Red Zone Realizations

by Emily Rex

Sometimes love hits when you least expect it. He's her unexpected chance at a new beginning. She's his biggest risk off the field.

Audrey
Six months ago, I walked away from my picture-perfect engagement to finally start living for myself, after finding out my ex lied about wanting the same future I did.

Now I’m focused on growing my social media business and earning back my family’s approval.

Yoga is my one escape—sixty minutes of silence and invisibility.

Until a six-foot-two NFL tight end slams the studio door into my face.

Noah Fox is calm where I’m chaos, steady where I overthink—and nothing like the cocky athletes my ex used to idolize.

He’s the first person who makes me feel like I’m finally enough. And before I can stop it, we go from strangers to something real.

He might be the man I’ve always hoped for, but when my truth is twisted into an ultimatum, I’m left with an impossible choice— keep the peace or fight for something real.

Noah
The plan was stay focused, heal up, and keep my spot on the Houston Hurricanes.

No distractions. No drama. No women.

Then I bloodied a beautiful stranger’s nose… and broke every rule I’d made for myself.

Audrey Dupree is sharp, guarded and so far out of my league she doesn’t even realize we’re playing the same game.

But just when I think she might be the best thing that's ever happened to me, her past comes back swinging.

When a player on another team starts running his mouth, I lose the control I’ve worked so hard to hold.

Audrey thinks loving her would be too complicated, but she’s the only thing I’ve been sure of all season.

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

About the author

I've always loved writing. In middle school, I wrote a short chapter book about guinea pigs saving the world, and in high school, I used to stay up late at night writing poetry in iambic pentameter. Romance has always been my favorite genre. There's nothing better than a book that makes you feel the emotion in the back of your throat. Now, I bring those stories to life, writing swoon-worthy romances filled with emotion, tension, and unforgettable characters. When I'm not writing you can find me reading voraciously, spending time with my husband, walking our dog, beating a Halo campaign, or diamond painting.

Reviews

[Clare]

Come for the hot football player, stay for the adorable guinea pigs!

[Mikaela Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

THANK YOU EMILY REX & TEAM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ARC READ THIS!

I was hesitant at first because sports romance is not a genre I usually go for but it’s football season so I gave it a shot and I LOVED IT!! I could not put this book down. I will be recommending this to all my romance readers. The MMC is the perfect ✨man written by a woman✨. The reasons for the 4 stars instead of all 5 is because it was a tad unrealistic for all of the men (professional athletes, especially) to be perfect and emotionally available. A couple of the football terms were incorrect as well but it did not take away from the plot so I wasn’t too bothered. The character development was *chefs kiss*. My favorite sports romance and has honestly got me wanting to start reading the genre more.

[Maity · Rating 4 out of 5]

hey world, my best friend wrote a book! I am so fucking proud of her - thank you for the early copy to get my greedy little mitts on this book.

I adored Red Zone Realizations - for MANY reasons. First we have Audrey, an eldest daughter who doesn't get seen by her family for who she is. It starts with a rocky relationship with her younger sister, and as an eldest daughter with a younger sister I can relate. I wanted to punch the sister in the face 90% of the book. Still not a fan, but it's a nice little moment that gets wrapped up. Audrey is coming off of a bad break up due to her ex fiancé lying to her face saying he sees and her and understands her not wanting kids - to saying she'll change her mind. As a single mom myself, I am a big advocate of it isn't a 100000% yes, then don't be a parent. it's hard. it's hard work raising a human, and it takes someone who WANTS to be a parent to do it. so I respect the hell out of Audrey for knowing who she is and what she wants and learning to stand up and set boundaries for herself and walk away from a bad relationship.

Enter Hot Yoga Guy - we all do it with our girlfriends. we never refer to the men we find hot by their name we give them a moniker and I loved that Emily kept that tradition alive even after Audrey knew his name. A man who is comfortable in his emotions, who does yoga, hot, and a football player???? Did I find the perfect man? the ideal man? the man who could give hope to us single ladies out there - yes I think I did. I love that Noah took the time after having a real conversation with Audrey to think about what he wants and doesn't just go along with it. He played the long game and it was beautiful to watch/read these two fall in love and support each other.

The side characters are just as well thought out as the main characters. I loved Chrissy and Colin, the newlywed QB and Audrey's first football bestie. Nicole, the grade school bestie who continues to be involved in her life, Nash & Wyatt - the idiots who don't know they are into each other and everyone else knows it so why don't you. but I am a lover of the fun loving idiot. When you get to the two-step bar, you will understand why I say this. But MACK - MY LOVE, I LOVE YOU WHOLE HEARTEDLY. You are my light in a dark world, a hilarious man who I cannot wait to find out more about.

Now you may ask, maity - why isn't it a 5 star? Well, as a debut author, it's hard to write a book. BUT SHE FUCKING DID IT! but the ending wasn't a perfect landing. in my humble opinion, it felt rushed. I also thought it a little out of pocket the little communication that happened with Noah and the limbo of potential move to a new team. these two are GREAT at communicating, but the lack of while a normal thing for most couples felt a little weird to me. it also was just wrapped up real quick and didn't feel earned. It doesn't take away from the story, but it just wasn't a perfect ending.

All in all, a great debut by a wonderful friend. I am thankful for the opportunity to read early and now I'm frothing for book 2 already. I cannot wait to have more Hurricane's stories in my hand - even if you gave Cleveland a decent football team (which I find blasphemous). lol.

if you love sports romances, MC's that actually communicate with each other, complicated family stories and a badass group of friends who always support each other, and a book that can be read in one sitting - this is worth the read!

[Domitilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄’𝙢 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙖 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙛, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝.

ARC REVIEW

This romance is a beautifully heartfelt debut that proves sometimes love really does find you when you least expect it. Emily Rex delivers a tender, character-driven story about second chances, healing, and finding the courage to choose what feels right even when it isn’t easy. ❤️‍🩹

The story follows Audrey Dupree, who’s rebuilding her life after walking away from a picture-perfect engagement built on lies. Determined to focus on herself, she’s juggling her growing social-media business, family expectations, and yoga — her only real escape. That is, until she literally runs into Noah Fox, a six-foot-two NFL tight end recovering from injury and trying to avoid distractions at all costs. Their first meeting is anything but graceful, yet from that chaotic moment grows a slow-burn connection that’s equal parts sweet, honest, and electric. 🎀🏈

What makes Red Zone Realizations shine is the emotional authenticity of both leads. Audrey’s struggle to reclaim her confidence and Noah’s quiet resilience as he faces his own demons make them feel real and deeply human. Their chemistry builds gradually — there’s banter, vulnerability, and the kind of mutual respect that makes you root for them every step of the way. 🔥🧘🏻‍♀️🧘🏻‍♂️❤️

🖊️ All this thanks to how Rex balances the energy of the sports world with the intimacy of a deeply personal romance.

📖 For fans of sweet, contemporary romance with emotional stakes, this book is a winsome, heartwarming read that sticks with you. It manages to offer both sports energy and emotional intimacy in equal measure.

Thanks to @lovenotes.pr and @authoremilyrex for giving me the chance to read it in advance. 💚

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Emily and the team at Love Notes PR for the eARC. All opinions of this book are my own.

Red Zone Realizations is Emily's debut novel and first book in the Houston Hurricanes series. I devoured this book in a day. It blended romance, football, and family together quite well for a compelling story. Red Zone Realizations is definitely a book that I could relate to as someone who has chosen to go the child-free route herself. I felt that I could relate to the family issues in this book and I loved how Audrey stood up for herself, especially when it came to her sister. I also appreciated that the book remained consistent on this matter.

Noah was immediately likable and I appreciated the fact that he didn't pressure Audrey into doing anything that she didn't want to do. I also loved the fact that he listened to her needs and boundaries. I loved the fact that we were able to meet his teammates and their wives/girlfriends and were able to read some on-field action.

There was some open door spice in this book and I would rate it a 2/5. Overall, Red Zone Realizations is a 4/5 for me. The only thing that could have used improvement was the ending. I felt that it all wrapped up very quickly. I would have liked a bit details but overall, it was okay.

I highly recommend this book to those who like sport romances that have some on-page spice. Also recommend to those who like more lighthearted contemporary romances. The family interaction was quite interesting, so I definitely would recommend to those who enjoy strong family dynamics. The romance is definitely a slowburn but it does pickup.

In all, great book. I look forward to seeing which characters are in the next book in this series.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey thought she had her life back on track: walking away from a picture-perfect engagement after discovering the truth, diving into a social media business, reclaiming herself. Then a collision in the yoga studio—literally—brings NFL tight end Noah Fox into her world. Audrey’s healing orbit meets Noah’s “no distractions, no drama, no women” rulebook. And suddenly the game changes.

What I loved
Audrey’s voice: vulnerable yet driven. The attempt to rebuild, to stand for herself, to heal and not submit to others’ scripts felt real and relatable.

The tension of opposites: She’s rebuilding; he’s established in his world. He’s the calm to her storm. The smell of second chances and risk.

The stakes: It’s not just romance, it’s the comeback story, the “is-loving-him-worth-the-risk” story, the personal revolution story.

What to keep in mind
It’s a sports-romance / contemporary romance with tropes (athlete, wounded ex-relationship, opposites attract). If you prefer more unconventional structure, bear that in mind.

The release is upcoming (Nov 7, 2025) 🗓️ save the date!

Perfect for you if…
You love sports romance (think gym/hockey/football, athletes off-field)

You’re into “rebirth” stories — characters giving up the old life and trying something new

You don’t mind a strong-willed heroine and a disciplined hero paradigm

My takeaway in one line
When the game is over, sometimes you realise what you really want isn’t the trophy — it’s the person beside you and the life you didn’t know you’d risk for.

🌟 4 out of 5 stars. A strong, engaging rom-com with heart and grit.

[Mardhiyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance centered on Audrey, who has sworn off men after a breakup, and Noah, a football player recovering from an injury. Audrey has always assumed no man would accept her “no kids” rule, and even though I still don’t fully understand her reason, I respect that the book makes space for women choosing what they want for themselves. Meanwhile, Noah is trying to find his footing again after being sidelined from the field.

Their interactions were fun to read, especially the playful, slow-growing chemistry between them. Things got complicated once Audrey’s sister started threatening to reveal her secret, pushing Audrey to pull away and even switch to being Noah’s social media manager instead. I loved that Noah didn’t give up on her, he kept showing up, gently but consistently, until she finally opened up about what was really holding her back. And honestly, I’m glad she finally stood up to her sister too.

Noah’s relationship with his father added another emotional layer. His dad constantly complained when Noah didn’t perform well, instead of supporting him, and it clearly weighed on Noah. I was happy he finally got the apology he deserved.

A small part of me wishes Noah had been traded to Chicago, just to see how they’d adapt to a new city together without their usual support system, but it was also nice to see him return to his previous team in the end.

Overall, it was a warm, enjoyable read with two characters who genuinely worked through their struggles and found their way back to each other.

[Jasmin Barella · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Reader

The story is a classic romance com set up. The interesting part is the FMC has more of a feminist view and adamantly opposes the idea of children. This of course is her main character challenge throughout the book. The MMC is a pro football player and struggles with his paternal relationship from the pressure to achieve. I truly like the MMC more than the FMC. The MMC seemed to have more depth to him, as he was a football player was not that stereotypical cliche of a jock. He was sensitive but not overly sensitive, he was basically what most girls dream to find in a man. Kind, attentive, caring, thoughtful, etc. Their story isn’t one that has lost of drama or miscommunication in it in-fact their main issue as a couple is resolved within the first half of the book. Which to me was kind of the downfall of the story. The lack of “problems” made the story boring. I was only 60% through the book but I was loosing interest as there was nothing exciting to read about. The remaining chapters of the book seem like filler chapters and don’t do anything that really develop or move the characters or relationships forward. Actually their relationship starts to lose its appeal as they make choice that don’t really seem to make sense to how they have been established as characters. Overall the book is a solid 3/5 stars ⭐️ I think maybe the author could have paced their story a little better but it was a fairly solid story with likable main characters.

[Erin DeConcini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, oh wow! I really loved this book! The book is set in Houston, and as a former Houstonian, I really appreciated the references and street names littered throughout the book - it was nostalgic for me, which only made the book all the better. The FMC, Audrey, is child-free and is set on not having children, which is a central theme throughout the story. This felt particularly relevant and relatable for women today in general, but especially to me as a Southern woman and I appreciated issue being given a voice within the pages of this story. The MMC, Noah, is a self-aware king who is thoroughly in touch with his emotions and goes to therapy - I mean, swoon, right? The representation of both a woman daring to break away from the status quo and expectations set on her by society and her family, as well as a man that dares to know himself inside in out made this read even sweeter! Solid points for that. To top it all off, Noah is down bad for Audrey and a total cinnamon roll - he really couldn’t be any better. And don’t get me started on the steam in this book. It’s a slow burn on the physical side, and there’s not much of it but it fits their story perfectly. Audrey and Noah’s story was well-written, easy to follow, and full of emotion. Highly recommend reading, especially for my fellow Southerners.

[Gea Rojas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring, repetitive and badly written 🏈

The story line is fine and I was excited to read about a child free FMC but got hit with a book that was 200 pages too long, wrote itself in circles and that made me feel cero conexion to any of its characters. the last 40% ish of the book felt like the author kept coming back to it saying oh I forgot to add this and added to it without rime or reason 

The whole MCs families bit was unnecessary and like it was just there. for the mc's to complain, too many scenes felt like they were just there for no reason other than to be there?

Also the plot holes like the fmc being at her second football game saying to herself that this is her first  football game ever, or saying that talking to her sister was a another day problem just for the next sentence to be her talking to her sister?? 

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, and the only reason is not a 1 star is because it wasn't awful and the base of the story was a good idea just poorly developed.


Tropes:
Strangers to Lovers
Football Romance
Childfree FMC
He Falls First 
Found Family

Thanks to Emily Rex and Love Notes PR  for sending this ARC in exchange for my honest review

⭐ ⭐ 
🌶️🌶️

#LoveNotesPR #ARC

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5


Audrey pensaba tener su vida resuelta: una relación estable, un anillo en el dedo y un futuro “perfecto” según las expectativas de todos, menos las suyas. Pero cuando descubre que su prometido planea convencerla de tener hijos en contra de su voluntad, todo se derrumba. Con el corazón roto, pero con una claridad nueva sobre lo que realmente quiere, Audrey decide empezar de cero y prometerse no volver a enamorarse.
Hasta que Noah aparece.
Jugador profesional de fútbol americano, en plena recuperación de una lesión y acostumbrado a lidiar con la presión y las miradas ajenas, Noah encuentra en las clases de yoga su refugio. Allí, entre respiraciones profundas y miradas furtivas, conoce a Audrey. Un accidente marca el inicio de una conexión inesperada.
Lo que comienza como una simple cena para disculparse se convierte en algo más: dos personas que no buscaban amor, aprendiendo que quizá las segundas oportunidades no siempre vienen como uno las imagina. En medio de la fama, las cicatrices y los miedos, Audrey y Noah deberán decidir si están dispuestos a jugarse todo por ese “touchdown” emocional que podría cambiar sus vidas.


Gracias Love Notes PR por el ARC.

[Amy Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Emily Rex and Love Note PR for allowing me to ARC read Red Zone Realizations!

This was such a cute and fluffy debut from a young author, this book definitely shows a lot of promise. I really enjoyed Noah, he’s calm, thoughtful, and exactly the kind of book boyfriend ya can’t help but root for. Audrey, on the other hand, was harder for me to connect with. I appreciated her independence and her stance on being child-free (something I totally relate to), but she sometimes came off a bit too defensive and on edge. I wanted to shake her a few times! I was so excited to find an FMC I could relate to as someone who wishes to be child-free but Audrey just wasn’t the one for me.

I think the biggest let down for me was the ending, hoping we maybe get a bonus scene or a book two really wrap up their story. Ending on the trip just didn’t feel right in my head.

There were a few areas that could’ve used a bit more editing or refinement, but overall it was a fun, light read. If you’re looking for a cozy sports romance with some heart, this might be one to check out. I’m not sure it’s something I can recommend to all my friends but I have a few in mind who may love it!

[Maddie Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

🤎 ARC Review 🤎 Red Zone Realizations

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Love Notes PR and Emily Rex for the ARC of Red Zone Realizations a sweet NFL romance.

After a crappy breakup Audrey swears off men, but can’t help but find herself attracted to the hot guy in her yoga class. Noah is determined to have no distractions whilst returning to playing NFL but can’t help but want to know more about the hot girl in his yoga class.

Audrey’s family and ex lead her to believing what she wanted from life wasn’t normal which lead to her hesitancy with getting closer to Noah

It was so sweet to see how Noah worked hard to show Audrey how much he wanted her and how he would always be there to support her. Watching her finally stand up to her crappy family and allowing herself to trust someone else was so satisfying.

This book includes:
🏈 NFL
🎀 Found Family

This is book one in the Houston Hurricanes series and is available on KU on the 7th of November. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Kaytee Rowatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Emily Rex and Love Notes PR for this ARC!

NFL romance, he falls first, she learns to prioritize herself and overcome her abusive family? It’s an emotional romance filled with ups and downs and a satisfying ending.

Audrey is a people-pleasing eldest daughter, fresh out of a bad relationship and finding her footing again. Noah is recovering from an injury and gearing up for another season as tight end for the Houston Hurricanes. Their paths cross in a sweet meet-cute at hot yoga and their connection is instant!

I do think the ‘therapy talk’ and intellectualizing of emotions was a bit too much in the book. The story could’ve benefited from more refining in this area. I do appreciate the self-awareness each character brought, particularly Audrey & Noah as they navigated their way to a healthy relationship with established and respected boundaries.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and hope to see more from Emily Rex!

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review: Red Zone Realizations by Emily Rex

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I absolutely loved the dynamic between Noah and Audrey — both facing their own struggles yet finding strength in lifting each other up. Their connection felt so authentic and real.

One of my favorite parts of this book is how Emily steps outside the traditional storyline. You don’t often see the type of progression she gives us here, and I appreciated how it reminds readers that happiness doesn’t have to look like what society deems “appropriate.”

Noah and Audrey are strong on their own, but together they remind us that it’s okay — even necessary — to put your own needs and desires first sometimes. And I can’t finish this review without shouting out Noah’s determination. It had me smiling from ear to ear! He’s relentless in the best possible way.

I can’t wait to see what Emily Rex writes next! 💕🏈

[Nicole Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, very easy and fun read! Thank you so much, Emily and Love Notes PR for the ARC read!

Highly recommend. I read the book in 24hrs!!! As a Houston native, I enjoyed reading about my hometown and places that do exist. And the humidity!! Haha
The MMC - rambles in such a cute way. FMC - very relatable, I mean… on the first date, her order! Yes girlll… sames. It’s called balance! Love it

A few plot holes for me like not filling in her bestie on the conflicts with her family. Time discrepancies, but nothing too crazy.

*Buff boomerang* - looooved that analogy!

My most memorable quote, “Light at the end of the tunnel is actually a train waiting to run you over.”

Retelling of a football game made me feel like I was on the sidelines! Emily did a great job with that.

Waiting for the next books! 🤞Nash and Wyatt story please!
And Nicole and Mack.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off thank you to the author and Lovenotes PR for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book was very relatable for me having grown up in a football loving family. Some of the shows mentioned in there are ones that I grew up watching and I am an animal lover as well so I loved that she had pets!
However, I felt as though this book should’ve spent some more time in editing. There were some small time jumps throughout that I was struggling to keep up with, the dialog felt forced and unnatural, and the main problem, in my opinion, didn’t seem big enough to warrant that much drama.
I also felt as though the MMC wasn’t a realistic depiction of how a man would act, especially a pro football player.
Overall this was a good pallet cleanser for me and I decided to give it a 3 star rating because completing a book is a feat in itself, so congratulations!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* - Rounded up to 5...

Aubrey and Noah are fabulous characters. Aubrey has been burnt in the past by her ex-fiance, and this makes her EXTREMELY gun-shy of a new relationship. But Noah works at her pace, and proves to her that good guys do exist, who actually listen to her, and respect her decisions, and who can love her for who and where she is. And Aubrey finds herself willing to risk it all when she finds this kind of love.

I loved this story, and the way that Aubrey and Noah truly respected each other, and worked hard together to communicate well, and develop a truly uplifting and lasting love and relationship.

I'm also excited to see where this series will go in the future. :)

I received a free copy of this book through Love Notes PR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Xiomara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to LoveNotes PR for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Red Zone Realizations by Emily Rex is a sports romance about Noah and Audrey.

💻Audrey has just ended her engagement and has sworn off men for the last six months. That is until she meets Noah.

🏈Noah is coming up on this last year as a rookie for the Houston Hurricanes coming back from an injury. He is determined to keep his head in the game but can’t help but wonder if starting something new at this time is the right call.

This book was a solid 3/5 ⭐️for me. I enjoyed Audrey and Noah’s progression from friends to something more. They had good chemistry and communicated well. Also liked Noah’s teammates and significant others. Now Audrey’s family is another story. I really did not like how her sister treated her.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a fantastic read! It follows a Audrey (FMC), a yoga teacher who is just coming out of a bad breakup and is on the verge of finding herself again. Noah (MMC) is a professional football player who is focused on rebuilding physically after an injury.
What I absolutely loved about this story was how emotionally available both main characters were. It was so refreshing to see a couple as they navigated their personal healing journeys together.
I also really appreciated the portrayal of the FMC's decision to be childless; it was handled with care and was a part of her character that I found completely understandable and relatable.
If you love a sports romance with an emotionally available MMC and an FMC who is just as strong and well-developed, this book is definitely for you. Highly recommended!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank lovenotes pr and Emily Rex for allowing me to get an ARC of this book.

I was super excited to get the email about being able to arc this, the book was so good! I love how Audrey knows exactly what she wants and no matter what she stands up for her beliefs and her future. The way Noah has her back made me fall in for him, he is so sweet and such a great guy!

The only thing I didn’t really enjoy was the ending, it felt rushed like it was the only choice the author had to finish quickly. But other than that it was a really good book!

The MMC and FMC are perfect, the support they have for each other and the way that Noah is standing up for Audrey when needed was so hot.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

[Nye · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I would like to thank Emily as well as the Love Notes PR team for the chance to read this ARC!! This book was the right amount of mix between fluffy and serious with a touch of spice.

I loved Noah's steadfast nature. I think he truly was the rock throughout the whole book. The emotional security, as well as the emotional openness he had was really refreshing to read. He's a man that knows what he wants for sure and it shows the entire book.

I found myself hoping Audrey's character ARC would happen a little faster, or that we would get a little more details in between bigger events. That is the only reason I rated a 4/5.

Overall, a very good sports read, and definitely an easy one for any non-sports fans that may want to try the genre out!

[The Love Nook - Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story between Audrey and Noah was amazing! From a strong, independent, and business-savvy FMC to the way society and family treat women differently. I really enjoyed reading that dynamic because we all know those looks and questions.
Noah… such a gentle man but also SIR! The 180 he did while leveling up to win Audrey’s heart had me swooning.

Also, I’ve officially learned football thanks to this book, I’ll be ready by the time the Super Bowl rolls around with my newfound 101 knowledge.

The pacing felt a bit quick at times, but honestly, the way I enjoyed myself is all that mattered. And I cackled every time Audrey mentioned The List. The List. The List. Girl, I would’ve said, “F the list” too! 🤭

[Alexandrea Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book by Emily Rex that I have read, and I can say I really enjoyed it! This is also the first book I have read with an FMC who openly opposes having children. It was different and a nice change of pace.

I love the dynamic between Audrey and Noah. They are both struggling in their own ways but are able to find strength in themselves and each other. I really loved how you could relate to Audrey and her insecurities about not being accepted for who she is and her personal wants.

One of my favorite parts is when Audrey tells Noah she never wants kids, and instead of reacting and possibly saying something he would regret, he tells her he needs time to think about what he really wants before he responds.

The reason this book is only getting a 3-star review is that I was not amazed by the ending. I felt that more could have been done. Perhaps a bonus epilogue would give me a sense of closure, but at this point, I don’t have that feeling.

[Ivonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! From the very first page, I was drawn into the story and couldn’t put it down.

I did have a few issues where I thought this would become one of my least favorite tropes, miscommunication, but NO! I love how the FMC was immediately accepted into the MMC friend group! I love the small mental health, no kids and being given the opportunity to think things through was brought up. I liked how it was handled. I am a person who does not want children and I understand the FMC and how family can be SUPER pushy so I identified. I think the communication between both Audrey and Noah handled every situation, how they had each other's backs. I do think they moved things too quickly, but overall... would recommend.

[Angee Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, this book is set in Houston, which is nice since I’m very close to there. References and street names are sprinkled throughout the book that are recognizable. FMC is child free and does not want to have children, which is a big part of the story. MMC is different. He is aware he needs to deal with things, and he goes to therapy. The story is well written, easy to follow and full of emotions. The characters are likeable, and you are invested in them and their relationship. MMC is a cinnamon roll. It’s a nice story that is very original and fresh even if it is a bit unrealistic.
THANK YOU EMILY REX & TEAM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ARC READ THIS!

[Bri Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, I am so thankful for receiving an ARC for Red Zone Realizations.

I did enjoy the story definitely as a palette cleanser, light hearted sports romance. I think both characters are working through finding themselves in their respective family circles and they are able to be the first foundational support systems for one another.

I did enjoy this read, I do think the emotional intelligence of Noah was higher than usual compared to other sports romance books but it was a good change. I did appreciate the switch up with Noah and enjoyed how rock solid he was throughout the story.

[Mrs Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey was in a relationship that i cannot stand (scummy ex) the part where they pretend to understand you don't want children agree and let you invest your time and have an emotional connection to then hit you with but you will change your mind and understandable she is rightly upset and leaves the relationship.

Yoga is her peace after she now focuses on her career.

Until Noah a 6ft 2 NFL Player accidentally slams her in the face with a door opps

Noah Fox is a brilliant mmc he's calm and understanding makes her feel seen and special, i really enjoyed this Debut novel was it perfect no but was it close yes i will definitely be checking out other books by Emily.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐
Thanks to the author for the ARC😊

I enjoyed the plot line, the guinea pigs and a child free FMC. Her family and Hunter pissed me off, as I too have heard it all, as do probably most child free women.

This book is (obviously) a sports romance, but it's heavier on the sport than most others I've read. I don't watch American football, so those parts felt a bit boring/slow to me, since I didn't understand much of it. I didn't dock any stars from it, since you know, sports romance.

If you like American football, child free FMC, an MMC who actually consider if he wants kids, and sorting their story out, this book is for you.

[Misa Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to @lovenotes.pr and #emilyrex for allowing me to review this ARC.

This is a cute sports romance that follows Audrey and Noah. Audrey called off her engagement and randomly meets Noah six months later. Their run-in (literally) leads to Noah asking her out for dinner as an apology. Noah is a football player for the local NFL team, trying to make a name for himself for his last year of his rookie contract in order to remain in Houston. The both weren't looking for "distractions" when they found each other.

I enjoyed this book overall. At times, I had to push myself to keep reading because I lost some interest. In the way end, it was a cute story.

4/5 ⭐