Red Zone

Red Zone is so beautiful. It has brother’s teammate, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, sports romance—and it’s the third book in the series.

The story follows Everleigh and Maverick. Everleigh is a brand strategist whose boss sends her to Vegas to manage a reputation crisis—without telling her who the client is. She only finds out on arrival that it’s Maverick, a professional athlete who is notoriously difficult to deal with because… well, he hates everyone.

I loved how patient Everleigh was with Maverick, even when he was grade-A annoying.

One thing that really stood out was how the author wrote Maverick’s grief and deep-seated insecurity about people leaving him—it was handled so beautifully and with so much care.

Maverick hates everyone… except Everleigh.

I loved their “f*ck it” moments, and I won’t even lie—at some point in this book, I wanted to knock sense into both Everleigh and Maverick’s heads 😭.

And can we talk about the Bradley siblings? Do they not communicate at all? Because why do they keep falling for their father’s very illegal business, constantly disguised as “legacy”?

This is a 4-star read, and I definitely recommend it.

Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for the ARC.

arc

Heather Houghtaling

67 reviews

December 27, 2025

This was an easy, fun, quick read! I hated Maverick in the beginning but as the book went on, you really feel for him. When he ends up at the animal shelter with Everleigh, my little heart was so happy. This would have been 5 stars but the ending wasn’t for me. Maverick needed to also apologize. After he talked with Dex, I thought he was going to but in the end just Ev apologizes 🫣

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Destany

454 reviews18 followers

I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.

From the opening chapters, Mav and Ev's story establishes a balance of wit, surprise and chemistry that keeps the pages turning. This is the third book in the Bradley Legacy series, but it can be read as a standalone. I mean, I suggest reading all of Lisa's books.

So my favorite of Lisa's series is The Quarterback series with Jake and Kate. I just recently re-read the series. In a nutshell, Kate is hired to babysit Jack, they fall in love and live happily ever after. (I said it was in a nutshell, but there's way more to it haha). This story? It's not so different hahaha

Everleigh's world revolves around clear goals and an outstanding work ethic. Hired to clean up the increasingly controversial image of star quarterback Maverick Jennings, she expects resistance, but not the deeply entrenched walls she finds instead. Maverick is volatile, guarded and clearly buckling under the weight of expectations placed upon him. His rough edges are carved by his past experiences, his family and secrets he can't escape.

Their relationship ignites through conflict. The banter is biting, the tension relentless and the slow shift from adversaries to something far more intimate is paced with precision. Every exchange pushes the connection forward. The chemistry crackles, making even their most combative moments feel electric.

As Maverick opens up to Everleigh, little by little, the narrative explores accountability and the cost of carrying fame alone. The romance is undeniably hot, but it never exists without purpose. Everleigh does not act as a savior; instead, she demands growth, protects her own ambitions and makes choices that place her career on the line. That balance gives their relationship weight and authenticity.

I will say that I was very angry at Everleigh through the conflict. Maybe it's because I don't have a family like Everleigh's family. Her loyalty was just so stubborn. I have a lot of now-resolved feelings with family that make it almost impossible for me to understand where she is coming from now - but when I was younger, I could totally see myself making all of those mistakes. So I guess I identify with Everleigh on some level.

Ultimately, Red Zone delivers a satisfying blend of heat and heart. With layered characters, sharp dialogue and a sweet, slow burn transformation, Lisa offers a standout grumpy-sunshine love story that will resonate with readers who crave intensity and depth.

Are we ready for the next Bradley story??

ebooks-i-have

Emmy Wong

311 reviews10 followers

I love a football romance but this one was one heck of an emotional roller coaster with many drops and turns that I was not expecting. I think the publicist fmc x bad boy sports player mmc is a pretty common trope but this book took it to a new level with the level of emotional integrity. Because Mavericks grumpy personality isn’t because he’s a mean person but because he’s so shielded and guarded. Yet after 10 years, Everleigh is able to break down his walls (after much struggle of course). They have this big enemies to lovers thing at first, but there’s so much tension. When it snaps, that fvck it moment? Is to DIE FOR! They can call it hatefucking all they want but they both know it’s not true. I also love the whole “Tell me to stop and that it’s a mistake” then “Don’t stop” trope! I live for this kind of stuff, and this scene had me screaming! The characters had such gorgeous chemistry and they fit together like two pieces of a broken puzzle as they help each other sort out their mommy and daddy issues. The plot was good, characters were beautiful and I loved the writing. I give this book a 4.5/5, and this would have easily been a 5/5 if not for the third act breakup. It’s a universally disliked trope but sometimes I understand why authors do it however this time, it was not essential to character develop and it was not needed to get closure for the story. I feel like this book could have ended earlier and not had as huge of a third act breakup. However all things considered this book was still great, could do without the break up, but it was an amazing book and emotional ride.

Audio book lover

212 reviews

December 26, 2025

🏈🔥 A grumpy quarterback, a fearless brand strategist, and the kind of tension that could snap a helmet strap. 🔥🏈

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet
Series: The Bradley Legacy, Book 3 (can be listened to as a standalone)

Red Zone steps onto the field with confidence and never fumbles the landing. Even as part of the Bradley Legacy world, this book stands tall on its own, delivering sharp banter, emotional depth, and a romance that simmers before it strikes. This is Everleigh Bradley’s story boss babe, marketing genius, and the woman brave enough to take on the world’s grumpiest quarterback and survive.

From the first chapter, the tension crackles. Everleigh is tasked with saving Maverick Jennings’ reputation, while Maverick seems personally dedicated to ruining both his career and her sanity. What begins as professional warfare quickly morphs into something far more dangerous, emotional, and magnetic.

The Story

Maverick is abrasive, closed off, and emotionally guarded in all the ways a tortured sports hero should be. His reputation is in shambles, his future uncertain, and Everleigh is his last shot at redemption. She is sharp, driven, and fiercely independent, unwilling to let his self-destruction derail her ambitions.

As forced proximity and next-door neighbor chaos blur the line between client and temptation, their enemies-to-lovers dynamic explodes into something deeply emotional. Beneath Maverick’s scowl lives a man aching with unresolved pain, and Everleigh refuses to let him hide from it. Their relationship builds on tension, trust, vulnerability, and a slow-burning chemistry that feels natural, earned, and deeply satisfying.

The pacing is spot-on, balancing romantic tension, career pressure, and personal stakes without dragging or rushing the emotional payoff.

🎧 Narration

Performed in duet by Liam DiCosimo and Stefanie Kay, whose voices fit these characters perfectly. Both narrators bring warmth, grit, and personality to Everleigh and Maverick, elevating the emotional beats and making their chemistry feel authentic and immersive.

What I Loved

✔️ Electric grumpy/sunshine dynamic
✔️ Sharp, addictive banter
✔️ Emotional depth beneath the sports romance
✔️ Strong female lead with real ambition
✔️ Well-paced tension and relationship development
✔️ Found family elements that ground the story
✔️ A satisfying redemption arc

Tropes & Vibes

✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Next-Door Neighbors
✔️ Bad Boy Athlete
✔️ Redemption Romance
✔️ Found Family

Final Thoughts

Red Zone delivers a compelling mix of sports romance, emotional healing, and sizzling chemistry. Everleigh and Maverick are messy, magnetic, and impossible to look away from, and their journey from professional warfare to emotional vulnerability is both addictive and deeply satisfying. This is a strong, confident standalone that proves the Bradley Legacy world still has plenty of fire left to burn.

BookReviews_by_MissaPoo

250 reviews10 followers

Book 3 in the Bradley Legacy Series.

This was an angsty, fun, flirty, heat fueled, emotionally charged journey. One of trust, hope, sacrifice, healing, growth, acceptance and forgiveness. Two complete opposites finding love when they least expect it. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll be screaming for more as these two fumble their way to forever.

Maverick Jennings. The bad boy player. The newly acquired Quarterback for the Vegas Aces is in the prime of his career and carries a giant chip on his shoulder. This sinfully delicious man is every bit the grumpy, growly, moody and broody person that he is perceived to be and he doesn't plan on changing anytime soon. He's here to play football, not make friends. However, the Aces organization has other plans for their star QB and what he doesn't realize is that his life is about to be turned upside down and flipped inside out all because of HER...

Everleigh Bradley. His teammates sister. A Brand Strategist brought in to fix Mavericks image and create a legacy worth being proud of, she's feisty, fierce and extremely take charge. She's a caretaker. A fixer. And while she NEVER wanted to work with a professional athlete, she's determined to fix this one, even though she doesn't believe he's truly broken...

An instant attraction. An instant loathing. A fine line between love and hate that will have these two going at each other in a battle of wills. Maverick will block Everleigh at every turn, refusing to give even an inch, yet she keeps coming back, choosing him, until slowly but surely he begins to open up and let her in, revealing to her his long suffering pain and grief, the catalyst for the man in which he's become. A turning point for the two of them as they begin to cross lines that shouldn't be crossed. Hiding in plain site, it's only a matter of time before the dangerous game they're playing could come back to burn them both...

Just as they are making progress, Mavericks bad boy tendencies are still fighting for dominance and one bad decision after an emotional confrontation could very well destroy everything they've started to build together... When push comes to shove, will Everleigh choose him or will she walk away like everyone else has done in his life? Or will she stay and choose to fight? As outside pressures close in on them, it'll take all the fight they have to overcome the obstacles standing in their way.

The Bradley "Legacy" strikes again...yet which legacy will she choose? And even then, is it enough?

Like moths to a flame, these two will always find themselves drawn together. They were made for one another and while their road to forever isn't perfect, it's worth every misstep along the way. Every heartache. Every mistake. Every secret, lie and betrayal.

With some very familiar faces, twists, turns and upside downs, you'll be all up in your feelings as these two find their forever. You'll find yourself rooting for them from the very start, as together, they are sweet perfection....

Cigi cini

680 reviews49 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

🏈 Pro Football Romance
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
😡 Grumpy x Sunshine
💼 Publicist x Athlete
🗞️ Reputation Rehab
❤️‍🔥 Forced Proximity
⚡ High Tension
😈 Arrogant Hero
💔 Hidden Pain
🔥 Spicy Romance
✨ Standalone Romance
❤️ Happily Ever After

Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Red Zone by Lisa Suzanne is a gripping and emotionally charged sports romance that digs far deeper than the headlines surrounding its grumpy quarterback hero. As the third book in The Bradley Legacy series, it stands confidently on its own while still offering the rich atmosphere of a connected world. From the very first pages, the story pulls you in with sharp banter, high stakes, and Everleigh whose ambition and determination make it impossible not to root for. Her job is to fix Maverick Jennings’ image, but what she quickly discovers is that repairing a reputation is far easier than navigating the man behind it.

Maverick is abrasive, closed off, and frustrating in all the ways a powerful, self-destructive sports hero should be. His resistance to help feel authentic, driven by pain and pressure rather than arrogance alone. The push and pull between him and Everleigh is intense, layered with sarcasm, frustration, and a spark that refuses to be ignored. Their enemies to lovers' journey unfold naturally, with tension that simmers before boiling over, making every interaction feel charged and meaningful.

What truly elevates Red Zone is its emotional depth. As walls come down, the story reveals vulnerability, past hurt, and the weight of expectations that Maverick carries both on and off the field. The romance is spicy and passionate, but it is also grounded in emotional growth and trust. The heroine is not simply there to save him. She challenges him, stands her ground, and risks her own career as her feelings deepen, which adds real weight to every choice she makes.

The pacing is strong, balancing professional conflict, romantic tension, and personal stakes without ever feeling rushed or drawn out. One reckless night acts as a turning point that reshapes their relationship and raises the emotional and professional risks, pushing both characters to confront what they truly want and what they are willing to lose. The football setting enhances the story rather than overpowering it, adding authenticity and pressure to Maverick’s world while keeping the focus firmly on the romance.

Red Zone is a swoony, spicy, and heartfelt read that delivers every promise of the grumpy sunshine trope. Lisa Suzanne crafts a story that is equal parts heat and healing, making it perfect for readers who love emotionally rich sports romances with sharp dialogue, strong character development, and a satisfying happily ever after.

arc

Amy

1,484 reviews35 followers

“I will be here by your side fighting for you while you fight against me.”

I think this series just keeps getting better and better. Red Zone is the third book in the Bradley Legacy series and Maverick and Everleigh might be my favorite. Once I started their story, I was absolutely addicted to their push and pull dynamic and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

This enemies to lovers arc is everything I crave: sharp, simmering, and layered with so much emotional tension you could cut it with a knife. Everleigh is drowning under the weight of family expectations while trying to chase her own desires, and Maverick… oh, Maverick. He’s carrying trauma and heartbreak so heavy it’s a miracle he’s still standing. He’s the kind of broken that makes you want to wrap him in a blanket and also shake him until he lets someone in.

“I’ve been standing on the sidelines of my own goddamn life for too long. It’s time to take it back, and she’s the one who’s making me see that.”

Watching them work together is delicious chaos. Everleigh pushes him out of every self imposed boundary, forces him to feel again, and dismantles his defenses one stubborn layer at a time. They clash constantly—verbally, emotionally, spectacularly—but when that chemistry finally combusts? It’s explosive. And just when they start to realize there’s something real beneath all the tension, their fragile connection is put to the test.

The banter? Flirty, sharp, and addictive. Maverick is the perfect grumpy, misunderstood hero with a pain he thinks he has to hide, and Everleigh is the fierce, independent woman who refuses to let him stay broken. Their dynamic is electric, messy, and absolutely irresistible.

“Through the negative energy, through the hatred, through the feelings of wanting to be anywhere else, we’ve transitioned into this place where we only want to be with each other.”

Red Zone is angsty, emotional, and full of heart—exactly the kind of story that gives me every single feel I’m looking for. Maverick and Everleigh challenge each other in all the best ways, and I adored every second of their firestorm of a romance. Now I’m counting down the days until the next book in this fantastic series.

Aspen G

1,682 reviews5 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

January 4, 2026

Red Zone is dynamic, fresh, and so fascinating! I absolutely LOVED this audiobook. From start to finish it is an intoxicating and intense story performed with passion and depth by two amazing narrators. This is the third story in the Bradley Series and can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone.

Everleigh is a bold and brilliant woman with so much compassion and an intense drive to protect those she cares about. Her world is complex, with a large family spread across the country—all of whom are successful in their own right. Her relationships with her siblings are beautifully built, and her self-image and self-worth shine through in each of her actions. Her growing pains in this story are palpable, and her spitfire banter and undeniably hot connection with Maverick burn white hot. Full stop, some of her actions and reactions were frustrating to me, and yet I could also see why they are pivotal to her character’s development and the storyline. With multiple dramas and a slew of situations to wade through, I found myself talking to her as if I was in the story with her.

Maverick is a football star with a bad rap—some of it earned but mostly he is misunderstood because he is so private off the field. Battling his own set of challenges from his past and in his present, we get to know a dynamic and amazing human being who is deeply hurting and lacks a support system to help him navigate. I adored the way he chooses to give back without asking for any recognition in return. Hiis character is really well thought out and written, shining light on the difficulties of dealing with fame, family matters, and finding a healthy balance. His traumas are deep and real, making him relatable and intense.

The banter between Ev and Mav is so much fun, especially once he feels safe enough to let her see the real him. Their chemistry is electric, spicy, and powerful. The subplots definitely mix it up and keep things interesting between the interplay with Mav’s teammates, the coaches, team owner, and their families. Author Lisa Suzanne has delivered a winning combo on all fronts with this one!

Sheila

536 reviews10 followers

Want to read

December 29, 2025

Maverick Jennings played football for the last ten years with Dallas. He even has a huge star tattoo. Now he has been traded to the Las Vegas Aces. He does not want to be here. He made few friends in Dallas and he probably won't make friends here in Vegas. He is grumpy and a loner. Why make friends if everyone leaves you? Coach Nash and the owner Jack Dalton see something in Mav that they need as the face of the team and to lead them as their quarterback.
Everleigh Bradley is a successful Brand Strategist in Chicago. She has many clients. Ultimately she would love to open her own business and manage her own clients. Her boss calls her into the office to discuss a new opportunity. His friend, the owner of the Vegas Aces, has a new player that needs a brand reset. This is all hush-hush and Eveleigh will not know the client until she takes the job and moves to Vegas. Everleigh has brothers in sports and she really does not want to take on any players. But the offer is too good to pass up and the promise of starting her own business is too good to pass up.
Maverick and Everleigh are like oil and water. Maverick does not want to be in Vegas but he wants to play. Everleigh is a natural fixer and knows she can help him. Dex Bradley, her brother, hits Mav during his first practice with the team and breaks some ribs sidelining Mav. This does not help Everleigh with Maverick.
Maverick has not had the best luck. There is a history of failed relationships and betrayal. His mom is sick. Can he change? Can Everleigh work with Mav to change his luck, views on life and find what matters to him? They are electric together but is that enough? Could they work and or play together?
But then Thomas Bradley, her father, has a secret gambling casino and Mav somehow is caught! What will this do to his image? Can Everleigh save his image? What about their relationship?
I absolutely fell in love with Maverick, I think you will too!

Fernanda Dzib

421 reviews1 follower

4.5⭐️

Ufff, this was just the perfect way to say goodbye to 2025

I’ve been loving this series since Mad Rivals, and I knew this book wasn’t going to be the exception 🙂‍↔️ I love Everleigh so much! She’s sassy, badass, confident and she won’t quit, she’s loyal and fierce protecting her love ones, and she loves red like she loves breathing and I love that she could find herself again after the relationship she had, I could relate to her about being the care taker of her family, always being the bridge between all of her siblings, always being there for each one of them, always making sure everyone’s safe and alright, always making sure they know she’s there in case they need her and I hurt for her when she had to choose between her family and the man she learned to love even when at first she hated him as much as he hated her.

That lead us to Maverick, and oh my god!!! How could anyone make him hurt in any way?! I was just staring at my ceiling asking to whatever greater force there to just let him have his happily ever after because he had so much pain for an entire lifetime and he was just 32 😩 I mean? My boy has every right to be the way he was, because he was so sacred to left behind again, so sacred to be left alone, scared of no one ever choosing him to stay and love him 😭💔 it was punch after punch and then Everleigh came into his life, and even when he hated her (because they really hated each other) he learned to let her in, to trust her and let him feel again with her, she was the first person he trust enough to talk her about his past and his family, and I was so mad when that person in Everleigh’s side make it all wrong between then because they were finally so happy ahhhhh

Good thing they could find each other again, because they were so meant to be ❤️🥹

I can’t wait to keep reading this series because I swear, each book gets only better than the last and I’ve been loving all of them ❤️✨

Again, this was just the perfect book to end 2025✨

Alyse

56 reviews

January 2, 2026

Close your eyes and picture our main character: his name, Maverick Jennings, invokes pictures of a man who is obstinate, surly, closed off. Tall, strong, loner.

Everleigh Bradley, on the other hand, is a character we’ve seen glimpses of in Ms. Suzanne’s other books—the younger sister (Madden in Mad Rivals, Book 1 and Play Fake: the Bradley Legacy series Book 2). She is smart, savvy, flirty and accomplished in her business of a brand strategist. With the goal of owning her own business, she accepts the job of “rehabbing the reputation” of an unknown person in Las Vegas, later to be discovered as Maverick, who is a team member with her brother Dax. Let’s compound the issue by having Dax cause Mav’s injury which takes him out of the 1st game and causes additional animosity from being traded.

Everleigh tries to modify Mav’s behavior, but it’s pretty tough when he just doesn’t want to cooperate. Even with his team owner’s support, he fights at every turn. With his deep-seated conviction that people can’t be trusted to support him, he pushes both Everleigh and his teammates away. He blames others instead of taking personal responsibility and makes bad decisions that involve her family. Taking a different approach, she gets to know Mav, and in doing so, breaks through his barriers. He sees her as a person he can share feelings and thoughts, until…He makes a bad decision which forces them to confront their true fears and feelings.

Without giving up the story further, let me add that Ms. Suzanne’s stories become more developed as each unfolds—that as much as Dax’s story was sassy and needy, Red Zone shows spark, wit and dialogue.

I highly recommend Red Zone, especially as an audiobook, The reading is well articulated, and the inflection and tone is spot on. Then, be sure you’ve caught up on Books 1&2. Not needed as a precursor but good reading to enjoy the backstories!

Kim Lackey

97 reviews6 followers

December 27, 2025

The Bradley series continues with Everleigh Bradley, a successful brand strategist living in Chicago. Her goal is to one day have her own business. Her boss offers a job in Vegas for a high profile client that is paying a lot of money. But he doesn't know who the client is. She is hesitant because she does not want to work with an athlete. She has grown up around athletes her whole life. She has 4 brothers in the NFL and one that plays professional baseball. She feels athletes are arrogant and not for her. Her boss tells her if she takes on this client after the year commitment he will remove the non-compete from her contract and she is free to start her own firm.

Everleigh decides to take the job with the hopes of having her own firm after the year is up. Plus she has family in Vegas as well. When she gets to Vegas to see who this high profile client is she is not happy to find out it is the grumpy quarterback for the Vegas Aces, the team her brother plays for. And the player her brother recently hurt in practice.

Enter Maverick Jennings, grumpy QB of the Aces. He needs his image repaired but he doesn't care what people think of him. He is angry at the world and just wants to play football and be left alone. He is not happy when Jack Dalton, the owner, tells him Everleigh will be assigned to him for the year.

Let the battle begin between these two. Besides neither one of them wanting to work with the other the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they work together over time they begin to really see each other. Maverick has kept his past and trauma to himself the last 10 years. He is so misunderstood. Everleigh has her own family issues to deal with. But together they just click.

This is such a beautiful, emotional, steamy filled story. I fell in love with these characters. Their journey is so heartwarming.

HollyJane

78 reviews4 followers

January 4, 2026

⭐⭐⭐ Combined Book + Audiobook Review — Red Zone by Lisa Suzanne

Red Zone was… fine. Not bad, not amazing — just one of those reads where the premise hooked me more than the actual characters.

Maverick Jennings starts off as a total jerk: full grump mode, a little narcissistic, and honestly not very fun to root for in the beginning. Everly Bradley, the PR specialist brought in to fix his image, is confident, smart, and absolutely not taking his crap. Their dynamic has potential, and I did enjoy watching Maverick slowly open up and start trusting her as circumstances push them closer.

But even with that growth, Maverick still reads immature and selfish for a big chunk of the story. Everly, meanwhile, is surprisingly naive for someone in her field. Maverick just wants to be chosen, and she… doesn’t choose him. Their push‑pull ends up feeling messy, and not always in a way that deepens the romance. I also didn’t fully connect with either of them, and the side characters felt flat, not adding much depth or momentum. With secrets and emotional baggage coming out, both Maverick and Everly make choices that feel more selfish than romantic.

On the audio side, though, Liam DiCosimo and Stefanie Kay do a great job bringing these characters to life. He nails Maverick’s grumpy, closed‑off vibe, and she gives Everly that confident, take‑no‑nonsense tone the character needs. Their chemistry works well in the tension and banter, and they make the story easy to listen to even when the characters themselves aren’t always easy to love.

Overall, Red Zone had moments I enjoyed — especially in the narration — but the story as a whole didn’t fully click for me.

I was lucky enough to get the ALC for this audiobook. I want to thank the author for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook before it’s released.

Ashley Bolan

336 reviews1 follower

December 28, 2025

I swear Lisa Suzanne doubles down on her books every single time. Just when I don't think I could love her anymore, she says "hold my beer". I absolutely adored Maverick and Everleigh's story. Everleigh is the older sister of the bunch. She is struggling to make her mark in the family just like the rest of the Bradley siblings. Everleigh is a brand strategist that is hired to help fix Mavericks image problems and help him build his legacy. Maverick is an angry and bitter football player. He has been dealt a crap hand in life. He has many personal issue that he has ignored during his career. He thought that he would be with one team his whole career only to be traded to another. He is bitter about it and cannot and wont relate to his fellow teammates. During practice, Dex, Everleigh's brother hurts Maverick and he is sidelined for many games. He is holding a grudge against him and his family. Maverick uses unhealthy coping mechanisms and it gets him into a lot of trouble. It is Everleigh's job to help him redeem himself. He doesn't make her job easy at all. Not to mention her family has a lot of secrets that she has to contend with as well. I loved not only that they author has continued in the same world as her pervious series but she has also found a way to blend them the new. I love seeing some of our old friends in this series. The character and story development is always top notch. She keeps you engaged from start to finish. The only question left is can they both find a way to not only forgive the past but to move forward and find the love and companionship they both are missing? Will the secrets and lies tear them apart or bring them back together stronger than ever. You will have to read to find out.

World Of Books 65

3,231 reviews60 followers

A touchdown romance packed with heart, heat, and emotional depth.

Lisa Suzanne, you’ve done it again. The Red Zone is another flawless addition to The Bradley Legacy series—aside from that emotional hiccup near the end that had me on the edge of my seat, heart pounding and completely invested. And honestly? That just proves how deeply this story gets under your skin.

The title couldn’t be more perfect. Ms Suzanne hits the red zone and scores a touchdown with every single chapter.

This time, the spotlight shines on Everleigh Bradley, a branding strategist being pushed to move to LA for a career-defining opportunity. Surrounded by sportsmen thanks to her brothers, the one thing she’s hoping for is not having to work with another athlete. Spoiler: the universe has other plans.

Enter Maverick Jennings, the Aces’ new quarterback—and a man who gives the word grumpy an entirely new meaning. When Everleigh discovers she’s been tasked with rebranding Maverick, sparks fly instantly. Their chemistry is undeniable, sharp, and sizzling, but what truly sets this story apart is the emotional depth woven into every interaction.

Lisa Suzanne excels at peeling back the layers of her characters, and Maverick is no exception. The more we uncover about him, the harder it is not to fall head over heels. Everleigh, meanwhile, shines on every page—strong, compassionate, and real. Her own family struggles add another powerful layer, once again showcasing Ms Suzanne’s mastery of heartfelt, emotionally rich romance.

And the Bradley family? They continue to test every romance reader’s feelings in the very best way.

The Red Zone is sizzingly romantic, deeply emotional, and utterly unforgettable—another must-read that proves Lisa Suzanne is at the top of her game. 🏈💖

Sonya

231 reviews4 followers

January 1, 2026

“I’m attracted to her, and that’s a real problem. Because she’s the enemy—not just because she’s been put in charge of me for the next year, but because she’s Dex Bradley’s sister. She’s demanding and independent, two major turn-ons, and the last time I gave into chemistry, I ended up…well, like this. What you see today.”

Red Zone | Lisa Suzanne | Bradley Legacy

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5, 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

“He leans down, and his nose brushes against mine. He’s going to kiss me, and God, do I want him to kiss me. I close my eyes as I breathe him in, and I wait for his lips to connect with mine.”

Read this if you love: enemies to lovers | forced proximity | grumpy x sunshine | football romance | next door neighbors | bad boy player x brand strategist | he hates everyone (but her) | hero with a tortured past

“Why haven’t you given up on me yet?” he demands. “We’ve only been working together a couple of weeks. Why would I give up on you?” He lifts a shoulder. “Everyone always does.” I wonder if he’d be so candid if he were sober. “I won’t.”

The enemies to lovers dynamic in this one was so good with the “I don’t like you but I really want you” moments. Seriously though, Everleigh and Maverick’s chemistry was so good and she brought out the best in him. Why do the baddest boys always have the most emotional stories? I love it, but it never fails that the seemingly most unlikable men always end up being the ones with the biggest hearts. I loved this couple, plus I really love the ongoing storyline with the Bradley family, and this book cranks that storyline up a notch. Cannot wait for more in this series!

Thank you @authorlisasuzanne for the eARC. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Brittney

984 reviews41 followers

January 3, 2026

🏈 RED ZONE by Lisa Suzanne

Sports Romance • Enemies-to-Lovers • Grumpy/Sunshine • Bad Boy QB × Good Girl PR Manager

If you love sports romances where the tension hits harder than a playoff tackle, Red Zone is that book. Maverick Jennings is the NFL’s grumpiest quarterback with a PR crisis big enough to bench his entire career… and she’s the woman sent to save him.

Except he doesn’t want saving.
He wants to argue. Glare. Push every button she has.
And she? She gives it right back. 😏

But once the layers start to peel back and once you see the pain behind his scowl…good luck not falling for him right along with her.

This book delivers slow-burn heat, delicious banter, emotional gut punches, and a redemption arc that sticks. And yes, the forced proximity and neighbor vibes absolutely do their job.

Read this if you love:
🏈 Grumpy, tortured athletes with soft centers
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers that snap, crackle, and combust
💋 Bad boy × good girl tension that feels ILLEGAL
🏠 Neighbor interactions that turn into “oh no there’s only one bed” energy
📱 PR × football drama
❤️ A heroine who sees the man behind the headlines
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found family and big emotional healing

If you’re craving a sports romance with bite, heart, and a quarterback who’ll ruin your life in the best way possible? Red Zone is your next obsession.

#RedZone #LisaSuzanne #TheBradleyLegacy #SportsRomance #EnemiesToLovers #GrumpySunshine #FootballRomance #TorturedHero #BookstagramRomance #VPR

Jennifer Carey

480 reviews20 followers

This was a quick and easy read and I couldn't help but fall for Maverick!! I love a good redemption story and Mav definitely gets his in Red Zone.

Everleigh is brought in to clean up Mavericks image who is the new player for the Vegas football team. Maverick is know for his don't care attitude and Everleigh is determined to turn that around. Not because she wants to because she definitely doesn't, but because this will be the next step in starting her own firm.

Mavrick does not make Everleigh's job easy. But she doesn't back down one bit and continues to show up for him even when he doesn't think he deserves it. And because of that he begins to open up to Everleigh. And when we find out his past?? Oh my heart!! He deserved so much better and I love how Everleigh proves that to him and allows him to open his heart up again. The chemistry was soo good and the hate kisses were gold!! I loved Mavericks redemption story and love how they both realized how much they deserved the happiness they brought each other.

AUDIO: This was narrated by Liam Dicosimo and Stefanie Kay. I feel like they were both perfect for Maverick and Everleigh. They brought all the emotions and chemistry to this story and I enjoyed listening to this one!

-Football Romance
-Bad Boy NFL Player x Brand Strategist
-Next Door Neighbors
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Enemies to Lovers
-He hates everyone but her
-Hero with a tortured past

Thank you Lisa and Valentine PR for this ALC!

alc audio bad-boy

Elizabeth

60 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

December 22, 2025

Red Zone the Third book in the Bradley Family series was my favorite so far. Everleigh Bradley is offered an assignment in Vegas to re-brand a client, but to take the job she must give up her 32 correct clients and not know who the client she will be representing is. The bonus: her boss will let her open her own company and their will not be noncompete clause.
Maverick Jennings is the surly new quarterback for the Vegas Aces. He was traded from Dallas, where he thought he would spend his whole career. He has no interest in making friends on the team or anywhere else, he just wants to play football. During practice Dex Bradley (Everleigh's brother) a defensive lineman for the Aces rams into Maverick breaking his ribs, so he is out for the first several games of the season. He is angry one night and complains about Dex which is caught on video. He then meets his brand strategist, the sister of the man who took him out of the game.

Everleigh works with Maverick to understand him, which is not an easy task considering the walls he has erected to protect himself. As they work together an attraction grows which they can't fight. Maverick lets Everligh in and tells her all his secrets, which seems to change him. Until Eveerligh is faced with choosing Maverick or her family.

Tifftatum40

186 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

arc broken-boy enemies-to-lovers

4.25⭐️
A note from Mavericks mom:
You come first. Always. Never allow my illness to take away from your own life. 🥹

What to expect:
🏈 Football Sports Romance
❤️ Enemies to Lovers
🏈 Bad Boy Player x Brand Strategist
❤️ He Hates Everyone (but her)
🏈 Next Door Neighbors
❤️ Forced Proximity
🏈 Hero with a Tortured Past
❤️ Grumpy/Sunshine

Maverick Jennings- Quarterback for the Las Vegas Aces. Only wants to be alone and will no let anyone in. Has a past that he does not share with anyone.

Everleigh Bradley- Brand strategist from Chicago. Wants to open up her own company but never wants to work with athletes. Comes from a big dysfunctional family. There are so many kids.

When you have been through everything Maverick has you understand it is safer to stay to yourself and push everyone away. That is until Everleigh walked into his life wearing a red dress, black shoes w/ red bottoms, and that sexy red lipstick. You could feel their chemistry from the first meeting.

This is one of the parts that got me 💔
"Because it's not in my nature to give up. I'm a problem solver, Maverick. I'm a fixer."
"You think you can fix me?"
"I don't think you're broken."
"You're dead wrong about that."

Check trigger warnings.
Thank you Lisa Suzanne and Valentine PR. Above are my honest thoughts.

Sharon in SF

1,113 reviews6 followers

December 28, 2025

This is the third book in the series and features Everleigh Bradley, brand strategist and sister to five professional athletes. Her dream is to open her own firm one day so when her boss offers her a project that will get her closer to that goal, Everleigh feels compelled to take it. After moving across the country to Vegas, Everleigh threatens to back out after she realizes she'll have to work with the Maverick Jennings, the new quarterback for the Vegas Aces, and her brother, Dex's teammate. Maverick just joined the team after being suddenly traded by his former team so he's carrying a bitter monkey on his back, and his attitude only gets worse after being told Everleigh will be with him 24/7 to try and clean up his public persona. The constant push and pull of their oil and water relationship seems to ignite their electric attraction for one another even though it will put her reputation and job on the line.
When Maverick finds himself in a wrong place wrong time predicament, Everleigh must make a life altering decision on who holds her loyalty, her client or her family.
I loved the sizzle between Maverick and Everleigh, though Maverick's temper at times, presented opportunities to show why she was so good at her job. I liked the voicing of the main characters by Liam Dicosimo and Stefanie Kay, but didn't care for the way they voiced the side characters in a particular scene. It detracted a bit from my overall enjoyment of the audio book.

Sal’s life

154 reviews2 followers

January 4, 2026

Thank you to Valentine PR for this eARC.

Book 3 of the Bradley Legacy and yet another fantastic book.
This time Everleigh Bradley is offered the chance to move to Vegas to work with 1 client full time for a year rather than the 32 she currently works with as a brand strategist. She decided to give it a go hoping that it wouldn't be an athlete. As bad luck would have it, it is with a star QB on the same team as her brother Dex (from book 2).

Things do not start off well, as Maverick Jennings resents her being there to 'babysit' him and he can barely be civil to her. She has her work cut out for her as he seems determined to not change his ways at all, creating more and more issues for her to try and resolve.

Slowly the walls start to come down, however when her ex comes round unannounced, Mav becomes jealous. Tensions and emotions are high and they get it out of their systems in the best way possible.

As per usual in this series Mr Bradley senior, makes some more shocking decisions in his underground business and this causes a divide between them. Can they recover from this? Does Everleigh have to choose family over a new man?

I can honestly say that even though Maverick was a total grump throughout the book, I just wanted to give him a big hug, he had been through so much trauma that you kinda understood why he was the way he was.

Kristen

17 reviews

The Red Zone is a fast-paced, addictive read that pulls you straight into the high-stakes world of pro football and image management. Maverick, a talented quarterback with a reputation for trouble, isn’t just battling critics—he’s carrying deep emotional scars from his past that shape every bad decision he makes. Enter Everleigh, a sharp and determined brand strategist who gives up her successful Chicago career to head to Vegas with one mission: clean up Maverick’s image and turn his life around.
Everleigh, however, has struggles of her own. Her father’s criminal activities have put her and her siblings at risk, a storyline that weaves through previous books in the series and adds extra tension here. (I highly recommend reading the earlier books to fully appreciate this ongoing arc.)
The chemistry between Maverick and Everleigh is electric. Their relationship walks a razor-thin line between love and hate, fueled by clashing personalities, sharp banter, and unexpectedly tender moments. The mix of anger, vulnerability, and emotional growth makes their connection feel intense and real—and easily my favorite couple in the series.
I couldn’t put this book down. If you’re looking for a story packed with drama, heart, and irresistible tension, grab The Red Zone immediately.

Chantel Kaopuiki

42 reviews

December 25, 2025

Red Zone is the 3rd book to the Bradley Series. Everleigh Bradley comes from a strong line of athletes and promised to take on athletes as clients. She had her own dreams and when opportunity came along she gave up 32 clients to take on 1. Building a new brand.
Her one client, Maverick Jennings was a handful but she managed to take him on… mind, body, heart. Working side by side with someone in close proximity tends to lead to other things. Feelings got involved and a relationship evolved.
Both Everleigh and Maverick went through things in previous relationships and if you ask me that’s what got them together, there was a base to bond and strengthen. Need, want and hunger.
Mav, was introduced to Legacy which is part of the Bradley’s. One thing led to the other and a bust was made while Mav was there. A deal was talked about with the FBI but he pondered it out of respect to Everleigh and tried talking about it with her. Next is finding out which has loyalty, her relationship with Maverick or family obligation. Blood is thicker than water but which do you choose when blood was never there, never around? Loyalty is built, it doesn’t matter that blood is thicker. Family no matter what is the one that turns itself.

meli ୨ৎ

159 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy

December 28, 2025

Red Zone by Lisa Suzanne is an emotionally charged sports romance that goes far beyond the grumpy quarterback trope. Even as the third book in The Bradley Legacy series, it stands strong on its own, pulling you in quickly with sharp banter, high stakes, and a heroine who’s impossible not to root for. Everleigh is driven and confident, hired to clean up Maverick Jennings’ public image, only to realize that the man behind the reputation is far more complicated than she expected.

Maverick is closed off, abrasive, and clearly weighed down by pressure and past mistakes, which makes his resistance feel real rather than arrogant. The tension between him and Everleigh builds naturally, filled with frustration, chemistry, and moments that slowly crack open his walls. What makes this romance shine is its emotional depth: Everleigh doesn’t exist to save him, but to challenge him, stand her ground, and risk just as much as he does.

With solid pacing, satisfying spice, and a football setting that adds realism without overpowering the romance, Red Zone delivers a heartfelt, swoony grumpy-sunshine story perfect for fans of emotionally rich sports romances with a strong happily ever after.

Thanks to the author and valentine pr for the arc <3

Nicole

46 reviews