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Wild Card #2
Out of Bounds
Not yet published
Expected 11 Jun 26Tropes: 🏈 football romance 💕 friends to lovers 🤠 cowboy homestead 👶 single mother 📚 working for a better life 🌶 spice
She's spent her whole life surrounded by football stars...
…so Annie Quinn is completely unfazed when Tanner Pace shows up at her Texas ranch.
As a single mother who’s finally going back to school, she could use a helping hand, and she has no time for romance. Especially not with one of her brother’s show pony teammates…again.
But sometimes love throws you a win when you least expect it, even if this tight end is completely out of bounds.
A gorgeous and spicy sports romance, guaranteed to make you believe in love again!
While this novel is set in the same town as the other books in the Wild Card series, it can be read as a STANDALONE
She's spent her whole life surrounded by football stars...
…so Annie Quinn is completely unfazed when Tanner Pace shows up at her Texas ranch.
As a single mother who’s finally going back to school, she could use a helping hand, and she has no time for romance. Especially not with one of her brother’s show pony teammates…again.
But sometimes love throws you a win when you least expect it, even if this tight end is completely out of bounds.
A gorgeous and spicy sports romance, guaranteed to make you believe in love again!
While this novel is set in the same town as the other books in the Wild Card series, it can be read as a STANDALONE
- GenresSports
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 11, 2026
About the author
Laura Carter
23 books436 followersAmazon top 10 and internationally bestselling author of romcoms and sports romance, translated into multiple languages. Exploring relationships and getting under the skin of her characters is Laura’s passion. She takes inspiration from everything she loves from sports to law, from music and books to on screen romances, and from her own friends and family (shhhhhh, don't tell them!). Laura lives in Jersey, Channel Islands and loves nothing more than being active outdoors.
Rep'd by Tanera Simons of Greenstone Literary Agency.
Connect with Laura through Facebook (@lauracarterauthor), Instagram (@lauracarterauthor) and TikTok (@laura.carter.author).
Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.
Rep'd by Tanera Simons of Greenstone Literary Agency.
Connect with Laura through Facebook (@lauracarterauthor), Instagram (@lauracarterauthor) and TikTok (@laura.carter.author).
Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sweet and fun, especially the second half.
On the whole, the book is funny and the laid-back banter between the main characters is cute. They have a good dynamic going, and I like friends slowly developing more feelings. It's natural and easy to read.
Tanner is just the sweetest guy. The acts of service love language he has going on is adorable, and the way he's pining after Annie is what you typically want in a romance novel. No notes. Well, okay, notes, but not positive and I'm not done with being nice.
As a sports romance, it has just enough football to make you feel it, but not be overwhelmed. I don't know the rules of the game, nor have I watched a single match, but I wasn't put out by the descriptions and it managed to get me excited and a little teary when that last game came around.
The miscommunication. It's not a case of 'I misunderstood something you said', but more like 'We don't talk about anything and just make assumptions instead'. I’m on the fence here, because they could just talk like adults, but on the other hand it does feel painfully realistic and - in the end - I’m choosing to appreciate that. I've had my share of struggles when it comes to forming relationships because of anxiety or low self-esteem telling me the other person can't possibly like me, so I understand how it can be a little irrational. Both sides have valid reasons to spiral, in my opinion.
Also, Colton’s and Sonny’s reactions in the end are great, which could potentially be a spoiler if you know what I like in brother's best friend trope, so I'm not going to say more.
And now, what didn't click for me?
Back to Tanner for a second - he reached extremely annoying levels of repetitiveness when it comes to thinking of ‘this can’t happen’. I was forcing myself to get through it at some points, because it was all he talked about for a big chunk of the book. I get it, everyone gets it, enough. Eventually it lessened as things started progressing, but still.
I don't like spice in which the woman needs barely a touch to come undone or comes repeatedly without much of a challenge. I get that smut is not exactly meant to be realistic, but it's not meant to be this disconnected from reality either, at least in my opinion. It's setting the standards too high and doing more harm than good. It wasn't that bad here, but I'm just a little fed up with this concept in general.
Some of the phrasing was weird. I don't know if it was the attempt at a southern accent that threw me off or what exactly, but something wasn't clicking in the language used, not completely.
Lastly, the age gap. She’s a little too young for my taste - her frontal lobe is not fully developed yet, plus she's under a lot of pressure - and Tanner is really sweet and feeling guilty about a lot of things, but I'm not seeing enough of the guilt specifically put on her being this young and him being attracted to her. If I see an age gap this big with a woman this young, I want the man to be really, really conflicted over the age gap itself to not come off as creepy. I can believe in that relationship surviving over time but make me want to.
Overall, it's a nice read which I'd recommend to both sports romance and friends to lovers fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for letting me read the ARC!
On the whole, the book is funny and the laid-back banter between the main characters is cute. They have a good dynamic going, and I like friends slowly developing more feelings. It's natural and easy to read.
Tanner is just the sweetest guy. The acts of service love language he has going on is adorable, and the way he's pining after Annie is what you typically want in a romance novel. No notes. Well, okay, notes, but not positive and I'm not done with being nice.
As a sports romance, it has just enough football to make you feel it, but not be overwhelmed. I don't know the rules of the game, nor have I watched a single match, but I wasn't put out by the descriptions and it managed to get me excited and a little teary when that last game came around.
The miscommunication. It's not a case of 'I misunderstood something you said', but more like 'We don't talk about anything and just make assumptions instead'. I’m on the fence here, because they could just talk like adults, but on the other hand it does feel painfully realistic and - in the end - I’m choosing to appreciate that. I've had my share of struggles when it comes to forming relationships because of anxiety or low self-esteem telling me the other person can't possibly like me, so I understand how it can be a little irrational. Both sides have valid reasons to spiral, in my opinion.
Also, Colton’s and Sonny’s reactions in the end are great, which could potentially be a spoiler if you know what I like in brother's best friend trope, so I'm not going to say more.
And now, what didn't click for me?
Back to Tanner for a second - he reached extremely annoying levels of repetitiveness when it comes to thinking of ‘this can’t happen’. I was forcing myself to get through it at some points, because it was all he talked about for a big chunk of the book. I get it, everyone gets it, enough. Eventually it lessened as things started progressing, but still.
I don't like spice in which the woman needs barely a touch to come undone or comes repeatedly without much of a challenge. I get that smut is not exactly meant to be realistic, but it's not meant to be this disconnected from reality either, at least in my opinion. It's setting the standards too high and doing more harm than good. It wasn't that bad here, but I'm just a little fed up with this concept in general.
Some of the phrasing was weird. I don't know if it was the attempt at a southern accent that threw me off or what exactly, but something wasn't clicking in the language used, not completely.
Lastly, the age gap. She’s a little too young for my taste - her frontal lobe is not fully developed yet, plus she's under a lot of pressure - and Tanner is really sweet and feeling guilty about a lot of things, but I'm not seeing enough of the guilt specifically put on her being this young and him being attracted to her. If I see an age gap this big with a woman this young, I want the man to be really, really conflicted over the age gap itself to not come off as creepy. I can believe in that relationship surviving over time but make me want to.
Overall, it's a nice read which I'd recommend to both sports romance and friends to lovers fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for letting me read the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I was send an ARC by the publisher, and thought the story sounded cute and entertaining so I decided to read it. Well, I am so glad I did because it had a lot more heart and character development than the cartoon cover and cheesy synopsis lets on.
Annie, is a 22 year old single mom who is going back to school after having to put her senior year on hold due to having a baby and the unexpected passing of her mom. She is smart, funny and a great mom, but she suffers from imposter syndrome and low self esteem when it comes to guys. The absent father of her son was a former teammate of her older brother Colton, a man who ghosted her as soon as she told him she was pregnant so as a result, she has sworn off men and dating for the time being, just wanting to focus on her son and studies.
Tanner is a 34 year old veteran football player who plays on the same team with Annie's brother Colton and knows Annie and her family well. As the son of a single mother, he is impressed by Annie's drive and devotion to her son and wants to help her meet her goals. When an opportunity comes up for Tanner to help Annie with her driving lessons, he offers, never expecting their surface friendship to turn into more. And boy, does it ever....!
I will say, what I liked so much about this book, is that neither Annie or Tanner expected the initial attraction/friendship to turn into more. In fact, they both individually go out of their way to ignore it/taper it down all while their bond together deepens in the background. Tanner worries that he is too old for Annie, that he reminds her too much of her ex because they are both football players, that he wouldn't be good enough for her, that her brother will be upset if they get together etc. Annie on the other hand, worries that Tanner will never look at her twice, that she is too young, too broke, too inexperienced when it comes to life, etc. It's very real conversations and emotions they have with themselves and with each other over the course of this book, and I enjoyed that. It made their relationship feel natural.
This is book #2 but reads as a standalone. I figured that Colton and Sas were the main characters from book 1 and while they definitely make appearances in here, ultimately the story remains about Annie and Tanner and their growth. I'm also a sucker for romances with kids and Annie's relationship with her baby and Tanner's bond with him was really well done. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Annie, is a 22 year old single mom who is going back to school after having to put her senior year on hold due to having a baby and the unexpected passing of her mom. She is smart, funny and a great mom, but she suffers from imposter syndrome and low self esteem when it comes to guys. The absent father of her son was a former teammate of her older brother Colton, a man who ghosted her as soon as she told him she was pregnant so as a result, she has sworn off men and dating for the time being, just wanting to focus on her son and studies.
Tanner is a 34 year old veteran football player who plays on the same team with Annie's brother Colton and knows Annie and her family well. As the son of a single mother, he is impressed by Annie's drive and devotion to her son and wants to help her meet her goals. When an opportunity comes up for Tanner to help Annie with her driving lessons, he offers, never expecting their surface friendship to turn into more. And boy, does it ever....!
I will say, what I liked so much about this book, is that neither Annie or Tanner expected the initial attraction/friendship to turn into more. In fact, they both individually go out of their way to ignore it/taper it down all while their bond together deepens in the background. Tanner worries that he is too old for Annie, that he reminds her too much of her ex because they are both football players, that he wouldn't be good enough for her, that her brother will be upset if they get together etc. Annie on the other hand, worries that Tanner will never look at her twice, that she is too young, too broke, too inexperienced when it comes to life, etc. It's very real conversations and emotions they have with themselves and with each other over the course of this book, and I enjoyed that. It made their relationship feel natural.
This is book #2 but reads as a standalone. I figured that Colton and Sas were the main characters from book 1 and while they definitely make appearances in here, ultimately the story remains about Annie and Tanner and their growth. I'm also a sucker for romances with kids and Annie's relationship with her baby and Tanner's bond with him was really well done. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this upcoming book. I truly appreciate it!
Laura Carter scores another absolute touch down with this book and I loved every minute of it!! I've had the previous privilege of also being able to arc read and fall in love with the first book in her 'Wild Cards' series, 'A Rookie Mistake' which features Sas and Annie's brother Colton and their own totally football love story, and I will say both books can be read independently of the other, but they have a much bigger emotional impact if you read them in order.
Pace and Annie's story is finally here, and I've been waiting for it from the very ending of the previous novel. Annie is such a fantastic, and so very realistic character and getting to be able to watch her journey of self-discovery and her growth in her story was everything! Trust me you're going to be feeling all of your feels for our girl, I promise you that so much! But it's Pace you're going to absolutely fall for, well sobbing your heart out and cheering him on the whole time! I first completely fell in love with that man in the first book, and he definitely deserves his happily ever after! I'm not going to spoil anything more than that even though I want to, just trust me this is such a fantastic romance, sports aside and you will absolutely love every single minute of it!
On the sports note though, Laura Carter once again does a fantastic job of definitely making it feel like you're reading about football, without making it become too much or all encompassing. It is such a perfect blend of football and romance, the absolute perfect jelling of both of their worlds. You'll be on the ranch, sitting in a rocking chair devouring pecan pie one minute, and the next inspiring your team mates to another victory on the field. That's only just a tidbit of how well it all meshs so fantastically well together, and how transported you will feel in this book!
So if you're looking for your next great sports romance, want to try one out, or just want an all around flawless romance, trust me you're going to love this entire book, and this entire series!
Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart to Boldwood Publishing, the author, and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this upcoming book again! I truly appreciate it, I absolutely loved it and I can't wait until I can bring it home too!
Laura Carter scores another absolute touch down with this book and I loved every minute of it!! I've had the previous privilege of also being able to arc read and fall in love with the first book in her 'Wild Cards' series, 'A Rookie Mistake' which features Sas and Annie's brother Colton and their own totally football love story, and I will say both books can be read independently of the other, but they have a much bigger emotional impact if you read them in order.
Pace and Annie's story is finally here, and I've been waiting for it from the very ending of the previous novel. Annie is such a fantastic, and so very realistic character and getting to be able to watch her journey of self-discovery and her growth in her story was everything! Trust me you're going to be feeling all of your feels for our girl, I promise you that so much! But it's Pace you're going to absolutely fall for, well sobbing your heart out and cheering him on the whole time! I first completely fell in love with that man in the first book, and he definitely deserves his happily ever after! I'm not going to spoil anything more than that even though I want to, just trust me this is such a fantastic romance, sports aside and you will absolutely love every single minute of it!
On the sports note though, Laura Carter once again does a fantastic job of definitely making it feel like you're reading about football, without making it become too much or all encompassing. It is such a perfect blend of football and romance, the absolute perfect jelling of both of their worlds. You'll be on the ranch, sitting in a rocking chair devouring pecan pie one minute, and the next inspiring your team mates to another victory on the field. That's only just a tidbit of how well it all meshs so fantastically well together, and how transported you will feel in this book!
So if you're looking for your next great sports romance, want to try one out, or just want an all around flawless romance, trust me you're going to love this entire book, and this entire series!
Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart to Boldwood Publishing, the author, and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this upcoming book again! I truly appreciate it, I absolutely loved it and I can't wait until I can bring it home too!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Out of Bounds by Laura Carter is an emotional and entertaining sports romance filled with chemistry, family tension, humor, and heartfelt moments. This is the second book in Wild Card series but this can also be read as a standalone.
The story follows Annie, a single mother returning to college after taking time away for maternity, and Tanner, her brother Colton’s best friend. Their attraction is obvious from the beginning, but both are hesitant to act on it because of Annie’s past relationship and the protectiveness surrounding her from both her family and Tanner himself.
Tropes:
🏈Sports Romance
🧑🧒Single Mom
🔥Forced Proximity
💕Acts of service
🤝 Friends to lovers
🚫Forbidden romance
🐎Ranch setting
☀️Cinnamon roll MMC
🏈American Football
🌶️Spicy
One of the highlights of the book was Tanner as a romantic lead. He falls first and falls hard for Annie, but what made him stand out was the way he expressed love through quiet support, patience, and subtle grand gestures rather than dramatic declarations. His care for Annie and her son Nelson was so sweet. The romance develops through small moments, funny banter, acts of service, emotional trust, and sizzling chemistry. This book makes us feel butterflies in stomach again.
I also enjoyed the family dynamics, especially the tension created by Colton being both Tanner’s best friend and Annie’s protective brother, along with Annie’s strict yet loving father. The ranch setting and football backdrop added excitement to the story without overshadowing the romance itself.
At times, Tanner’s and Annie’s internal monologues felt somewhat repetitive, especially during moments where they continued circling the same fears and hesitation about their situation without proper communication. Those sections slowed the pacing for me a little, and I found myself speed reading through some of the repeated thoughts. However, the emotional payoff, chemistry, and tenderness between the characters kept me invested throughout.
The book also includes several spicy scenes and is definitely more suited for an adult and young adult audience, while still balancing the steam with emotional connection and character development.
Overall this was a sweet, spicy, and emotionally engaging romance with lovable characters and strong relationship development.
Out of Bounds by Laura Carter is an emotional and entertaining sports romance filled with chemistry, family tension, humor, and heartfelt moments. This is the second book in Wild Card series but this can also be read as a standalone.
The story follows Annie, a single mother returning to college after taking time away for maternity, and Tanner, her brother Colton’s best friend. Their attraction is obvious from the beginning, but both are hesitant to act on it because of Annie’s past relationship and the protectiveness surrounding her from both her family and Tanner himself.
Tropes:
🏈Sports Romance
🧑🧒Single Mom
🔥Forced Proximity
💕Acts of service
🤝 Friends to lovers
🚫Forbidden romance
🐎Ranch setting
☀️Cinnamon roll MMC
🏈American Football
🌶️Spicy
One of the highlights of the book was Tanner as a romantic lead. He falls first and falls hard for Annie, but what made him stand out was the way he expressed love through quiet support, patience, and subtle grand gestures rather than dramatic declarations. His care for Annie and her son Nelson was so sweet. The romance develops through small moments, funny banter, acts of service, emotional trust, and sizzling chemistry. This book makes us feel butterflies in stomach again.
I also enjoyed the family dynamics, especially the tension created by Colton being both Tanner’s best friend and Annie’s protective brother, along with Annie’s strict yet loving father. The ranch setting and football backdrop added excitement to the story without overshadowing the romance itself.
At times, Tanner’s and Annie’s internal monologues felt somewhat repetitive, especially during moments where they continued circling the same fears and hesitation about their situation without proper communication. Those sections slowed the pacing for me a little, and I found myself speed reading through some of the repeated thoughts. However, the emotional payoff, chemistry, and tenderness between the characters kept me invested throughout.
The book also includes several spicy scenes and is definitely more suited for an adult and young adult audience, while still balancing the steam with emotional connection and character development.
Overall this was a sweet, spicy, and emotionally engaging romance with lovable characters and strong relationship development.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC review
5⭐|2🌶️|6%🌶️frequency
I felt it very quickly that book 2 would be Tanner and Annie. Or at least I hoped it. And by the end of book 1, it was clear 😁 So I was looking forward to reading this book 🤩
I fell for Annie and Tanner in the first book already. I try not to say anything that would spoil book 1 because yeah, there is a lot that has to do with this one coming 😎
This book is perfect 🤩 I definitely couldn't put it down (OK, I had to because of dinner, but that's the only time).
I always quiver with the characters when it's a brother's best friend/teammate. The fear about how he will react. And it wasn't just about Annie now, but also about her son Nelson. So Colton got twice as protective now 😎
And Lauren didn't make it easy for me (or any other reader)...
Tanner is such a perfect man. He's a perfect teammate. A perfect best friend. A perfect friend. And he is perfect with Nelson. So super cute 🥰
I don't know when I laughed so much the last time, even with a rom-com. This book is better!
As I said, he's a perfect friend; he gives Annie driving lessons. And yeah, let's just say I've never heard of someone getting dirty from giving driving lessons. Not dirt bike or anything like that, no, just simple car driving 🤣
And no, that's not the only time someone got dirty in this book. No, not what you might think!!! Unbelievable! I'm talking about real dirt, not 🌶️ dirt. I mean, Annie's still a farm girl 😁 But yes, they get a bit 🌶️ dirty, too 😉
I'm very curious about the next book. I mean, yes, I know who the MCs are, but that doesn't make it any less curious 😎
Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for trusting me with an ARC 🩷
Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...
5⭐|2🌶️|6%🌶️frequency
I felt it very quickly that book 2 would be Tanner and Annie. Or at least I hoped it. And by the end of book 1, it was clear 😁 So I was looking forward to reading this book 🤩
I fell for Annie and Tanner in the first book already. I try not to say anything that would spoil book 1 because yeah, there is a lot that has to do with this one coming 😎
This book is perfect 🤩 I definitely couldn't put it down (OK, I had to because of dinner, but that's the only time).
I always quiver with the characters when it's a brother's best friend/teammate. The fear about how he will react. And it wasn't just about Annie now, but also about her son Nelson. So Colton got twice as protective now 😎
And Lauren didn't make it easy for me (or any other reader)...
Tanner is such a perfect man. He's a perfect teammate. A perfect best friend. A perfect friend. And he is perfect with Nelson. So super cute 🥰
I don't know when I laughed so much the last time, even with a rom-com. This book is better!
As I said, he's a perfect friend; he gives Annie driving lessons. And yeah, let's just say I've never heard of someone getting dirty from giving driving lessons. Not dirt bike or anything like that, no, just simple car driving 🤣
And no, that's not the only time someone got dirty in this book. No, not what you might think!!! Unbelievable! I'm talking about real dirt, not 🌶️ dirt. I mean, Annie's still a farm girl 😁 But yes, they get a bit 🌶️ dirty, too 😉
I'm very curious about the next book. I mean, yes, I know who the MCs are, but that doesn't make it any less curious 😎
Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for trusting me with an ARC 🩷
Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Out of Bounds was such a sweet and enjoyable sports romance. I’m always a fan of the brother’s best friend trope, and Laura Carter handled it really well here by making the connection between Annie and Tanner feel believable and natural instead of overly dramatic.
Annie was easy to root for as a single mother trying to rebuild her life and become more independent. I liked that her storyline focused not only on romance, but also on her personal growth and wanting a better future for herself and her son. Tanner was exactly the kind of MMC I enjoy in this type of romance — supportive, patient, protective, and clearly gone for her long before he admits it to himself.
The chemistry between them developed at a nice pace, and I thought the driving lessons and small-town Texas setting added a lot of charm to the story. Their relationship had plenty of tension and emotional moments while still keeping the overall tone light and comforting.
I also appreciated how the single parent aspect was handled. Annie’s son felt like an important part of the story rather than just a plot device, which made the romance feel even more genuine.
Overall, this was a warm, heartfelt sports romance with lovable characters, good chemistry, and plenty of emotional tension. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend romances, and supportive MMCs, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Annie was easy to root for as a single mother trying to rebuild her life and become more independent. I liked that her storyline focused not only on romance, but also on her personal growth and wanting a better future for herself and her son. Tanner was exactly the kind of MMC I enjoy in this type of romance — supportive, patient, protective, and clearly gone for her long before he admits it to himself.
The chemistry between them developed at a nice pace, and I thought the driving lessons and small-town Texas setting added a lot of charm to the story. Their relationship had plenty of tension and emotional moments while still keeping the overall tone light and comforting.
I also appreciated how the single parent aspect was handled. Annie’s son felt like an important part of the story rather than just a plot device, which made the romance feel even more genuine.
Overall, this was a warm, heartfelt sports romance with lovable characters, good chemistry, and plenty of emotional tension. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend romances, and supportive MMCs, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🩷 Blurb-
Tropes: 🏈 football romance 💕 friends to lovers 🤠 cowboy homestead 👶 single mother 📚 working for a better life 🌶 spice
She's spent her whole life surrounded by football stars...
…so Annie Quinn is completely unfazed when Tanner Pace shows up at her Texas ranch.
As a single mother who’s finally going back to school, she could use a helping hand, and she has no time for romance. Especially not with one of her brother’s show pony teammates…again.
But sometimes love throws you a win when you least expect it, even if this tight end is completely out of bounds.
A gorgeous and spicy sports romance, guaranteed to make you believe in love again!
While this novel is set in the same town as the other books in the Wild Card series, it can be read as a STANDALONE
💛 Review -
I loved the first book in the series and Out Of Bounds was no different. From the very first page I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved Annie and Tanner's chemistry and I wanted them to have their own happy ending that they deserved. The small town place setting sounded cute plus I loved the other mix of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Boldwood Books, the author Laura Carter and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: 🏈 football romance 💕 friends to lovers 🤠 cowboy homestead 👶 single mother 📚 working for a better life 🌶 spice
She's spent her whole life surrounded by football stars...
…so Annie Quinn is completely unfazed when Tanner Pace shows up at her Texas ranch.
As a single mother who’s finally going back to school, she could use a helping hand, and she has no time for romance. Especially not with one of her brother’s show pony teammates…again.
But sometimes love throws you a win when you least expect it, even if this tight end is completely out of bounds.
A gorgeous and spicy sports romance, guaranteed to make you believe in love again!
While this novel is set in the same town as the other books in the Wild Card series, it can be read as a STANDALONE
💛 Review -
I loved the first book in the series and Out Of Bounds was no different. From the very first page I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved Annie and Tanner's chemistry and I wanted them to have their own happy ending that they deserved. The small town place setting sounded cute plus I loved the other mix of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Boldwood Books, the author Laura Carter and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5⭐️ no notes.
I genuinely didn’t think anything could top the Colton and Sas story… and then Out of Bounds came along and proved me very, very wrong. I’d been hoping we’d get Pace and Annie’s book next, so I already knew I was going to love it but this exceeded every expectation.
Tanner Pace… the man that you are. The way he was all in for Annie before he even fully realized it himself??? Every single thing he did for her had me kicking my feet and giggling like an idiot. The care, the patience, the devotion absolutely unmatched.
And Annie 😭 I just wanted to wrap her up in a hug the entire book. My heart broke for her over and over again, and every time Auston was mentioned I was instantly ready to throw hands.
But Tanner and Nelson??? STOP. They were everything. Every interaction between them had me emotional because the sweetness overload was actually unreal. Those moments were some of my favorites in the whole book.
And we need to talk about Colton for a second because when he found out his best friend was after his baby sister, I was fully expecting him to start absolute chaos 😭 But honestly? I loved his reaction. Deep down he already knew Tanner was the best possible person for Annie, even if he didn’t want to admit it at first.
This book had the perfect mix of angst, softness, tension, healing, and romance. I was obsessed from start to finish.
I genuinely didn’t think anything could top the Colton and Sas story… and then Out of Bounds came along and proved me very, very wrong. I’d been hoping we’d get Pace and Annie’s book next, so I already knew I was going to love it but this exceeded every expectation.
Tanner Pace… the man that you are. The way he was all in for Annie before he even fully realized it himself??? Every single thing he did for her had me kicking my feet and giggling like an idiot. The care, the patience, the devotion absolutely unmatched.
And Annie 😭 I just wanted to wrap her up in a hug the entire book. My heart broke for her over and over again, and every time Auston was mentioned I was instantly ready to throw hands.
But Tanner and Nelson??? STOP. They were everything. Every interaction between them had me emotional because the sweetness overload was actually unreal. Those moments were some of my favorites in the whole book.
And we need to talk about Colton for a second because when he found out his best friend was after his baby sister, I was fully expecting him to start absolute chaos 😭 But honestly? I loved his reaction. Deep down he already knew Tanner was the best possible person for Annie, even if he didn’t want to admit it at first.
This book had the perfect mix of angst, softness, tension, healing, and romance. I was obsessed from start to finish.
May 19, 2026
Texas? No. American football culture? Also no. Slow-burn, age-gap, brother’s-teammate romance with baby-daddy drama? Heck yes. 💛
This book had so much going for it. The chemistry was excellent, the slow burn was painfully delicious, and the whole “we absolutely should not be doing this” tension carried the story in the best way. Add in single mom dynamics and all the classic forbidden romance energy, and I totally devoured this book.
That said, the setting didn’t feel authentic to me. This is set in Texas, and some of the details, from the way people speak to the logistics of daily life (driving is survival) and the American football culture, pulled me out of the story more than once. It didn’t ruin the book, but it did feel like some basic setting and sports-culture details could have used another pass. (In the UK it’s a kit, in the US it’s a jersey/uniform.)
Overall, I really did enjoy this. The romance and pacing were strong enough to carry it, even if the setting itself didn’t quite land for me. 3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had so much going for it. The chemistry was excellent, the slow burn was painfully delicious, and the whole “we absolutely should not be doing this” tension carried the story in the best way. Add in single mom dynamics and all the classic forbidden romance energy, and I totally devoured this book.
That said, the setting didn’t feel authentic to me. This is set in Texas, and some of the details, from the way people speak to the logistics of daily life (driving is survival) and the American football culture, pulled me out of the story more than once. It didn’t ruin the book, but it did feel like some basic setting and sports-culture details could have used another pass. (In the UK it’s a kit, in the US it’s a jersey/uniform.)
Overall, I really did enjoy this. The romance and pacing were strong enough to carry it, even if the setting itself didn’t quite land for me. 3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Annie Quinn ya carga demasiado sobre los hombros para alguien de su edad. Es madre soltera, intenta volver a la universidad después de una pausa que cambió por completo su vida y todavía está aprendiendo a respirar tras una pérdida que dejó un vacío imposible de llenar. Lo último que necesita es más complicaciones, más rumores o a otro jugador de fútbol cerca de ella.
Tanner Pace vive bajo reglas muy claras. Es una estrella del deporte, el mejor amigo de su hermano y un hombre acostumbrado a mantener la distancia cuando algo podría salirse de control. Ayudar a Annie con unas inocentes clases de manejo parece una idea sencilla, casi una buena acción sin consecuencias.
Pero algunas líneas existen por una razón.
Entre carreteras polvorientas, bromas inesperadas y momentos que llegan cuando menos los necesitas, Annie y Tanner empiezan a descubrir que ciertas personas aparecen justo cuando tu mundo parece fuera de rumbo. La pregunta es qué pasa cuando alguien que jamás debía cruzar esa línea comienza a sentirse exactamente como el lugar correcto donde quedarse.
Tanner Pace vive bajo reglas muy claras. Es una estrella del deporte, el mejor amigo de su hermano y un hombre acostumbrado a mantener la distancia cuando algo podría salirse de control. Ayudar a Annie con unas inocentes clases de manejo parece una idea sencilla, casi una buena acción sin consecuencias.
Pero algunas líneas existen por una razón.
Entre carreteras polvorientas, bromas inesperadas y momentos que llegan cuando menos los necesitas, Annie y Tanner empiezan a descubrir que ciertas personas aparecen justo cuando tu mundo parece fuera de rumbo. La pregunta es qué pasa cuando alguien que jamás debía cruzar esa línea comienza a sentirse exactamente como el lugar correcto donde quedarse.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of Out of Bounds by Laura Carter.
Out of Bounds is the second book in the Wild Card series. I really enjoyed the first in this series so was excited to receive this ARC.
The FMC, Annie is a young single mom. After being abandoned by her son’s father she is not interested or looking for love at all. The MMC Tanner is a single guy that doesn’t do relationships. When he meets Annie’s immediately interested. But she’s his teammates younger sister, 12 years his junior and has a lot of responsibilities. I loved their friendship, they were so supportive of each other. This is a very slow burn. Most of their reasons for not dating were really non issues and there was some miscommunication, but not frustratingly so.
I hated Auston as much as I did in the previous book, and adored Colton and Sas as much too.
Unfortunately, I don’t think this one was as well written as the first. Much of the dialogue was cringy for me.
3.25⭐️
Out of Bounds is the second book in the Wild Card series. I really enjoyed the first in this series so was excited to receive this ARC.
The FMC, Annie is a young single mom. After being abandoned by her son’s father she is not interested or looking for love at all. The MMC Tanner is a single guy that doesn’t do relationships. When he meets Annie’s immediately interested. But she’s his teammates younger sister, 12 years his junior and has a lot of responsibilities. I loved their friendship, they were so supportive of each other. This is a very slow burn. Most of their reasons for not dating were really non issues and there was some miscommunication, but not frustratingly so.
I hated Auston as much as I did in the previous book, and adored Colton and Sas as much too.
Unfortunately, I don’t think this one was as well written as the first. Much of the dialogue was cringy for me.
3.25⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Single college student mom Annie Quinn is trying to get her life in order after dealing with some heartbreak. She got pregant by her brother's best friend and then her mom passed away. Annie is finishing up her degree and dating is the last thing on her mind. Tanner Pace is her brother's teammate and friend. Tanner is twelve years older than annie and can sympathize with her siuation. Tanner spends alot of time with Annie at her family's ranch. Tanner offers to help Annie get her drivers license. As they spend more time toghter, a connection forms but both characters are very much aware that are not ready for a committed relationship and still have to deal with past traumas. Out of bounds can be read as a standalone but there are some other characters from previous books that are referenced a few times.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars rounded up!
Thank you to Laura Carter, Boldwood books and netgalley for inviting me to read this book. I am a huge fan of Laura Carter books and have read so many of them. This did not disappoint. I loved Annie and Tanner’s story. Tanner is such a green flag and I loved his POV chapters in particular because his mindset was just so supportive and selfless. This story is sweet and wholesome and has just the right amount of will they, won’t they energy for me. The yearning was so well written. The extra half star for me would come from a little less repetition from Annie’s POV but that’s such a small thing. Annie is a lovely FMC and the whole Quinn family are written in such a way that I want to live on their ranch with them!!
Loved it!
Thank you to Laura Carter, Boldwood books and netgalley for inviting me to read this book. I am a huge fan of Laura Carter books and have read so many of them. This did not disappoint. I loved Annie and Tanner’s story. Tanner is such a green flag and I loved his POV chapters in particular because his mindset was just so supportive and selfless. This story is sweet and wholesome and has just the right amount of will they, won’t they energy for me. The yearning was so well written. The extra half star for me would come from a little less repetition from Annie’s POV but that’s such a small thing. Annie is a lovely FMC and the whole Quinn family are written in such a way that I want to live on their ranch with them!!
Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another great book in this series. I’m not usually a sporty romance book reader but I have thoroughly enjoyed this and the first book. I loved how all the characters from the first book were still very much present. I loved the first book but I actually enjoyed this book more. A battle with confidence, rumours, a bad ex, loss, being a new mum and trust, this book takes a realistic approach to all the worries a young woman can encounter. Can a good guy who is just a really good friend help her to see her worth?
A heartwarming tale of true romance, overcoming adversity with a side of spice. Looking forward to the next book and finding out what the future looks like for Annie, Pace, Sas and Colton.
A heartwarming tale of true romance, overcoming adversity with a side of spice. Looking forward to the next book and finding out what the future looks like for Annie, Pace, Sas and Colton.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed Tanner and Annie's story, although it got a little repetitive at times. Annie is dealing with the aftermath of Auston being awful and being in the spotlight. There were a few things that just didn't work for me, like some of the language used. The constant use of the word college. When we were in college, we said we were headed to class or school, never college. So that was weird for me. Anyway, Tanner seemed like a good guy and Annie is young and a little dumb in some ways, but their story was worth it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Little Savage.
I really enjoyed this book. The enemies to lovers was done really well and you could feel the tensions being chipped away a chapter at a time.
I loved how Savannah held her own at the start of the book and gave Dante a run for his money. The spice in the book I would give a 3/5 🌶️
Towards the end of the book I found myself trying to guess how this was going to come to a head. The book left on a cliff hangers ready for the bomb to drop in the next book which I will definitely be reading when it comes out
I really enjoyed this book. The enemies to lovers was done really well and you could feel the tensions being chipped away a chapter at a time.
I loved how Savannah held her own at the start of the book and gave Dante a run for his money. The spice in the book I would give a 3/5 🌶️
Towards the end of the book I found myself trying to guess how this was going to come to a head. The book left on a cliff hangers ready for the bomb to drop in the next book which I will definitely be reading when it comes out
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC of Out Of Bounds by Laura Carter.
Although I don't think it's completely necessary to read the first book in the series, I wish I had. The author does a good job on adding some of the history of the characters in this book to give you an idea of what happened but I think for better context reading book 1 would definitely help. In saying that this was a great friends to lovers book, with a background of sports and a hint of spice. Tanner and Annie's story was sweet and their connection was supportive and patient.
Although I don't think it's completely necessary to read the first book in the series, I wish I had. The author does a good job on adding some of the history of the characters in this book to give you an idea of what happened but I think for better context reading book 1 would definitely help. In saying that this was a great friends to lovers book, with a background of sports and a hint of spice. Tanner and Annie's story was sweet and their connection was supportive and patient.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m so happy to be back in the Wild Card universe! I really fell in love with Tanner & Annie. The way Tanner loves our girl & Nelson makes me go awww.
The sexual tension was heating up throughout the book and It was so nice to see their relationship develop too. They were truly each other’s best friend. It was also nice to see Colton & Sas again. All in all a lovely warm hug!
Tropes:
Found family
Single mum
He falls first
Best friend’s sibling
Age Gap
Overall rating - 4.5 ⭐️
Spicemeter - 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The sexual tension was heating up throughout the book and It was so nice to see their relationship develop too. They were truly each other’s best friend. It was also nice to see Colton & Sas again. All in all a lovely warm hug!
Tropes:
Found family
Single mum
He falls first
Best friend’s sibling
Age Gap
Overall rating - 4.5 ⭐️
Spicemeter - 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such an enjoyable sports romance!
Tanner and Annie had my hearts from the start. Having met both in book one, I liked them both already. Tanner was portrayed as a bit of a ladies man, but after meeting Annie, other women didn't cross his mind, he was all in and fell first - and hard!
I loved how determined Annie was, and how she was portrayed as a mum.
Book 2 was so enjoyable, I cant wait for book 3!
Tanner and Annie had my hearts from the start. Having met both in book one, I liked them both already. Tanner was portrayed as a bit of a ladies man, but after meeting Annie, other women didn't cross his mind, he was all in and fell first - and hard!
I loved how determined Annie was, and how she was portrayed as a mum.
Book 2 was so enjoyable, I cant wait for book 3!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
I enjoyed being back in the Wild Card series as I really enjoyed the first book, and this was a cute slow burn romance based on Annie and Tanner’s story. I loved how supportive Tanner was of Annie, teaching her to drive, being her friend and helping out with her young son, the way their relationship progressed felt realistic. Laura Carter does a great job weaving football into her books with details that feel real but not overwhelming.
I enjoyed being back in the Wild Card series as I really enjoyed the first book, and this was a cute slow burn romance based on Annie and Tanner’s story. I loved how supportive Tanner was of Annie, teaching her to drive, being her friend and helping out with her young son, the way their relationship progressed felt realistic. Laura Carter does a great job weaving football into her books with details that feel real but not overwhelming.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars ... I liked the first book better! In this one, Annie and Pace have their story. In the midst of having her baby and being abandoned by another pro football player, her brother and his teammate Tanner Pace are there for Annie. She's trying to go back to school and raise her baby, and Pace wants to help her. The issue is he knows he CANNOT fall for her.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No entendí la indecisión de Annie con el donador de esperma. Todo lo demás me gusto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
RTC
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