Sideline Confidential

by Brooke Bentley, Julia Whelan (Narrator)

#1 Amazon Bestseller!

A young sports journalist soon learns the toughest hits occur off the field. Fresh out of journalism school, Blake Kirk lands her dream job as a reporter for her hometown pro football team—the job sure to propel her to the sidelines on network television. But from the first day, double standards and old-school entitlement smack her with the intensity of a defensive line.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Romance

Audible Audio

Published April 18, 2025

Reviews

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I attended Steel Valley, High School in Pittsburgh, PA, I was a big Steeler fan and even became the first female "water boy" during Steeler summer camp. That spaked my dream of becoming a sports reporter.  Brooke's behind the scenes resonated with me, evoking a mix of emotions.

Back then (1982) my high school counselor laughed at me when I told him the career I wanted to pursue and even went as far as talking to my parents to influence me to change my mind.  I didn't pursue that career and after reading Brooke's story, I'm not sure I was really cut out for the challenges. However, the fact that those barriers still exist today is infuriating to me.

I hope that one day, everyone can dream big dreams and feel free to pursue them because no barriers exist!!  That's the kind of inclusive world we all need and want.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: SIDELINE CONFIDENTIAL
AUTHOR: Brooke Bentley
PUB DATE: 08.15.2023 Now Available

Brooke Bentley is a former television anchor and award-winning sports reporter who graduated from the University of Southern California with a master's in journalism. Through Sideline Confidential, she gives us a glimpse into the challenges women professionals face in the male-dominated world of pro sports.

THOUGHTS: Sideline Confidential by Brooke Bentley follows Blake Kirk who lands the job of her dreams, in the media department of a pro NFL team, fresh out of school. A welcome reception was not what she received - instead she was sidelined, separated, and made to feel a double standard because she is a woman. Bentley gave her readers an insightful look on the underbelly of a male dominated football industry.

For a compelling and a fast paced eye opening read, pick this one up.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. I really enjoyed the insights as to what goes on in professional sports. I appreciate the authors viewpoint of discrimination and favoritism. I love that the main character had friends on the inside who held her up and supported her.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We watch a lot of football in our house, and we’ve noticed more and more female sideline commentators in recent years - which we think is excellent. But I’ve always wondered how difficult the climb has been for them and how they are treated by co-workers, players, coaches, etc.

In 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥, we look at the difficulties and challenges Blake Kirk faces when she is hired as a sports journalist for her hometown pro football team.

I think this covers a lot of important ground. First, I like reading about women in different professions and seeing them pursue their dreams. But this points out the many double standards women still face. Blake must deal with the “boys club” mentality, an overbearing, misogynistic boss, as well as sexual harassment, and her personal life is used against her. All of these factors threaten her career.

The author is a former TV anchor and sports reporter, and her experiences and expertise give this novel authenticity and backbone. Immersed in the sports world, especially football, we see how much of a man’s world the business remains. Yet, I loved how this story approached the question of why women belong on the sidelines or in the press rooms and why so many double standards continue.

I was rooting for Blake; her boss was a jerk, and I know many of them are out there. I think many will relate to and enjoy this book whether a sports fan or not.

Thank you @brookiebentley @greenleafbookgr and @prbythebook for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Karen M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more things change the more they don’t. Sexism in the workforce is still alive and affecting female careers. My own experience wasn’t quite the same as Blake’s but when you are told only the engineering department gets reimbursed for college tuition and only men are hired in the engineering department you begin to get angry or when you work with someone who tosses work on your desk and refers to it as “women’s work” when you tell him you’re too busy, well you get fed up very quickly.

Blake bides her time and takes way more from her boss, Johnny, than I ever would have but I wasn’t Blake and her job is in such a narrow field that she feels she has no choice if she is to go after her desired career as a sports journalist. There are a number of bumps in the road for Blake in her pursuit of her life’s dream and then suddenly when things look the darkest she get a helping hand from a mystery person.

I enjoyed this book because it is about a woman finally coming out on top and getting where she wants to go despite one huge obstacle, her boss.

I won this ebook in a First Reads giveaway. Thank you to Green Leaf Book Group and the author, Brooke Bentley.

[valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel gave a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a female working for an NFL team. I’m not a huge football fan but I loved learning more about the people who work for the team and the team dynamics.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look inside the career as a sports journalist.

[Meghan Buchman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy Read

Not much to say. Decent storyline but nothing that would make me recommend this story. Kept my interest but I read it quickly to finish it up, to get it over with, so to speak. Proceed at your own risk.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4⭐️

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Female driven storyline about women's place in the sports world, I would have liked more character development.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by no means a Pulitzer Prize winning book but Brooke, the author, is the daughter of a long time friend of my sisters and I. Brooke is a former television anchor & award winning sports reporter. She worked for the Houston Texans. Outside of all of that she’s an amazing young woman.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Ordinarily, my instinct would not be to pick something like this up. But with my love of Audiobrary and its mission to keep audiobooks real and compensate authors and narrators fairly, their company got it on my radar. The description intrigued me and Julia Whelan's narration sold me on it.

Blake is a sideline reporter for the NFL. She's graduated from USC and landed her dream job back home for the team she grew up watching with her dad. The problem is, as a female, she's constantly questioned about whether she's there "for the right reasons." Does she even like football? Is she here to distract and flirt with the players?

The experiences our main character has in this book felt so realistic, especially with more recent incidents in professional sports. I was surprised by some of the imagined scenarios, but actually not surprised at all by them. I can imagine what a tough gig it might be to enter this world as a woman. Blake makes her fair share of mistakes and missteps throughout the novel, but she learns from them and grows as a character. The worst of the perpetrators get their comeuppance. And I loved the way Blake interacts with her supportive and loving parents. Sometimes her dad seemed to question whether everything Blake faced was because of her gender or just her newness to the career; this made Blake unsure for a while as well. But I liked this about the book. Rather than a simple path, we get a nuanced support from her parents that felt more genuine than contrived.

With the meteoric rise of sports romance books, I should say, this is not one (although Sarah Adams's, The Rule Book, definitely had some similar themes. Go there for an adjacent story about a female sports agent with ALL the romance tropes.) What you'll find here is a story of a woman's fight to know herself and her worth in a male-dominated field.

I'd recommend the audiobook and highly recommend it from Audiobrary because who doesn't want an extra 45 minute interview with the author about her actual experiences with being a sideline reporter? (the book is fictional, but she compiled some of her own memories and those of colleagues as inspiration). There was even a little sneak peak about Bentley's next idea for a novel and I'll be here for it!

[Markie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sideline Confidential" by Brooke Bentley appears to be a thought-provoking novel that sheds light on the challenges faced by women professionals in the male-dominated world of pro sports. The story follows Blake Kirk, a young sports journalist who lands her dream job as a reporter for her hometown pro football team. However, she soon realizes that the toughest hits in her career occur off the field, as she encounters double standards and old-school entitlement in her workplace.

The novel explores the struggles Blake faces as her boss, Johnny, imposes rules that hinder her ability to do her job effectively. Johnny's actions not only keep her sidelined from important interviews but also expose her to uncomfortable and inappropriate situations. As she faces continuous obstacles, Blake remains determined to prove her worth to the team and her peers in the journalism field.

The story delves into the complexities of gender dynamics in the sports industry, where women journalists often have to navigate a challenging terrain filled with overblown egos and boozy exploits. Additionally, the narrative touches on the ethical dilemmas Blake faces when she becomes involved in a celebrity tryst, forcing her to question her professional priorities.

Brooke Bentley's background as a former television anchor and sports reporter brings authenticity to the novel, and her firsthand experience likely contributes to the realism portrayed in the challenges Blake encounters. By offering a glimpse into the real-life struggles of women professionals, Bentley brings attention to the need for greater gender equality and respect in the workplace.

Overall, "Sideline Confidential" seems to be a compelling and relevant read, addressing pertinent issues within the sports journalism industry and advocating for change. It provides an opportunity for readers to reflect on the barriers women face in pursuing their careers and the importance of addressing workplace bullying and harassment.

[andrea v. (andrea’s galley) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There sure are a lot of egos around here.” (…)
“The biggest ones aren’t even on the field.”

Genre: Sports Fiction, General Fiction
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like workplace inequality, double standards, and misogyny. Describes workplace harassment and discrimination.

“Sideline Confidential” follows Blake Kirk, a recent journalism masters graduate, as she starts on her dream job: being a reporter for her hometown professional football team. She expected some resistance from this male-dominated field, but not as much as she ultimately received—as a whole set of rules have been made just for her, with her superiors always second guessing her reliability and professionalism. Because why would a woman want to work on the sports field other than to get with a football player, right?

This was such an eyeopening read—but as a huge football fan, I can’t say I’m completely surprised. I, too, work in a male-dominated field (yay for all my STEM girlies, we’ve got this) but what I’ve experienced is nothing to the extent to what Blake had to face working for her hometown’s football team. It wasn’t just that she wasn’t allowed around the players in private, it was how fraternizing was encouraged for male employees but condemned for female employees. It was how the author of this book was a female sports reporter as well, and how the things depicted in this book, although fiction, hold a thread of truth.

PSA: You don’t need to know much about football to enjoy this book. What you do need to know is that it touches on hard topics, focused on workplace inequality and discrimination based on gender. If you’re looking for quick read that tackles heavy subjects for women, then “Sideline Confidential” is exactly what you’re looking for.

ARC provided by PR by the Book and Green Leaf Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: August 15, 2023

[Theodene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake is the rookie media journalist for Oklahoma City pro football. She’s the first female to work directly with the players and coaches. Her boss Johnny has strict rules for her that seems to make sense at first.

As each week passes, Blake sees the double standards for specifically her. She’s forced to go to a strip club with the media team of men but she’s not allowed to go into the locker room to interview players. She has to ride a separate bus from players and coaches.

She’s working early mornings until late at night. She’s living off coffee and Twizzlers. Blake has a few female mentors who work with the team. They encourage her and she works towards building strong relationships with them in order to build her career. They’re all aware of Johnny being the way he is and no one seems to care.

Except one day Blake decides to defy Johnny’s rules. She asks questions at press conferences without his permission. He practically screams at her. She doesn’t take it anymore and throws all the things he’s said or done back at him. He acts like he’s better than her. Bigger and stronger. Blake recorded the exchange on her laptop. And she later learns one of the media tapes was still recording.

It is rare for me to read even part of a book and pause to feel like I’m living the life of the main character. More than once I paused my reading and it took me a good half hour to get back into my reality. I totally give this 5 out of 5 tiaras!! Thank you so much NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for access to this work! Among my 2023 favorites!

[Mark Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was provided to me from Netgalley, so I can read and review it before it’s published.

Although this a fictional story, it has happened to many females and males as well.

So, basically, the premise for this book is about a young female journalist, Blake, who gets hired by a professional NFL franchise. Running the show is a high-ranking executive, Johnny.

He forbids her to go in the locker room for interviews, for the fear that she will distract the players. He has strict rules in place for her as well, like she can’t ask questions in post-game press conferences and anything she wants to post or do, has to go through him. He gives her a backstage pass to the country’s top country musician, and even thought she did have some drinks, she ends up sleeping with that country musician. Johnny suspends her for that, but yet, when the boys sleep with ladies, nothing happens, but a praise.

Blake does have two strong key female allies; one works for the league and the other is a co-worker. That co-worker is the girlfriend of the star wide receiver.

He treats her much differently than then most of the males in the book. Some of the male characters do stick up for her. But, ultimately, in the end, something does happen between Blake and Johnny, and it gets publicized everywhere.

[literallybooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke Bentley did a phenomenal job! I’m so glad I read this book. It just proves how empowering women can be and this story can hype every woman up to follow their dreams and gain the respect they deserve.

Blake had it tough, but it didn’t stop her from performing her very best despite how much of a bully her boss, Johnny, was.
It can be a difficult time being the “outsider” and I was sympathizing with Blake throughout the whole book. I did not like how she was getting treated and if I could, I’d hop into the story and protect Blake at all costs!! But I already knew I wouldn’t be disappointed with how this story would end!

Brooke shared with us the realities of what women face today when it comes to the workplace or the general public overall. The fact that Brooke has experience in this scenario makes this book so real and relatable! She speaks the truth and her writing really touched me. Blake’s character was great and I loved her in the book so much!

Sideline Confidential is a must-read! I recommend it to everyone! It’s a genre I’m not used to reading, but it honestly made me really like this type of writing. It’s clean, full of truth, and encouraging. Please experience the beauty of this book for yourself if you haven’t already. Thank you, Brooke, for creating this masterpiece!!

[Kim Novak (The Reading Rx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book which follows Blake Kirk, a female sports reporter fresh out of grad school, as she takes on her first big girl job as a reported for her home town football team. Like Blake, I also love football... the angst, the physicality, and the mind game of play design. I can only imagine how hard it is for a woman to break into that testosterone-fueled environment while also staying true to and sticking up for herself. The author Brooke Bentley is a former football reporter, so I like to think some of this fictional story is also influenced by her own story. Regardless, it felt very real. Blake is a likeable character. She is young and makes mistakes along the way but is smart and learns from them. She eventually learns to advocate for herself but in a way that is meaningful for all women and not just herself.

Ladies, this is a perfect book to kick off the college and pro football season this month! And if you're doing the Popsugar book challenge and struggling to find a book about an athlete or sport, Sideline Confidential would be a perfect book for that prompt even if you are not so sporty. Yes, it's about football, but it is also about being a woman in a historically man's world and finding yourself as you start your career.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a little girl, I had a grandfather who always told me that I could do whatever I wanted as long as I was willing to put in the effort and hard work that it would take. But what we didn’t get a chance to discuss before his passing when I was only 13, was how often women are still held back from being allowed entry into certain careers. Sports careers are a big one that we’ve all seen women finally making some headway, but the process to get there hasn’t been easy.

We follow Blake as she takes on the challenges of her chosen career, experiencing the unsavory realities of what has been dominated by men. Her journey helps us open our eyes on the troubling atmosphere. I love how Brooke allows for Blake’s character to make mistakes of her own as it make her more of a relatable, likeable character. My heart ached at all the times she felt that she had to remain silent to prevent ruffling feathers and losing her career. Unfortunately, that is still all-too-real of a situation for women!

As we enter football season, I feel this is a book we should all pick up and take to heart, remembering how far women have come in the industry when we’re enjoying the games!

I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sharp and compelling novel reveals the high-stakes, male-dominated world of professional sports media. Inspired by the author’s own experiences as the first woman to travel with the Houston Texans, it offers gripping drama and an unflinching examination of sexism, power dynamics, and the unspoken rules that women must navigate in the workplace. At its center is Blake, a young woman determined to break into the NFL’s public relations machine while making it look effortless. In this world, a woman must be competent but not overly competent and likable but not too likable.

This book completely captivated me, and I believe readers will appreciate the insider details. Blake’s journey is not a self-sabotaging mess or a romanticized underdog story. She is smart, driven, and expertly navigating the traps set for ambitious women. Refreshingly, there’s no forced love story—this is about the work, the politics, and the fight for respect.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

[Kristina Haas · Rating 3 out of 5]

an easy read, but still thought provoking in a way.

it was interesting (at least for me) to see the “different types” of sexism in the workplace, and how basically everything around her was built by/for the patriarchy. was able to find lots of parallels in my life, as i think a lot of women who work in male-dominated industries will.

the thing i liked best was how the author refused to fall victim to one of the most common tropes used when writing about powerful women - that is, finding a man and falling in love by the end of the book. it always frustrates me when that happens, and seems to really derail the story (as well as change the whole motivation for the main character).

also shows how women who want to beat the system still fall victim to it. i.e. feeling at fault for wearing clothing that is “too provocative”, feeling guilty for not going along with boyish and sexist endeavors, and thinking that their mere existence cause a “distraction” to men.

it was nice to read a book where a woman “won”.

[book won in a Goodreads Giveaway]

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake thought she had landed her dream job, but it was more like a nightmare.

I was so excited for Blake when she got her job, but it became obvious, early on, that she was not going to be treated fairly and it had everything to do with the fact that she was a women. I hated watching her have to compromise herself to work within a set of arbitrary rules set forth by a misogynist, but she endured. This book was pretty much all drama, but everything rang true based on what we all know about women in this industry. I LOVED how it all worked out, and there was a great little reveal near the end. Hopefully, this will become a story that women will not be able to relate to because they will be treated fairly in this industry.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS

[Laura Skladzinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake is fresh out of school and has landed her dream job as a sideline reporter for an NFL team in her hometown, Oklahoma City. She's hit with double standards and sexism at every turn, and struggles to figure out how to effectively do her job, when being liked is a key piece. This was a really fascinating look behind the scenes of sports journalism, a world I previously knew nothing about. While Blake was a bit naive and immature at times - and made some poor decisions at times that made her less likeable - it was still a fascinating and speedy read that really shed light on how far women still have to come to succeed in male-dominated environments. I REALLY enjoyed this and highly recommend it; my star off is because the author has an odd habit of not using contractions in dialogue (e.g., "I will do that" instead of the much-more-common-in-speech "I'll do that"), which made the dialogue feel rather stilted.

[Kaylen Trejo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Goodreads giveaway that I started during downtime at work and finished over the weekend at home.
I really appreciated Blake’s story. Blake shows true grit and determination when she lands her dream job working for a pro football team.
She faces adversity with some of her coworkers (gasp! A woman journalist working around attractive football players?! She must be trouble 🙄) but perseveres, and in the long run, all her hardship pays off! She’s good at what she does, and she loves her career.
I was kind of expecting more excitement, but then I realized this book is all sports fiction (football, as mentioned above) and not a lot else. Not my usual genre, but something I enjoyed nonetheless. 👏🏻

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when your dream job turns into a nightmare?

Blake Kirk lands the job of a reporter for her hometown pro football team. Add double standards for a male-dominated career, a jerk for a boss, being sidelined, exposed to inappropriate situations, and having her romantic relationship brought to light. Yet, with resilience, she forges ahead.

As a former TV anchor and sports reporter, the author is able to share her experience to lend creditability to the story. Bentley rallies for gender equality and respect in the workplace. This never-boring story keeps the tension high and the pages turning. A must-read!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been interested in this Audiobrary offering and finally purchased it with a Black Friday discount. This was a great fall read that I listened to over Thanksgiving weekend with a football game in the background. Blake is a strong female lead who takes us behind the scenes of football media and publicity. This book wasn’t what I expected (it is NOT a romance) but it held my interest. The sexism, double standards, machismo, workplace harassment and overall icky situations at times seemed overwhelming, but hang in for the refreshing moments of perseverance. Julia Whelan narrates which is always perfection. I really appreciated the author chat at the end.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. It was a quick and entertaining read. I could easily see this being made into a movie!

It follows Blake Kirk who just landed her dream job as a sideline sports reporter for her hometown NFL team. But from day one she is faced with discrimination for being a female in a predominantly male industry. Her attitude and fight to make her way up was captivating to read. I was rooting for her the whole way!

𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ↴

↦ Sports Novel (NFL)
↦ Work Discrimination
↦ Harassment
↦ Overcoming Challenges
↦ Sports Journalism

Thank you Brooke for reaching out to me and sending me a signed copy! ❤️

[Ny 🌹✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sideline Confidential follows sports journalist, Blake Kirk as she embarks on her career in a male dominated field. Throughout the story, Blake experiences blatant sexism from her boss Johnny and expresses the hardships that women face in in the sports industry.

Overall, this book just wasn’t for me. I found the plot to be dull and the read very slow. Giving 3 stars because I think it touches on important topics of work place inequality, misogyny, and double standards.

Thank you to Brooke Bentley and NetGalley for the ARC 🫶🏼

[Yvonne Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke Bentley did a wonderful job writing this book and showing the realities that a woman sports journalist is still facing in this age. The double standard and sexism is not surprising but sad that it is still happening. The character Blake certainly did need to have tough skin to overcome what she did to just be able to do her job as best as she could.
I was a little surprised with the Seth/Blake storyline in the book as I felt as though Blake would have looked into his profile and learned that he was married and therefore, not be taken in by him. To me that didn't fit well with the character.
Thanks for the free book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sideline Confidential by Brooke Bentley is the story of Blake as she tries to make her way as a professional reporter in the NFL. I enjoyed the peek inside an NFL team and sadly the sexism seems all too possible. I also appreciated the mentoring and support offered by another more experienced reporter though some of the access offered seemed a bit idealistic. All in all an entertaining read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Sideline Confidential is available now.