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First and Forever
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26A football star and a diehard fan entangled in a PR stunt—that only one side knows is fake—might be the right play in this new romantic comedy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lynn Painter.
Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyotes football. So when she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet’s villain, she is distraught—and disgruntled. All she did was shove Coyote Carl away when he made a move on her, but everyone else just saw a woman attacking their team’s beloved mascot. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn’t expect a co-guest to join her—especially not the Coyotes’ star tight end.
When MVP Connor Cunningham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of their PR nightmare, he thought that meant saying a few words on the team’s behalf. Instead, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. Duffy pelts him with fiery jabs but is also clearly diehard about the Coyotes—color him intrigued…and attracted.
The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. A strong push from the Coyotes’ PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, he’s surprised to discover being with Duffy is much easier than he thought, and somehow it doesn’t feel fake to him. Harboring this secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it’ll be the greatest fumble of his life.
Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyotes football. So when she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet’s villain, she is distraught—and disgruntled. All she did was shove Coyote Carl away when he made a move on her, but everyone else just saw a woman attacking their team’s beloved mascot. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn’t expect a co-guest to join her—especially not the Coyotes’ star tight end.
When MVP Connor Cunningham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of their PR nightmare, he thought that meant saying a few words on the team’s behalf. Instead, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. Duffy pelts him with fiery jabs but is also clearly diehard about the Coyotes—color him intrigued…and attracted.
The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. A strong push from the Coyotes’ PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, he’s surprised to discover being with Duffy is much easier than he thought, and somehow it doesn’t feel fake to him. Harboring this secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it’ll be the greatest fumble of his life.
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 12, 2026
23838 people want to read
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December 27, 2025LYNN PAINTER NEVER MISS 👑
CONNOR must be another version of WES
CONNOR must be another version of WES
Want to read
August 18, 2025A Push, a Player, and One PR Stunt- Ready to Make Headlines! ⚡
➷ RUNDOWN:
🏈 THE STAR PLAYER:
Connor Cunningham — MVP tight end for the Minneapolis Coyotes. Media darling. heartthrob, and apparently the team’s secret weapon for crisis control. Smiles for the cameras like he was born in a sports drink commercial. Abs you could grate cheese on. Never loses… until he meets the fan who literally shoved the team mascot.
⛹🏻♀️ THE DIEHARD FAN:
Duffy Distefano — Football is her thing. The kind of fan who can name every player, every stat, every play since the ‘09 season. She loves her dad, her cat, and her Coyotes with her whole soul. She did not sign up to be the internet’s punching bag after one very justified mascot shove.
📣 Lynn Painter is about to drop a romcom that’s half sports romance, half viral chaos, and all heart.
This isn’t just game day—it’s game on. 🏆
- A mascot shove!!
🎤 A live-TV roast.
- And a PR stunt that might just turn real!?
⚽ The Setup:
She shoved the mascot.
He defended the team.
One morning show interview later, their banter goes viral — and the Coyotes’ PR team ships them harder than the fans do.
Fake dates. Stadium PDA. Post-game hugs. The problem? Only one of them knows it’s fake.And somewhere between staged PDA and sideline smiles, he’s catching feelings faster than a wide receiver on game day.
➷ 📝 VIBE CHECK:
📍 Welcome to Minneapolis Coyotes -where the stadium’s packed, the fans are loud, and one unlucky shove at a mascot turns into the viral moment of the season.
💌 Banter so quick you’ll need an instant replay!!
🏟️ Diehard fan vs. star tight end = NFL-level enemies-to-lovers energy
📺 One morning show interview → one viral clip → one fake date
✋🏻From Sidelines to Headlines 📰🏈
☑️ He’s a walking highlight reel with a jawline made for the Jumbotron
☑️ She’s a loyal fan who bleeds Coyotes colors (and isn’t afraid to tell him when he’s trash)
-Him: golden retriever energy in public, black cat in private
-Her: “I hate you” at 3PM, googling “Connor Cunningham stats” at 3:15PM
-And Fans obv. making compilation videos of their ‘fake’ couple moments set to Taylor Swift songs...
~PR Guy: “Connor, just be nice to her until this blows over.”
Connor: “No problem.”
(Duffy walks in)
Connor, internally: I am so very, very screwed. 😮💨💥
😏 Cleats, Cameras & Complicated Feelings—it’s all fair in love and football…Ok👉🏻👈🏻
👀 Fake dating? Check.
🔥 "Wait… why does this not feel fake anymore?" Check.
💥 Locker room-level tension that belongs in overtime
📍 As a diehard football fan-girl . Cleat-clad chaos captain — I am LOSING IT. Going feral.
This book is going to be for the football fangirlies in the same way the Super Bowl is for halftime show stans — mandatory viewing. The stadium banter, the away game hotel tension, the jersey numbers, the locker room side-eyes… I am NOT going to survive this. This isn’t just a romance — this is my fantasy football team in book form. And Connor? Sir, you are about to join my fictional quarterback crush lineup immediately🤺And yes, I’m manifesting a chapter where she watches a game from the sideline in his jersey🤭💘
LOOK AT.THE.COVER! Championship energy already. 🏆
The bright red background? Instant adrenaline, like stadium lights and heart-racing touchdowns. ❤️🔥
Connor in his jersey lifting Duffy? it’s got stadium lights, jersey numbers, that “just for the photo” Iconic PR stunt vibes, but also… I’m screaming internally because he’s smiling and she’s clearly thriving in the chaos. 😏
The stadium and confetti in the background? Victory lap energy, perfectly capturing that viral-moment hype. 🎉 The font: bold, playful, and totally fun—it screams romcom energy with a side of sports drama. 🏟️
Honestly? This cover alone is a full-blown “I need this now” moment. I’m already imagining the locker room banter, sideline smirks, and viral morning show chaos. And yes… I want that jersey scene so badly. 💘
Dear Lynn Painter,
If there isn’t at least one locker room scene with aggressive “stay still for the cameras” tension, we will be writing a strongly worded letter and possibly tailgating outside your house..
Final Score Prediction:
Either the game-winning kiss… or the biggest fumble of his career.
And yes, we’ll be in the stands. Nachos in hand. Ready for the slow-mo replay. 🏟️🍿
🚨 LET’S F*CKING GOOOO 🚨
Lynn Painter, you had me at tight end and fake dating.
I want the banter. I want the slow-burn. I want Connor Cunningham looking at Duffy like she’s his last play of the season...
Baby, put me in — I’m ready to suffer. 🏈💋
➷ RUNDOWN:
🏈 THE STAR PLAYER:
Connor Cunningham — MVP tight end for the Minneapolis Coyotes. Media darling. heartthrob, and apparently the team’s secret weapon for crisis control. Smiles for the cameras like he was born in a sports drink commercial. Abs you could grate cheese on. Never loses… until he meets the fan who literally shoved the team mascot.
⛹🏻♀️ THE DIEHARD FAN:
Duffy Distefano — Football is her thing. The kind of fan who can name every player, every stat, every play since the ‘09 season. She loves her dad, her cat, and her Coyotes with her whole soul. She did not sign up to be the internet’s punching bag after one very justified mascot shove.
📣 Lynn Painter is about to drop a romcom that’s half sports romance, half viral chaos, and all heart.
This isn’t just game day—it’s game on. 🏆
- A mascot shove!!
🎤 A live-TV roast.
- And a PR stunt that might just turn real!?
⚽ The Setup:
She shoved the mascot.
He defended the team.
One morning show interview later, their banter goes viral — and the Coyotes’ PR team ships them harder than the fans do.
Fake dates. Stadium PDA. Post-game hugs. The problem? Only one of them knows it’s fake.And somewhere between staged PDA and sideline smiles, he’s catching feelings faster than a wide receiver on game day.
➷ 📝 VIBE CHECK:
📍 Welcome to Minneapolis Coyotes -where the stadium’s packed, the fans are loud, and one unlucky shove at a mascot turns into the viral moment of the season.
💌 Banter so quick you’ll need an instant replay!!
🏟️ Diehard fan vs. star tight end = NFL-level enemies-to-lovers energy
📺 One morning show interview → one viral clip → one fake date
✋🏻From Sidelines to Headlines 📰🏈
☑️ He’s a walking highlight reel with a jawline made for the Jumbotron
☑️ She’s a loyal fan who bleeds Coyotes colors (and isn’t afraid to tell him when he’s trash)
-Him: golden retriever energy in public, black cat in private
-Her: “I hate you” at 3PM, googling “Connor Cunningham stats” at 3:15PM
-And Fans obv. making compilation videos of their ‘fake’ couple moments set to Taylor Swift songs...
~PR Guy: “Connor, just be nice to her until this blows over.”
Connor: “No problem.”
(Duffy walks in)
Connor, internally: I am so very, very screwed. 😮💨💥
😏 Cleats, Cameras & Complicated Feelings—it’s all fair in love and football…Ok👉🏻👈🏻
👀 Fake dating? Check.
🔥 "Wait… why does this not feel fake anymore?" Check.
💥 Locker room-level tension that belongs in overtime
📍 As a diehard football fan-girl . Cleat-clad chaos captain — I am LOSING IT. Going feral.
This book is going to be for the football fangirlies in the same way the Super Bowl is for halftime show stans — mandatory viewing. The stadium banter, the away game hotel tension, the jersey numbers, the locker room side-eyes… I am NOT going to survive this. This isn’t just a romance — this is my fantasy football team in book form. And Connor? Sir, you are about to join my fictional quarterback crush lineup immediately🤺And yes, I’m manifesting a chapter where she watches a game from the sideline in his jersey🤭💘
LOOK AT.THE.COVER! Championship energy already. 🏆
The bright red background? Instant adrenaline, like stadium lights and heart-racing touchdowns. ❤️🔥
Connor in his jersey lifting Duffy? it’s got stadium lights, jersey numbers, that “just for the photo” Iconic PR stunt vibes, but also… I’m screaming internally because he’s smiling and she’s clearly thriving in the chaos. 😏
The stadium and confetti in the background? Victory lap energy, perfectly capturing that viral-moment hype. 🎉 The font: bold, playful, and totally fun—it screams romcom energy with a side of sports drama. 🏟️
Honestly? This cover alone is a full-blown “I need this now” moment. I’m already imagining the locker room banter, sideline smirks, and viral morning show chaos. And yes… I want that jersey scene so badly. 💘
Dear Lynn Painter,
If there isn’t at least one locker room scene with aggressive “stay still for the cameras” tension, we will be writing a strongly worded letter and possibly tailgating outside your house..
Final Score Prediction:
Either the game-winning kiss… or the biggest fumble of his career.
And yes, we’ll be in the stands. Nachos in hand. Ready for the slow-mo replay. 🏟️🍿
🚨 LET’S F*CKING GOOOO 🚨
Lynn Painter, you had me at tight end and fake dating.
I want the banter. I want the slow-burn. I want Connor Cunningham looking at Duffy like she’s his last play of the season...
Baby, put me in — I’m ready to suffer. 🏈💋
Want to read
August 15, 2025pre release:
guys how do we feel about the cover
i know i said i'll stop adding her adult romance books to my tbr cause i end up hating them every time, but what if this time is different
guys how do we feel about the cover
i know i said i'll stop adding her adult romance books to my tbr cause i end up hating them every time, but what if this time is different
Want to read
August 13, 20252026 is the year that I will go broke because of how many books that are releasing
December 31, 2025
This is a wildly entertaining fake-dating, sports-celebrity-meets-ordinary-girl romcom with a deliciously gender-reversed Notting Hill vibe—and I loved every minute of it. Even better, some of the supporting characters completely steal the spotlight, especially Tony, Duffy’s dad, and her three brothers, who had me laughing out loud more times than I can count.
Our main character, Duffy Distefano, is an accountant who has recently moved back into her childhood home to support her father after the loss of her mother. She’s sharp-tongued, deeply sarcastic, impulsive, brutally honest, and endearingly messy in the best way. Duffy has absolutely no luck in love—every guy she dates ends up treating her like “one of the bros.” A die-hard Minneapolis Coyotes fan, she lives for NFL Sundays with her family. So when she finally decides to watch a game at the stadium, she never expects her life to explode in front of thousands of fans.
After getting aggressively grabbed by the team’s mascot, Duffy does what she does best: she defends herself without holding back. Unfortunately, that confrontation sends the mascot tumbling down the stairs, crashing into a few rows of seats. Add in the fact that the Coyotes lose the game, and suddenly Duffy becomes public enemy number one—branded a “Football Karen,” pelted with food, and relentlessly cyber-shamed online.
Things escalate when she’s invited onto a morning show to tell her side of the story—thanks mostly to her dad’s loving push. What she doesn’t know is that the Coyotes’ star athlete and MVP, Connor Cunningham, will be there too, trying to help his team survive the PR nightmare caused by the overly handsy mascot, Coyote Carl. With more victims coming forward, the situation snowballs into a #MeToo-style scandal, and Duffy unexpectedly becomes the face of the movement.
When Duffy and Connor meet on air, sparks fly instantly—not the sweet kind at first, but the sarcastic, flirty, verbal sparring kind. Somehow, that clash ends with Connor asking her out. One moment later, paparazzi photos pop up of him standing on Duffy’s porch, surrounded by her entire loud, opinionated family like it’s prom night. What starts as a PR-driven “good look” quickly turns into something real. A formal dinner morphs into a dive-bar karaoke date, one date leads to another, and suddenly neither of them is pretending anymore.
Connor is fighting to secure his place on the team while trying not to screw things up with the one woman who feels like his soulmate. Duffy, burned by years of disappointment, has to decide whether she’s brave enough to trust her heart again and let someone truly see her. Their chemistry is electric, their banter is hilarious, and the emotional beats hit just as hard as the laughs.
Overall, I’m rounding my 3.5 up to a solid 4 stars for this hilarious, heartfelt NFL fake-dating romcom. Lynn Painter is officially one of my auto-approved romance authors—I’ll read anything she writes, because she always delivers the perfect blend of humor, heart, and swoon.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this entertaining romcom’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Our main character, Duffy Distefano, is an accountant who has recently moved back into her childhood home to support her father after the loss of her mother. She’s sharp-tongued, deeply sarcastic, impulsive, brutally honest, and endearingly messy in the best way. Duffy has absolutely no luck in love—every guy she dates ends up treating her like “one of the bros.” A die-hard Minneapolis Coyotes fan, she lives for NFL Sundays with her family. So when she finally decides to watch a game at the stadium, she never expects her life to explode in front of thousands of fans.
After getting aggressively grabbed by the team’s mascot, Duffy does what she does best: she defends herself without holding back. Unfortunately, that confrontation sends the mascot tumbling down the stairs, crashing into a few rows of seats. Add in the fact that the Coyotes lose the game, and suddenly Duffy becomes public enemy number one—branded a “Football Karen,” pelted with food, and relentlessly cyber-shamed online.
Things escalate when she’s invited onto a morning show to tell her side of the story—thanks mostly to her dad’s loving push. What she doesn’t know is that the Coyotes’ star athlete and MVP, Connor Cunningham, will be there too, trying to help his team survive the PR nightmare caused by the overly handsy mascot, Coyote Carl. With more victims coming forward, the situation snowballs into a #MeToo-style scandal, and Duffy unexpectedly becomes the face of the movement.
When Duffy and Connor meet on air, sparks fly instantly—not the sweet kind at first, but the sarcastic, flirty, verbal sparring kind. Somehow, that clash ends with Connor asking her out. One moment later, paparazzi photos pop up of him standing on Duffy’s porch, surrounded by her entire loud, opinionated family like it’s prom night. What starts as a PR-driven “good look” quickly turns into something real. A formal dinner morphs into a dive-bar karaoke date, one date leads to another, and suddenly neither of them is pretending anymore.
Connor is fighting to secure his place on the team while trying not to screw things up with the one woman who feels like his soulmate. Duffy, burned by years of disappointment, has to decide whether she’s brave enough to trust her heart again and let someone truly see her. Their chemistry is electric, their banter is hilarious, and the emotional beats hit just as hard as the laughs.
Overall, I’m rounding my 3.5 up to a solid 4 stars for this hilarious, heartfelt NFL fake-dating romcom. Lynn Painter is officially one of my auto-approved romance authors—I’ll read anything she writes, because she always delivers the perfect blend of humor, heart, and swoon.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this entertaining romcom’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
November 29, 2025
4 ⭐️ Review to come. ❤️
Want to read
January 18, 2026Lynn Painter, save me from the depths of my reading slump 🙏🏻 ✨
Many thanks to Berkley Pub 😘
Expected pub date 5/12/26
Many thanks to Berkley Pub 😘
Expected pub date 5/12/26
December 17, 2025
I went into this one expecting something light and charming, and it delivered exactly that. It’s an easy, engaging read that keeps you interested without trying too hard or overcomplicating things. ❤️❤️❤️
At its core, this is a fake-dating, PR-mess, opposites-colliding romance. A die-hard football fan who refuses to tone herself down gets thrown into the spotlight in the worst way, and somehow ends up verbally sparring with one of the team’s biggest stars on live TV (which was so entertaining to read). What starts as public damage control quickly snowballs into something the internet can’t get enough of.
Duffy was such a win for me. She’s unapologetically herself, loud about what she loves, and completely unconcerned with being palatable to strangers (honestly refreshing 👏🏼). Her love for her family—especially her dad—and the way they’re woven into the story made everything feel warmer and more grounded. Those moments added so much charm and emotional weight. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Connor, on the other hand, surprised me in the best way. Yes, there’s the football-star exterior, but what really stood out was how intentional he was once he decided Duffy mattered. Even when everything was “fake,” his effort wasn’t . The way he showed up for her, listened to her, and genuinely tried to be someone she could trust made their connection feel real. I loved that their relationship grew from an actual friendship first. The chemistry builds steadily, with just enough tension to keep things interesting. Knowing there’s a secret hanging over everything adds that extra pull too. 😝😝
I will say, though, that the ending didn’t fully work for me. The final chapters before the epilogue felt rushed, and the emotional payoff wasn’t as strong as I wanted it to be. 😔 I needed more groveling, more accountability, and more time spent addressing what went wrong. 🙂↔️🤚🏼 Because of that, this ended up being a four-star read instead of five.
Overall, this was a really cute, enjoyable story with lovable characters and a fun premise. Even with my disappointment in the execution of the ending, I still had a good time reading it, and I’d absolutely recommend it if you’re in the mood for a charming, low-stress romance with heart.
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
”The way her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the freckles on her nose, the wispy baby hairs she constantly blew from her face, the intriguing way that she nibbled on her gorgeous lower lip while thinking; I got tripped up in her details whenever I allowed myself to stare.”
"Stop looking at the room, you're making me jealous.”
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
🏈 fake dating
🏈 friends→lovers
🏈 closed door
🏈 dual POV
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Lynn Painter for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
spice rating:【 🔥 】
swearing: yes
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
second Lynn Painter book!! Hoping it delivers!! Looks and sounds cute ❤️❤️
At its core, this is a fake-dating, PR-mess, opposites-colliding romance. A die-hard football fan who refuses to tone herself down gets thrown into the spotlight in the worst way, and somehow ends up verbally sparring with one of the team’s biggest stars on live TV (which was so entertaining to read). What starts as public damage control quickly snowballs into something the internet can’t get enough of.
Duffy was such a win for me. She’s unapologetically herself, loud about what she loves, and completely unconcerned with being palatable to strangers (honestly refreshing 👏🏼). Her love for her family—especially her dad—and the way they’re woven into the story made everything feel warmer and more grounded. Those moments added so much charm and emotional weight. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Connor, on the other hand, surprised me in the best way. Yes, there’s the football-star exterior, but what really stood out was how intentional he was once he decided Duffy mattered. Even when everything was “fake,” his effort wasn’t . The way he showed up for her, listened to her, and genuinely tried to be someone she could trust made their connection feel real. I loved that their relationship grew from an actual friendship first. The chemistry builds steadily, with just enough tension to keep things interesting. Knowing there’s a secret hanging over everything adds that extra pull too. 😝😝
I will say, though, that the ending didn’t fully work for me. The final chapters before the epilogue felt rushed, and the emotional payoff wasn’t as strong as I wanted it to be. 😔 I needed more groveling, more accountability, and more time spent addressing what went wrong. 🙂↔️🤚🏼 Because of that, this ended up being a four-star read instead of five.
Overall, this was a really cute, enjoyable story with lovable characters and a fun premise. Even with my disappointment in the execution of the ending, I still had a good time reading it, and I’d absolutely recommend it if you’re in the mood for a charming, low-stress romance with heart.
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
”The way her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the freckles on her nose, the wispy baby hairs she constantly blew from her face, the intriguing way that she nibbled on her gorgeous lower lip while thinking; I got tripped up in her details whenever I allowed myself to stare.”
"Stop looking at the room, you're making me jealous.”
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
🏈 fake dating
🏈 friends→lovers
🏈 closed door
🏈 dual POV
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Lynn Painter for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
spice rating:【 🔥 】
swearing: yes
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
second Lynn Painter book!! Hoping it delivers!! Looks and sounds cute ❤️❤️
Want to read
August 17, 2025she’s in completion with ali and frieda 🌚
Want to read
August 14, 2025yes lynn keep feeding us
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5⭐
I adore Lynn Painter’s YA novels, and I’ve been wanting to read her adult romances for a long time—and I finally got the chance!
Duffy loves football, and she and her dad are devoted Minneapolis Coyotes fans. During one of the games, she accidentally bumps into the team mascot, Coyote Carl, and ends up becoming the internet’s villain. To fix the situation—and help improve the team’s reputation—Duffy agrees to go on a date with their star tight end, Connor.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, especially the first half; the dialogue was funny and genuinely made me smile. I also liked that there’s a more serious storyline involving the FMC’s mother’s death and her father’s illness.
The characters are very sweet. Connor, despite his popularity, is sincere and kind. He also develops a friendly relationship with the FMC’s father. And her dad is such a wonderful character—it was hilarious to watch his conversations with Duffy and Connor.
This book put me in a great mood, and I had a lovely evening reading it, but I didn’t feel enough depth in the relationship between the main characters, unlike in her YA novels.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓sports rom-com
✓fake dating
✓forced proximity
✓he falls first
✓banter
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I adore Lynn Painter’s YA novels, and I’ve been wanting to read her adult romances for a long time—and I finally got the chance!
Duffy loves football, and she and her dad are devoted Minneapolis Coyotes fans. During one of the games, she accidentally bumps into the team mascot, Coyote Carl, and ends up becoming the internet’s villain. To fix the situation—and help improve the team’s reputation—Duffy agrees to go on a date with their star tight end, Connor.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, especially the first half; the dialogue was funny and genuinely made me smile. I also liked that there’s a more serious storyline involving the FMC’s mother’s death and her father’s illness.
The characters are very sweet. Connor, despite his popularity, is sincere and kind. He also develops a friendly relationship with the FMC’s father. And her dad is such a wonderful character—it was hilarious to watch his conversations with Duffy and Connor.
This book put me in a great mood, and I had a lovely evening reading it, but I didn’t feel enough depth in the relationship between the main characters, unlike in her YA novels.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓sports rom-com
✓fake dating
✓forced proximity
✓he falls first
✓banter
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Want to read
August 17, 2025₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞:
miss lynn painter is really just popping out books left and right and i am HERE for it!! ❤️♥️
this plot seems so interesting 👀!! i do prefer her YA books more than her adult ones but maybe this one will be different?!
miss lynn painter is really just popping out books left and right and i am HERE for it!! ❤️♥️
this plot seems so interesting 👀!! i do prefer her YA books more than her adult ones but maybe this one will be different?!
Want to read
August 17, 2025★彡 pre-release:
oh ms painter. duffy?? fr?? 😭 that’s the name of a creepy teacher at my school.
also slow down!!! please!!!
but lowkey it sounds kinda good… 😳
oh ms painter. duffy?? fr?? 😭 that’s the name of a creepy teacher at my school.
also slow down!!! please!!!
but lowkey it sounds kinda good… 😳
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Want to read
October 23, 2025༉‧₊˚🕯️🖤❀༉‧₊˚. I really miss giggling so much while reading Lynn’s books, and I’m hoping this one gives off those Nothing Like the Movies vibes again! If that’s the case, I’m going to absolutely eat it up! I’m so excited and eager to dive into this story, I just know it’s going to be such a fun, feel-good read! xx
Read
January 7, 2026- post read -
SCREAMS
- preread -
okay but why does the description remind me of that one book by sarah adams…
>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc! all thoughts are my own <3
SCREAMS
- preread -
okay but why does the description remind me of that one book by sarah adams…
>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc! all thoughts are my own <3
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely loved this book! I adore Lynn Painter writing style! Although this book takes place in a very short timeline it's so comfortable and calm, the main characters relationship is very stable. Loved how respectable the MMC is. The book isn't spicy -only kisses- which I liked. 💯 Worth reading ♥️💛
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
It's only fair for this book to make me come back to book reviewing, thank you so much Berkley and Netgalley for the amazing opportunity ❤️💛
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
It's only fair for this book to make me come back to book reviewing, thank you so much Berkley and Netgalley for the amazing opportunity ❤️💛
Want to read
August 14, 2025pre-release
Yes girl yessssssss
…but erm why is her name Duffy ☝️🤓
Yes girl yessssssss
…but erm why is her name Duffy ☝️🤓
Want to read
August 14, 2025lynn painter, how do you write like you're running out of time?
November 17, 2025
Overall, I'd give this book 4 stars. The banter between Duffy and Connor was great, and the whole incident with the mascot made me chuckle. Duffy's relationship with her family, especially her dad, was the highlight of this book. I had a smile on my face almost the whole time I was reading this story. I really liked reading from Connor's POV, he had some insightful things to say about adulting, making friends, and his relationship with his family. This was a nice break from the typical sports romance where the MMC is a total playboy. If you are looking for a feel-good story, look no further! This book was sweet and funny with a sprinkle of seriousness.
*Dual POV, 1st POV
*Fake dating
*Accountant/Football player
Format: ebook
Thank you so much NetGalley, Lynn Painter, and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!
*Dual POV, 1st POV
*Fake dating
*Accountant/Football player
Format: ebook
Thank you so much NetGalley, Lynn Painter, and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!
Want to read
August 15, 2025mother is keeping us fed 😍
November 27, 2025
A fake dating, mid 20’s couple, sports romance. He’s a famous football player and she’s the team’s biggest fan. This book is everything I love about Lynn Painter- an upper midwest setting, extremely funny banter and all the chemistry. This is my favorite adult romcom from Lynn Painter yet! I love the meet cute, the misophonia representation, and a fantastic dad character. I loved the roller coaster of Connor and Duffy’s relationship. Duffy was very likable but funny. I just love the way she writes dialogue.
*a best romance of 2026* you heard it here first!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC. Book to be published 5/12/2026.
*a best romance of 2026* you heard it here first!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC. Book to be published 5/12/2026.
Want to read
August 13, 2025imagine it’s connor the kid liz tried to marry when they were kids 😭 (if his name was connor)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 stars 🌟 sports romance with a fake dating twist? yes please 🏈🐈🏟️ duffyconnor had the best banter and i love how easily they got along in the beginning 😇
connor was such a sweetheart and i loved how duffys “thing” was constantly giving him a hard time, it was so cute ❤️🔥 i will say knowing the 3rd act breakup from the beginning was a bit annoying because it was like waiting for the other pin to drop 😅 when it finally did come around i think it was handled weirdly, especially because they just kissed and made up in the last chapter ??
otherwise, i liked this a lot! lynn painter is one of my favorite authors so i really enjoyed this 🫶
a special thank you to netgalley and berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
connor was such a sweetheart and i loved how duffys “thing” was constantly giving him a hard time, it was so cute ❤️🔥 i will say knowing the 3rd act breakup from the beginning was a bit annoying because it was like waiting for the other pin to drop 😅 when it finally did come around i think it was handled weirdly, especially because they just kissed and made up in the last chapter ??
otherwise, i liked this a lot! lynn painter is one of my favorite authors so i really enjoyed this 🫶
a special thank you to netgalley and berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lynn Painter never dissapoints and there's nothing better than getting an Advanced readers copy and being able to share this book with the world the moment it comes out so romantic, love fake dating and oh the celebrity falling in love with a regular girl trope my favourite 💖 And my first read of 2026
November 17, 2025
ARC Read - Releases May 2026 - thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc copy.
I don’t know if it’s the timing on top of everything, but this book hit me at the perfect time. I loved this story. And I loved the two main characters - specifically Duffy. I mean any quirky, strong, klutzy character I am down for, but her wit, tenacity and loyalty are top level. This book just made me smile the whole way through.
Duffy and her family are extreme football fans - so when Duffy accidentally takes down a handsy mascot and the team ends up losing the game - she gets booed out of the stadium and dubbed the “football Karen”. When a local news show goes on to invite her to tell her side of the story, she begrudgingly goes - only to find out there is a surprise guest - one of the top players Connor. Connor was also volun-told to appear to do some damage control for the reputation of the team. After Connor and Duffy verbally spar on air and show off some serious chemistry - the football teams PR department approaches Connor and pitches to him that he could help the team and date Duffy as the city now loves her. Connor had liked Duffy but hadn’t planned on asking her out, but once they start dating and hanging out, he realizes how wrong he was to not see all that Duffy is. But with their relationship starting on a lie that only Connor knows, can everything they built off of that be enough to keep them together?
I don’t know if it’s the timing on top of everything, but this book hit me at the perfect time. I loved this story. And I loved the two main characters - specifically Duffy. I mean any quirky, strong, klutzy character I am down for, but her wit, tenacity and loyalty are top level. This book just made me smile the whole way through.
Duffy and her family are extreme football fans - so when Duffy accidentally takes down a handsy mascot and the team ends up losing the game - she gets booed out of the stadium and dubbed the “football Karen”. When a local news show goes on to invite her to tell her side of the story, she begrudgingly goes - only to find out there is a surprise guest - one of the top players Connor. Connor was also volun-told to appear to do some damage control for the reputation of the team. After Connor and Duffy verbally spar on air and show off some serious chemistry - the football teams PR department approaches Connor and pitches to him that he could help the team and date Duffy as the city now loves her. Connor had liked Duffy but hadn’t planned on asking her out, but once they start dating and hanging out, he realizes how wrong he was to not see all that Duffy is. But with their relationship starting on a lie that only Connor knows, can everything they built off of that be enough to keep them together?
Want to read
August 14, 2025Pre-release:
OH WE ARE SO BACK
OH WE ARE SO BACK
December 31, 2025
Painter and her flirting and banter have done it again! It’s fun, easy, charming, cute but sexy too, and chock full of hilarious family members. Duffy’s dad nearly steals the entire show.
But it also has some heartfelt emotional moments too. A family struggling with the loss of their matriarch and our two leads floundering into adulthood, coming at it from differing circumstances but still achingly unsure. It’s great.
The verbal sparring as flirting between Duffy and Connor, though, is what brings you back for more. NFL star meets diehard football fan girl amid a PR nightmare and the sparks are sparking hard. Of course, there are some lies of omission lying in wait to blow up this sweet and sassy romance. But mostly it’s delightful and adorable and I couldn’t get enough.
If I had one criticism, it’s that it needed to lean more into Duffy’s initial reservations of being in the public eye. That was abandoned too quickly. Adding that layer throughout could have made this a 5 star read. It was that close to being perfect.
So, basically, I loved it. It’s a must read!
* I received a free early copy from the publisher
But it also has some heartfelt emotional moments too. A family struggling with the loss of their matriarch and our two leads floundering into adulthood, coming at it from differing circumstances but still achingly unsure. It’s great.
The verbal sparring as flirting between Duffy and Connor, though, is what brings you back for more. NFL star meets diehard football fan girl amid a PR nightmare and the sparks are sparking hard. Of course, there are some lies of omission lying in wait to blow up this sweet and sassy romance. But mostly it’s delightful and adorable and I couldn’t get enough.
If I had one criticism, it’s that it needed to lean more into Duffy’s initial reservations of being in the public eye. That was abandoned too quickly. Adding that layer throughout could have made this a 5 star read. It was that close to being perfect.
So, basically, I loved it. It’s a must read!
* I received a free early copy from the publisher
Read
October 29, 2025STOP IM SO EXCITED
ITS BASEBALL THEMED AHHH
🍒⚾️♥️
ITS BASEBALL THEMED AHHH
🍒⚾️♥️
January 12, 2026
The plot of this was very fun and definitely giving Taylor and Travis! There were some Gen Z slang that gave me the ick and I saw the 3rd act breakup coming from a mile away but it was still a good time! Definitely not my fave Lynn Painter book unfortunately
Want to read
September 30, 2025Pre-release: I AM SO HERE FOR THISSSSSS
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