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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
65 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
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 29, 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
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.
November 24, 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.
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 30, 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.
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 dishonestly
November 17, 2025
Did I do any homework? No. Did I giggle, squeal and cheese? Yes.
November 11, 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.
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.
November 5, 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 30, 2025
So sweet and tender! An adorable story that made me feel good things.
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.
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.
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.
November 23, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
When it rains it pours! After losing her job, house, and learning her parent’s visa is being denied (all within the span of hours); Stella Everly is on the verge of a mental breakdown. Taking a week to wallow on her best friend’s couch (Willow), she sustains herself on only microwaveable popcorn and a Star Wars movie marathon. But enough is enough. Willow finally convinces her to get off the couch and back in the real world. The two attend a Red Tails’ soccer match where she reconnects with her late brother’s best friend, Roman. Will he hold the key to getting her life back on track, or will he push her to rock bottom?
Jen Atkinson’s latest novel, Green Card Christmas, is the second installment of Just A Guy With A Goal Series. While this book has ALL the traditional attributes of a holiday romcom: witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and an epic love story, it dares to go a step further. Diving into grief and mental health, Atkinson explores the trials that ensue, especially at the holidays, of an unexpected loss of a loved one (whether it be via death or estrangement).
True to her signature style, Atkinson found the perfect balance of pain and hope. Not only are her characters well developed, they are rooted in reality. In addition, the entire story is grounded and relatable for any reader.
Be sure to read Green Card Christmas for:
-professional soccer player MMC
-artistic FMC
-dual POVs
-childhood crush to more
-marriage of convenience
Special thanks to JA Books and Jen Atkinson for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
When it rains it pours! After losing her job, house, and learning her parent’s visa is being denied (all within the span of hours); Stella Everly is on the verge of a mental breakdown. Taking a week to wallow on her best friend’s couch (Willow), she sustains herself on only microwaveable popcorn and a Star Wars movie marathon. But enough is enough. Willow finally convinces her to get off the couch and back in the real world. The two attend a Red Tails’ soccer match where she reconnects with her late brother’s best friend, Roman. Will he hold the key to getting her life back on track, or will he push her to rock bottom?
Jen Atkinson’s latest novel, Green Card Christmas, is the second installment of Just A Guy With A Goal Series. While this book has ALL the traditional attributes of a holiday romcom: witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and an epic love story, it dares to go a step further. Diving into grief and mental health, Atkinson explores the trials that ensue, especially at the holidays, of an unexpected loss of a loved one (whether it be via death or estrangement).
True to her signature style, Atkinson found the perfect balance of pain and hope. Not only are her characters well developed, they are rooted in reality. In addition, the entire story is grounded and relatable for any reader.
Be sure to read Green Card Christmas for:
-professional soccer player MMC
-artistic FMC
-dual POVs
-childhood crush to more
-marriage of convenience
Special thanks to JA Books and Jen Atkinson for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 3, 2025
"Can you fall in love with someone in a matter of weeks? True love? Is that possible?"
I love books in which people help each other heal from their trauma! This beautiful story takes two friends who haven't seen each other in almost a decade and throws them together into a marriage of convenience. Roman was best friends with Stella's older brother, Brice. But when Brice dies, Roman loses contact with the family and spends 9 years guarding himself from people so he doesn't have to experience loss. Stella tries desperately not to be a disappointment to her parents, but she can't seem to live up to what she thinks they expect from her. When she and Roman get married, they wind up helping each other heal and move forward. They find themselves again, and become their best selves, together. This book is also really FUNNY! I laughed out loud multiple times!
Things I love about this book:
- 3 Day socks... haha
- His protectiveness of her
- The Skunks
-Fully Loaded Coke
-When Rosalie has to use the bathroom.
- Microwave Popcorn
- Green Beans
- The Christmas Tree
Some favorite quotes:
"This casserole is like the soggy symbol of our entire marriage. I'm Richard Nixon. Green beans an green cards are my personal watergate."
"I will force my way into your room, throw clothes onto your body, carry you out here like a fireman, and strap your butt in a chair."
"My head is blown. You know that emoji where the little guy's brain is exploding from his head? That's me. Literally. 'Are you messing with me?'"
I love books in which people help each other heal from their trauma! This beautiful story takes two friends who haven't seen each other in almost a decade and throws them together into a marriage of convenience. Roman was best friends with Stella's older brother, Brice. But when Brice dies, Roman loses contact with the family and spends 9 years guarding himself from people so he doesn't have to experience loss. Stella tries desperately not to be a disappointment to her parents, but she can't seem to live up to what she thinks they expect from her. When she and Roman get married, they wind up helping each other heal and move forward. They find themselves again, and become their best selves, together. This book is also really FUNNY! I laughed out loud multiple times!
Things I love about this book:
- 3 Day socks... haha
- His protectiveness of her
- The Skunks
-Fully Loaded Coke
-When Rosalie has to use the bathroom.
- Microwave Popcorn
- Green Beans
- The Christmas Tree
Some favorite quotes:
"This casserole is like the soggy symbol of our entire marriage. I'm Richard Nixon. Green beans an green cards are my personal watergate."
"I will force my way into your room, throw clothes onto your body, carry you out here like a fireman, and strap your butt in a chair."
"My head is blown. You know that emoji where the little guy's brain is exploding from his head? That's me. Literally. 'Are you messing with me?'"
October 27, 2025
We are in the deep end of Stella’s life at one of the worst crossroads I have ever read and yet with Jen Atkinson at the helm, I know it will turn out okay, even if it isn’t ideal for a while. So, let’s get to it.
Stella Everly hits a personal failure trifecta, but thankfully her bestie, Willow, helps to catch her when she falls. Willow offers her couch even though she would rather have her man move in until the self-loathing becomes a bit too much! While Stella’s challenged to think of the last person, who supported her ceramic artistry, the name ‘Roman Graves,’ like is the now professional soccer player. Ever the supportive friend, Willow secures tickets to an upcoming game and little does anyone realize how one game can change the course of two people’s lives forever.
Roman Graves is known for his surely attitude and his lone wolf persona. This man is so private that he secretly buys a cabin in hopes he can be exempt from the housing clause in his player contract. No dice, his coach said he would talk to the owner, only after he had 4 penalty free games. The last game proves to be difficult for focusing as he had an unexpected reunion that morphed into an announcement that nobody saw coming.
This is a brother’s best friend/marriage of convenience story that has some emotions with it! Brice can’t object to their union because only a few of Roman’s teammates and a few of their female friends. This marriage is full awkwardness and some miscommunication, but the more time spent the better the story becomes! Throw in a family of skunks, a night of playing pool with friends, and a trip to Atlanta make this story complete! The tenderness was there when we needed it, and the love was never far behind. I want to gush more, but you really need to read this to fall in love with Stella and Roman yourself! While we all have been enjoying all the hockey books, I highly suggest we get behind Jen Atkinson’s RedTail soccer team as they guys just as much fun banter as any team and their women counterparts are beautiful and a blast to read on the page as well. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next book!
CW: Grief of a loved one
Stella Everly hits a personal failure trifecta, but thankfully her bestie, Willow, helps to catch her when she falls. Willow offers her couch even though she would rather have her man move in until the self-loathing becomes a bit too much! While Stella’s challenged to think of the last person, who supported her ceramic artistry, the name ‘Roman Graves,’ like is the now professional soccer player. Ever the supportive friend, Willow secures tickets to an upcoming game and little does anyone realize how one game can change the course of two people’s lives forever.
Roman Graves is known for his surely attitude and his lone wolf persona. This man is so private that he secretly buys a cabin in hopes he can be exempt from the housing clause in his player contract. No dice, his coach said he would talk to the owner, only after he had 4 penalty free games. The last game proves to be difficult for focusing as he had an unexpected reunion that morphed into an announcement that nobody saw coming.
This is a brother’s best friend/marriage of convenience story that has some emotions with it! Brice can’t object to their union because only a few of Roman’s teammates and a few of their female friends. This marriage is full awkwardness and some miscommunication, but the more time spent the better the story becomes! Throw in a family of skunks, a night of playing pool with friends, and a trip to Atlanta make this story complete! The tenderness was there when we needed it, and the love was never far behind. I want to gush more, but you really need to read this to fall in love with Stella and Roman yourself! While we all have been enjoying all the hockey books, I highly suggest we get behind Jen Atkinson’s RedTail soccer team as they guys just as much fun banter as any team and their women counterparts are beautiful and a blast to read on the page as well. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next book!
CW: Grief of a loved one
November 10, 2025
I thought this book was super cute! I always love marriage of convenience stories, and this one had so many adorable moments.
It was hard for me to get into Stella’s character at points. While I sympathized with her moment in life, I also think that sometimes it is important to do the next right thing even if it’s not your dream job. However, I think at the end of the book she does come to this realization in some way. She wants to create, but she also recognizes that it might not always be 100% possible to support herself in that way. I thought she was a really fun character though who added a lot of color to Roman’s life. She had some lingering trauma from her brother’s death that she was still working through.
I thought Roman was the sweetest! I loved his slight grumpiness which really hid a lot of heartache. He wanted to do what was best for Stella every time, and I thought it was so cute how he was willing to put himself out there for her. I loved his relationship with his teammates, and I’m excited for everyone to get their own book!
The plot of this one was fun to read, and I was interested to see what would happen next! I would recommend this book for anyone who loves marriage of convenience stories. It is part of a series but can be read standalone.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
It was hard for me to get into Stella’s character at points. While I sympathized with her moment in life, I also think that sometimes it is important to do the next right thing even if it’s not your dream job. However, I think at the end of the book she does come to this realization in some way. She wants to create, but she also recognizes that it might not always be 100% possible to support herself in that way. I thought she was a really fun character though who added a lot of color to Roman’s life. She had some lingering trauma from her brother’s death that she was still working through.
I thought Roman was the sweetest! I loved his slight grumpiness which really hid a lot of heartache. He wanted to do what was best for Stella every time, and I thought it was so cute how he was willing to put himself out there for her. I loved his relationship with his teammates, and I’m excited for everyone to get their own book!
The plot of this one was fun to read, and I was interested to see what would happen next! I would recommend this book for anyone who loves marriage of convenience stories. It is part of a series but can be read standalone.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
November 25, 2025
Marriage of convenience is a favorite of mine but then add brother’s best friend and I’m fully sold! Roman and Stella’s marriage is certainly unconventional, but the circumstances and their history made it believable. When the story starts, they are both kind of grumpy and kind of a mess in their own way. They are both dealing with a lot. But as deep as some of the things they are dealing with are, Roman and Stella had me laughing the whole time. The support and encouragement that Roman gives Stella is tender. The encouragement of her getting him to connect with his team and his family was heartfelt. The chemistry and connection between Roman and Stella is just a delight. It was tortuous waiting for the first “real” kiss but it was spectacular and worth the wait! I loved the relationships in this book – Stella and Roman - Stella and her best friend Willow - Roman and his teammate Lucca - Stella, Fran and Rosalie. I absolutely adored the characters in Green Card Christmas and look forward to seeing more of them and the rest of the Red Tails!
My favorite things:
- Everything about the skunk family
- The trophy
- Battle of the green card questions
- Thanksgiving & green beans
- Fully loaded Coke
- Texts between Roman and Lucca
- The friend group
- The weddings
Tropes: sports romcom = marriage of convenience = brother's best friend = childhood crushes = grumpy vs. hot mess = he takes care of her = found family = swoony kisses
Happy reading!
My favorite things:
- Everything about the skunk family
- The trophy
- Battle of the green card questions
- Thanksgiving & green beans
- Fully loaded Coke
- Texts between Roman and Lucca
- The friend group
- The weddings
Tropes: sports romcom = marriage of convenience = brother's best friend = childhood crushes = grumpy vs. hot mess = he takes care of her = found family = swoony kisses
Happy reading!
December 16, 2025
Such a fun brother's best friend, marriage of convenience!
Roman and Stella are just lovely together. Stella is down on her luck in every realm of her life, and Roman provides a perfect solution that helps him out as well. They have history (both shared and individual) that requires some healing, and they both encourage and support each other so well through it. They bring the best and most authentic out of one another, and isn't that what we all want in a partner? They're also just hilarious and sweet together, eg. the skunk encounters (IYKYK).
I really enjoyed the slight twists on common tropes. Like how Roman is supposedly this grump who hates people, but Stella reminds him of the social, people-loving boy he used to be. Or how their marriage of convenience has nothing to actually do with a green card. I love a good spin on well-known tropes.
I also just love getting to spend more time in the Red Tails world. Getting to see Fran and Cal's wedding (which was also one of my favorite Stella/Roman moments) and Rosalie and Zev's budding romance was wonderful. And I never would have guessed that Lucca would be the teammate Roman would get closest to, but I was so pleasantly surprised, Lucca is the perfect friend to help lighten Roman's dark mood.
Thank you so much, Jen, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This one was so sweet, and I can't wait for the next! All opinions are my own.
Roman and Stella are just lovely together. Stella is down on her luck in every realm of her life, and Roman provides a perfect solution that helps him out as well. They have history (both shared and individual) that requires some healing, and they both encourage and support each other so well through it. They bring the best and most authentic out of one another, and isn't that what we all want in a partner? They're also just hilarious and sweet together, eg. the skunk encounters (IYKYK).
I really enjoyed the slight twists on common tropes. Like how Roman is supposedly this grump who hates people, but Stella reminds him of the social, people-loving boy he used to be. Or how their marriage of convenience has nothing to actually do with a green card. I love a good spin on well-known tropes.
I also just love getting to spend more time in the Red Tails world. Getting to see Fran and Cal's wedding (which was also one of my favorite Stella/Roman moments) and Rosalie and Zev's budding romance was wonderful. And I never would have guessed that Lucca would be the teammate Roman would get closest to, but I was so pleasantly surprised, Lucca is the perfect friend to help lighten Roman's dark mood.
Thank you so much, Jen, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This one was so sweet, and I can't wait for the next! All opinions are my own.
December 20, 2025
“Roman Graves. Brice’s best friend. Professional soccer player. My teenage crush. That man is in my car, holding my stuff, and proposing marriage to me.”
Tell me that line doesn’t make you want to drop everything and read this immediately😂
Green Card Christmas by Jen Atkinson is a lighthearted, marriage-of-convenience romcom that has a lot of your favorite tropes—grumpy vs hot mess, fake marriage, and best friend’s little sister—all wrapped up in a festive, feel-good package.
Stella Everly is having a rough go—jobless, homeless, and trying to hide it all from her parents. Roman Graves just wants peace and quiet (and maybe a cabin far away from his teammates), but team rules say no wife, no off-site housing. One misunderstanding later, and he’s offering Stella a marriage of convenience… which, of course, gets a lot more complicated once real feelings start sneaking in.
This series has had me rooting for these characters from book one and I have loved getting to know them all. The banter? Gold. The chemistry? Perfectly slow-burn.
If you love cozy Christmas romances with humor, heart, and a good fake marriage twist, Green Card Christmas deserves a spot on your holiday TBR!
Available now!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content Notes: Death of a loved one (off-page but mentioned), difficult family dynamics, small amount of innuendo. Romance: kisses only.
Tell me that line doesn’t make you want to drop everything and read this immediately😂
Green Card Christmas by Jen Atkinson is a lighthearted, marriage-of-convenience romcom that has a lot of your favorite tropes—grumpy vs hot mess, fake marriage, and best friend’s little sister—all wrapped up in a festive, feel-good package.
Stella Everly is having a rough go—jobless, homeless, and trying to hide it all from her parents. Roman Graves just wants peace and quiet (and maybe a cabin far away from his teammates), but team rules say no wife, no off-site housing. One misunderstanding later, and he’s offering Stella a marriage of convenience… which, of course, gets a lot more complicated once real feelings start sneaking in.
This series has had me rooting for these characters from book one and I have loved getting to know them all. The banter? Gold. The chemistry? Perfectly slow-burn.
If you love cozy Christmas romances with humor, heart, and a good fake marriage twist, Green Card Christmas deserves a spot on your holiday TBR!
Available now!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content Notes: Death of a loved one (off-page but mentioned), difficult family dynamics, small amount of innuendo. Romance: kisses only.
November 17, 2025
4.5 Stars
Green Card Christmas is the second book in the Just a Guy With a Goal series by Jen Atkinson. This closed-door, swoon-worthy romance is just what you need for the cozy holiday season. I have been a fan of Jen for a couple of series now, and I'm loving this one too!
This marriage-of-convenience romance stars Stella and Roman. Roman, a midfielder for the Red Tails’ soccer league, wants nothing more than solitude from his teammates and from life in general. Since the loss of his best friend, he has become a bit of a recluse, even going as far as buying a secluded cabin. There is a hitch, though; he is required to live with the team while he is single. Stella, the little sister of Roman’s best friend, is having a rough go of it. She is jobless and now homeless and desperately trying to get her life in order. What is the solution, you ask? Marriage! Problem solved! Both of them are getting precisely what they need.
Jen is excellent at creating characters that feel like home, family, or best friends. You feel connected to these people. I also love how all the books she writes are in the same book universe. It makes my fan girl heart happy. I loved watching Stella and Roman’s relationship evolve.
Thanks to Jen Atkinson for gifting me an eARC of Green Card Christmas. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Green Card Christmas is the second book in the Just a Guy With a Goal series by Jen Atkinson. This closed-door, swoon-worthy romance is just what you need for the cozy holiday season. I have been a fan of Jen for a couple of series now, and I'm loving this one too!
This marriage-of-convenience romance stars Stella and Roman. Roman, a midfielder for the Red Tails’ soccer league, wants nothing more than solitude from his teammates and from life in general. Since the loss of his best friend, he has become a bit of a recluse, even going as far as buying a secluded cabin. There is a hitch, though; he is required to live with the team while he is single. Stella, the little sister of Roman’s best friend, is having a rough go of it. She is jobless and now homeless and desperately trying to get her life in order. What is the solution, you ask? Marriage! Problem solved! Both of them are getting precisely what they need.
Jen is excellent at creating characters that feel like home, family, or best friends. You feel connected to these people. I also love how all the books she writes are in the same book universe. It makes my fan girl heart happy. I loved watching Stella and Roman’s relationship evolve.
Thanks to Jen Atkinson for gifting me an eARC of Green Card Christmas. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 24, 2025
Return to Reno-Tesoro & the Red Tails with this second (and highly swoon-worthy) adventure with Roman & Stella.
We’re back in Reno-Tesoro with the team and a new adventure.
Stella needs a saving grace. She’s down on her luck, jobless, homeless & doing everything she can to keep her mom from shipping her home to Canada.
Roman is a key member of the Red Tails but is looking for something the team not only can’t give him, but is keeping him from achieving.
Together, they can solve the key problems each is facing, only, there is one rogue element that could put a wrench in the entire plan, and Stella holds the missing element of truth.
It has all the elements you’re looking for:
• second chance love
• older brothers beat friend
• grumpy- sunshine (they each take turns)
• forced proximity
• hilarious team hijinks
• meddling friends (that actually make everything better)
Need another reason to read? Check out my favourite quote below:
“It’s possible I’ve been dreaming of a kiss from Roman since my fifteenth birthday. He sat across from me as I blew out my candles all those years ago, and that was my one and only wish. A pointless wish—even married to the man, I can’t get a kiss.”
Thank you to Jen & her team for letting me have an early opportunity to get to know Stella & Roman.
All thoughts and reflections are my own.
We’re back in Reno-Tesoro with the team and a new adventure.
Stella needs a saving grace. She’s down on her luck, jobless, homeless & doing everything she can to keep her mom from shipping her home to Canada.
Roman is a key member of the Red Tails but is looking for something the team not only can’t give him, but is keeping him from achieving.
Together, they can solve the key problems each is facing, only, there is one rogue element that could put a wrench in the entire plan, and Stella holds the missing element of truth.
It has all the elements you’re looking for:
• second chance love
• older brothers beat friend
• grumpy- sunshine (they each take turns)
• forced proximity
• hilarious team hijinks
• meddling friends (that actually make everything better)
Need another reason to read? Check out my favourite quote below:
“It’s possible I’ve been dreaming of a kiss from Roman since my fifteenth birthday. He sat across from me as I blew out my candles all those years ago, and that was my one and only wish. A pointless wish—even married to the man, I can’t get a kiss.”
Thank you to Jen & her team for letting me have an early opportunity to get to know Stella & Roman.
All thoughts and reflections are my own.
October 28, 2025
One day. One horrible, awful, no good day, and Stella Everly finds herself jobless, homeless, family-less, and passionless. But when her friend gets her tickets to a Red Tails soccer game, a reunion with a childhood crush suddenly gets her a marriage proposal that seems to solve most of her problems, or does it?
Roman "The Graveyard" Graves shut out everyone after a tragedy 9 years ago and refuses to let anyone get close to him again. But when Stella shows back up in his world and he learns about her tragic situation, his desire to protect his best friend's little sister leads him to propose marriage in the most unexpected way; even for him.
I related to Roman. When my best friend, my sister-from-another-mister, moved away when I was a tween, I shut down; I didn't want to make deep connections for fear of the pain of losing them again. I'm so glad that he learned to open up to community again like I did!
Watching Roman and Stella connect over the past and start figuring out how to create their futures, both separately and together, is so sweet. They fight, they grieve, they comfort, they push, and they grow. 4.5⭐️
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a part of your ARC team, Jen!
Roman "The Graveyard" Graves shut out everyone after a tragedy 9 years ago and refuses to let anyone get close to him again. But when Stella shows back up in his world and he learns about her tragic situation, his desire to protect his best friend's little sister leads him to propose marriage in the most unexpected way; even for him.
I related to Roman. When my best friend, my sister-from-another-mister, moved away when I was a tween, I shut down; I didn't want to make deep connections for fear of the pain of losing them again. I'm so glad that he learned to open up to community again like I did!
Watching Roman and Stella connect over the past and start figuring out how to create their futures, both separately and together, is so sweet. They fight, they grieve, they comfort, they push, and they grow. 4.5⭐️
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a part of your ARC team, Jen!
November 4, 2025
Stella and Roman’s story is the best twist on a marriage of convenience!
I adored this new Christmas romcom. When a slight misunderstanding leads to Stella and Roman finding themselves in a marriage of convenience, I could barely contain my excitement over how the story would progress. It was such a fun twist and the outcome was worth the wait!
I love how Stella is able to take grumpy Roman and see him for the sweetheart he has always been. He has let certain things stand in his way of finding lasting happiness his entire adult life, and I love that she brings him back to life.
Roman gave up everything after a tragic loss. He made soccer his life and shut everything and everyone else out. Seeing him love Stella and believe in her when she didn’t believe in herself was so tender and heartwarming.
The banter and swoon in this one are top notch. Add in some fun animal adventures (I really wanted Stella to be friends with the skunks, but…well, read it and see), and you’ve got a fantastic romcom sure to bring all the warm and fuzzy holiday feelings.
This marriage of convenience, holiday romcom is the 2nd in the Just a Guy With a Goal series about a team of soccer players finding love.
I adored this new Christmas romcom. When a slight misunderstanding leads to Stella and Roman finding themselves in a marriage of convenience, I could barely contain my excitement over how the story would progress. It was such a fun twist and the outcome was worth the wait!
I love how Stella is able to take grumpy Roman and see him for the sweetheart he has always been. He has let certain things stand in his way of finding lasting happiness his entire adult life, and I love that she brings him back to life.
Roman gave up everything after a tragic loss. He made soccer his life and shut everything and everyone else out. Seeing him love Stella and believe in her when she didn’t believe in herself was so tender and heartwarming.
The banter and swoon in this one are top notch. Add in some fun animal adventures (I really wanted Stella to be friends with the skunks, but…well, read it and see), and you’ve got a fantastic romcom sure to bring all the warm and fuzzy holiday feelings.
This marriage of convenience, holiday romcom is the 2nd in the Just a Guy With a Goal series about a team of soccer players finding love.
November 10, 2025
Marriage of convenience AND best friend's sister tropes? Count me in!
Roman proposes a marriage of convenience to Stella, thinking she is going to be deported, and thinking that she could help him get an exception to the the soccer team house rules. Stella agrees to marry Roman, but guard her heart. It's an unusual beginning, but they not only find sweet friendship, but healing, as they build a relationship and support one another.
There is also a fun grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Roman and Stella, which makes his marriage proposal seem even crazier. It was lovely to read about Stella worming her way past Roman's defenses, while he helps her learn to believe in herself again. The fact that they have a bit of a past together with her brother being his best friend made their relationship feel less awkward, even though they stumbled around each other and their growing feelings for a long while. The lead up to that first kiss was a long one, but so worth the wait.
Jen Atkinson once again proves why her Just a Guy with a Goal series is a hit and why she is one of the queens of closed-door romcoms. I can't help but fall in love with the Red Tail team!
I received a copy of this story from the author for consideration. All thoughts contained here are my own opinions.
Roman proposes a marriage of convenience to Stella, thinking she is going to be deported, and thinking that she could help him get an exception to the the soccer team house rules. Stella agrees to marry Roman, but guard her heart. It's an unusual beginning, but they not only find sweet friendship, but healing, as they build a relationship and support one another.
There is also a fun grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Roman and Stella, which makes his marriage proposal seem even crazier. It was lovely to read about Stella worming her way past Roman's defenses, while he helps her learn to believe in herself again. The fact that they have a bit of a past together with her brother being his best friend made their relationship feel less awkward, even though they stumbled around each other and their growing feelings for a long while. The lead up to that first kiss was a long one, but so worth the wait.
Jen Atkinson once again proves why her Just a Guy with a Goal series is a hit and why she is one of the queens of closed-door romcoms. I can't help but fall in love with the Red Tail team!
I received a copy of this story from the author for consideration. All thoughts contained here are my own opinions.
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