What do you think?
Just a Guy With a Goal #2
Green Card Christmas
She needed a lucky break. He wanted to be left alone. Was marriage really the answer?
Roman Graves has made a name for himself as one of the top midfielders in the U.S. lower division soccer league—and as the Red Tails’ resident grump. He wants two things: solitude with a remote cabin in the woods, far from his overly friendly teammates. But team rules say no wife, no off-site housing. And Roman? Very single.
Enter Stella Everly–creative soul, introverted dreamer, possibly cursed, as well as the little sister of Roman’s late best friend. Stella is recently jobless, homeless, and desperate to keep every failure hidden from her worrywart parents. When a misunderstanding leads Roman to believe that she is about to be deported (she’s not!), he swoops in with a solution to save them both: a beneficial, no-attachment marriage.
It’s supposed to be temporary. Problem solving. A means to an end.
But for Roman, feuding with Stella is healing his heart. Tearing down her walls might be making his own crumble, all while bringing peace to his soul. He's breaking all the rules of this fake marriage, finding himself again, and he is most definitely falling for the girl.
Roman Graves has made a name for himself as one of the top midfielders in the U.S. lower division soccer league—and as the Red Tails’ resident grump. He wants two things: solitude with a remote cabin in the woods, far from his overly friendly teammates. But team rules say no wife, no off-site housing. And Roman? Very single.
Enter Stella Everly–creative soul, introverted dreamer, possibly cursed, as well as the little sister of Roman’s late best friend. Stella is recently jobless, homeless, and desperate to keep every failure hidden from her worrywart parents. When a misunderstanding leads Roman to believe that she is about to be deported (she’s not!), he swoops in with a solution to save them both: a beneficial, no-attachment marriage.
It’s supposed to be temporary. Problem solving. A means to an end.
But for Roman, feuding with Stella is healing his heart. Tearing down her walls might be making his own crumble, all while bringing peace to his soul. He's breaking all the rules of this fake marriage, finding himself again, and he is most definitely falling for the girl.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
June 16, 2026
This was such a sweet story, with fun moments but also two main characters with tender hearts that even years later were still dealing with the trauma of losing Stella’s older brother, who was also Roman’s best friend. Stella was so afraid to admit to Roman that she didn’t actually need a green card to stay in the country. What started as a miscommunication led to a marriage built on a lie. Although it was hard to see Stella continue the farce rather than face the fallout of the untruth, it was clear that it was weighing heavily on her.
I loved the way things eventually cleared up and the way the truth came out. Seeing these two begin to actually connect, share, and look toward a possible future together was so sweet!
Listening to this story on audio was an absolute joy! I loved the voices for both Stella and Roman. It really brought them to life.
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, but I also own the ebook. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I loved the way things eventually cleared up and the way the truth came out. Seeing these two begin to actually connect, share, and look toward a possible future together was so sweet!
Listening to this story on audio was an absolute joy! I loved the voices for both Stella and Roman. It really brought them to life.
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, but I also own the ebook. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
February 22, 2026
Started out great then the FMC got annoying. Overall enjoyed but not as much as the first book in the series.
November 27, 2025
3.5 stars. So cute!!! I loved Roman and Stella’s story but I didn’t love their personalities haha it kinda felt like they were both kinda grumpy and dramatic. And I just hate when all the problems are being caused because of dishonesty
December 1, 2025
While this is the second book in the Just a Guy with a Goal series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel.
Poor Stella is down on her luck, depressed, and just wants to live on Willow's couch. However, Willow has plans, and Stella is in the way. She gets her to go to a soccer game with her, which has Stella connecting with Roman, whom she hasn't seen in nine years. Roman immediately gets all protective and wants to solve all of Stella's problems.
Read for:
🎄brother's best friend
🎄marriage of convenience
🎄he sees her
🎄she sees him
🎄dual POV
🎄the Christmas tree
🎄Roman's advice from Lucca
🎄found family
🎄Roman's relationship with Mason
🎄skunk scene
Poor Stella is down on her luck, depressed, and just wants to live on Willow's couch. However, Willow has plans, and Stella is in the way. She gets her to go to a soccer game with her, which has Stella connecting with Roman, whom she hasn't seen in nine years. Roman immediately gets all protective and wants to solve all of Stella's problems.
Read for:
🎄brother's best friend
🎄marriage of convenience
🎄he sees her
🎄she sees him
🎄dual POV
🎄the Christmas tree
🎄Roman's advice from Lucca
🎄found family
🎄Roman's relationship with Mason
🎄skunk scene
November 11, 2025
The Brief: Roman thinks he’s helping out his best friend’s sister by suddenly announcing his engagement after his professional soccer game. Color Stella shocked.
The Debrief: “Holy skunk!” Everything about this book is charming. Marriage of convenience doesn’t always hit me right, but lately I’ve been such a huge fan. But this marriage of surprise hit all the feels and I’m still marinating in this fun story. Roman is grumpy. And grieving. And shuts down any kind of bonding, but his soft spot for Stella is the cutest thing. Melty.
Stella is a hot mess and I adored her. I went right along with her through tears and laugh out loud moments as she learned to see herself more clearly and deal with her grief. But those laugh out loud moments were so FUNNY and I wanted to jump in on the besties text thread.
⚽️so much swoony tension
⚽️the Christmas tree
⚽️Grammy
⚽️dual POV
⚽️soccer team bros
⚽️Christmasyness
⚽️that ending!!!!
The Rhyme: Stella and Roman have a history and a shared love for Brice. If love starts to grow between them can they let the flame burn bright?
I’m in love with this team and can’t wait to read more. They cross into each other’s lives and that makes it extra fun. Kissing only. CW: loss of a brother. And the skunks. 😉
October 27, 2025
Green Card Christmas: A Christmas, Marriage of Convenience, Soccer RomCom
(Just A Guy With A Goal Book 2)
by Jen Atkinson
@authorjenatkinson
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~She needed a lucky break. He wanted to be left alone.
Was marriage really the answer?…
-Green Card Christmas, is a delightful fun story with a fun twist on the Marriage of Convenience closed-door RomCom! I thoroughly enjoyed how this story is blended wonderfully with both humor and heart! In between the humor and sizzling tension/chemistry is a dear story that is filled with beautiful themes of grief, healing, bravery, and sweet hope. Watching endearingly relatable characters, with all the feels along the way be able to grow, in finding themselves again and choosing to see the good within had my heart. I loved that while the relationship began rather unconventionally, it bloomed and grew into something more, something more real, beautiful, tangible, and took such root. Seeing such genuine care, tenderness, support, swoon, connection/reconnection along the way was extra lovely. My friends, don’t miss out on this story that is worth the dear read!📚🩷✨
“Roman and I will never have a traditional story, but
we will have a happy ending.”
•Content:No spice. No violence, very small usage of minor language (used instead of the word mad), Grief, Loss, Feelings of doubt, measuring up/pressured to be the best, strained family relationships, divorce, death of a loved one (in past; mentioned on page, kisses only. Closed-door!
“So maybe I could call you my girl.”
“Yeah, maybe you could,” she says, looking at me now.
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“We’re going to figure this out. Together.”
#greencardchristmas
“Stop with the doubt. You can’t see how wonderful you are.”
#justaguywithagoalseries
“Damaged isn’t the same as broken.”
#authorjenatkinson
“I got you.”
#closeddoorromance
“It’s time to move forward. No more standing still.”
#allaboutthebestreads
(Just A Guy With A Goal Book 2)
by Jen Atkinson
@authorjenatkinson
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~She needed a lucky break. He wanted to be left alone.
Was marriage really the answer?…
-Green Card Christmas, is a delightful fun story with a fun twist on the Marriage of Convenience closed-door RomCom! I thoroughly enjoyed how this story is blended wonderfully with both humor and heart! In between the humor and sizzling tension/chemistry is a dear story that is filled with beautiful themes of grief, healing, bravery, and sweet hope. Watching endearingly relatable characters, with all the feels along the way be able to grow, in finding themselves again and choosing to see the good within had my heart. I loved that while the relationship began rather unconventionally, it bloomed and grew into something more, something more real, beautiful, tangible, and took such root. Seeing such genuine care, tenderness, support, swoon, connection/reconnection along the way was extra lovely. My friends, don’t miss out on this story that is worth the dear read!📚🩷✨
“Roman and I will never have a traditional story, but
we will have a happy ending.”
•Content:No spice. No violence, very small usage of minor language (used instead of the word mad), Grief, Loss, Feelings of doubt, measuring up/pressured to be the best, strained family relationships, divorce, death of a loved one (in past; mentioned on page, kisses only. Closed-door!
“So maybe I could call you my girl.”
“Yeah, maybe you could,” she says, looking at me now.
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“We’re going to figure this out. Together.”
#greencardchristmas
“Stop with the doubt. You can’t see how wonderful you are.”
#justaguywithagoalseries
“Damaged isn’t the same as broken.”
#authorjenatkinson
“I got you.”
#closeddoorromance
“It’s time to move forward. No more standing still.”
#allaboutthebestreads
November 2, 2025
Jen has done it again. Readers will absolutely adore Roman and Stella!! A misunderstanding and then comes a marriage of convenience; it will be beneficial for both parties and no strings attached. But little do they know that brother's BFF and brother's little sis are going to fall slow and hard. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this temporary marriage that turns into much more than they bargained for. And the multiple run ins with the skunk family is one of my absolute favorite things about this book. Definitely will keep readers cracking up!!!
An absolutely delightful RomCom with a little skunkishness in addition to some Christmas spirit. Readers will definitely not want to miss this book!
Although this is the second book in a series, it can be read as a standalone.
A complimentary copy of the book was provided. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
An absolutely delightful RomCom with a little skunkishness in addition to some Christmas spirit. Readers will definitely not want to miss this book!
Although this is the second book in a series, it can be read as a standalone.
A complimentary copy of the book was provided. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
October 21, 2025
Ahh!! Stella and Roman, a marriage of convenience, and Christmas all wrapped up in one adorable book? Yes, please!!
It seems like everything in Stella’s life has suddenly gone downhill and she can’t seem to find her way out of her funk and off her bestie’s couch. Roman is a semi-pro soccer player trying his hardest to move into his own place so he can get some freedom from living with his roommates, he doesn’t need friends, he needs solitude! When he see’s his high school best friend’s sister at his game and finds out she’s down on her luck, he decides to rescue her by announcing that they are engaged, and from there the fun begins!!
These two were just so stinking cute! I love the fact that they had a little bit of a past with the brother’s best friend trope. It was fun to see their chemistry and how they tried to keep cool despite their growing feelings for each other. Waiting for that first kiss was almost as torturous for me as it was for Stella! 😉 I loved how sweet and patient Roman was while he helped Stella get back on her feet and get back to her passion! And the loved how Stella encouraged Roman to reconnect with his family and step into his role as a big brother!
Favorite quotes:
“Stella Everly. Ivory skin and green eyes. She looks too much like her brother, like my best friend, to be anyone else. For the first time in nine years, my heart of ice melts—just a little. For Brice. For Stella.”
“Roman stares at me in gray sweatpants and a tan zip-up jacket. How can someone look like a GQ model in sweats? Is that possible? Clearly it is. But is it fair?”
“I press my hand to the small of her back and dip my head to hers, pecking the corner of her mouth. Her skin is soft and sweet, and she’s kind of like breathing in a garden. One tiny peck and I can’t shake the feel of her.”
“My life felt pretty dim before you came. You are infuriatingly humble. You’re stubborn and kind. You force me into social situations I’d never otherwise get involved with. And whenever I touch you, I feel like I’m coming home.”
It seems like everything in Stella’s life has suddenly gone downhill and she can’t seem to find her way out of her funk and off her bestie’s couch. Roman is a semi-pro soccer player trying his hardest to move into his own place so he can get some freedom from living with his roommates, he doesn’t need friends, he needs solitude! When he see’s his high school best friend’s sister at his game and finds out she’s down on her luck, he decides to rescue her by announcing that they are engaged, and from there the fun begins!!
These two were just so stinking cute! I love the fact that they had a little bit of a past with the brother’s best friend trope. It was fun to see their chemistry and how they tried to keep cool despite their growing feelings for each other. Waiting for that first kiss was almost as torturous for me as it was for Stella! 😉 I loved how sweet and patient Roman was while he helped Stella get back on her feet and get back to her passion! And the loved how Stella encouraged Roman to reconnect with his family and step into his role as a big brother!
Favorite quotes:
“Stella Everly. Ivory skin and green eyes. She looks too much like her brother, like my best friend, to be anyone else. For the first time in nine years, my heart of ice melts—just a little. For Brice. For Stella.”
“Roman stares at me in gray sweatpants and a tan zip-up jacket. How can someone look like a GQ model in sweats? Is that possible? Clearly it is. But is it fair?”
“I press my hand to the small of her back and dip my head to hers, pecking the corner of her mouth. Her skin is soft and sweet, and she’s kind of like breathing in a garden. One tiny peck and I can’t shake the feel of her.”
“My life felt pretty dim before you came. You are infuriatingly humble. You’re stubborn and kind. You force me into social situations I’d never otherwise get involved with. And whenever I touch you, I feel like I’m coming home.”
October 17, 2025
Marriage of convenience is a favorite of mine... and this one? Well, Roman and Stella's start was certainly unconventional, unexpected, and filled with misunderstanding, but it is perhaps one of the most memorable that I've seen! I couldn't help but be drawn into their chaos right away. Despite their chaotic start, the chemistry between these two was undeniable. I loved how supportive he was of her talents, and how quick he is to step in to help her-- even if he isn't helping her in quite the way that he'd expected. When the story starts, Roman is quite the grump-- never letting anyone close... but as we get to know their history and see why he's isolated himself, you can't help but root for him to get his happily ever after... and I loved seeing his growth and the healing for both throughout the story. While theirs was a story that had me laughing out loud so many times throughout, it really was that tenderness and healing that took their story to the next level... and I loved it all! I've never read a Jen Atkinson book that I didn't absolutely adore, but two books in and this series it already proving to be her best yet! I love it and cannot wait to see what is going to happen next!
Green Card Christmas is a closed-door romance with kisses only and minimal minor language. It is the second book in the Just a Guy with a Goal series, and while you might have a bit better understanding of team dynamics if you've read the first book, this can definitely be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Green Card Christmas is a closed-door romance with kisses only and minimal minor language. It is the second book in the Just a Guy with a Goal series, and while you might have a bit better understanding of team dynamics if you've read the first book, this can definitely be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
June 21, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
This is the second book in Jen Atkinson’s series “Just a guy with a Goal”.
We met Roman in the first book, and he was always a grump, said few words, and did nothing to try to form relationships with his teammates. In this book, we learn why he is the way he is. It is a way to protect himself.
Enter Stella, his best friend from childhood’s, younger sister who he hasn’t seen in 9 years. She has had a hard time lately and he immediately wants to protect her and save her from anymore hardship, so they enter into a marriage of convenience that is beneficial for both of them.
I loved how Stella softened Roman’s edges. He has several things from his past that she helps him to heal from and push through. And Roman was so good for Stella! She is an artist and has lost her spark. He encourages her to get back into it. He is the only one (she thinks) who believes she has real talent and could make it a career. Also, the chemistry between these two is 🔥!!
Okay, I also absolutely loved that Roman turned to Lucca for help!! I thought he would turn to Callum or Zev, but, no, he turned to Lucca, the playboy on the team. I listened to this book, and hearing Lucca’s personality has made me so excited to read the next book in the series, which is his.
I am loving getting to know the men in this soccer team!
The narrators did a fabulous job!!! Jen did a great job choosing narrators for this series.
This is the second book in Jen Atkinson’s series “Just a guy with a Goal”.
We met Roman in the first book, and he was always a grump, said few words, and did nothing to try to form relationships with his teammates. In this book, we learn why he is the way he is. It is a way to protect himself.
Enter Stella, his best friend from childhood’s, younger sister who he hasn’t seen in 9 years. She has had a hard time lately and he immediately wants to protect her and save her from anymore hardship, so they enter into a marriage of convenience that is beneficial for both of them.
I loved how Stella softened Roman’s edges. He has several things from his past that she helps him to heal from and push through. And Roman was so good for Stella! She is an artist and has lost her spark. He encourages her to get back into it. He is the only one (she thinks) who believes she has real talent and could make it a career. Also, the chemistry between these two is 🔥!!
Okay, I also absolutely loved that Roman turned to Lucca for help!! I thought he would turn to Callum or Zev, but, no, he turned to Lucca, the playboy on the team. I listened to this book, and hearing Lucca’s personality has made me so excited to read the next book in the series, which is his.
I am loving getting to know the men in this soccer team!
The narrators did a fabulous job!!! Jen did a great job choosing narrators for this series.
August 2, 2026
These two and their denial 😂
My goodness these two are both stubborn and bullheaded.
Stella is an unintentional walking dumpster fire. (Which is not my favorite) She lost her job, house, her important art piece, and parents were deported all in the course of a day. Her friend takes her in and is trying to help her not wallow in depression.
Roman is a grump and the Red Hawk soccer team aggressor. He has been isolating himself after the loss of his best friend, and wants to live in the cabin he just bought in the woods by himself. Except Stella.
While I liked these two and their chemistry - the denial and lying went on a little too long. I liked the slow burn and the yearing. Roman is a grump with everyone but Stella and it was fun seeing that side of him. I liked that they both got each other out of their shells and wanted the best for each other. I like that they challenged each other. But Stella was annoying. Her bad attitude and avoidance went on TOO long. Sure she had a rough go of it, but the same constant cycle of inner dialogue got a little old. And there was hardly any soccer in this one. 😭
Marriage of convenience
Childhood brother's best friend
Artist (pottery) FMC
Soccer player MMC
She's a star wars nerd
Grumpy x grumpy
Christmas time
Remarks •
No spice - just kisses
No language
TW - toxic relationship, loss of family member
Favorite things:
Skunk family
Ice skating date
Road side kiss 🔥
Christmas tree
Roman's announcement
My goodness these two are both stubborn and bullheaded.
Stella is an unintentional walking dumpster fire. (Which is not my favorite) She lost her job, house, her important art piece, and parents were deported all in the course of a day. Her friend takes her in and is trying to help her not wallow in depression.
Roman is a grump and the Red Hawk soccer team aggressor. He has been isolating himself after the loss of his best friend, and wants to live in the cabin he just bought in the woods by himself. Except Stella.
While I liked these two and their chemistry - the denial and lying went on a little too long. I liked the slow burn and the yearing. Roman is a grump with everyone but Stella and it was fun seeing that side of him. I liked that they both got each other out of their shells and wanted the best for each other. I like that they challenged each other. But Stella was annoying. Her bad attitude and avoidance went on TOO long. Sure she had a rough go of it, but the same constant cycle of inner dialogue got a little old. And there was hardly any soccer in this one. 😭
Marriage of convenience
Childhood brother's best friend
Artist (pottery) FMC
Soccer player MMC
She's a star wars nerd
Grumpy x grumpy
Christmas time
Remarks •
No spice - just kisses
No language
TW - toxic relationship, loss of family member
Favorite things:
Skunk family
Ice skating date
Road side kiss 🔥
Christmas tree
Roman's announcement
November 23, 2025
ARC received for consideration; all opinions are my own.
Being back with the Red Tails felt like coming home, and Green Card Christmas might just be one of my favourite Jen Atkinson books yet. Roman and Stella’s story is a marriage of convenience with a twist—chaotic, heartfelt, and so full of healing.
Stella is having the worst streak of luck imaginable, and Roman? He’s the team’s resident grump who wants nothing more than to live alone in a cabin in the woods. When Roman misunderstandingly thinks Stella is about to be deported, he jumps in with the most unconventional solution ever: a no-strings-attached marriage that helps them both.
What starts as a practical plan quickly becomes something tender and unexpectedly beautiful. Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter is perfection, and watching Roman soften—and Stella rediscover her confidence—completely melted my heart. This book made me laugh out loud, swoon, and feel every soft, healing moment along the way.
This one absolutely needs to be on your holiday TBR. I adored every minute and cannot wait for the next Red Tails story. Jen Atkinson just keeps getting better.
So adorably fun, full of heart, and perfect for the season.
June 20, 2026
I love that this book released during FIFA. It made it an extra little connection to the book. This is a marrriage of convience trope with a twist. We have all been at the bottom in life and this book is a great example of how we can slowly find our way back up. How that person, our person supports us and makes that journey easier and can pull us up out of the hole. I really connected with our FMC. That people pleasing desire while still trying to protect yourself. This is a closed door romance (kissing on page only) but there is a delightful shower scene that is perfection. The MMC is also undergoing his own struggles and that parallel between the characters added an extra level of intimacy. This was a quick easy listen and a delightful story. I enjoyed the narration, narrated by Rylee Kuberra, GM Hakim. They were both new to me narrators who had great voices and on scene presence. This was a dual narration style and that fit well with the story with the POV. As always Dreamscape does an amazing job with the production. Smooth transitions and great pace and timing.
August 28, 2026
Contains an audiobook review.
This is the second book in the Just a Guy With a Goal series. These are kisses only contemporary soccer romcoms. This could be read as a standalone story in my opinion.
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. It is very hard to do it justice in a contemporary book because those things just don't really happen now. So, the reader has to go in knowing that the situations that will arise to cause our MOC are going to be a stretch to believe. Having said that, I enjoyed the twist that was given to this story to get that trope. While a little communication could have fixed a lot, I still liked the overall feel to the book and the characters.
The audiobook narrators did an excellent job reading their parts and giving voice to the different characters.
I was given the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this book by Dreamscape Select via Netgalley. I"m voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.
This is the second book in the Just a Guy With a Goal series. These are kisses only contemporary soccer romcoms. This could be read as a standalone story in my opinion.
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. It is very hard to do it justice in a contemporary book because those things just don't really happen now. So, the reader has to go in knowing that the situations that will arise to cause our MOC are going to be a stretch to believe. Having said that, I enjoyed the twist that was given to this story to get that trope. While a little communication could have fixed a lot, I still liked the overall feel to the book and the characters.
The audiobook narrators did an excellent job reading their parts and giving voice to the different characters.
I was given the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this book by Dreamscape Select via Netgalley. I"m voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.
November 25, 2025
This book had me laughing and crying and hoping the skunks made it too.
I really enjoyed watching our characters work through their grief that neither quite knew how to deal with - until they found each other (again).
I absolutely loved Stella and Romans story. Stella feels the need to always please her parents and not be the cause of their worry or stress. And, she is really down on her luck (I think we can agree we have all had an unlucky streak). But in swoops Roman.
Compared to the Roman Stella knew 9 years ago, the new Roman seems so distant and closed off. His own way of dealing with losing his best friend years ago.
With Stella in a bind and Roman having his eyes set on his fortress of solitude, they enter a marriage of convenience.
Their arrangement will benefit them both....right? Maybe. But not in the way each person originally thought.
This definitely has some heavier themes, but also lighthearted moments that will make you laugh out loud.
This book is available now, and is book 2 in a series but can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author @authorjenatkinson for this eARC opportunity in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏻
Tropes:
⚽ Brother's best friend
🏺 Marriage of convenience
⚽ Found family
🏺 Soccer romance
⚽ Healing form grief
I really enjoyed watching our characters work through their grief that neither quite knew how to deal with - until they found each other (again).
I absolutely loved Stella and Romans story. Stella feels the need to always please her parents and not be the cause of their worry or stress. And, she is really down on her luck (I think we can agree we have all had an unlucky streak). But in swoops Roman.
Compared to the Roman Stella knew 9 years ago, the new Roman seems so distant and closed off. His own way of dealing with losing his best friend years ago.
With Stella in a bind and Roman having his eyes set on his fortress of solitude, they enter a marriage of convenience.
Their arrangement will benefit them both....right? Maybe. But not in the way each person originally thought.
This definitely has some heavier themes, but also lighthearted moments that will make you laugh out loud.
This book is available now, and is book 2 in a series but can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author @authorjenatkinson for this eARC opportunity in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏻
Tropes:
⚽ Brother's best friend
🏺 Marriage of convenience
⚽ Found family
🏺 Soccer romance
⚽ Healing form grief
November 29, 2025
This read was such a delight! It is the perfect Christmas sports romance with a little bit of sports, a dash of Christmas, and a lot of romance!
Jen has the ability to immediately engross the reader. The characters are flawed, yet well-rounded. Endearing even when they’re frustrating.
The journey of growth, trust, and hope is the perfect pick-me-up for the holidays! It’s like enjoying your favorite drink in front of a cozy fire. 🔥
Read this book if you like:
⚽️ Soccer
⚽️ Rustic Cabins
⚽️ Ceramics
⚽️ Fully-leaded Coke
⚽️ Socializing
⚽️ Cooking
⚽️ Wildlife
⚽️ Ridiculously Large Christmas Trees
Content: struggling with the death of a loved one, low self-esteem, romance- kisses only.
Thank you to Jen Atkinson for the #gifted copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jen has the ability to immediately engross the reader. The characters are flawed, yet well-rounded. Endearing even when they’re frustrating.
The journey of growth, trust, and hope is the perfect pick-me-up for the holidays! It’s like enjoying your favorite drink in front of a cozy fire. 🔥
Read this book if you like:
⚽️ Soccer
⚽️ Rustic Cabins
⚽️ Ceramics
⚽️ Fully-leaded Coke
⚽️ Socializing
⚽️ Cooking
⚽️ Wildlife
⚽️ Ridiculously Large Christmas Trees
Content: struggling with the death of a loved one, low self-esteem, romance- kisses only.
Thank you to Jen Atkinson for the #gifted copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 17, 2026
I got an ALC of this book and it was great! I love how they push each other to be the best version of themselves. I wish there was more focus on soccer other than around the game. For MMC being a pro player he seems to talk about it a lot more than he actually played.
October 22, 2025
Loved this marriage of convenience! What a way to reconnect by announcing an engagement to your best friend’s little sister! This book will leave you laughing, crying, and feeling utterly delighted.
Both Roman and Stella are in odd spots in their lives, finding each other was exactly what they each needed. I loved how Roman helped Stella rediscover her creative side. I loved how Stella helped Roman come back to life and be himself again (pun absolutely instead with his nickname being graveyard on the team).
Favorite parts:
-the engagement announcement
-Stella’s creation for Roman
-Romans attempts at doing the green card questions. And determination not to go to jail.
-the skunk family
-Fran and Rosalie and Willow— those friendships were so good for Stella
-Everything related to Brice and his relationships with both Stella and Roman
-Roman’s thoughts on Stella’s green eyes.
-Mason and Roman’s relationship.
Favorite Quotes:
That smile has always been magical.
I’m not seeing anything else around me other than Stella. She’s stunning. And she’s about to become my wife.
“Do you have any idea how difficult you are not to kiss?”
She’s like food and water; she’s sustenance.
Is she doing this to me on purpose? Because she knows I adore her? And she can get away with it all? Because she can. All of it.
“So maybe I could call you my girl.”
“Yeah, maybe you could,” she says, looking at me now.
Both Roman and Stella are in odd spots in their lives, finding each other was exactly what they each needed. I loved how Roman helped Stella rediscover her creative side. I loved how Stella helped Roman come back to life and be himself again (pun absolutely instead with his nickname being graveyard on the team).
Favorite parts:
-the engagement announcement
-Stella’s creation for Roman
-Romans attempts at doing the green card questions. And determination not to go to jail.
-the skunk family
-Fran and Rosalie and Willow— those friendships were so good for Stella
-Everything related to Brice and his relationships with both Stella and Roman
-Roman’s thoughts on Stella’s green eyes.
-Mason and Roman’s relationship.
Favorite Quotes:
That smile has always been magical.
I’m not seeing anything else around me other than Stella. She’s stunning. And she’s about to become my wife.
“Do you have any idea how difficult you are not to kiss?”
She’s like food and water; she’s sustenance.
Is she doing this to me on purpose? Because she knows I adore her? And she can get away with it all? Because she can. All of it.
“So maybe I could call you my girl.”
“Yeah, maybe you could,” she says, looking at me now.
October 30, 2025
So sweet and tender! An adorable story that made me feel good things.
October 23, 2025
This is a sweet romance between Stella and Roman. Nothing seems to be going right for Stella. Her parents didn’t get their Visa extension and had to move back to Canada, she was fired from her job and evicted from her home.
When she reconnects with her brother’s best friend, Roman, and then he announces their engagement to the press it’s a surprise to her. He wants to move out of the team’s apartment (and knows having a wife will do that) and thinks he is helping her with a Green Card.
I love both of these characters. They have a past history where they were both interested, but did nothing because of her brother. Roman is so sweet to Stella. I love how he takes care of her. He starts out the story as grumpy-ish but has so much growth by the end of the story.
This a kissing only romance, book two in the Just a Guy With a Goal book. The characters from the first book do appear in this book, but this can definitely be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When she reconnects with her brother’s best friend, Roman, and then he announces their engagement to the press it’s a surprise to her. He wants to move out of the team’s apartment (and knows having a wife will do that) and thinks he is helping her with a Green Card.
I love both of these characters. They have a past history where they were both interested, but did nothing because of her brother. Roman is so sweet to Stella. I love how he takes care of her. He starts out the story as grumpy-ish but has so much growth by the end of the story.
This a kissing only romance, book two in the Just a Guy With a Goal book. The characters from the first book do appear in this book, but this can definitely be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 6, 2025
I enjoyed the book and love Jen Atkinson’s writing. It was a fun book even though there was a bit too much dishonesty. I loved how much history Roman and Stella had and their connection even though they hadn’t seen each other in years.
Update: I listened to the audiobook and I think I like it better the second time around. I still don’t like the major lying but because I knew about it and how it would resolve I focused more on the other parts of their relationship. Roman, though still grumpy and introverted, was still really making an effort for Stella. He recognized his own thoughts and actions and put forth the effort with her. They truly helped each other and I loved them together. The narrators were fantastic and made the book even better.
Update: I listened to the audiobook and I think I like it better the second time around. I still don’t like the major lying but because I knew about it and how it would resolve I focused more on the other parts of their relationship. Roman, though still grumpy and introverted, was still really making an effort for Stella. He recognized his own thoughts and actions and put forth the effort with her. They truly helped each other and I loved them together. The narrators were fantastic and made the book even better.
June 15, 2026
I did not read the first book in the Just a Guy With a Goal series. I want that on the record before anybody starts asking me important continuity questions. I walked into book two with the confidence of a woman who clicks "accept all cookies" without reading anything and hoped for the best.
Fortunately, Green Card Christmas immediately rewards that energy by introducing Stella, a woman having such a catastrophically bad run of luck that if a piano had fallen out of the sky and landed next to her, I would've just nodded and said, "Yeah, that tracks."
She's unemployed. She's basically homeless. Her self-esteem is hanging on by a single frayed thread. Meanwhile Roman is a semi-pro soccer player whose greatest dream is apparently becoming the world's grumpiest forest ranger. This man wants a cabin in the woods so badly you'd think civilization personally wronged him.
Then Roman overhears approximately seventeen percent of a conversation, decides Stella is about to be deported, and responds the way any completely rational adult would. By proposing marriage. Not asking questions. Not clarifying. Not using Google. Marriage.
I laughed so hard because this is the kind of romance logic I adore. The entire premise has the energy of a golden retriever crashing through a screen door trying to help. Roman sees a problem and immediately goes, "Don't worry, I've made it significantly weirder."
What surprised me was how much grief sits underneath all the chaos. Stella's brother was Roman's best friend, and even years later both of them are still carrying that loss around like an emotional backpack full of bricks. Neither one is dealing with it particularly well. Roman's strategy is becoming emotionally unavailable to an almost competitive degree. Stella's strategy is blaming herself for basically every inconvenience that has happened since 2009.
Together they're like a support group that accidentally got married. And I really liked them together. Roman is one of those romance heroes who insists he's a grump while spending the entire book quietly taking care of people. Sir, at some point you're just a thoughtful person with resting murder face. That's not the same thing.
Stella worked for me most of the time because her struggles felt real. The pressure she puts on herself, the fear of disappointing everyone, the feeling that everybody else got an instruction manual for adulthood she somehow missed... that's relatable in a way that sneaks up on you. There were a few moments where I wanted to grab her shoulders and yell, "PLEASE SHARE LITERALLY ONE THOUGHT WITH THE GROUP," but honestly half of romance would disappear overnight if people communicated like functioning adults.
The audiobook was doing a lot of heavy lifting for me too. Rylee Kuberra gives Stella this lovable disaster energy that made me root for her even when she was making me tired. GM Hakim absolutely nails Roman's vibe, which is essentially "I have emotions but you'll have to pry them from my cold dead hands."
I also need to discuss the fact that this book contains a giant Christmas tree, a cabin, soccer teammates who refuse to mind their own business, enough holiday coziness to power a Hallmark cinematic universe, and somehow skunks. At one point I became emotionally invested in the skunks and frankly I don't have time to unpack what that says about me.
The romance itself is sweet, closed-door, and very much built on emotional intimacy rather than steam. These two spend so much time quietly healing each other's old wounds that when they start realizing their fake marriage has become alarmingly real, it actually lands.
Did I think some of the conflict hung around a little too long? Sure. There were moments where I could see the misunderstanding standing in the corner like a reality TV producer desperately trying to keep the season going. But the emotional core was strong enough that I stayed invested.
I ended up at 3.5 stars. Not because I wasn't having fun, but because I wanted a little less circling and a little more forward motion. Still, I had a genuinely good time watching two grieving disasters accidentally stumble into a marriage and then slowly realize they were happier together than apart.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Treating Marriage Like A Multi-Purpose Coupon For Housing, Emotional Healing, And Poor Decision Making
Thank you to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for the ALC. You gave me a Christmas romance where a soccer player essentially saw a woman having a rough week and said, "Have you considered becoming my wife?" and honestly that's the kind of holiday magic I can get behind.
Fortunately, Green Card Christmas immediately rewards that energy by introducing Stella, a woman having such a catastrophically bad run of luck that if a piano had fallen out of the sky and landed next to her, I would've just nodded and said, "Yeah, that tracks."
She's unemployed. She's basically homeless. Her self-esteem is hanging on by a single frayed thread. Meanwhile Roman is a semi-pro soccer player whose greatest dream is apparently becoming the world's grumpiest forest ranger. This man wants a cabin in the woods so badly you'd think civilization personally wronged him.
Then Roman overhears approximately seventeen percent of a conversation, decides Stella is about to be deported, and responds the way any completely rational adult would. By proposing marriage. Not asking questions. Not clarifying. Not using Google. Marriage.
I laughed so hard because this is the kind of romance logic I adore. The entire premise has the energy of a golden retriever crashing through a screen door trying to help. Roman sees a problem and immediately goes, "Don't worry, I've made it significantly weirder."
What surprised me was how much grief sits underneath all the chaos. Stella's brother was Roman's best friend, and even years later both of them are still carrying that loss around like an emotional backpack full of bricks. Neither one is dealing with it particularly well. Roman's strategy is becoming emotionally unavailable to an almost competitive degree. Stella's strategy is blaming herself for basically every inconvenience that has happened since 2009.
Together they're like a support group that accidentally got married. And I really liked them together. Roman is one of those romance heroes who insists he's a grump while spending the entire book quietly taking care of people. Sir, at some point you're just a thoughtful person with resting murder face. That's not the same thing.
Stella worked for me most of the time because her struggles felt real. The pressure she puts on herself, the fear of disappointing everyone, the feeling that everybody else got an instruction manual for adulthood she somehow missed... that's relatable in a way that sneaks up on you. There were a few moments where I wanted to grab her shoulders and yell, "PLEASE SHARE LITERALLY ONE THOUGHT WITH THE GROUP," but honestly half of romance would disappear overnight if people communicated like functioning adults.
The audiobook was doing a lot of heavy lifting for me too. Rylee Kuberra gives Stella this lovable disaster energy that made me root for her even when she was making me tired. GM Hakim absolutely nails Roman's vibe, which is essentially "I have emotions but you'll have to pry them from my cold dead hands."
I also need to discuss the fact that this book contains a giant Christmas tree, a cabin, soccer teammates who refuse to mind their own business, enough holiday coziness to power a Hallmark cinematic universe, and somehow skunks. At one point I became emotionally invested in the skunks and frankly I don't have time to unpack what that says about me.
The romance itself is sweet, closed-door, and very much built on emotional intimacy rather than steam. These two spend so much time quietly healing each other's old wounds that when they start realizing their fake marriage has become alarmingly real, it actually lands.
Did I think some of the conflict hung around a little too long? Sure. There were moments where I could see the misunderstanding standing in the corner like a reality TV producer desperately trying to keep the season going. But the emotional core was strong enough that I stayed invested.
I ended up at 3.5 stars. Not because I wasn't having fun, but because I wanted a little less circling and a little more forward motion. Still, I had a genuinely good time watching two grieving disasters accidentally stumble into a marriage and then slowly realize they were happier together than apart.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Treating Marriage Like A Multi-Purpose Coupon For Housing, Emotional Healing, And Poor Decision Making
Thank you to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for the ALC. You gave me a Christmas romance where a soccer player essentially saw a woman having a rough week and said, "Have you considered becoming my wife?" and honestly that's the kind of holiday magic I can get behind.
June 23, 2026
I listened to the audiobook of this story and really enjoyed the narrators. Their voices fit the characters personalities really well and brought the story to life. Roman and Stella’s brother were best friends in high school. Only two years older,, Stella‘s brother Brice, was adamant that nothing happened between them.
Nine years later, a lot has happened, Stella lost her job and her apartment in one day. Roman lost his freedom of moving into a cabin he just bought. When Stella and Roman accidentally run into each other, thanks to her friend Willow, a plan forms in Roman’s head. If he and Stella marry, she won’t be deported and he can move into his cabin. What Roman doesn’t know is Stella has dual citizenship
I really did enjoy the story overall, but the fact that Stella never came clean on being a US citizen started to wear me down. I really appreciate the story being a clean romance and no foul language but continuing to deceive people was a tough pill to swallow. This also is the second book in the series and I have not read book one, so the other characters that are part of the soccer team were harder to connect with. There was also a lot of other things going on in the story. Stella‘s parents, her brothers passing, the soccer team members, relationships, pending Wedding, Romans fathers lack of connection, and his young I listened to the audiobook of this story and really enjoyed the narrators. Their voices fit the characters personalities really well and brought the story to life. Roman and Stella’s brother were best friends in high school. Only two years older,, Stella‘s brother Brice, was adamant that nothing happened between them.
Nine years later, a lot has happened, Stella lost her job and her apartment in one day. Roman lost his freedom of moving into a cabin he just bought. When Stella and Roman accidentally run into each other, thanks to her friend Willow, a plan forms in Roman’s head. If he and Stella marry, she won’t be deported and he can move into his cabin. What Roman doesn’t know is Stella has dual citizenship
I really did enjoy the story overall, but the fact that Stella never came clean on being a US citizen started to wear me down. I really appreciate the story being a clean romance and no foul language but continuing to deceive people was a tough pill to swallow. This also is the second book in the series and I have not read book one, so the other characters that are part of the soccer team were harder to connect with. There was also a lot of other things going on in the story. Stella‘s parents, her brothers passing, the soccer team members, relationships, pending Wedding, Romans fathers lack of connection, and his young stepbrother was a lot to mix into one story. So while I enjoy part of this book, it did not hold my attention throughout. I am sure there are plenty of people that would find this the perfect read. It was just OK for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
Nine years later, a lot has happened, Stella lost her job and her apartment in one day. Roman lost his freedom of moving into a cabin he just bought. When Stella and Roman accidentally run into each other, thanks to her friend Willow, a plan forms in Roman’s head. If he and Stella marry, she won’t be deported and he can move into his cabin. What Roman doesn’t know is Stella has dual citizenship
I really did enjoy the story overall, but the fact that Stella never came clean on being a US citizen started to wear me down. I really appreciate the story being a clean romance and no foul language but continuing to deceive people was a tough pill to swallow. This also is the second book in the series and I have not read book one, so the other characters that are part of the soccer team were harder to connect with. There was also a lot of other things going on in the story. Stella‘s parents, her brothers passing, the soccer team members, relationships, pending Wedding, Romans fathers lack of connection, and his young I listened to the audiobook of this story and really enjoyed the narrators. Their voices fit the characters personalities really well and brought the story to life. Roman and Stella’s brother were best friends in high school. Only two years older,, Stella‘s brother Brice, was adamant that nothing happened between them.
Nine years later, a lot has happened, Stella lost her job and her apartment in one day. Roman lost his freedom of moving into a cabin he just bought. When Stella and Roman accidentally run into each other, thanks to her friend Willow, a plan forms in Roman’s head. If he and Stella marry, she won’t be deported and he can move into his cabin. What Roman doesn’t know is Stella has dual citizenship
I really did enjoy the story overall, but the fact that Stella never came clean on being a US citizen started to wear me down. I really appreciate the story being a clean romance and no foul language but continuing to deceive people was a tough pill to swallow. This also is the second book in the series and I have not read book one, so the other characters that are part of the soccer team were harder to connect with. There was also a lot of other things going on in the story. Stella‘s parents, her brothers passing, the soccer team members, relationships, pending Wedding, Romans fathers lack of connection, and his young stepbrother was a lot to mix into one story. So while I enjoy part of this book, it did not hold my attention throughout. I am sure there are plenty of people that would find this the perfect read. It was just OK for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
October 26, 2025
🌲⚽️My Thoughts⚽️🌲
⚽️This is the second book in the Just A Guy With A Goal series, a series of interconnected standalone Soccer Romcom books. This one centers around Roman and Stella.
🌲Stella lost her brother, Brice and Roman was her brother’s best friend. They both go on a grief journey through out this book. Stella is angry at her brother for leaving and Roman is angry at the world for him leaving.
⚽️I loved seeing them go through this grief journey together. Roman and Stella remind me a lot of Allie and Noah from The Notebook. They fight a lot mainly because neither one wants to admit they are catching feelings for each other but also because Stella feels guilty for marrying Roman for the green card she may or may not need. And because they are both not working through their anger at Brice leaving them.
🌲The makeups though! The way he takes care of her especially after the skunk just had me swooning and cheering for them. I loved all of their little moments like the one at the karaoke bar where Roman gets Stella to move on from having to start over and beating herself up over it and the one on the way home from the karaoke bar! The. When they finally talk about Brice and work through that grief together. The moment when Roman was telling Stella all the things Brice said to him about Stella had me tearing up.
⚽️I loved the relationship between Stella and her best friend Willow. She was there for her when she got kicked out of her home for flooding it, losing her job, and losing her prize winning ceramic that could jump start her pottery career all in the same day. I love that she had Stella telling her everyday one thing that she was great at and Willow would text every day asking. I loved seeing Stella connect and bond with the other girlfriends of the Red Tails Soccer team and seeing Roman finally start to bond with his teammates.
🌲Overall I really liked this book and the ending had me in tears. I dothink this has more of a light Christmas theme so it can be read in the fall also not just around Christmas. I just love Jen Atkinson’s writing and always find her books sucking me in and I’m flying through them. I would recommend this one if you love Slow-burn, brother’s best friend, and a sports romcom’s.
🌲⚽️Content⚽️🌲
No spice
Only kisses
No language
Grief
Death of a sibling (in the past)
🌲⚽️Thank you Jen Atkinson for gifting me a copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 10, 2026
Stella's life appears to be falling apart - her house has recently flooded, she's lost her job, and she is wondering if she should give up on her dream of being an artist and "grow up". She can't tell her parents any of this news because they will worry and would want her to move back to Canada with them. Roman is a moody and broody, mature aged, professional soccer player who wants to move out of the shared team housing, but the only way he can do this is if he's married. Roman and Stella grew up together because Roman was her older brother's best friend, but they haven't seen each other since her brother's funeral nine years ago. After being reunited in adulthood at one of Roman's soccer games, he misunderstands her situation and thinks she's being deported back to Canada (not realizing she's already a citizen). He cares for her, so he announces they are getting married during a press interview, which, in his mind, solves her deportation issue and his living arrangement issue. Stella goes along with it, because it solves her issue of trying to find a place to live and takes the pressure off of telling her parents she's failing in life and struggling.
Themes/Tropes: brother's best friend, marriage of convenience, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, holiday romcom, slow burn, closed door romance, athlete x artist
Overall: One of my favourite tropes is the brother's best friend, and I love a slow burn, a closed door and a sport themed romance, so I was really looking forward to this book! When I originally read the description I had envisioned a grumpy x sunshine soccer romance with the vibes of Roy Kent and Keeley Jones (Ted Lasso) and I was thinking it would be a fun fake marriage trope, but unfortunately it wasn't what I had hoped for. I really struggled with the idea of Roman believing Stella was going to be deported and not just pretending to marry her, but legally marrying her fully knowing that they were committing immigration fraud. This didn't sit right with me, and yes, I know they weren't actually committing a crime, but he didn't know that and he still went through with it. I also struggled with the idea of Stella knowing she was a citizen the whole time, but not communicating this to Roman. These concepts took me out of the book and I struggled to get back into the narrative, unfortunately.
Rating: 2.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the chance to listen and review!
Themes/Tropes: brother's best friend, marriage of convenience, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, holiday romcom, slow burn, closed door romance, athlete x artist
Overall: One of my favourite tropes is the brother's best friend, and I love a slow burn, a closed door and a sport themed romance, so I was really looking forward to this book! When I originally read the description I had envisioned a grumpy x sunshine soccer romance with the vibes of Roy Kent and Keeley Jones (Ted Lasso) and I was thinking it would be a fun fake marriage trope, but unfortunately it wasn't what I had hoped for. I really struggled with the idea of Roman believing Stella was going to be deported and not just pretending to marry her, but legally marrying her fully knowing that they were committing immigration fraud. This didn't sit right with me, and yes, I know they weren't actually committing a crime, but he didn't know that and he still went through with it. I also struggled with the idea of Stella knowing she was a citizen the whole time, but not communicating this to Roman. These concepts took me out of the book and I struggled to get back into the narrative, unfortunately.
Rating: 2.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the chance to listen and review!
July 10, 2026
Green Card Christmas is the second book in Jen Atkinson’s Just a Guy With a Goal series. Stella Everly was devastated when her brother Bryce was killed in a pile up just as he was about to graduate from high school. Since then, she has tried desperately not to cause her parents worry, but she feels as though no matter what, she does. Stella has majored in ceramics and in order to support herself she has taken a position hand painting expensive china with a set design from the company. When she goes off script one too many times she is fired. On the same day, distraught by the message to see her boss, she accidentally adds regular dish washing detergent rather than that made for dishwashers only to come home to find the rental cottage flooded followed by her swift eviction. And to top it all off, her parents, who have split their time between Canada and the US are being deported as their work visa wasn’t being renewed. Having been born in the US, Stella has dual citizenship.
Staying with her best friend Willow and not telling her parents what has happened lest they insist on her returning to Canada with them, Stella is wallowing on Willow’s couch preventing Jerry from moving in with his girlfriend as they had planned. When Willow learns Stella knew local pro soccer player Roman Graves when they were younger, in fact he was her brother’s best friend, she takes action and takes Stella to a game, encountering Roman before the game begins while Stella is in the restroom. Willow proceeds to tell Roman of Stella’s difficulties including the deportation which he believes to include Stella.
As part of the team contract, unmarried players must live in a certain apartment complex while married ones can live anywhere. Having just bought a remote cabin in the woods and ineligible for the marriage caveat, Roman proposes that Stella marry him to get her green card, that she doesn’t need, and he can move them to the cabin. She will have her own room, her meals, and whatever she needs while he will get to live in his cabin. What could possibly go wrong?
This is such a fun story filled with both hilarious and poignant moments as both Stella and Roman navigate childhood trauma and find their way towards a better, brighter future. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
Staying with her best friend Willow and not telling her parents what has happened lest they insist on her returning to Canada with them, Stella is wallowing on Willow’s couch preventing Jerry from moving in with his girlfriend as they had planned. When Willow learns Stella knew local pro soccer player Roman Graves when they were younger, in fact he was her brother’s best friend, she takes action and takes Stella to a game, encountering Roman before the game begins while Stella is in the restroom. Willow proceeds to tell Roman of Stella’s difficulties including the deportation which he believes to include Stella.
As part of the team contract, unmarried players must live in a certain apartment complex while married ones can live anywhere. Having just bought a remote cabin in the woods and ineligible for the marriage caveat, Roman proposes that Stella marry him to get her green card, that she doesn’t need, and he can move them to the cabin. She will have her own room, her meals, and whatever she needs while he will get to live in his cabin. What could possibly go wrong?
This is such a fun story filled with both hilarious and poignant moments as both Stella and Roman navigate childhood trauma and find their way towards a better, brighter future. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
November 11, 2025
This book was deeply emotional, but somehow this author has a unique gift to turn sorrow to joy and laughter in her books. You will probably cry a little. I know I did, but you will also laugh, and you will most assuredly swoon. This was not your average marriage of convenience romance. The tensions were high, and there were so many misunderstandings. All of that added up to be a little bit chaotic at times, but also provided a little humor as well.
Roman Graves plays soccer for the Red Tails. He is single in every way, which includes friends. He is most happy when he is alone, and has no use for friends or girlfriends. He is known as the resident grump. Losing his best friend (Brice) in high school to a tragic accident has completely changed his outlook on life, and he has never fully gotten over it.
Stella Everly is Brice's little sister. She is homeless, jobless and slightly depressed, but determined to keep all of this bad information from her parents who worry about her. Her friend, Willow, insists they go to a Red Tails game to cheer her up. It is a toss up as to who is more shocked to see the other, Roman or Stella. The real shock comes when Roman makes a bold announcement about his upcoming nuptials to Stella. This was one of those pin drop moments where it was silent and then chaos ensued.
Roman and Stella needed a good soul cleansing. They needed to grieve what they had lost so they could celebrate what they had won. Even though Roman was grumpy. He was very protective of Stella. He was also her biggest cheerleader for her artistic gifts. The mountains are high around these two, but each day the path through those mountains gets a little wider.
I am never disappointed with a book by this author. This one is definitely in my top five because it was emotional and a little sad, but also comedic at times. These things made the characters more realistic. This was also one of those situations where communication, or lack thereof, is going to cause a disaster. The chemistry between them was undeniable, but they had to work hard to overcome the obstacles, which made the budding romance that much sweeter.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Roman Graves plays soccer for the Red Tails. He is single in every way, which includes friends. He is most happy when he is alone, and has no use for friends or girlfriends. He is known as the resident grump. Losing his best friend (Brice) in high school to a tragic accident has completely changed his outlook on life, and he has never fully gotten over it.
Stella Everly is Brice's little sister. She is homeless, jobless and slightly depressed, but determined to keep all of this bad information from her parents who worry about her. Her friend, Willow, insists they go to a Red Tails game to cheer her up. It is a toss up as to who is more shocked to see the other, Roman or Stella. The real shock comes when Roman makes a bold announcement about his upcoming nuptials to Stella. This was one of those pin drop moments where it was silent and then chaos ensued.
Roman and Stella needed a good soul cleansing. They needed to grieve what they had lost so they could celebrate what they had won. Even though Roman was grumpy. He was very protective of Stella. He was also her biggest cheerleader for her artistic gifts. The mountains are high around these two, but each day the path through those mountains gets a little wider.
I am never disappointed with a book by this author. This one is definitely in my top five because it was emotional and a little sad, but also comedic at times. These things made the characters more realistic. This was also one of those situations where communication, or lack thereof, is going to cause a disaster. The chemistry between them was undeniable, but they had to work hard to overcome the obstacles, which made the budding romance that much sweeter.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2026
This is the second book in the Just a Guy With a Goal series. They can be read as standalones, however, the characters do crossover and there are mentions to characters stories in the previous books.
This really is a sweet story. Growing up, Stella's brother, Brice, was best friends with Roman. And Brice basically threatened Stella and Roman to stay away from each other. When Brice lost his life in an accident, it changed both Stella and Roman's lives and they didn't see each other for years. When they reconnect and Roman learns that Stella is pretty down on her luck, and mistakenly believes she is about to be deported, Roman steps in to help.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are flawed, have struggles, and are relatable. While they both noticed each other when they were younger, and still felt the attraction now, when they started their fake marriage, it wasn't smooth sailing - they fought. But it was through the arguments, the pushing of each other, and the struggles to let walls down that their relationship really grew. I loved how both of them pushed the other to become better, and matched strengths to weaknesses.
We also get great side characters that bring additional depth and levity to the story. Which is one of the reasons why you'll want to read the full series in order.
Quotes:
"Damaged isn't the same as broken."
"I got you."
"You don't believe in yourself right now. Well, guess what? I'm your confidence today. When you're feeling unsure, you look at me. Because I'm going to be confident enough for both of us. Got it?"
"What if we stopped being pissed off and scared, Roman? What then?"
"You're perfect."
"We all have scars. It's part of life."
"And whenever I touch you, I feel like I'm coming home."
"It was like I didn't know what I had until I'd lost it. With you, you didn't realize what you had until you found it."
This really is a sweet story. Growing up, Stella's brother, Brice, was best friends with Roman. And Brice basically threatened Stella and Roman to stay away from each other. When Brice lost his life in an accident, it changed both Stella and Roman's lives and they didn't see each other for years. When they reconnect and Roman learns that Stella is pretty down on her luck, and mistakenly believes she is about to be deported, Roman steps in to help.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are flawed, have struggles, and are relatable. While they both noticed each other when they were younger, and still felt the attraction now, when they started their fake marriage, it wasn't smooth sailing - they fought. But it was through the arguments, the pushing of each other, and the struggles to let walls down that their relationship really grew. I loved how both of them pushed the other to become better, and matched strengths to weaknesses.
We also get great side characters that bring additional depth and levity to the story. Which is one of the reasons why you'll want to read the full series in order.
Quotes:
"Damaged isn't the same as broken."
"I got you."
"You don't believe in yourself right now. Well, guess what? I'm your confidence today. When you're feeling unsure, you look at me. Because I'm going to be confident enough for both of us. Got it?"
"What if we stopped being pissed off and scared, Roman? What then?"
"You're perfect."
"We all have scars. It's part of life."
"And whenever I touch you, I feel like I'm coming home."
"It was like I didn't know what I had until I'd lost it. With you, you didn't realize what you had until you found it."
October 27, 2025
So adorably fun!
Roman Graves, a grumpy soccer star who just wants to be left alone, strikes a fake marriage deal with Stella Everly, his late best friend’s sister, in order to gain an exception to team housing rules after mistakenly thinking she's going to be deported.
Stella, struggling to rebuild her life, agrees for practical reasons and is determined not to fall for Roman. But as their pretend relationship turns real, both find unexpected healing, love, and possibly a second chance at happiness.
What you'll love:
marriage of convenience...with a twist
brother’s best friend
dual pov
soccer player
forced proximity
unfortunate skunk incident
found family
grief journey
all the Christmas vibes
so much heart and swoon!
What a fabulously fun twist on the marriage of convenience trope! This book was full of fun, laugh out loud moments, lots of romantic tension, but beneath those lies a lies a beautiful story of grief, healing, and rediscovering hope. This book is full of heart and happy endings!
Roman and Stella's relationship may have started unconventionally, but the way they supported each other, especially Roman as Stella learned to believe in herself again was pure magic! I adored the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, the balance of sorrow and laughter, and how their friendship slowly blossomed into something real and so utterly swoon-worthy.
I am quickly falling for all the players on the Red Tails soccer team and eagerly await all of their stories! While this can be read as a standalone, reading the first book beforehand might help you understand all of the team dynamics.
If you love soccer players, grumpy heroes with a big heart, and stories full of humor, healing, and holiday charm, then this book is a must-read for you this holiday season!!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
Roman Graves, a grumpy soccer star who just wants to be left alone, strikes a fake marriage deal with Stella Everly, his late best friend’s sister, in order to gain an exception to team housing rules after mistakenly thinking she's going to be deported.
Stella, struggling to rebuild her life, agrees for practical reasons and is determined not to fall for Roman. But as their pretend relationship turns real, both find unexpected healing, love, and possibly a second chance at happiness.
What you'll love:
marriage of convenience...with a twist
brother’s best friend
dual pov
soccer player
forced proximity
unfortunate skunk incident
found family
grief journey
all the Christmas vibes
so much heart and swoon!
What a fabulously fun twist on the marriage of convenience trope! This book was full of fun, laugh out loud moments, lots of romantic tension, but beneath those lies a lies a beautiful story of grief, healing, and rediscovering hope. This book is full of heart and happy endings!
Roman and Stella's relationship may have started unconventionally, but the way they supported each other, especially Roman as Stella learned to believe in herself again was pure magic! I adored the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, the balance of sorrow and laughter, and how their friendship slowly blossomed into something real and so utterly swoon-worthy.
I am quickly falling for all the players on the Red Tails soccer team and eagerly await all of their stories! While this can be read as a standalone, reading the first book beforehand might help you understand all of the team dynamics.
If you love soccer players, grumpy heroes with a big heart, and stories full of humor, healing, and holiday charm, then this book is a must-read for you this holiday season!!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
November 5, 2025
Well, this was just the most tender holiday read. I adored Stella and her quirkiness. She hit what many would describe as rock-bottom, and she thought she needed to carry the weight of her family’s expectations, making the situation that much worse. While marriage felt like the way to solve it, Roman helped her see it was unhealthy to think she is in charge of other people’s happiness. Her avoidance tactics made me cackle. The ever-increasing anxiety about lying made her say and do things that normally wouldn’t be okay, but I understood why her actions weren’t kind. Thankfully, that didn’t last forever! 😆
Roman, Roman, Roman - he is so sweet. His grumpiness stemmed from deep hurt, which makes you so sad for him and his choices to push others away. He was so soft for Stella and cared about her so much when reunited. All he wanted to do was help, and he might not have gone about it the right way, but his heart was in the right place. I loved the skunk scene, mostly because it was the turning point where they decided to stop lying to one another. Roman was so gentle and wanted to do right by Stella. His respect and love for her was admirable. I love it when the grumpy guy is soft for her, and Jen delivered that in Roman’s character.
Overall, this was a romcom read that balanced heart and humor super well. Stella’s lying did get a little hard to read at points, but it did bring about some funny one-liners. The book also spanned a few months time, so it wasn’t fully a Christmas book, which I actually prefer. These characters were extremely lovable, and you should definitely read this one!
Thanks for the ARC, Jen! All thoughts are my own. 🫶🏻
CW: This is a closed-door romcom with kisses only. There is mention of a past death of a family member/friend on page.
Roman, Roman, Roman - he is so sweet. His grumpiness stemmed from deep hurt, which makes you so sad for him and his choices to push others away. He was so soft for Stella and cared about her so much when reunited. All he wanted to do was help, and he might not have gone about it the right way, but his heart was in the right place. I loved the skunk scene, mostly because it was the turning point where they decided to stop lying to one another. Roman was so gentle and wanted to do right by Stella. His respect and love for her was admirable. I love it when the grumpy guy is soft for her, and Jen delivered that in Roman’s character.
Overall, this was a romcom read that balanced heart and humor super well. Stella’s lying did get a little hard to read at points, but it did bring about some funny one-liners. The book also spanned a few months time, so it wasn’t fully a Christmas book, which I actually prefer. These characters were extremely lovable, and you should definitely read this one!
Thanks for the ARC, Jen! All thoughts are my own. 🫶🏻
CW: This is a closed-door romcom with kisses only. There is mention of a past death of a family member/friend on page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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