The End Zone: A Friends to Lovers, Second Chance Football Romance

Playing for Keeps #2

by Bianca Borell

He’s the man she can’t forget.
She’s the woman he can’t have.
Being just friends should be safe… but every encounter says otherwise.

Ian

Nothing is more tempting than the forbidden.
I pride myself on my control.
I am the best quarterback in the league with an iron will and unshakable discipline.
Nothing can change that. Or so I thought.
Then Lilly crashes back into my life.
She’s all I think of.
Staying away is impossible.
Being just friends is agonizing.
A relationship with her is forbidden. Something I’m reminded of every time I go to practice and see my head coach.
But damn if she doesn’t make me want to risk it all to have her.


Lilly

Coming face-to-face with the only man I had a one-night stand with was not in my plan. I never inquired as to who’d be my neighbor when I moved into my new apartment.
But I should have. Especially after all I have done to avoid Ian.
But avoiding him now seems impossible. He’s everywhere, tempting me to the point of exhaustion.
I won’t give in. Not only because I refuse to date a player, but my father is his head coach.
So instead, we’ll be friends. Which might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever agreed to.
Because being just friends with the man I can’t stop thinking about has trouble written all over it.






Perfect for fans of sports romance, friends-to-lovers tension, forbidden love, and the one that got away. End Zone is a slow-burn, spicy standalone in Bianca Borell’s Playing for Keeps series.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

About the author

Bianca Borell is a contemporary romance author, voracious reader, nature lover, and unapologetic daydreamer. She spends her nights deciding between getting up to write or trying to silence the voices of her characters. The battle is never-ending.

She has a weakness for tormented characters, second chances, and happy endings.

She currently lives in Germany with her amazing husband and indulges in way too many pastries than she should.

For updates, news, and releases, be sure to visit Bianca’s official website at www.biancaborell.com


Follow Bianca here:

https://linktr.ee/BiancaBorell

I'd love to connect with you.

Reviews

[Amber (Amber Reads Romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

The End Zone is the second book in the Playing for Keeps series. It was a slow burn, forbidden romance between the star NFL quarterback and the coaches daughter. This one put me through it with the long slow burn and friendship between the deep friendship between two characters who were painfully pining after each other.

Ian and Lilly had an amazing one night stand that left Ian ready for so much more, but she left a note stating she couldn't do more. Now, Ian is shocked to learn she is his new neighbor and his coaches daughter. They decide to just be friends because Lilly does not want to be in a relationship with a football player, and her dad banned her from dating his players. They develop such a sweet and supportive friendship where they are there for each other on a deeper level.

Ian was perfect book boyfriend material, and he was perfection. Which made me super frustrated with Lilly's refusal of them being together. I get her reasons, but it went on too long. Especially because they are basically in a relationship, and they just refer to each other as friends.

I mean, this amazing man took her on a VIP vacation to Bali and pulled out all the romantic stops. I would have immediately stood up to my dad and fought for this man at that point.

I appreciated how much page time these two get to really fall in love and form a deep connection. This made their love scenes more emotional.

Thank you to Foreward PR for providing the ARC.

[Franjessca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The End Zone is the second novel in Bianca Borell’s Playing for Keeps series. I’ve been waiting for this book since finishing The End Game. I wanted to find out if Amelie’s brother, Ian, would find his own HEA. He does, but not without obstacles. The woman he can’t forget after their ONS becomes off-limits once he learns who she is. Still, Ian is determined to have her in his life.

I was immediately drawn into the story when I started reading, especially by Ian’s determination to be more than friends with Lilly. Ian is a famous football player, and if there’s one thing Lilly refuses to do, it’s date a football player, particularly when her father is a football coach, and after what happened to her own parents when they were together. Ian, unfazed, persistently shows Lilly he doesn’t care about the consequences. Each time I read his POV, he does everything possible to show Lilly he wants her, even agreeing to keep their relationship secret. Still, Lilly resists, unwilling to risk her relationship with her father or jeopardize Ian’s career.

The back and forth between Ian and Lilly drove me crazy at times, especially with Lilly, but I understood her hesitation. She cared for Ian and didn’t want him to sacrifice everything that he had accomplished for her, plus she made that promise to herself about dating football players. Ian’s frustration was also clear; he’s been thinking about Lilly since their one-night stand. Both characters definitely need to work through some things, but don’t worry, they eventually do, it just takes some time, which is why The End Zone is a very spicy, slow-burning romance. That’s due to Ian and Lilly fighting their forbidden attraction for one another. However, they do give in to those desires at times, especially when Ian takes Lilly on vacation with him, and that is when their chemistry becomes undeniable, and they cannot keep staying away from one another. Forget the consequences!

Even though the back and forth drove me crazy with these two characters, I still couldn’t stop reading because I knew eventually Ian and Lilly would have their HEA. It just takes a bit, so be prepared.

I was also happy to have some more time with Levi and Amelie in this book since they play a role in Ian and Lilly’s story. Levi and Ian are best friends, and Amelie is Ian’s sister, so they definitely played a role.

Overall, another great sports romance from Bianca Borell. I give it four stars. I really hope Bianca decides to write Roman’s book in the new future, but in the meantime I’m going to catch up on other books she’s written, plus keep an eye out for future books she’s writes.

POV: First Person (Dual POV)

Standalone or Part of Series: Interconnected Standalone in the Playing for Keeps series, so it could be read as a standalone.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy reading Spicy, Slow Burn Football Romance stories, check out The End Zone. If you haven’t read The End Game yet, you should add it to your list too!

What to Expect:
🏈Sports Romance – Football
🏈One Night Stand
🏈Friends to Lovers
🏈Forbidden Love – Coach’s Daughter
🏈Secret Romance
🏈Second Chance
🏈Slow Burn
🏈Golden Retriever Hero

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Foreword PR & Marketing. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Check out all my book reviews at A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Playing for Keeps series and The End Zone begins with a one-night stand while at college that leaves hero Ian devastated the next morning when he woke up alone. Lily was the woman who got away, the benchmark he measured all women against so years later and now a star quarterback you can imagine his surprise when he meets Lily again and finds out she’s his new neighbour and he finds out that the reason she’d left him was because he was a football player and her one rule was no sportsmen, a promise she’d made to her father who coincidentally was Ian’s coach.

To be honest I haven’t read the first book in this duet so after reading this author’s more darker reads and loving them I was a little apprehensive about reading something lighter. Would it live up to earlier reads? I don’t know why I was worried; I loved this slightly angsty. slow, burn romance as the tension built between Lily and Ian as they decided they could be just friends – like that one has ever really worked. I will admit to getting frustrated with Lily for putting her dad before Ian especially after the Bali trip, I mean how much more proof did she need that he loved her! I wasn’t the biggest fan of her dad either. I can get why you don’t want your only daughter with a ‘player’ but he’d known Ian for years and could see he was one of the good guys. As for Ian well if Lily doesn’t want him, ladies form the queue behind me, talk about perfect boyfriend material 🥰

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The End Zone ( Playing For Keeps Book 2 ) second chance romance, Friends to Lovers, One Night Stand, Golden Retriever MMC , Secret Identity, forbidden love / coaches daughter , slow burn and the one that got away . Oh my gosh guys this book , or for that matter this series is perfection just pure perfection. Ian and Lily the way these two hooked from page one , the insane chemistry between them and everything they went through to get their happy ending. I genuinely could not devour it fast enough. It all starts with one passionate and unforgettable one night stand . What Ian never expected was do wake up in an empty bed with no sight of Lily . Fate has plans for these two though , they are destined to meet once again . Only Ian’s life is turned on its axis when Lily shows up in the most unexpected place . At his college and on top of that he finds out she’s his football coaches daughter and completely off limits. Watching them overcome all the obstacles in their way , trying to do the impossible and fight the attraction between them , even when it’s impossible. All the angst and humor and witty banter . The way I could not stop smiling, laughing , crying and cheering. Words cannot express what a truly fantastic love story this is
a few seconds ago

[Kerri Wells Goetzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I have so many feelings about The End Zone by Bianca Borell. This book was sexy, emotional, and completely addictive but also had me wanting to throw my Kindle across the room more than once.

Ian and Lilly are the definition of forbidden love. He’s the star quarterback with all the control in the world, and she’s the coach’s daughter...his total weakness. Their chemistry... Off. The. Charts. Every scene between them had me holding my breath.

But the push and pull? WAY too freaking much. Like, come on. These two are clearly together. They love each other, they act like a couple, they are a couple but then they keep saying they’re “just friends”? For what?? It’s stupid. A title doesn’t define a relationship, and honestly, I was so over it. They’re in love. Everyone can see it. Just own it already!

Even with all that back and forth frustration, I couldn’t stop reading. The tension was addictive, the emotions were raw, and the writing was smooth and full of heart.

So yeah, it drove me a little crazy, but I still loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessie Coughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end zone - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my god, The End Zone completely wrecked me in the best possible way! I swear I went through every emotion reading this book. One minute I was swooning, the next I was yelling at my Kindle because these two were so clearly in love but refused to admit it! The tension was unreal, the chemistry was explosive, and I could not stop reading.
Ian and Lilly are the perfect example of forbidden love done right. The coach’s daughter and the star quarterback?? I was hooked from page one. Their history, their connection, and all that unresolved tension just made everything hit harder. Every glance, every touch had my heart racing. And when it finally happened—pure FIRE. 🔥🔥
I also loved how much heart this story had beyond the spice. The way Ian stepped up, proved himself, and showed real growth made me fall for him completely. And Lilly’s strength and vulnerability? Loved her. This book had passion, angst, redemption, and so much love that I was literally grinning and tearing up at the same time.
Bianca Borell nailed this one it’s emotional, sexy, and just so addictive. I already want to reread it! 🏈💞

[Susan McWhinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devouring a novel of this size in one sitting is an achievement in itself, but in one sitting I did! I could not put the book down so hence to say my night was full of action and angst as both Flower girl and Reckless boy (Lilly and Ian) fight to stay together even against all the odds!
A one night stand in Seattle, where there was chemistry where there shouldn't of been ends, as soon as Lilly finds out who Ian really is....A football player, in fact a famous football player, and she vowed never to go down that road again!
When Ian realises he has been duped, thinking that Lilly felt the same as he did during their time together, he tries hard to forget.....Everything about her!
Until fate pulls them together, as neighbours! And Ian has the patience of a Saint, Jz sayin'
This story pulls you in and even though I needed to stop reading and sleep, I didn't. Ian fought hard for what he wanted, and that was Lilly. He didn't care about the consequences, but she did, and she refused to be anything but his friend. Ian, desperate to spend time with Lilly, accepted her conditions.
Yeh, and how did that work out for you big boy! LOL....I think it is called blue b*alls!
As you ride this angsty roller coaster with this couple, you still revisit with Levi and Amelie, as they too cheer for this couple to be known to the world, and not behind closed doors!
An overall great story, with such a brilliant HEA, I had tears in my eyes. They fought the obstacles one by one and won and deserved their HEA so much!

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I loved the author’s note about continuing her American football stories—and how she almost couldn’t finish this one because of all the football terms. That honestly had me laughing, because I thought she did great with them, and I don’t even watch football!

I enjoyed this book so much. I especially loved that he got a bit of payback for how he acted in book one (End Game) with his best friend and sister. The way these two met five years before becoming neighbors added such a fun layer of tension, especially since he never understood why she ran out on him—until fate brought her right next door.

He worked so hard to prove he wasn’t the typical football player, and he really showed up for her in the best way possible. This one’s a total slow burn, but when it finally ignites? Pure fire! I couldn’t get enough of their chemistry, the banter, and the heart behind it all.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

The End Zone is book two of the Playing For Keeps Series.

Ian goes through a lot of emotions in this book. We see a lot of them directed at Lilly and how their one night together truly impacted him. He is hurt and I felt for him. He didn't understand how something he viewed as life altering could be thrown away so quickly by Lilly. But as time progresses, their animosity turns to friendship and then a little bit more. We get to see Ian in the best possible light. There was nothing in this world that was going to deter him from having a future with Lilly. He was willing to do it on her timeline, but he knew what the final result was going to be. It takes Lilly a little bit longer to get the full picture, but once she does the beauty of their relationship is embraced.

This was such a great addition to the series. I fell in love with Ian and felt he was perfection.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this impressive series, and this is Ian and Lilly’s story.
Ian and Lilly have a 1-night stand, and he is devastated when he wakes up, and she is gone. Fate has destined then to cross paths again, and now Ian is the best quarterback in the league, when he finds out that Lilly is his new neighbor, and to make it worst, she is his coach’s off-limits daughter. There is no way to avoid each other, and they agree to be friends, but can Ian convince Lilly to take a chance on them being together?
This is a well written easy to read, slow burn story, with family, friendships, emotions, tension, a tad angst, secret identity, friends / lovers, second chances, determination, forbidden attraction, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, sports romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5….what a fun story this was. Two people who had a one night stand. Two people who have a strong connection…but can they be together? Ian is a professional football player who can’t forget the girl that got away. When he finds her… he still wants her…but at what cost?!? Lilly knows that she can’t stay away from Ian but there is one major problem…her father is his head coach! This is a well layered, fast paced book that you don’t want to miss. It’s a sweet book with great characters telling a heck of a story. It is a perfect addition to this fun series. I can’t wait to see what comes our way next!

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

A read full of passion, steam and forbidden love. Intense and deeply emotional lovers to friends to lovers, it's a back and forth relationship that is complicated, especially when combined with ambition and determination. Careers that could be de-railed by unforseen tackles and family. This is a rollercoaster from beginning to end but the love shines through all the hurdles faced. Enriching and romantic story that had me turning pages and keeping my fingers crossed.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angst and spice galore. The burn was slow, but when you get to it, you will be breathless. I love this couple so much. I’m so glad they finally got through it. They put you through the wringer. It was giving whip lash. LOL!

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow-burning and lush with feelings and emotions romance. I liked Lily and Ian a lot. Their connection and chemistry were undeniable and rich with sparks. The storyline was engaging, and it had me rooting for them very quickly.

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilly and Ian are meant to be, but they are forbidden fruit. Raw determination keeps them friend zoned until there's no choice left. I love their story.