What do you think?
Rate this book
Their Secret Playbook
From New York Times bestselling author Teri Wilson, a friends to lovers secret romance in a football-obsessed Texas town!
In Bishop Falls, Texas, football is the religion, and Bailey Davis is the patron saint. Not only does she run the town’s central hub—the football-themed coffee shop Huddle Up—she’s also the widow of a local legend. But life on a pedestal is lonely. There’s something missing…right up until she’s kissed by Coach Cade Montgomery, her late husband’s best friend. It’s shocking and wonderful, and it stirs up something neither think they’re allowed to feel. So they agree to keep things under wraps—and not fall in love. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to stick to the play…
Perfect for fans Football RomanceFriends to LoversSmall-Town RomanceTexas Forever After
Book 1: The Perfect Pass
Book 2: Their Secret Playbook
In Bishop Falls, Texas, football is the religion, and Bailey Davis is the patron saint. Not only does she run the town’s central hub—the football-themed coffee shop Huddle Up—she’s also the widow of a local legend. But life on a pedestal is lonely. There’s something missing…right up until she’s kissed by Coach Cade Montgomery, her late husband’s best friend. It’s shocking and wonderful, and it stirs up something neither think they’re allowed to feel. So they agree to keep things under wraps—and not fall in love. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to stick to the play…
Perfect for fans Football RomanceFriends to LoversSmall-Town RomanceTexas Forever After
Book 1: The Perfect Pass
Book 2: Their Secret Playbook
Audible Audio
Published April 28, 2026
About the author
Teri Wilson
219 books1,645 followersNew York Times Bestselling Author Teri Wilson writes heartwarming contemporary romance with a touch of whimsy. Four of Teri’s books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies, including UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (plus its sequel MARRYING MR. DARCY), ROYAL-ISH, based on her book ONCE UPON A ROYAL SUMMER, THE ART OF US and NORTHERN LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS, based on her book SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction and a 2022 inductee into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame.
When she’s not writing, Teri enjoys volunteering in her community with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel Charm, a registered therapy dog, reading education assistance dog and crisis emergency response canine. Teri is also a three-time volunteer at the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race in Alaska and has been active in conformation dog shows and performance events.
A cupcake enthusiast, Teri also loves Hallmark movies, barre classes, crocheting and taking her dogs out for pup cups. Visit her at www.teriwilson.net or on Instagram @teriwilsonauthor.
When she’s not writing, Teri enjoys volunteering in her community with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel Charm, a registered therapy dog, reading education assistance dog and crisis emergency response canine. Teri is also a three-time volunteer at the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race in Alaska and has been active in conformation dog shows and performance events.
A cupcake enthusiast, Teri also loves Hallmark movies, barre classes, crocheting and taking her dogs out for pup cups. Visit her at www.teriwilson.net or on Instagram @teriwilsonauthor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
6 stars!!!
Excuse me while I wipe my eyes yet again. The third act had me crying over and over...happy tears! It was breathtaking! Okay, let's back up....
Cade is desperately in love with Bailey. But she's off limits. Years ago her husband Ethan, who was also Cade's best friend, passed tragically. Cade and Bailey have always been friends, but lately it's been feeling like more. How do two beautiful humans handle feelings that could ruin Ethan's memory?!?
This book is SO MUCH MORE than a small town football romance, though we do get the best of those themes as well. I fell in love with this Texas town in the first book of this series, "The Perfect Pass", so I was THRILLED when I was able to read the next book in the series! This sweet, and slow-burn romance is PERFECTION for readers who swoon HARD for things like forehead kisses, cinnamon roll heroes, and selfless, caring people who might have messy lives, but always the best intentions.
This novel, like the first one, is deep, tackling themes that are somewhat heavy, but handled with great care by the author. We're invested in the characters' choices, and the outcome, from the start. I remember when I first tried out this series, expecting to breeze through a football romance I'd probably forget in a month. But that couldn't be further from the truth. This book especially has SO MANY highlightable lines, inspiring the reader to live and love fully. This will be one of my favorite reads of the year!
I absolutely cannot wait for the third book in this series, "The Quarterback's Christmas Baby", coming October of 2026!!!
Content warnings: grandmother with dementia (though it's primarily very positive), financial stress, death of a husband (before story begins), football accident resulting in traumatic spinal cord injury (before story begins)
I'd like to thank Harlequin and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Excuse me while I wipe my eyes yet again. The third act had me crying over and over...happy tears! It was breathtaking! Okay, let's back up....
Cade is desperately in love with Bailey. But she's off limits. Years ago her husband Ethan, who was also Cade's best friend, passed tragically. Cade and Bailey have always been friends, but lately it's been feeling like more. How do two beautiful humans handle feelings that could ruin Ethan's memory?!?
This book is SO MUCH MORE than a small town football romance, though we do get the best of those themes as well. I fell in love with this Texas town in the first book of this series, "The Perfect Pass", so I was THRILLED when I was able to read the next book in the series! This sweet, and slow-burn romance is PERFECTION for readers who swoon HARD for things like forehead kisses, cinnamon roll heroes, and selfless, caring people who might have messy lives, but always the best intentions.
This novel, like the first one, is deep, tackling themes that are somewhat heavy, but handled with great care by the author. We're invested in the characters' choices, and the outcome, from the start. I remember when I first tried out this series, expecting to breeze through a football romance I'd probably forget in a month. But that couldn't be further from the truth. This book especially has SO MANY highlightable lines, inspiring the reader to live and love fully. This will be one of my favorite reads of the year!
I absolutely cannot wait for the third book in this series, "The Quarterback's Christmas Baby", coming October of 2026!!!
Content warnings: grandmother with dementia (though it's primarily very positive), financial stress, death of a husband (before story begins), football accident resulting in traumatic spinal cord injury (before story begins)
I'd like to thank Harlequin and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Go, Bulldogs!
Their Secret Playbook was phenomenal!
Teri Wilson delivered one heck of a story! Words are actually failing me. It was that good!
Bailey is lonely. She was married to a local legend that passed away to young and the town has really only saw her as his widow. It's like no matter how much she joins in, they never really see her for herself. It's a very lonely place to be.
Cade is a Coach for the Bulldogs and Bailey's best friend. He was also her deceased husbands best friend before he passed away. They have an amazing friendship, but there is something getting in the way. Feelings. Yup, they have feelings for each other and both of them are scared to death.
I laughed. A lot. I cried a few times too. I am so invested with this town and it's characters that I'm already looking forward to book 3!
I highly recommend this book!!
**Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin for providing me with an advanced readers copy for a honest review*
Their Secret Playbook was phenomenal!
Teri Wilson delivered one heck of a story! Words are actually failing me. It was that good!
Bailey is lonely. She was married to a local legend that passed away to young and the town has really only saw her as his widow. It's like no matter how much she joins in, they never really see her for herself. It's a very lonely place to be.
Cade is a Coach for the Bulldogs and Bailey's best friend. He was also her deceased husbands best friend before he passed away. They have an amazing friendship, but there is something getting in the way. Feelings. Yup, they have feelings for each other and both of them are scared to death.
I laughed. A lot. I cried a few times too. I am so invested with this town and it's characters that I'm already looking forward to book 3!
I highly recommend this book!!
**Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin for providing me with an advanced readers copy for a honest review*
May 6, 2026
Bailey Davis is tired of being the town's saint for having been affiliated with the star football player who ended up with a life-threatening injury and early death. Her late husband's best friend, Cade Montgomery keeps making Bailey want more for herself, but with him? Both of them feel guilty about that, but isn't it time for both of them to set aside their concerns about what others might think and just get comfortable with being themselves, especially in each other's presence?
Then there's that pesky spring football game, on which rests, Cade's promotion and a bigger salary, something he needs to keep his grandmother in assisted living. Can Bailey help with this or should she simply let him go as she tries to date others in hopes what she feels for Cade will just... go away? Alas, no such luck--for her or for Cade. Come on, folks. Get real! We know how you feel about each other. Just admit it already.
Then there's that pesky spring football game, on which rests, Cade's promotion and a bigger salary, something he needs to keep his grandmother in assisted living. Can Bailey help with this or should she simply let him go as she tries to date others in hopes what she feels for Cade will just... go away? Alas, no such luck--for her or for Cade. Come on, folks. Get real! We know how you feel about each other. Just admit it already.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews