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Chicago Grizzlies #1
Something like Hate
An alternative cover edition for this ISBN-13 can be found here.
I love him.
I loathe him.
It’s like plucking daisy petals in my head, but he’ll never know.
When Miles Cavanaugh, the best safety in the league, was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies football team last year, I could finally breathe. Temptation was miles away.
How naïve to think it would end there because when the opportunity to write for a national magazine based in Chicago lands in my lap months later, I can’t turn it down. Sure, it’s a big city, but the sexual energy feels like a beacon between us the minute my plane lands.
To make matters worse, I end up having to take over the job of reporting exclusively on the Chicago Grizzlies. Which means traveling with the team, interviewing players, and pretty much having an all-access pass to their lives during the season.
Miles and I put up a great front, quickly hating on one another, but we both know it’s a lie. We also know the rules are simple. For me, don’t sleep with the subject of your articles. For him, don’t sleep with the journalist who can make or break your career.
I thought straight-laced Miles Cavanaugh followed all the rules… oh how wrong I was.
I love him.
I loathe him.
It’s like plucking daisy petals in my head, but he’ll never know.
When Miles Cavanaugh, the best safety in the league, was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies football team last year, I could finally breathe. Temptation was miles away.
How naïve to think it would end there because when the opportunity to write for a national magazine based in Chicago lands in my lap months later, I can’t turn it down. Sure, it’s a big city, but the sexual energy feels like a beacon between us the minute my plane lands.
To make matters worse, I end up having to take over the job of reporting exclusively on the Chicago Grizzlies. Which means traveling with the team, interviewing players, and pretty much having an all-access pass to their lives during the season.
Miles and I put up a great front, quickly hating on one another, but we both know it’s a lie. We also know the rules are simple. For me, don’t sleep with the subject of your articles. For him, don’t sleep with the journalist who can make or break your career.
I thought straight-laced Miles Cavanaugh followed all the rules… oh how wrong I was.
254 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2023
852 people are currently reading
2640 people want to read
About the author
Piper Rayne
162 books7,448 followersPiper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling author duo. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline). A little about us... We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 569 reviews
January 14, 2025
4.25⭐
Genre ~ sports romance
Series ~ Chicago Grizzlies, #1
Others in the series ~ On the Defense
Setting ~ Chicago, Illinois
Publication date ~ September 26, 2023
Est page Count ~ 256 (30 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 6 hours 23 minutes
Narrator ~ Tim Paige, Stefanie Kay
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ football, sports reporter, enemies to lovers, workplace romance, secret relationship, minimal steamage
Miles & Bryce
I've been patiently waiting for their story and it was everything I had hoped it would be. After they got over their enemies crap they are both lovable and sweet. Their chemistry was spot on. 3rd act crap I could do without, but all in all it was great.
We got the set up at the end for Damon's story in Something like Lust. I'm not in love with the trope with this one, but I'll still give it a whirl.
Series notes:
This is a spin off series of the Kingsmen Football Stars. I would recommend reading them first because it's where we first met Miles & Bryce. Plus Twyla, Miles sister, from book 3 pops in a few times giving us an update on her life, so you'd have a spoiler there.
DUET narration notes:
Whoop whoop, they both did a perfect job! Why can't all dual POV books be duet?? Does it cost more to produce or something?
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ sports romance
Series ~ Chicago Grizzlies, #1
Others in the series ~ On the Defense
Setting ~ Chicago, Illinois
Publication date ~ September 26, 2023
Est page Count ~ 256 (30 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 6 hours 23 minutes
Narrator ~ Tim Paige, Stefanie Kay
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ football, sports reporter, enemies to lovers, workplace romance, secret relationship, minimal steamage
Miles & Bryce
I've been patiently waiting for their story and it was everything I had hoped it would be. After they got over their enemies crap they are both lovable and sweet. Their chemistry was spot on. 3rd act crap I could do without, but all in all it was great.
We got the set up at the end for Damon's story in Something like Lust. I'm not in love with the trope with this one, but I'll still give it a whirl.
Series notes:
This is a spin off series of the Kingsmen Football Stars. I would recommend reading them first because it's where we first met Miles & Bryce. Plus Twyla, Miles sister, from book 3 pops in a few times giving us an update on her life, so you'd have a spoiler there.
DUET narration notes:
Whoop whoop, they both did a perfect job! Why can't all dual POV books be duet?? Does it cost more to produce or something?
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Read
September 26, 2023We're thrilled to introduce 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄, the first book in our brand-new 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 series!
Now LIVE!
---> https://books2read.com/slhate
𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄 is an enemies-to-lovers football sports romance story.
Blurb:
I love him.
I loathe him.
It’s like plucking daisy petals in my head, but he’ll never know.
When Miles Cavanaugh, the best safety in the league, was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies football team last year, I could finally breathe. Temptation was miles away.
How naïve to think it would end there because when the opportunity to write for a national magazine based in Chicago lands in my lap months later, I can’t turn it down. Sure, it’s a big city, but the sexual energy feels like a beacon between us the minute my plane lands.
To make matters worse, I end up having to take over the job of reporting exclusively on the Chicago Grizzlies. Which means traveling with the team, interviewing players, and pretty much having an all-access pass to their lives during the season.
Miles and I put up a great front, quickly hating on one another, but we both know it’s a lie. We also know the rules are simple. For me, don’t sleep with the subject of your articles. For him, don’t sleep with the journalist who can make or break your career.
I thought straight-laced Miles Cavanaugh followed all the rules… oh how wrong I was.
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3SxhKCP
Apple Books: http://bit.ly/3YiSBgt
Nook: http://bit.ly/3YXVIvp
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3IADHMS
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3YYipQ2
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3EUnSiU
Now LIVE!
---> https://books2read.com/slhate
𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄 is an enemies-to-lovers football sports romance story.
Blurb:
I love him.
I loathe him.
It’s like plucking daisy petals in my head, but he’ll never know.
When Miles Cavanaugh, the best safety in the league, was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies football team last year, I could finally breathe. Temptation was miles away.
How naïve to think it would end there because when the opportunity to write for a national magazine based in Chicago lands in my lap months later, I can’t turn it down. Sure, it’s a big city, but the sexual energy feels like a beacon between us the minute my plane lands.
To make matters worse, I end up having to take over the job of reporting exclusively on the Chicago Grizzlies. Which means traveling with the team, interviewing players, and pretty much having an all-access pass to their lives during the season.
Miles and I put up a great front, quickly hating on one another, but we both know it’s a lie. We also know the rules are simple. For me, don’t sleep with the subject of your articles. For him, don’t sleep with the journalist who can make or break your career.
I thought straight-laced Miles Cavanaugh followed all the rules… oh how wrong I was.
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3SxhKCP
Apple Books: http://bit.ly/3YiSBgt
Nook: http://bit.ly/3YXVIvp
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3IADHMS
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3YYipQ2
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3EUnSiU
Read
January 6, 2024DNF. I cannot listen to the female narrator voice anymore. A sound engineer needs to equalize her tone badly. I had to keep turning the volume down because her upper register voice was so much louder than his.
Tim Paige was fine, baritone rumbling along, then screech, her voice would pop in with the dual narration and NO. Just no. My eardrums can’t take it anymore.
I’m sure this is a lovely story that I will need to read rather than listen to someday.
Tim Paige was fine, baritone rumbling along, then screech, her voice would pop in with the dual narration and NO. Just no. My eardrums can’t take it anymore.
I’m sure this is a lovely story that I will need to read rather than listen to someday.
September 26, 2023
I am so glad we finally got Miles and Bryce's story; if you read the KINGSMEN FOOTBALL STAR Series, you have met both of them, and you know how much they can't stand one another what you don't know is why, but you get all the answers you crave and so much more in this first book of the CHICAGO GRIZZLIES Series. If you haven't read the previously mentioned series, no worries. This can be read separately from that one without difficulties. I would, however, recommend reading the FREE Prequel Novella that starts this series, ON THE DEFENSE. It sets up this book and the rest of the series nicely.
𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewSLH
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewSLH
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with BooksYou can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
September 26, 2023
🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧
OVERALL REVIEW & RATING: 4.5 Stars
*heart eyes* I'd hoped the story of Miles & Bryce was going to be charged and Piper Rayne did not disappoint! All kinds of sparks flew in this journey and I absolutely LOVED IT!
PERFORMANCE REVIEW & RATING: 4 Stars
There’s a couple of small details about the narration of this story that made the shine of my experience dim a little. First there’s the switch of male narrators between the prequel, On the Defense, and this story. I don’t know the reason behind the switch, but when you jump straight into the story from the prequel, it’s jarring to have one of the main characters be narrated by different narrators. I was jarred and a little #twitchy but I enjoy listening to Tim Paige, so it wasn’t too hard to get past it. The second minor (maybe not so minor to some … me, I’m the *some* lol) was that Stephanie Kay’s voice came across as more of a whisper-shout than speaking. I’ve listened to quite a few narrations by her and don’t recall this being a thing with her so it’s possibly the fault of production/acoustics but no matter the reason, shine was lost for me :( *shrug*
STORY REVIEW & RATING: 5 Stars
One of the best aspects of any love-hate / enemies-to-lovers story is the tension that it creates. That tension generates an explosive environment full of friction and opens the characters to being volatile and antagonistic. I love when characters have this kind of friction. It makes the sweet spot that much more satisfying in the end! Miles & Bryce had an inherent adversarial relationship from the start. I say inherent because it comes with the territory of their carriers. Players and reporters usually clash and I like that Rayne used this organic characteristic as one of the building blocks of this journey. It added a layer of realism to the story, and you can never have too much of that in my opinion! As the journey progresses, we get to discover a whole lot more about these two and their history and shows us their antagonism towards one another is not just because of their professions. I was all in from the beginning until the end!
I’m not the reviewer that gives away plot-points to a story (usually lol), so I’ll try to say this next part without spoiling anything for you. There’s more to Miles & Bryce than meets the eye, as they say. Their “characters” have emotional battles intertwined in their romance journey that add depth and angst to this story in the best possible way. It made the story more profound but also it had layers of fun and levity that I’ve come to expect from Rayne. Put all of that together with teammate comradery, “The Den” shenanigans and workplace tension you have yourself a captivating, heartwarming, fun, sexy and flirty story that will hit you in the #feels when you least expect it!
I’m looking forward to reading the future of the Chicago Grizzlies. Rayne did an excellent job of introducing the series without missing a beat with Miles & Bryce’s story. Something tells me we have a whole lot of #feels with a huge dollop of shenanigans coming our way! I feel it!
OVERALL REVIEW & RATING: 4.5 Stars
*heart eyes* I'd hoped the story of Miles & Bryce was going to be charged and Piper Rayne did not disappoint! All kinds of sparks flew in this journey and I absolutely LOVED IT!
PERFORMANCE REVIEW & RATING: 4 Stars
There’s a couple of small details about the narration of this story that made the shine of my experience dim a little. First there’s the switch of male narrators between the prequel, On the Defense, and this story. I don’t know the reason behind the switch, but when you jump straight into the story from the prequel, it’s jarring to have one of the main characters be narrated by different narrators. I was jarred and a little #twitchy but I enjoy listening to Tim Paige, so it wasn’t too hard to get past it. The second minor (maybe not so minor to some … me, I’m the *some* lol) was that Stephanie Kay’s voice came across as more of a whisper-shout than speaking. I’ve listened to quite a few narrations by her and don’t recall this being a thing with her so it’s possibly the fault of production/acoustics but no matter the reason, shine was lost for me :( *shrug*
STORY REVIEW & RATING: 5 Stars
One of the best aspects of any love-hate / enemies-to-lovers story is the tension that it creates. That tension generates an explosive environment full of friction and opens the characters to being volatile and antagonistic. I love when characters have this kind of friction. It makes the sweet spot that much more satisfying in the end! Miles & Bryce had an inherent adversarial relationship from the start. I say inherent because it comes with the territory of their carriers. Players and reporters usually clash and I like that Rayne used this organic characteristic as one of the building blocks of this journey. It added a layer of realism to the story, and you can never have too much of that in my opinion! As the journey progresses, we get to discover a whole lot more about these two and their history and shows us their antagonism towards one another is not just because of their professions. I was all in from the beginning until the end!
I’m not the reviewer that gives away plot-points to a story (usually lol), so I’ll try to say this next part without spoiling anything for you. There’s more to Miles & Bryce than meets the eye, as they say. Their “characters” have emotional battles intertwined in their romance journey that add depth and angst to this story in the best possible way. It made the story more profound but also it had layers of fun and levity that I’ve come to expect from Rayne. Put all of that together with teammate comradery, “The Den” shenanigans and workplace tension you have yourself a captivating, heartwarming, fun, sexy and flirty story that will hit you in the #feels when you least expect it!
I’m looking forward to reading the future of the Chicago Grizzlies. Rayne did an excellent job of introducing the series without missing a beat with Miles & Bryce’s story. Something tells me we have a whole lot of #feels with a huge dollop of shenanigans coming our way! I feel it!
December 10, 2023
3.75⭐️
very excited for this series!!! i can always count on piper rayne for short & spicy sports romances. 🤭
this one wasn’t my fav but still a fun time! i am diving right into my arc of the next book ✨
very excited for this series!!! i can always count on piper rayne for short & spicy sports romances. 🤭
this one wasn’t my fav but still a fun time! i am diving right into my arc of the next book ✨
January 3, 2024
DNF 26%
I’m not big on authors starting a new series with so many name drops and cameos from other series, it gets boring (especially if you haven’t read the other ones) and they tend to take up too much space simply because the author gets nostalgic. It steals focus from more important things such as the actual plot and the MC’s in this book. Not to mention how much of the book is about presenting new characters just to prepare us for their own books. It can be done in a subtle way that makes you curios and then there’s the info dump version which gets tiresome real quick.
There’s a lot of talk about their chemistry but tbh that’s all it is - talk. I feel nothing.
Nope, I just don’t care about the characters or their relationship so it’s a DNF for me.
I listened to the audiobook and the female narrator is super annoying, high pitched and unnatural.
I’m not big on authors starting a new series with so many name drops and cameos from other series, it gets boring (especially if you haven’t read the other ones) and they tend to take up too much space simply because the author gets nostalgic. It steals focus from more important things such as the actual plot and the MC’s in this book. Not to mention how much of the book is about presenting new characters just to prepare us for their own books. It can be done in a subtle way that makes you curios and then there’s the info dump version which gets tiresome real quick.
There’s a lot of talk about their chemistry but tbh that’s all it is - talk. I feel nothing.
Nope, I just don’t care about the characters or their relationship so it’s a DNF for me.
I listened to the audiobook and the female narrator is super annoying, high pitched and unnatural.
February 24, 2024
Bryce is awful most of the book. One of the worst fmc character actually. She's judgemental, rude and distrustful. Miles is waaayyy too good for her. I feel sorry for him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2023
A great start to Piper Rayne’s new football standalone romance series!
We have the enemies to lovers trope with the football player who has been traded and the sports reporter who is constantly criticizing them.
I also loved the role reversal of him wanting something serious and her wanting to have fun for the night.
The banter was so amazing, and I loved the whole cast of characters!
I also enjoyed this audiobook! Both the narrators did an amazing job!
We have the enemies to lovers trope with the football player who has been traded and the sports reporter who is constantly criticizing them.
I also loved the role reversal of him wanting something serious and her wanting to have fun for the night.
The banter was so amazing, and I loved the whole cast of characters!
I also enjoyed this audiobook! Both the narrators did an amazing job!
September 29, 2023
GAH. The tension between Bryce and Miles you could cut with a knife. There is always something underlying that makes the hate so much deeper than it needs to be. With Bryce and Miles it is just oodles and oodles of tension. The attraction is there, but Bryce, being the reputable reporter she is, calls it like she sees it. If a player is not performing, she is going to talk about it. Miles knows he wasn't doing great, but he doesn't need it pointed out.
Now they both are in Chicago and their friends are all friends and they find themselves in the same circle, again. Each time they run into one another it gets harder and harder to ignore. This time, their jobs are at stake though so even if they see one another as more than they thought they were, it can't go anywhere, right?
Ooooo enemies to lovers is my favorite and this one doesn't disappoint. It gave me the sizzle I was looking for and I can't wait for more of this series. 4.5 stars!
Now they both are in Chicago and their friends are all friends and they find themselves in the same circle, again. Each time they run into one another it gets harder and harder to ignore. This time, their jobs are at stake though so even if they see one another as more than they thought they were, it can't go anywhere, right?
Ooooo enemies to lovers is my favorite and this one doesn't disappoint. It gave me the sizzle I was looking for and I can't wait for more of this series. 4.5 stars!
November 14, 2024
maybe 3.5 ⭐️
This was quite short, and I think it could've benefited from at least 50 more pages. Some parts of the story could've been explained a little better (like ).
Aside from that, this was enjoyable. Bryce was insufferable most of the time, but I liked Miles enough to compensate lol.
This was quite short, and I think it could've benefited from at least 50 more pages. Some parts of the story could've been explained a little better (like ).
Aside from that, this was enjoyable. Bryce was insufferable most of the time, but I liked Miles enough to compensate lol.
May 12, 2024
Recently having discovered Piper Rayne makes me happy and a little angry.
So happy for her to be a part of my football era, but so angry I didn't find them sooner.
Can't wait to read more of her books!
So happy for her to be a part of my football era, but so angry I didn't find them sooner.
Can't wait to read more of her books!
December 17, 2023
I kinda really didn’t like Bryce 😬
September 16, 2023
Ok so I've been patiently waiting for Miles and Bryce's book it seems like forever and let me tell you I was not disappointed at all. Piper and Rayne actually outdone theirselves in this book!! Like if you want to read the perfect enemies to lovers book then look no further because here it is. This book had the snark,the hilarity,the chemistry and the absolute fire!! Miles was just so on and perfect. I kept wanting to call him a Disney Prince. And Bryce she was just so bold and fierce but underneath it all she was so vulnerable. But when they got together there was no way you couldn't feel the draw that they had. Add in all these secondary characters that we are gonna get to know better like Damon and Cooper!! I just can't wait!! There is a reason that Piper and Rayne are my favorite duo to read and this is just the perfect example!! One amazingly fantastic read!! So deserving of more than just 5 stars but.... ya know how it is!!
October 1, 2023
This is my first read by this author duo. It was said to be a standalone start in a new series, but honestly I felt like I was missing more to the story with how many cameos and mentions of the past there were.
Honestly I wanted to DNF this one, but since it was on the shorter side I stuck it out. Turns out it just wasn’t for me as I really didn’t care for either of the main characters, but I can see how fans of Piper Rayne would love it.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥
Honestly I wanted to DNF this one, but since it was on the shorter side I stuck it out. Turns out it just wasn’t for me as I really didn’t care for either of the main characters, but I can see how fans of Piper Rayne would love it.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥
September 18, 2023
Honestly the thing I love most about the love/hate trope, is the sizzling tension between the characters. Something Like Hate’s storyline is quite entertaining and I just loved both Miles and Bryce. Their banter made me giggle. I flipping loved this book so much.
The drama, the friendships, the emotions from the characters made this a story I couldn’t put down.
I have invested myself into the characters and cannot wait for more. Im not going to say anything to spoil this book but seriously this series is amazing. Each book just gets better and better. I have been waiting for Miles story and it did not disappoint at all
I highly recommend you put this book high on your tbr list!
The drama, the friendships, the emotions from the characters made this a story I couldn’t put down.
I have invested myself into the characters and cannot wait for more. Im not going to say anything to spoil this book but seriously this series is amazing. Each book just gets better and better. I have been waiting for Miles story and it did not disappoint at all
I highly recommend you put this book high on your tbr list!
September 28, 2023
What a great book to a new Football Romance series!!! I loved it!!!
I love Miles and Bryce together! I'm so happy they got their book! This is book one to a new series starring Miles Cavanaugh and Bryce Burns. It's enemies to lovers, sports romance (professional football), workplace romance. It's filled with great banter, found family, push and pull, and sexy times.
Bryce and Miles find themselves in the same city again. They have a dislike for each other professionally and personally. Then, they stop fighting their feelings and it's amazing how they fall for each other.
I definitely recommend!
I love Miles and Bryce together! I'm so happy they got their book! This is book one to a new series starring Miles Cavanaugh and Bryce Burns. It's enemies to lovers, sports romance (professional football), workplace romance. It's filled with great banter, found family, push and pull, and sexy times.
Bryce and Miles find themselves in the same city again. They have a dislike for each other professionally and personally. Then, they stop fighting their feelings and it's amazing how they fall for each other.
I definitely recommend!
September 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Romance
🏈sports romance
📰enemies to lovers
🏈second chance
📰workplace romance
🏈forced proximity
📰forbidden relationship
🏈one bed
📰dual POV
“That’s the problem with old friends. They know our wounds better than anyone.”
Okay, serious question… who has read Piper Rayne before?
Who knew about Piper Rayne and their books?
Who had the audacity of withholding that information from me?
Who decided to NOT let me know that these two incredible writers were creating these books solely FOR ME?
Who? Come on people, accountability is key here! I’ve been deprived of these glorious books for far too long. And that’s not okay. 🤨
“You are kind of a loner.”
“Being okay being alone is not the same as being a loner.”
My goodness, Piper Rayne delivered a pick six return with a two point conversion with this one 🤌🏼 This was everything I ever wanted in a sports romance:
Enemies to lovers? ✅
Witty banter? ✅
Football? ✅
One bed? ✅
Workplace forbidden romance? ✅
Bookworm MMC? ✅
🥵✅
Incredible supporting cast? ✅
What can a girl ask more?! This book held onto my heart and left me completely useless to the world. It was glorious 🤌🏼
“How can I miss her already?”
How can I miss them already?
I’m not sure how or why we get so attached to fictional characters but here I am… again… missing my “friends.” 😭
“I like being your savior, though I’m very aware that you can save yourself. That’s why I enjoy it so much though.”
Also, for Christmas please send all Piper Rayne books you can find. Thank you 👀
“Put me in Coach.”
Adult • Romance
🏈sports romance
📰enemies to lovers
🏈second chance
📰workplace romance
🏈forced proximity
📰forbidden relationship
🏈one bed
📰dual POV
“That’s the problem with old friends. They know our wounds better than anyone.”
Okay, serious question… who has read Piper Rayne before?
Who knew about Piper Rayne and their books?
Who had the audacity of withholding that information from me?
Who decided to NOT let me know that these two incredible writers were creating these books solely FOR ME?
Who? Come on people, accountability is key here! I’ve been deprived of these glorious books for far too long. And that’s not okay. 🤨
“You are kind of a loner.”
“Being okay being alone is not the same as being a loner.”
My goodness, Piper Rayne delivered a pick six return with a two point conversion with this one 🤌🏼 This was everything I ever wanted in a sports romance:
Enemies to lovers? ✅
Witty banter? ✅
Football? ✅
One bed? ✅
Workplace forbidden romance? ✅
Bookworm MMC? ✅
🥵✅
Incredible supporting cast? ✅
What can a girl ask more?! This book held onto my heart and left me completely useless to the world. It was glorious 🤌🏼
“How can I miss her already?”
How can I miss them already?
I’m not sure how or why we get so attached to fictional characters but here I am… again… missing my “friends.” 😭
“I like being your savior, though I’m very aware that you can save yourself. That’s why I enjoy it so much though.”
Also, for Christmas please send all Piper Rayne books you can find. Thank you 👀
“Put me in Coach.”
May 29, 2025
A fun and fast read for the most part, though if I have to read one more contemp romance where at least one of them has commitment issues stemming from their parents' divorce... I get that it's "realistic" but it's also stupid and boring. And this is why I don't read a lot of contemporary romances. The book is cute and an easy read, but the hockey series, the nest, is better.
September 27, 2023
I’ve been waiting for Miles and Bryce’s story since the first book of the Kingsmen Football Series and Piper Rayne did not disappoint!!
Piper Rayne is quickly becoming one of my favorite author duos! I loved this enemies to lovers, slow burn romance from start to finish and it had everything! There was romance, humor, banter, chemistry, spicy moments, and amazing characters!
Tim Paige and Stefanie Kay could not have been more perfect and I can’t wait for the rest of the books in this series!
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Piper Rayne is quickly becoming one of my favorite author duos! I loved this enemies to lovers, slow burn romance from start to finish and it had everything! There was romance, humor, banter, chemistry, spicy moments, and amazing characters!
Tim Paige and Stefanie Kay could not have been more perfect and I can’t wait for the rest of the books in this series!
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 27, 2023
Second chance, enemies to lovers, forbidden and football all wrapped up into one amazing romance... yes please. This did not disappoint as the first book in a new series! Bryce and Miles were definitely the it couple and were so fun to read about. I loved Bryce and how much she loved her job and the passion she had for it. Miles definitely adapts well to change and knows how to play his position well! These two couldn't hide their feelings for each other even when they thought they were. Trying to hide a workplace romance is hard to do especially with all the chemistry they had!! Such a fun read!
September 18, 2023
3.75/5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 4)
Thank you to Valentine PR and Author Piper Rayne for the opportunity to receive and review an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book, so much that I read it in just one day! I found the characters to be entertaining and the dynamics between all of the characters were fun.
As an enemies to lovers connoisseur, I was thrilled to see that this had that trope included. I unfortunately thought it was just “okay” in the traditional sense. It didn’t feel like true enemies to lovers, but that was okay! It was more of a enemies to lovers facade, but I still enjoyed it all the same.
I just had a few issues with the book that gave me pause on ranking this higher… Bryce was irritating to me. She was childish in her interactions with her parents and frankly jumped far too quick to conclusions in many situations in the book. Another issue I had was just the pacing… it felt SO FAST. This was a speedy read and there were times when I was getting so confused with the timelines because time was moving at supersonic speed.
Overall, this was super entertaining and fun. It’s also been a while since I’ve read a football romance and this was a great way to get back into it.
If you love sports romance, enemies to lovers, workplace, one bed, forbidden/sneaking around… definitely pick this up!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Author Piper Rayne for the opportunity to receive and review an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book, so much that I read it in just one day! I found the characters to be entertaining and the dynamics between all of the characters were fun.
As an enemies to lovers connoisseur, I was thrilled to see that this had that trope included. I unfortunately thought it was just “okay” in the traditional sense. It didn’t feel like true enemies to lovers, but that was okay! It was more of a enemies to lovers facade, but I still enjoyed it all the same.
I just had a few issues with the book that gave me pause on ranking this higher… Bryce was irritating to me. She was childish in her interactions with her parents and frankly jumped far too quick to conclusions in many situations in the book. Another issue I had was just the pacing… it felt SO FAST. This was a speedy read and there were times when I was getting so confused with the timelines because time was moving at supersonic speed.
Overall, this was super entertaining and fun. It’s also been a while since I’ve read a football romance and this was a great way to get back into it.
If you love sports romance, enemies to lovers, workplace, one bed, forbidden/sneaking around… definitely pick this up!
December 24, 2023
A cracker of a book. Thoroughly enjoyable. So good I had to download the second in the series even though I’ve got so, so many on my tbr list. I’m going to be reading for 80 years after I’m dead lol.
September 30, 2023
It has been a hot minute since I have read a football romance. It’s my favorite sport—I have no clue why I don’t read them that much. I'm going to fix that.
Bryce and Miles, at best, are Enemies with an undeniable attraction to each other. Miles, the professional football player, and Bruce, the sports journalist who is critical but fair in her reporting. Wait, I forgot to add they run in the same social circles, and his sister is Bryce’s friend.
Miles traded to Chicago and assumed a new state he was away from Bryce. Well, you know what they say about assuming? Don’t.
I have to say I enjoyed these two. The banter was great. I laughed quite a few times. Miles is the perfect book boyfriend. He will melt your heart. At the same time, Bryce has walls surrounding her, and you can't help but yell at her to wake up.
I love the reference in the book to one of my favorite wide receivers; between that and how the book is written, I will read more of the author's football series.
September 26, 2023
3.5
This is the perfect read to kick off pro football season with. It was a super fun and quick read - and let’s be real you can never go wrong with a pro football player as a MMC!
I really loved Miles and Bryce’s dynamic - the push and pull between them and how Miles helped Bryce let her walls down. Also always love seeing a woman in sports being portrayed in a book - this time as a sports journalist!
There were some cameos of characters from other Piper Rayne books, so if you’ve read this author before I think you’ll definitely enjoy this one even more! I do wish I the enemies portion of Miles and Bryce’s story made a little more sense, but overall a fun, quick, sports romance. I will definitely be continuing the series!
Thank you Valentine PR and Piper Rayne for an ARC in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻
Read if you like:
🖤 enemies to lovers
🏈 sports romance
✨ a sprinkle of forced proximity
🤫 secret relationship
✌🏻 dual pov
This is the perfect read to kick off pro football season with. It was a super fun and quick read - and let’s be real you can never go wrong with a pro football player as a MMC!
I really loved Miles and Bryce’s dynamic - the push and pull between them and how Miles helped Bryce let her walls down. Also always love seeing a woman in sports being portrayed in a book - this time as a sports journalist!
There were some cameos of characters from other Piper Rayne books, so if you’ve read this author before I think you’ll definitely enjoy this one even more! I do wish I the enemies portion of Miles and Bryce’s story made a little more sense, but overall a fun, quick, sports romance. I will definitely be continuing the series!
Thank you Valentine PR and Piper Rayne for an ARC in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻
Read if you like:
🖤 enemies to lovers
🏈 sports romance
✨ a sprinkle of forced proximity
🤫 secret relationship
✌🏻 dual pov
November 28, 2023
Kindle Unlimited: No
Stand-alone: Yes**
Author: Piper Rayne
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 3/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Miles and Bryce
Trope(s): Sports Romance, Workplace, Enemies To Lovers, Rom-Com, Best Friends Brother
“I only want you,” he whispers. “ I'm sorry if that upsets you, but it’s the truth. I haven’t gotten you out of my head for two years. I get it, I do. We’d be putting your job in jeopardy, our friendships with other people could suffer if we don’t make it, but none of that seems to matter when I’m around you. I only want to help make your troubles disappear. I just wanna make you happy.”
Chicago Grizzlies Series starts us off with Miles Cavanugh’s book. If you have read the Kingsmen Football Series, both Miles and Bryce will be familiar faces. This is a great way to start the new series, introduce us to the new players, and have us wanting to add it all to our TBR.
Miles Cavanugh finds himself traded mid-season and in Chicago. To add insult to injury he finds out through his sister that his arch-enemy Bryce, is not only in Chicago, but writing for Sportsverse Magazine. He thought he left all her hate-writing back in San Francisco.
Life feels like it’s on an upswing though, he is finally finding common ground with his teammates and the point person for Sportsverse that will cover the Chicago Grizzlies, is not Bryce and the reporter is #teammiles.
Bryce and Miles have history and it does not just include her writing all her opinions about him as a football player. Bryce let her past dictate her future and here they are now.
Then they find themselves thrown together. The original reporter has to step aside and Bryce is put in. And, that means lots of time following the team.
And, those hate feelings, well, you know that line between love and hate, yea that one. So blurred.
Stand-alone: Yes**
Author: Piper Rayne
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 3/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Miles and Bryce
Trope(s): Sports Romance, Workplace, Enemies To Lovers, Rom-Com, Best Friends Brother
“I only want you,” he whispers. “ I'm sorry if that upsets you, but it’s the truth. I haven’t gotten you out of my head for two years. I get it, I do. We’d be putting your job in jeopardy, our friendships with other people could suffer if we don’t make it, but none of that seems to matter when I’m around you. I only want to help make your troubles disappear. I just wanna make you happy.”
Chicago Grizzlies Series starts us off with Miles Cavanugh’s book. If you have read the Kingsmen Football Series, both Miles and Bryce will be familiar faces. This is a great way to start the new series, introduce us to the new players, and have us wanting to add it all to our TBR.
Miles Cavanugh finds himself traded mid-season and in Chicago. To add insult to injury he finds out through his sister that his arch-enemy Bryce, is not only in Chicago, but writing for Sportsverse Magazine. He thought he left all her hate-writing back in San Francisco.
Life feels like it’s on an upswing though, he is finally finding common ground with his teammates and the point person for Sportsverse that will cover the Chicago Grizzlies, is not Bryce and the reporter is #teammiles.
Bryce and Miles have history and it does not just include her writing all her opinions about him as a football player. Bryce let her past dictate her future and here they are now.
Then they find themselves thrown together. The original reporter has to step aside and Bryce is put in. And, that means lots of time following the team.
And, those hate feelings, well, you know that line between love and hate, yea that one. So blurred.
November 4, 2023
Miles and Bryce appeared as side characters in the Kingsman Football Stars series and they were who I wanted a story of. Bryce and Miles hate each other, yet are forced to spend time together because they are both in the same friend group. When Bryce has to take over reporting for the Grizzlies, her and Miles are forced to spend time together, travelling with the team and interviewing players. As they spend more time together, they start to realize hate and love may be closer than they thought.
Bryce was such a strong, independent woman, taking on a lot of the problematic behavior by men in the sports industry, as a sports reporter. I found her sassy-ness and wit to be fun and compelling. She wanted to keep away from Miles, but they seemed to be pushed together at every possible moment. Miles is such a kind guy. He just wants to have love, a family and play football, even better, he is a book nerd! He wasn't a playboy, or even a reformed playboy. He knew he didn't want fake, one-night stands. He wanted a girlfriend he could love and adore.
These two had banter like good enemies do, and you could cut the tension with a knife. I think that everyone was just waiting for them to get together and knew it was inevitable. There was so much tension between them, and it finally hit its breaking point in a perfect way.
I loved that we got introduced to the Grizzlies team and players through a story with characters we knew from the previous, related series. We also got to see the Kingsman stars and partners, which was fun too! I had so much fun reading this and cannot wait to read more in this series! Thank you to Valentine PR for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
Read if you love: enemies to lovers, only on bed, football romance, slow burn
Bryce was such a strong, independent woman, taking on a lot of the problematic behavior by men in the sports industry, as a sports reporter. I found her sassy-ness and wit to be fun and compelling. She wanted to keep away from Miles, but they seemed to be pushed together at every possible moment. Miles is such a kind guy. He just wants to have love, a family and play football, even better, he is a book nerd! He wasn't a playboy, or even a reformed playboy. He knew he didn't want fake, one-night stands. He wanted a girlfriend he could love and adore.
These two had banter like good enemies do, and you could cut the tension with a knife. I think that everyone was just waiting for them to get together and knew it was inevitable. There was so much tension between them, and it finally hit its breaking point in a perfect way.
I loved that we got introduced to the Grizzlies team and players through a story with characters we knew from the previous, related series. We also got to see the Kingsman stars and partners, which was fun too! I had so much fun reading this and cannot wait to read more in this series! Thank you to Valentine PR for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
Read if you love: enemies to lovers, only on bed, football romance, slow burn
April 24, 2024
Something Like Hate
Piper Rayne @authorpiperrayne
Romance
3 🌶️
This is the first book in a new series by Piper Rayne. I am so glad to get a Miles and Bryce story after the Kingsman series. I have been waiting!!
Miles is a NFL player that recently got traded from San Francisco to Chicago. Bryce is a sports writers who doesn’t hold back, who also recently moved to Chicago for a great job opportunity. Miles and Bryce have been feuding for years over an article Bryce wrote about Miles.
When they end up I’m the same social circle again in Chicago the tension is thick.
Enemies to lovers is always one of my favorite tropes so I ate this one up! I loved the Mayer between Miles and Bryce. Loved learning more about their history with each other and why they hate each other so much. Watching their push and pull with each other with their attraction and feelings was so satisfying.
Miles….🥵 I mean the guy was a book nerd and an athlete. I loved him! And just adored how he fell for Bryce and has been secretly pining for her. ❤️
Thank you to Valentine PR and for the eARC. I cannot wait to continue the series!
Tropes:
-Sports Romance
-Enemies to Lovers
-Slow Romance
-Secret Relationship
-Workplace
-He Falls First
-One Night Stand
Piper Rayne @authorpiperrayne
Romance
3 🌶️
This is the first book in a new series by Piper Rayne. I am so glad to get a Miles and Bryce story after the Kingsman series. I have been waiting!!
Miles is a NFL player that recently got traded from San Francisco to Chicago. Bryce is a sports writers who doesn’t hold back, who also recently moved to Chicago for a great job opportunity. Miles and Bryce have been feuding for years over an article Bryce wrote about Miles.
When they end up I’m the same social circle again in Chicago the tension is thick.
Enemies to lovers is always one of my favorite tropes so I ate this one up! I loved the Mayer between Miles and Bryce. Loved learning more about their history with each other and why they hate each other so much. Watching their push and pull with each other with their attraction and feelings was so satisfying.
Miles….🥵 I mean the guy was a book nerd and an athlete. I loved him! And just adored how he fell for Bryce and has been secretly pining for her. ❤️
Thank you to Valentine PR and for the eARC. I cannot wait to continue the series!
Tropes:
-Sports Romance
-Enemies to Lovers
-Slow Romance
-Secret Relationship
-Workplace
-He Falls First
-One Night Stand
September 24, 2023
Something like Hate is one of those books I've been waiting on! It may be the first book in the Chicago Grizzlies series, but the characters, Miles and Bryce we met as supporting characters in the Kingsman Football Stars series and it was time for them to get their own book!
Miles Cavanaugh is one of the best safeties in professional football and he was traded from the Kingsman to the Grizzlies in the middle of the season last year. He left behind his sister, the buddies he had made on the team and also the sports reporter, Bryce Burns, that he loves to hate given she always was honest about telling it like it is about his play. Oh, but then there is the whole thing about the crazy chemistry between he and Bryce and that one hot night they shared together.
Fast-forward to the current season and now Bryce has been given the opportunity to work for a national sports publication in Chicago meaning that she and Miles will be back in the same city. Chicago is a big city, so she figures she can avoid him given she's going to be covering hockey, not football. Not only do they end up in the same friend group, so they spend time together that way, but fate would have it that Bryce has to cover the Grizzlies when the regular reporter is unavailable. While the tension is always high between these two, are they destined for a relationship?
Bryce was a strong-willed, independent woman who was not afraid to fight for what she wanted in a very male dominated industry, which I loved. She had the right amount of sass and wit to take on the men and put them in their place in a way that showed she knew exactly what she was doing. Miles was the exact opposite of what most people expect of a professional athlete and I also loved that. He wasn't a player at all. He was ready to settle down, find a wife, get married and start a family. He wants to be a one-woman man and focus only on that person. And, he loves books! Who doesn't love a guy who loves books?!
I really liked how Piper Rayne used this book to set up the rest of the series as well. We got to know the other characters that will be introduced in the upcoming books, which made me even more excited to read more of this series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Miles Cavanaugh is one of the best safeties in professional football and he was traded from the Kingsman to the Grizzlies in the middle of the season last year. He left behind his sister, the buddies he had made on the team and also the sports reporter, Bryce Burns, that he loves to hate given she always was honest about telling it like it is about his play. Oh, but then there is the whole thing about the crazy chemistry between he and Bryce and that one hot night they shared together.
Fast-forward to the current season and now Bryce has been given the opportunity to work for a national sports publication in Chicago meaning that she and Miles will be back in the same city. Chicago is a big city, so she figures she can avoid him given she's going to be covering hockey, not football. Not only do they end up in the same friend group, so they spend time together that way, but fate would have it that Bryce has to cover the Grizzlies when the regular reporter is unavailable. While the tension is always high between these two, are they destined for a relationship?
Bryce was a strong-willed, independent woman who was not afraid to fight for what she wanted in a very male dominated industry, which I loved. She had the right amount of sass and wit to take on the men and put them in their place in a way that showed she knew exactly what she was doing. Miles was the exact opposite of what most people expect of a professional athlete and I also loved that. He wasn't a player at all. He was ready to settle down, find a wife, get married and start a family. He wants to be a one-woman man and focus only on that person. And, he loves books! Who doesn't love a guy who loves books?!
I really liked how Piper Rayne used this book to set up the rest of the series as well. We got to know the other characters that will be introduced in the upcoming books, which made me even more excited to read more of this series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
September 19, 2023
Something Like Hate
Chicago Grizzlies #1
By Piper Rayne
Narrated by Tim Paige, Stephanie Kay
A new series by Piper Rayne? Yes please! I am so excited for this new football series, plus this book features two characters I already know! Miles has been transferred to the Grizzlies, and he is just finding his niche with the team. It's not easy, but to make his life even more chaotic is the news hat Bryce will be working for the team too. After their one night, things were tense, and now their love/hate relationship is coming to the forefront. Bryce has a lot to prove. She wants to be the best she can be and now working with Miles may just put a crimp in that! But as the tension between them rises, so do their feelings, and it's just a matter of time before they give in to the push pull. But there is a rule. No fraternizing at work. Keeping it secret? They can try. But is it even worth it or is it just physical? Rayne has created a wonderful push pull relationship between these two. Bryce has walls up around her heart, and it's going to take a lot to work through her issues and break them down. Miles has his own thoughts on relationships and he can be his worst enemy. I felt all the feelings. Frustration, anger, lust, love, it's all there and I worked as hard as the two of them did! It's a fantastic story and great beginning to this series.
Tim Paige and Stephanie Kay are our narrators and find their way into the minds of these two. I love the way their voices compliment each other. Paige is amazing as Miles, as he frustrates and charms Bryce! Kay works through every emotion as Bryce. I felt her hesitant feelings right to my heart! I loved their performance and enjoyed the listen!
Chicago Grizzlies #1
By Piper Rayne
Narrated by Tim Paige, Stephanie Kay
A new series by Piper Rayne? Yes please! I am so excited for this new football series, plus this book features two characters I already know! Miles has been transferred to the Grizzlies, and he is just finding his niche with the team. It's not easy, but to make his life even more chaotic is the news hat Bryce will be working for the team too. After their one night, things were tense, and now their love/hate relationship is coming to the forefront. Bryce has a lot to prove. She wants to be the best she can be and now working with Miles may just put a crimp in that! But as the tension between them rises, so do their feelings, and it's just a matter of time before they give in to the push pull. But there is a rule. No fraternizing at work. Keeping it secret? They can try. But is it even worth it or is it just physical? Rayne has created a wonderful push pull relationship between these two. Bryce has walls up around her heart, and it's going to take a lot to work through her issues and break them down. Miles has his own thoughts on relationships and he can be his worst enemy. I felt all the feelings. Frustration, anger, lust, love, it's all there and I worked as hard as the two of them did! It's a fantastic story and great beginning to this series.
Tim Paige and Stephanie Kay are our narrators and find their way into the minds of these two. I love the way their voices compliment each other. Paige is amazing as Miles, as he frustrates and charms Bryce! Kay works through every emotion as Bryce. I felt her hesitant feelings right to my heart! I loved their performance and enjoyed the listen!
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