support.

There is a larger age gap with him being 14 years older than her. I kept forgetting about it because I was just reading about two people falling in love.

I can’t wait for the next book because Parker is next and it seems like it will be a fun one after that epilogue. I read this book as an arc.

[Tami Winbush · Rating 5 out of 5]

The O'Ryan swagger has hooked me again, y'all. And the fact that it's an age gap book with a 14 year age gap hooked me all over again. (What can I say, I like older guys!)

Noelle and Matt's story is five alarm hot, and there's one character in here that I just wanted to slap the sweet bejezus out of. Ms. Lee, you've done it again. You've captured my heart, mind, body and soul with this book!

Character development top notch! You could almost pluck the characters right off the page and hang out with them (or slap them as the case may be). I can't wait until the next book comes out because I'm right there with you Kristin. Bring it on!

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book. What an honor. Insta buy for me for sure.

[Kalexreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a bit of an emotional roller coaster at times. Noelle and Matt start off in a fake relationship despite them both being attracted to each other. Matt thinks he’s too old and too sick for Noelle, and Noelle is worried because Matt is one brother’s best friend and works with another brother. At first, she’s just looking for help to get her ex to leave her alone, but it quickly evolves to more. Spicy and sweet but also a bit heartbreaking at times. Love the family and how they look out for each other. Can’t wait for more!

[Nicole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has everything I love.. fake dating, brother’s best friend, sports, and spice. Then, Kristin Lee goes ahead and throws in an emotional ride that just grabbed ahold of my heart and squeezed. There was one scene (and no I won't tell you which one) where I may have yelled at my kindle because the characters made me feel way too much 😭. This was such a good read that I absolutely devoured. Do not sleep on this one! 

[Ashley Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had so much packed into one book but did not have you feel like you were missing anything! I loved their relationship and that she never took no for an answer.

[Amber Grube · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story made me angry, sad, hopeful and excited. What an incredible story, family of characters!
Thank you Kristin for an ARC!

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Forbidden Play” is the second book in “The O'Ryan Family Series.” WOW….this book pulls at the heartstrings and tissues were needed. When you read Kristin’s dedication you know that this book has been written from the heart with personal memories of her brother’s battle….”You were fun, fearless, and always the first to make us laugh—often while hiding how much you were hurting.” Thank you so much for sharing your personal life with us, your readers. I can tell you that there was a few tears shed whilst reading….I could not go to bed until I finished reading. Thank you beautiful lady, you are amazing!

Matt Stricker is the Quarterback coach for the Austin Armadillos. He is also Greyson’s best friend and works with her other brother JD. “There’s something steady about him. Not a friend. Not a threat.” Due to a severe medical condition he has retired from professional football, which only a few people know about. Matt is intensely private about his life and his health issues.

Noelle O’Ryan is the only girl in the family of brothers, she is the middle child. The loss of her mother at the age of five has meant she has grown up surrounded by males…..four brothers, two older and two younger, and her dad. She is the girl who shouts over her brothers and fits right in with a locker room full of guys. The girl who dances like no one’s watching, free and happy. Her life is turned upside down just before graduation from college when she finds out her boyfriend of twelve months has been cheating on her. This devastates her confidence within herself.

At her graduation party, thrown by her family, her ex Brooks Pendleton turns up, uninvited. When he will not take no for an answer, she blurts out in front of everyone….”And for your information, Brooks, I traded up. Matt and I are dating.” With her family in shock and disbelief, Matt backs her up. “Greyson is furious, J.D. is betrayed, and both are looking at me like I’ve just punted a puppy off the porch.” Noelle convinces her family to let her deal with her way, Matt agrees for them to be “fake dating” until Brooks gets the message and leaves her alone. Reluctantly, they all agree, including Matt.

Matt grounds Noelle, something a younger man could not do. She is a firecracker. Real, raw, too bright to look at straight on. She makes Matt remember things he thought he’d boxed up just fine. She laughs like his demons aren’t scary. He teaches her about desire. She teaches him hope. But can forever be the game plan when he is hiding things from her….”invisible things, the kind that can blow up a whole life without warning. And I’m worried it’s the beginning.” Gradually he opens up to her about having Type One diabetes and as his health goes downhill, he admits to her that he is doing dialysis and requires a kidney transplant. At the same time, Noelle finds out that she is pregnant to her ex. Matt stands by her, supports her and most of all, loves her. They are like chalk and cheese, but together, they bring out the best in each other.

You will fall in love with Matt and Noelle, hoping that everything with work out for them and they have a future together. Once I started reading, I could not put this book down! At times you will laugh, you will cry, get angry and frustrated - most of all, you will love the twists! This book will charm “the pants off you” and leave you going back for more.

“My whole body tingles as the pads of his fingers press into my skin. And that cocky grin is to die for. Matt has saved me several times over the past year, always being there when Brooks was flirting or dancing with other girls. And I always loved how I felt in his arms.”

Kristin has excelled with this book, a story intensely personal to herself and her family. This is a story that will keep you hooked! It has fun, laughs, intrigue, heartache and physical attraction. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful love story, with all the ups, the downs, the friendship, the heartaches and most of all, what love can overcome. From page to page, chapter to chapter, from cover to cover - you will enjoy this beautiful story! This book will not disappoint! Highly recommended 😊

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden curveball that hits the heart

Forbidden Play is the second book in The O'Ryan Family Series. I enjoyed the first book, Broken Play, so I was looking forward to reading the next....and I enjoyed it a lot also. This age-gap, brother's best friend/best friend's sister, smoking fast ball of a romance has me holding my breath to find out if they would round the bases and slide into home plate for the win. Noelle O'Ryan and Matt Stricker both know they should not desire each other, let alone act on it in any way. But sometimes you just can't resist temptation forever and these two fall hard.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens with Noelle doing her business in the restroom when she hears two of her catty teammates talking smack about her. Now these are people she trusted on her cheer squad to have her back. But instead, they all wanted to get their turn with her man. And apparently several of them had. Especially by their conversation, “Noelle is oblivious. Still.” Brooks. Her boyfriend. For over a year. How could she be so naïve? “I don’t know why Brooks stays with her if he has sex with other people. Why not just break it off and play the field?” Her teammates’ laughter comes next, the arch in Bree’s voice and Renee’s rolling giggle stabbing her in the back as they dissect her life in a bathroom. She wanted to come out swinging, but she was hurt. She knows how to handle herself around guys, since she has a house filled with guys and their friends who are always around. In fact, she roomed with two guy cheer friends. “Noelle is too pure…too good.”

“Brooks is bored and just wants to have some fun, if you know what I mean.” She could bet her eyebrows are wiggling. “Tabby actually knows what she’s doing.” “Her brothers are football legends. It’s all about connections,” Renee offers a snarky take on why Brooks has her for a girlfriend. There’s nothing left in their tone but spite and that desperate need to be interesting by torching someone else’s life. Noelle barely hears the door creak when she opens it. Their heads snap in her direction. Their eyes land on hers—wide, guilty, only a little sorry. Noelle squares, wishing she were anywhere but there. “How long?” She says, her voice small, too high. Not the voice she uses at home. Not really her. “Don’t.” That’s enough to keep their words away. “I don’t need your sympathy when you’re spreading rumors or…truths. I just need⁠—” “Months, Noelle. Tabby has been riding his cock for months.” “Noelle, I’m⁠—” “Don’t.” Why can’t I make real girlfriends who would stand up for me?

She’s always been able to be herself around guys—their intentions are obvious, their jokes simple. There’s no hidden battle with guys, no shifting alliances—guys are just easier. She is sick of crying over Brooks skipping family events or, worse, ignoring her, like at Greyson’s wedding, when he is around. But cheating? That’s a whole new kind of hurt. When she punches in Brooks’s number, it goes straight to voicemail. “You’re a cheater and a liar. We’re over. Have fun with Tabby.” She needed to talk to someone but no one was answering her text. She texted Parker first to no response. Two weeks from graduation, she should be wishing college would last forever. She’s loved her classes. Noelle can’t wait to be a sports journalist, and she’s loved cheering for her team. Did she come out with any real, true girlfriends? No. Greyson will know. Her brothers are all completely different. John David, or J.D., is by the book. Greyson is easygoing. Parker is gentle.

Witt is—well, Witt. He rarely speaks and keeps to himself. She grabs her keys and heads to Greyson’s house. Even though he’s ten years older than she, he’s always been the one she turns to the most. The Corvette in the driveway barely registers. Matt Stricker. Quarterback coach for the Austin Armadillos. Is at the kitchen table studying his iPad. He looks up and smirks. “Lost?” she rolls her eyes—a familiar, practiced motion. “Just escaping the drama.” Matt leans back in his chair, watching me with that half-smile the guys always say means he’s about to talk trash. There’s something steady about him. Not a friend. Not a threat. Just... Matt. Greyson’s best friend. “You look like hell, Noelle.” “Thanks. Just what a girl wants to hear.” Opening the bottle, she sucks the water down, not realizing how much crying dehydrates her. She tossed the empty bottle into the recycling bin for a score. Noelle mumbled, “I should have taken the softball scholarship, but I wanted to fly into the air and hope that men catch me.”

“Cheerleaders can be scary,” he says, watching me for a beat too long. “Something happened?” “Can I just... can we just hang?” He gives a mini salute. “I’m not much for pep talks, but I’m good at Madden. Or I could make you the world’s worst sandwich.” The tension in her shoulders eases. This is why guys make sense—straightforward comfort, no drama, just shared space. A little banter and you’ve reset everything. Do you play anything else?” “How about Mario Kart?” He snorts. “Only if I get to be Mario. Luigi freaks me out.” She finds herself laughing at the thought, like all her problems are vanishing because of her brother’s best friend—, older than her by more than a decade. Eventually, she forgot the searing ache in her chest. Noelle knows eventually, the questions will come, and she won’t be able to hold back the tears. When he beats her he slaps his hand on her leg and squeezes her knee. “Doesn’t matter the game, sweetheart.

I always win.” Her whole body tingles as the pads of his fingers press into her skin. And that cocky grin is to die for. Matt has saved her several times over the past year, always being there when Brooks was flirting or dancing with other girls. And she always loved how she felt in his arms. Their eyes linger. Too long. She looks tired, older than she should be for a girl getting ready to graduate from college. For a minute, he wants to reach for her hand, smooth his palm over her knuckles just to see if the tension will ease up at all. Instead, he asks, “You want to talk, Noelle?” She chews on her lips like she’s working hard not to fall apart. She’s quiet for a long moment, way too quiet for Noelle O’Ryan, the girl who shouts over her brothers and fits right in with a locker room full of guys. The girl who dances like no one’s watching, free and happy. Yeah, he’s noticed every little thing about her since he met her. “Do you ever feel like you’re the butt of a joke?” “You want the honest answer?” “More than I care to admit. But Noelle, I’m sure no one’s laughing at you.

How could they?” “Oh… everyone’s laughing behind my back. My teammates all know, and I didn’t. Why is the girlfriend always the last to know? I always thought I was above all the girl drama because I could hang with the guys, you know? But I was just stupid.” “You’re not stupid. And what did they know that you didn’t?” “I just... I didn’t know. I mean, sometimes I thought he... maybe, but I didn’t know for sure.” He rubbed her back like his grandmother used to do to make him feel better, waiting for her to continue. “Brooks... he was cheating on me. Since... God, since forever, apparently. Even after.” “Even after last week. I thought I was making the right choice. I waited. And then I finally thought, okay, maybe this means something real. It was my first time. And then today…” Her first time? “I thought it meant forever, Matt,” she says, her voice muffled and heartbreaking young. “How stupid is that?” “It’s not stupid. It’s natural to assume that when it’s your first time. Everybody wants to believe in forever at least once.

You trusted him.” He tells himself, “Don’t, Matt. She’s too young. She’s Greyson’s sister, not to mention the head coach’s sister.” But then she presses her lips to mine—soft, uncertain, desperate. My resolve shatters. She kisses him, slow at first. She tastes like heartbreak and something dangerously close to new beginnings. He kisses her back. At this moment, nothing else matters. Not the age, not the O’Ryan name, not the rules he’s drawn around himself for years to keep from having a real relationship. All that matters is her. You want more you must read. Believe me, you will want to read. You have a brother’s best friend, an age gap, a woman empowering herself in the sports world, and an ex to ignorant to know how good he had it before he made himself an ex. First off I don’t like the cover because if it’s supposed to represent Matt it doesn't. Matt is everything but cocky.

[Susie Book reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle & Matt’s HEA

Noelle is the only girl of the O’Ryan family. We’ve seen glimpses of her life in the first two books, now we get to read her story. She’s so sweet and deserving of love. Noelle’s boyfriend, Brooks has never treated her well and she’ll find out it only gets worse. Thankful, she has her family’s love, loyalty and support.
Matt, the quarterback coach and her older brother’s best friend happens to be there when she first needs someone. From gentle friends, a fake relationship, to much more, they’ll have to navigate her unexpected surprise and his health issues. Great banter, dynamics, characters and a HEA. Has explicit scenes for mature readers. No cliffhanger.

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle O'Ryan & Matt Stricker

Kristin always gives the best emotional reads that made me feel all the things! Noelle finds out that her boyfriend has been cheating on her and continues to be an asshole! Matt is her brother's best friend and happens to keep being in a situation to protect her. The connection she has with Matt is so strong and the push and pull between between them is so back and forth because Matt keeps pulling away due to his health issues. The emotions really had me all in my feels but then knowing Kristin's personal touch behind this made this feel even more powerful.

[Alicia Bish · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh Matt sweet sweet Matt

This was a tear jerker. I was so in the zone for this book the whole way from page one and brooks being a tool and the whole way to the end. The struggles hit close to home with my own family medical struggles and how most people have similar things going on while trying to live life. Matt’s story is one that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon because his love saved him and that’s a blessing if I ever read one.

[Vivien R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great, brother's best friend, age gap romance. I really felt for Noelle, she was going through so much mentally and then physically when she found out she was pregnant. And my heart totally broke for Matt. For some reason he didn't think he deserved happiness or love with Noelle. Their story was beautiful and emotional.

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle O'Ryan is devastated. Nothing like being caught literally with her pants down as she hears her fellow cheerleaders gossip about her as they enter the restroom. Not just any gossip... bragging about how stupid she was that her boyfriend has been cheating on her for the past few months.

Leaving the stall with as much dignity as she can she walks right by them and before losing herself in tears, calls to let Brooks know that they are done, as she heads for the only person she can talk to.

But when she arrives at Grayson's place, instead of her brother, she finds his best friend housesitting.

Matt Stricker. Her older brother's best friend. A football coach who works for the team managed by her other brother. Off limits on so many levels.

I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. This book has its own HEA, but you really need to read this complete series to understand the dynamics of the O'Ryan family.

Noelle is the only girl in a family of rowdy boys, raised by a widowed father. Protective doesn't even come close to how they feel about their sister, and when she drops a bomb on them at her college graduation party, shock radiates through everyone. And not in a positive way.

This steamy sports romance has several twists and will hit all your emotions. This book also links into the Campus Stallion series. Highly recommend!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle and Matt have known each other for a bit - he is a coach on her brother JD’s NFL team staff and the quarterback coach for her other brother Greyson. When Noelle finds out her soon-to-be-NFL player boyfriend Brooks has been cheating on her, Matt steps in to protect Noelle and be her “fake” boyfriend to discourage Brooks from trying to win her back, especially when her new sports reporter job forces her to interact with him. As much as Matt longs for their relationship to be real, he knows there are many reasons why it is a bad idea. Can they overcome all the obstacles and be together for real?

I loved the two main characters in this book - they support each other and both understand the importance of family, the ones you are born into and the ones you choose. I read the first book in this series and loved it. This would work as a stand alone but I highly recommend the first book as well.

I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series. He has had a crush on her since they met, When she need him he comes, I enjoyed the twists and turns, and emotional read. I couldn't put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts out a bit slow (you'll want to read Book 1 first. I didn't and was a bit lost). But I gave it my usual 100 pages try. By that time the focus is just on just Matt and Noelle and it's near perfection. I love how Matt is so careful and protective of her and how their first love scene goes on for pages and pages. However, it seems like it's two books. We have the first part where the age gap plays such a large part of the story and it all but disappears by the time we get to the second half regarding Matt's health. Enjoyable and at times an emotional read.

P.S. Mothers, please vaccinate your babies. There is no valid reason not to.

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the O’Ryan Family series by Kristen Lee gave me everything I love in a forbidden, slow-burn romance.

Matt is her older brother’s best friend. The golden rule? Completely off limits. But when Noelle’s boyfriend cheats, she does what any slightly heartbroken, slightly desperate girl might do—she announces that Matt is her boyfriend. What starts as a strategic move to save face quickly turns into something neither of them is prepared for.

And when Matt falls… he falls hard.

What made this story hit deeper is that Matt isn’t just battling feelings. He’s wrestling with the weight of his secrets and the fear that he might not measure up for the long haul. Is he too old? Too sick? Too complicated? Watching him question whether he’s enough for Noelle was both heartbreaking and beautiful. His love for her is steady, protective, and selfless—even when he’s terrified.

But Noelle isn’t walking in without baggage either. She has secrets of her own, and I loved how the story unfolded those layers with care instead of drama for drama’s sake.

One of my favorite things about this book was the quiet between them. The soft moments. The looks. The understanding. The way they showed up for each other without needing grand gestures every time. Their connection felt intimate and real.

And the O’Ryan family? Exactly how a big loving family should be—messy, chaotic, loud, over-involved… but fiercely loyal. The family dynamic added so much warmth and depth to the story.

“Some plays are risky. Some break every rule. But the forbidden plays? They’re the ones that change your life.”

This book was emotional, tender, and full of heart. I loved every second of it.

[Kelly Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took everything I love about forbidden romance and cranked it up with heart, vulnerability, and real stakes. Brother’s best friend? Coach/player-adjacent tension? Fake dating that feels way too real? Yes. All of it. And Kristin Lee makes it hurt in the best way.

Noelle’s voice is raw and honest. Watching her step into her wants, awkward, brave, and unsure, felt incredibly authentic. Her rules are relatable, her mistakes feel human, and the secret she’s carrying adds a constant ache to every quiet moment. You feel the weight of what she’s hiding, especially as she starts to experience what it means to be truly seen and desired.

And Matt Stricker? Whew. He’s disciplined, loyal, and deeply self-sacrificing, the kind of man who believes love means stepping back if it’s “for her own good.” His internal battle is heartbreaking. He doesn’t just want Noelle, he wants to be worthy of her, and that tension between desire and duty is written beautifully. Every interaction between them is charged with restraint, longing, and meaning.

What really sets Forbidden Play apart is the emotional intimacy. This isn’t just about chemistry (though there’s plenty of that). It’s about listening, paying attention, and learning another person. The quiet moments hit just as hard as the big ones, and the question of whether love is enough when time feels uncertain kept me glued to the pages.

[TELA666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle & Matt
I expected an emotional & steamy time from their previous interactions and the author being a must read for me but it blew me away. Pregnancy tropes aren't my preferred choice but the way it was handled was great and though pivotal it didn't dominate. I did get frustrated with Matt's secrecy & some decisions he made but he does redeem himself.