Red Zone

PCU Storm #2

by Riley Paige

Carter
I’ve spent my whole life proving people wrong.
From foster homes to the football field, I clawed my way out, one yard at a time. And now? I’m on the verge of everything I’ve worked for. The draft. The NFL. The future I’ve always dreamed about.
Except all I can think about… is her.
Lyla Harding– my coach’s daughter.


Lyla
Carter Hayes is a walking headline waiting to happen.
And I’m the one who’s supposed to keep his image clean.
He’s infuriating. Arrogant. Impossible to ignore. And the more I tell myself he’s just another assignment… the harder it gets to pretend he isn’t everything I’ve ever wanted.
Choosing him could cost me everything I’ve worked for.
But staying away might break me anyway.

Sports romance, Coach’s Daughter, Forbidden, He Falls First, Forced Proximity, OCD Rep, Reformed Player

Genres: Sports Romance, Sports, Romance, Football, College, Enemies To Lovers, He Falls First

422 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2025

Reviews

[aira · Rating 4 out of 5]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 3.5/5

Yes, I know I keep doing impulsive reads, but I read the first chapter and I couldn't stop reading it, so I read the whole book...and yes, I am also aware I lack self control, but this was such a good palate cleansing book after the string of 1 and 2-star books over the past couple weeks.

This has tropes that I usually might not have enjoyed, for example reformed playboy. However, that particular trope wasn't bad and I totally ate it up here. I can also say that I throughly enjoyed this book. I absolutely love how easy-to-read this series is, and I have to point out how the characters are so refreshing.

The found family in this series is also so so so precious and the bonus chapter has me on my knees!! This was such a cute book, yet it also delicately deals with OCD.

Will I be reading the other books in this series when they come out? Oh yeah, you bet I will.

I know that this was kind of a short review, but if I think of anything else, I'll add it.

Thank you Riley Paige and Chasing Books Pr for this arc! 💕

[joni ౨ৎ - hiatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg the ocd rep in this was everything
rtc

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
i adored book 1 and loved how riley wrote mental health represenetation into broken play so hopefully it has a huge significance in this book as well. i don't really remember much about lyla...

↪ started august 26


thank you the author and chasing books pr for a digital arc!!

[⋆⭒˚｡⋆ZABYYY ⋆⭒˚｡⋆]

Dnf….i was bored 🥱

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The way the writing and plot of this book was so bad yet I still kind of liked it💀💀💀

[Chris ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥]

Dnf! It wasn’t necessarily a bad book, just not really my cup of tea.
What threw me off was that the hero had hooked up with the heroine’s best friend in the past. I know some readers probably wouldn’t care, but it really bothered me. Even though they’re just friends now and she is basically with someone else now (her story takes place in book 1), I kept imagining what it would be like if the main couple got married and the best friend, who’s still part of her life, was always around. I just couldn’t get past the idea that my husband had a history with my best friend. That made it hard for me to enjoy the story.

[Oissela_Retssila · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 7% I don’t like it at all. I don’t like the friend with benefits trope.

I give it 1⭐️

[Amee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the PCU Storm series was more enjoyable than book 1 in big part to Carters likability. He played a big role in Jaxon and Maddies book, as well Lyla did, but the way he, time and time again, stood up for Jax and Maddies feelings for each other, it endeared him to me. Lydia has a serious form of an OCD disorder which was interesting to learn about. I’d never heard of her specific symptoms. I will say some of Carters dialog hovered on obviously written by a female, and it lost a star for about 50 pages too long, but im interested in the set up for future players books.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️📖 Red Zone by Riley Paige ❤️

“Women are storms dressed in lip gloss. Hurricanes in heels. Velvet-wrapped danger. And maybe I’ve spent a good part of my life chasing that chaos, trying to hold on to it for a night, just to feel something real—something alive. But the truth? You don’t own that kind of power. You survive it.”

Riley Paige delivered on one of the best OCD reps I’ve ever read. She created Lyla Harding to be such a strong FMC, broken pieces and all.

I loved this book so much. The moment I finished it, I was ready to dive right back in. Lyla’s whole story captured my heart. After meeting her character in Broken Play, I had no idea the things she was struggling with behind the scenes.

Carter Hayes managed to top my love of Jaxon, which is just wild to me because I seriously adored him! He has a past he struggles with, and a never ending drive to prove he deserves the life he has worked for. Overall, I felt like he was a very complex character that perfectly complemented Lyla.

The friendship and understanding that existed between Lyla & Madison was so special. We all deserve a friend that can see that we are struggling and instead of questioning it, just sits with us in our chaos.

There are so many wonderful caretaking scenes throughout this story. Carter truly looked out for Lyla every single opportunity he could. This is one of my favorite micro tropes and I’m so excited to see it represented so well!

“Finally, I manage, “What… what is all this?” He shrugs, leaning on the counter with his elbows. “Care package. For the girl who refuses to admit when she’s hurting.” I blink at him, startled.”

The spice in the story was great! It flowed well and always left me feral for more!

“You have no idea what you do to me.”
Her eyelids flutter, and she whispers, “Then show me.”

There are so many great side characters that I am keeping my fingers crossed that they get books in the future. I can’t recommend this series enough! If you love emotional sports romances with feral MMC’s, RUN to download this series by Riley Paige ASAP!

Tropes:
🏈 Coach’s Daughter
🥵 Playboy Football Star
🤭 Loathe to Love
📓 College Romance
🔥 F-it Moment
💋 Down Bad MMC
🥹 Emotional Read
❤️‍🩹 OCD + Anxiety + Conversion Disorder Rep
✨ Forced Proximity

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Zone completely swept me up. I didn’t want to put it down! Lyla and Carter’s story is emotional, heartwarming, and full of chemistry that jumps off the page. From their sharp banter to the quieter, vulnerable moments, I was hooked on their journey.

One of the biggest highlights for me was the mental health representation. The way Riley Paige wrote about OCD felt raw, real, and so accurate it wasn’t just mentioned, it was truly part of who Lyla is. I loved how it showed her struggles without ever diminishing her strength. It made her such a layered, relatable FMC, and Carter’s patience and understanding only made me adore him more.

The romance is a perfect mix of tension and tenderness. Every little glance and push-pull between them kept me rooting for them until the very last page. And when they finally came together? Absolutely worth the wait.

Overall, Red Zone is a touching story about two people who think they’re too broken to be loved but discover safety, passion, and home in each other. It’s the kind of sports romance that makes you swoon, ache, and cheer all at once. I’m already counting down the days until the next book in the series!

Huge thanks to the author and Chasing books PR for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Alisha Otoole · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKKAY THIS IS A MUST READ!!! The banter, the angst!!! I’m utterly obsessed with everything about this book I never wanted it to end.

I had such a fun time with Carter and Lyla’s! Carter is the playboy quarterback and Lyla is the coach’s daughter and completely off limits. The moment Carter saw Lyla he was completely obsessed with her and that man fell HARD! I am such a sucker for a “he falls first” romance and I loved watching Carter slowly warm up to Lyla and make her fall head over heels with him.

The tension and chemistry between the two was so freaking good and the banter added in was just the cherry on top! I was giggling and kicking my feet like a little girl through the entire book it was SO GOOD! I also loved the OCD representation in this! The author does an incredible job shedding light on OCD and really makes you feel for Lyla! Watching Carter be there for Lyla and help her through her struggles was so sweet to watch and made me fall in love with him even harder.

This was such an incredible book and I cannot wait to read more by Riley Paige!

Football romance
Coach’s daughter
Reformed playboy
Forbidden romance
He falls first
Mental health rep
Forced proximity

[Sarimarys · Rating 4 out of 5]

The banter was perfect, the pacing kept me hooked, and I really appreciated the focus on mental health. The way anxiety and OCD tendencies were shown? So realistic.

Something I didn’t like it was that Carter had been with Lyla’s best friend before (Madison). 😬 It just felt a little… off to me, like falling for someone who’s been with your bestie.

Still, this book is fun and easy to read.

[faye ✮ (reading slump) · Rating 4 out of 5]

— ARC Review : 4 stars ✰

⋆˚࿔ i liked this book even more than i expected. the ocd rep was done so well and felt very real which i really appreciate as someone with ocd. from the start i enjoyed the banter and tension between lyla and carter, and when they finally got together it was so satisfying. the spice scenes were smooth and nice. i also love how they turn to each other instead of their friends which shows how safe they feel together. both went through tough things and found comfort in each other which made the story really touching.

Thank you to Riley Paige & Chasing Books PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[janaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO CUTSIE I CANT

[Madeline Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book having not read the first in the series and while I can say that it absolutely can be read as a standalone, I do think it would be most beneficial to have read the first book. The first book was about Jaxon and Madison and from what I could tell the timeline the two books overlapped a bit and I found some of the plot elements to be a little disconnected in terms of their relationship in this book since I haven’t read the first book. There were things I loved about this book and others that I wasn’t crazy about. The biggest issue I had with this book was the pacing, I feel like it was much longer than it needed to be which led to a bit of repetitiveness throughout especially in terms of Lyla’s relationship with her dad as well as the back and forth between her and Carter. I did really appreciate the emphasis on mental health representation in this book and the accuracy of what it is like living everyday with anxiety with ocd tendencies was one of the best portrayals I’ve seen in a book. That plus the amazing banter between Lyla and Carter made the book was it was for me. Overall it was a heartwarming story of two lost souls who believe they are incapable of being loved, finding their home in one another.

Thank you to Hambright PR for the advanced copy of Red Zone!

[Janelle Sequin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delicious collision of ambition, temptation, and everything that goes wrong when you fall for the one person you shouldn’t.

Carter Hayes is impossible not to root for—his journey from foster care to the edge of the NFL feels raw, earned, and emotional. Every play, every risk, every moment on and off the field carries weight. And just when he’s closest to his dream, Lyla happens.

Lyla is strong, career-focused, and painfully relatable. She knows exactly what Carter could cost her… and still can’t stay away. Their chemistry is that slow-burn kind that wraps tight and keeps tightening, filled with stolen glances, near-misses, and a tension that snaps just when you think it can’t stretch any further.

What really makes this story hit is how personal the stakes feel. It’s not just about football or fame—it’s about survival, identity, and figuring out who you are when your heart wants something that could destroy everything else.

If you love:
✨ Forbidden romance
✨ Athlete / coach’s daughter trope
✨ Dual POV tension
✨ Heavy angst with heart
…this one will absolutely own you.

[Kayda Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
I think sports romance is really growing on me as a genre! I’ve picked up quite a few, and I’m finding them so fun.

I enjoyed that this one touched on OCD with Lyla, and I feel like it isn’t something I see often mentioned in books. She has a pretty severe case (in my opinion) and it was something I learned a little more about. Carter had pretty decent character development in which he was so deeply misunderstood.

I do feel like their connection was fast, but it wasn’t in a way that made it too unbelievable given their age and college setting. I really adored how attentive Carter was with Lyla every time she had her compulsion struggles (and with zero hesitation or judgment, I might add—especially that first time when he helped her arrange the pantry 😩) *swoon*

Overall I enjoyed my reading experience!

✨A big thank you to Hambright PR and Riley Paige for sending me an eARC✨

[Karly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, Carter Hayes. I see you! Seems like the tough bad boy quarterback, until Lyla sees behind that facade.

I absolutely loved Lyla and Carter. The banter between these two and once that tension snapped. They were both way past gone for each other before it even began honestly. The backstory for Carter had me tearing up multiple times, especially when he was talking to Coach.
The way he was there for Lyla and her OCD and he didn’t even question it at all. The way Lyla saw Carter the way nobody else has and saw how much what really mattered to him the most.

Soulmates, nah, heart mates. 🥹

Austin Stone & CJ Bloom were the perfect pair for this for Carter and Lyla.

[Jenah Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this follow up to Broken Play! I liked seeing those characters from the new perspective of Lyla and Carter in Red Zone! I loved the emotional side of this book and the way Carter showed up for Lyla, he was such a big teddy bear under his “I don’t care about anything” persona. There were only a few things that felt slightly repetitive but that could have also been because this book and book 1 take place at the same time. Overall, another fun football romance from Riley Paige and I look forward to more books from her!

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book In the PCU series and I loved it. I 10/0 recommend reading both books.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Molly (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked this one more than the first book in the series! Lyla is such an amazing fmc and I loved all the mental health represention!

[Izzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the ocd rep but the whole thing was just so boring and awkward. If I wanted to read about Jaxon and Madison, I would have read their book. I also felt like I was missing something sometimes??? Like it would just time jump or something with no context. Also I hate when authors do no research. The nfl draft is at the end of April, so why would he enter the draft and then not graduate from college?? Wouldn’t graduation be like 2 weeks later? It’s not that hard to do a google search.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review. 4.25⭐️A big thank you to Riley Paige and Hambright PR for this ARC.

I’m a sucker for sports romance and Red Zone did not disappoint! This book is full of all the young adult drama in a college setting. I loved the banter and tension between Lyla and Carter and the slow burn of their romance. I also loved the representation of mental health conditions and how the characters were there for each other when they had episodes. It was really touching especially when early on in their relationship, Carter just jumped in and helped Lyla organize when she’s having high anxiety. No judgement.

Lyla is such a strong woman even with all of her mental health issues. She copes and lives life. Carter has beat the odds of a foster home beginning and is a driven, successful athlete.

I was heartbroken when Lyla was forced to choose between her forbidden relationship with Carter and her internship. Both Carter and her were struggling to move on and in the end, after all the difficulties, they were able to be back together. A wonderful outcome!

The author is new-to-me and I really enjoyed her writing and character development. Red Zone is the second book in the series and I will definitely be continuing my journey in the PCU Storm Series.

[MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO GOOD! The story, the banter, pacing, the heart all aligned to deliver as a A++ sports romance!! This is one alllll my fellow sports girlies will enjoy. 10/10.

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet and wholesome sports romance, with the brewing tension of a forbidden relationship between star quarterback and his coach's daughter. I liked the forced proximity, all their banter and witty remarks about each other, and I absolutely adored how Carter helps Lyla through her OCD and anxiety attacks and recognises when she needs something. His care package was the sweetest, and I liked their genuine connection. I also liked how their friends have their own romance dramas going on, and they both try to guide them.
It was filled with so much care and understanding, and navigates coping mechanisms so well.

[Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Reader Review
Foster Care system. OCD rep. Parent loss. This book deals with heavy content. But you wouldn’t know it in the phenomenal way Riley handled the topics. She handled with care and respect.
My only critique is that going from Broken Play to Red Zone, it took me a minute to get into it. But that was more a me problem than the book problem I truly believe.
This book has angst, he falls first, he falls for the coach’s daughter who has ocd and spirals often in the book. Best scene has to be her spiraling in the closet and he comes to her rescue. I don’t believe that to be a spoiler, but it is truly the most top tier scene of a man showing up for the woman he likes before they both even fully know there are feelings there.
I would absolutely give this book a read. I think Riley Paige is an astounding author and is top of my favorites with Elsie Silver and Elle Kennedy. Keep up the masterful writing.

[readingromancehea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Chasing Books PR & Riley Paige for this arc in exchange for an honest review

Lyla has panic attacks and OCD. No one has seen this side of her besides her dad and best friend, Madison. She refuses to let anyone in. Especially egotistical athletes like Carter. Carter has never felt wanted and doesn’t think he’ll ever find love. He still loves to get under Lyla’s skin though. What do you do when you fall for the enemy?

I love the nicknames they give each other. Cute things like that make me happy. The banter in this is TOP TIER. All the parties were never what I expected them to be. It’s adorable how Carter likes that Lyla barks back at him. I feel terrible about how everyone sees Carter as a playboy when he’s so incredibly sweet. The jealousy is fantastic. I enjoy the fact that they both go to each other first instead of their friends. The mental health rep in this is everything. Love doesn’t care who you are. It just hits you like a truck. You may not see it coming but it’s on its way.

This book needs more than 5 stars so I’m giving it 6

This was absolutely perfect. I loved every second of this book. I smiled and kicked my feet. I laughed and cried. It was very emotional but totally worth the therapy bill that’s coming Riley’s way.

[Samantha Draws · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨ 4.5⭐️ I couldn’t wait for this story but I was not ready for how much I would love these characters! Carter is the hot shot playboy starting quarterback or at least that’s what everyone thinks he is because they don’t get to see who he is underneath it all. Carter keeps things close to his chest and doesn’t let anyone see who he really is and where he came from. Lyla especially only sees him for his playboy ways and wants nothing to do with it but when she’s assigned to work with him she starts to see through the cracks in his exterior. They work together though and she’s his coach’s daughter so anything between them would be completely off limits. They can’t deny the connection they feel forever though. One time. That’s all they need. But when they are constantly around each other one and they finally give in they both know one time will never be enough. Their relationship could destroy everything Lyla has worked for though so they could never actually be together…could they?

I loved how much depth Carter had as a character that you got to see once he opened himself up more to Lyla. He doesn’t let many people in but she just got under his skin. The banter in this one OMG I loved all the back and forth between these two. It was so fun to see this storyline as it coincides with Broken Play and seeing the overlap in the stories! Carter…what a man…I loved that he allowed Lyla to see a different side of him. The way Lyla leaned on him and he became her soft place to land…my heart! The number of times that Carter didn’t even think, he just dropped everything to be there for her, showed who he was under that tough guy exterior. Lyla is also so strong. She deals with so much with her health, her school, her job and she doesn’t so much as show one crack in the outside. He being able to lighten her load with Carter just made it all that more special. You defitniely want to read this one!!

Tropes:
✨Football Romance
✨Player x Coach’s Daughter
✨He Falls First
✨Reformed Playboy
✨OCD Rep

[Crystal Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with this book. Riley Paige did an amazing job representing a character with OCD and wrote it beautifully. I could not put this book down.

Lyla is the coaches daughter and has grown up around sports her entire life. On the surface she appears as though she is perfect and has it all put together, but underneath she is struggling and stressing. She lost her mom at a young age and her father has a new girlfriend who has a daughter, so she feels like she is now an afterthought. She also wants to succeed in her career choice on her own and not because of her fathers name.

Carter is the qb of the football team and the campus playboy. Or so that’s what everyone thinks of him, but deep down that’s not who he is. It’s who he allows everyone to see him as. His background growing up was much different and he was giving a shot at playing football and he isn’t going to let it go to waste. He doesn’t care about anything, but football…until Lyla.

Carter and Lyla develop an unexpected friendship. These two have an amazing banter. They just love to get under each other’s skin and it cracks me up.
I think they hate that they don’t really hate each other and that’s what gets to them the most. But the more she turns him down, the more he tries. But then when he sees her in a panic attack, HE SEES HER! And he is there for her, he coaches her through it, no jokes. And at that moment, everything changes.

The sexual tension is always there between them. They think, if we get it out of our system then it will be done. Oh they are funny, because these two can’t get one another out of their system. But she’s the coaches daughter and she is also in charge of his social media and branding. They “can’t” be together.

The way these two cared for one another and looked out for each other, it was beautiful.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like no other, the plot was so intoxicating and our characters Carter and Lyla have my heart fully. I feel so privileged to have read this book from Riley, The best decision I ever made was pressing accept on that email. You could not have got me to put it down once I got into the flow of the story and that is what I love most about reading!

Red Zone is a coach's daughter and star player for college football, safe to say that Lyla did not like Carter in the slightest at the start and over time he wore her down in a really sweet way in fact. Lyla has an anxiety disorder mixed into her OCD which can cause some not very nice reactions but once Carter is aware of this he does anything he can to help her. Riley did such an amazing job at representing this correctly and sharing information as important as this in her book.

The two of them obviously grow closer over time but it appears it can be difficult hiding a "relationship" from the team when Lyla also works for the team and relationships are strictly forbidden. I loved this whole book from start to finish, the plot was crafted so beautifully and Riley has a way with words!!

I loved how this book ended, everything was so sweet and had me rooting for the two of them, it's safe to say I am a fan of Riley's writing and hopefully we'll get to see Lyla and Carter again in future books!

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter and Lyla’s story is here!! Lyla is the coach’s daughter and works hard to earn her place. Carter is the star quarterback and she off limits…but Carter falls for her hard!! They have great chemistry and banter and yes, on the surface seem like opposites, but they might have more in common than you think.

Oh Carter! Underneath that charming and cocky exterior is a heart of pure gold. There are more layers to him than I originally expected. I loved how he would go out of his way to take care of Lyla and really support her.

The OCD rep in this book felt authentic and the author really took care with how it was represented and how it affected Lyla’s life. She was also dealing with grief and I definitely connected with her on that.

I really liked how we get to see Lyla and Carter start to trust each other and really grow as characters. I also love the friendships in this book - especially Lyla and Madison!

✨What To Expect:
🏈 Sports Romance
🏫 College Setting
🛋️ Forced Proximity
👨‍👧 Coach’s Daughter
😏 Reformed Playboy
💘 He Falls First
🚫 Forbidden Love
🏥 OCD/Anxiety Rep