A Heartfelt, Sporty Slow Burn with Just the Right Amount of Heat
Brick Wall by Sadie Henley is a sports romance that hooked me right from the beginning. It’s not just about football or volleyball—it’s about two people learning to let their guard down and believe they’re worthy of love.
Annie, a volleyball coach, and Sebastian, a professional football player known as “the Brick Wall,” get off to a hilariously awkward false start. What follows is a slow burn full of tension, banter, and those little moments that make you root for them to finally give in. Both characters struggle with mild body image issues and a sense of not being “enough,” which makes them feel all the more real and relatable. Watching them open up, push past insecurities, and truly see each other is where this book shines.
The chemistry builds naturally, and when the spice does arrive, it’s tasteful and satisfying—about a 🌶️🌶️ out of 5 on the heat scale. Enough to add spark, but still focused on the emotional depth of their connection.
If you love sports romance with genuine characters, family dynamics, and a romance that makes you smile as much as it makes you swoon, this one’s a winner.