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Worth the Scandal
One night. No names. No Numbers. Will it be worth the scandal?
Scarlett Walker is the architect of her own chaos. Between drowning her grief in tequila and managing the biggest names in sport, she’s learned to keep her walls high and her secrets higher. But when the company she works for collapses, Scarlett has no choice but to start over—back in her hometown of Dawson’s Ridge, where Friday night footy is sacred and the Ridgebacks are Rugby League royalty.
What she doesn’t expect? To come face-to-face with him—the stranger from one unforgettable night two years ago. The man she never thought she’d see again. The man who also happens to be her dad’s newest star player.
Asher Kingston is as devastating off the field as he is on it—and his wardrobe is overflowing with skeletons. For Scarlett, mixing business with temptation is a disaster waiting to happen. But in a town where nothing stays secret for long, resisting him might be the biggest scandal of all.
Worth the Scandal is a sizzling sports romance with a twist—fierce women running the game, players who break the stereotypes, and a love story that will have you booking a side line seat at Dawson’s Ridge Stadium.
Scarlett Walker is the architect of her own chaos. Between drowning her grief in tequila and managing the biggest names in sport, she’s learned to keep her walls high and her secrets higher. But when the company she works for collapses, Scarlett has no choice but to start over—back in her hometown of Dawson’s Ridge, where Friday night footy is sacred and the Ridgebacks are Rugby League royalty.
What she doesn’t expect? To come face-to-face with him—the stranger from one unforgettable night two years ago. The man she never thought she’d see again. The man who also happens to be her dad’s newest star player.
Asher Kingston is as devastating off the field as he is on it—and his wardrobe is overflowing with skeletons. For Scarlett, mixing business with temptation is a disaster waiting to happen. But in a town where nothing stays secret for long, resisting him might be the biggest scandal of all.
Worth the Scandal is a sizzling sports romance with a twist—fierce women running the game, players who break the stereotypes, and a love story that will have you booking a side line seat at Dawson’s Ridge Stadium.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 8, 2026
Looking for your next sports romance, my Aussie girls and guys look no further. It’s a NRL romance full of banter and all things Australia. There’s too many spoilers I want to add but won’t! The romance was spicy and the plot was perfection and the man was written by a woman. Worth the Scandal stumbled across my feed last year and I waited for Footy season it pick it up (kicking myself now)
I find Australian romances sometimes shove so much Aussie into their books to really hit home where the story is set. This one was the perfect blend of location and familiarity without taking it away from the book. If you are looking for an Australian romance with footy this one’s for you. I’m excited for the next instalment.
Scarlett Walker has always been in control, even when her life says otherwise. Between high profile clients, long nights, and a habit of numbing her grief with tequila, she’s built walls that no one gets through. But when her career implodes, she’s forced back to Dawson’s Ridge, a town that remembers everything and forgives nothing.
She expects small town gossip and Friday night footy. What she doesn’t expect is him. The man from one reckless, unforgettable night. The one she never planned to see again. Now he’s standing in front of her, not as a stranger, but as her father’s newest star player.
Asher Kingston is magnetic on and off the field, carrying secrets of his own and a reputation that follows him everywhere. Getting involved with him would blur every line Scarlett has worked hard to keep in place. In a town where rumours spread faster than the scoreboard, one wrong move could cost them everything.
In Dawson’s Ridge, where loyalty runs deep and scandals run deeper, some risks are impossible to ignore, and some love stories are worth the fallout.
I find Australian romances sometimes shove so much Aussie into their books to really hit home where the story is set. This one was the perfect blend of location and familiarity without taking it away from the book. If you are looking for an Australian romance with footy this one’s for you. I’m excited for the next instalment.
Scarlett Walker has always been in control, even when her life says otherwise. Between high profile clients, long nights, and a habit of numbing her grief with tequila, she’s built walls that no one gets through. But when her career implodes, she’s forced back to Dawson’s Ridge, a town that remembers everything and forgives nothing.
She expects small town gossip and Friday night footy. What she doesn’t expect is him. The man from one reckless, unforgettable night. The one she never planned to see again. Now he’s standing in front of her, not as a stranger, but as her father’s newest star player.
Asher Kingston is magnetic on and off the field, carrying secrets of his own and a reputation that follows him everywhere. Getting involved with him would blur every line Scarlett has worked hard to keep in place. In a town where rumours spread faster than the scoreboard, one wrong move could cost them everything.
In Dawson’s Ridge, where loyalty runs deep and scandals run deeper, some risks are impossible to ignore, and some love stories are worth the fallout.
October 23, 2025
Perfect Aussie NRL book. I loved this one so much.
June 8, 2026
This was a tough read. I will state that my interest in NRL has been from a very young age due to a 15 year age gap with my twin brothers and I have friends in the sport. I watch all 8 games a week. I know a lot of the ins and outs. I’m a massive fan, to the point where I’ve been in the sheds and on the field at Accor lol.
This small country down would not have a huge stadium that rivals Suncorp (holds over 50k) and Accor (holds over 80k).
$5 vodka sodas in Sydney’s inner west or Bondi? A LIE
So repetative. We get it, he’s the guy from that night and she’s the girl. We don’t need to keep mentioning it.
Asher remembers the red solo cup she was drinking out of from the party when stalking her Instagram. Yeah no shit, it’s a universal party cup.
So Asher is a debutant and supposed to be the next hottest player and hes been signed for 2years, but Scarlet thinks he should be getting sponsorships from Nike and Under Armour? Asher seems to have more hype than Joseph Sua’ali’i did before his debut.
The coaches don’t use headpieces to speak to the bench.
Mere minutes into the half (40 min halves btw) and Caleb gets benched, Asher goes on and he’s replacing Caleb as Fullback? But then he’s at dummy half for some reason? Then there’s only 2 mins left in the game 🙃
The coach wouldn’t come down from the box to the sideline for a trial game his team lost. It just wouldn’t happen.
Says she wanted to pull Asher’s stats from the trial game for the short time he was on and compare it to Caleb’s stats from the lengthy stint he did. But Caleb played 2 extra minutes according to the author?
They had sex in the sheds, that she shouldn’t be able to go into btw because she’s part of the media. Doesn’t matter if she’s the coaches daughter.
WHO THE FUCK USES SOMEONE ELSES TOOTHBRUSH? Yuck.
The dialogue in this book is awful too. “I was born to slay in Syd”
Once again, a fullback isn’t darting out of dummy half 😭
That final scene absolutely wouldn’t happen on a first game of the season and why is this media chick allowed to just do whatever she likes because she’s the coaches daughter. That simply wouldn’t happen irl.
If Asher had a concussion, the media wouldn’t be allowed to talk to him and he wouldn’t be rushing out to see his girlfriend
Why was it not touched on the travel the players do for games? They only focused on 2 trial games and 1 regular season game, all played at their home ground.
This book had so many inconsistencies and was also just poorly written and poorly thought out. It seems like it was published fast to gain popularity in the sports romance market while filling a niche that hasn’t been touched by that genre (NRL). Seems like there was next to none research done on the NRL and this was just an excuse to write a bunch of sex scenes with an athlete.
This small country down would not have a huge stadium that rivals Suncorp (holds over 50k) and Accor (holds over 80k).
$5 vodka sodas in Sydney’s inner west or Bondi? A LIE
So repetative. We get it, he’s the guy from that night and she’s the girl. We don’t need to keep mentioning it.
Asher remembers the red solo cup she was drinking out of from the party when stalking her Instagram. Yeah no shit, it’s a universal party cup.
So Asher is a debutant and supposed to be the next hottest player and hes been signed for 2years, but Scarlet thinks he should be getting sponsorships from Nike and Under Armour? Asher seems to have more hype than Joseph Sua’ali’i did before his debut.
The coaches don’t use headpieces to speak to the bench.
Mere minutes into the half (40 min halves btw) and Caleb gets benched, Asher goes on and he’s replacing Caleb as Fullback? But then he’s at dummy half for some reason? Then there’s only 2 mins left in the game 🙃
The coach wouldn’t come down from the box to the sideline for a trial game his team lost. It just wouldn’t happen.
Says she wanted to pull Asher’s stats from the trial game for the short time he was on and compare it to Caleb’s stats from the lengthy stint he did. But Caleb played 2 extra minutes according to the author?
They had sex in the sheds, that she shouldn’t be able to go into btw because she’s part of the media. Doesn’t matter if she’s the coaches daughter.
WHO THE FUCK USES SOMEONE ELSES TOOTHBRUSH? Yuck.
The dialogue in this book is awful too. “I was born to slay in Syd”
Once again, a fullback isn’t darting out of dummy half 😭
That final scene absolutely wouldn’t happen on a first game of the season and why is this media chick allowed to just do whatever she likes because she’s the coaches daughter. That simply wouldn’t happen irl.
If Asher had a concussion, the media wouldn’t be allowed to talk to him and he wouldn’t be rushing out to see his girlfriend
Why was it not touched on the travel the players do for games? They only focused on 2 trial games and 1 regular season game, all played at their home ground.
This book had so many inconsistencies and was also just poorly written and poorly thought out. It seems like it was published fast to gain popularity in the sports romance market while filling a niche that hasn’t been touched by that genre (NRL). Seems like there was next to none research done on the NRL and this was just an excuse to write a bunch of sex scenes with an athlete.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2026
Omg Scarlett and Asher had me falling hard from that very first nameless hookup 😍
Scarlett moves back to her small hometown after a career change, determined to start her own sports management agency and spend more time with her dad. Her sights are set on scouting talent from his rugby league team… but the last person she expects to see is the man she shared one unforgettable night with two years ago.
A man she’s never been able to forget.
Asher is the definition of top-tier book boyfriend ❤️ Sure, he’s keeping a few secrets about his past and who he really is, but he’s also sweet, caring, fiercely protective, and incredibly romantic. It was impossible not to fall in love with him.
Of course, things aren’t exactly straightforward. Scarlett is the coach’s daughter, Asher is one of the team’s star players and they’re both supposed to keep things professional. With both of their careers on the line, there are plenty of obstacles standing in their way.
But their attraction? Absolutely undeniable.
The chemistry between these two was explosive and I loved every second of watching them fight for the relationship they both wanted. Their banter, romantic moments and unwavering support for one another made them such an easy couple to root for.
An amazing sports romance that I absolutely loved! 🥰
✨ What to expect:
🏉 Rugby League Romance
💼 Sports Agent x Star Player
🌶️ One-Night Stand to Lovers
🏡 Small-Town Romance
❤️ Coach’s Daughter
🇦🇺 Aussie Setting & Banter
Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️
Scarlett moves back to her small hometown after a career change, determined to start her own sports management agency and spend more time with her dad. Her sights are set on scouting talent from his rugby league team… but the last person she expects to see is the man she shared one unforgettable night with two years ago.
A man she’s never been able to forget.
Asher is the definition of top-tier book boyfriend ❤️ Sure, he’s keeping a few secrets about his past and who he really is, but he’s also sweet, caring, fiercely protective, and incredibly romantic. It was impossible not to fall in love with him.
Of course, things aren’t exactly straightforward. Scarlett is the coach’s daughter, Asher is one of the team’s star players and they’re both supposed to keep things professional. With both of their careers on the line, there are plenty of obstacles standing in their way.
But their attraction? Absolutely undeniable.
The chemistry between these two was explosive and I loved every second of watching them fight for the relationship they both wanted. Their banter, romantic moments and unwavering support for one another made them such an easy couple to root for.
An amazing sports romance that I absolutely loved! 🥰
✨ What to expect:
🏉 Rugby League Romance
💼 Sports Agent x Star Player
🌶️ One-Night Stand to Lovers
🏡 Small-Town Romance
❤️ Coach’s Daughter
🇦🇺 Aussie Setting & Banter
Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️
January 7, 2026
When your friend writes a romance novel, of course your TBR is tossed to the side and it’s at the top of your list! 🥹 this was such a fun read that moved at a really enjoyable pace with the right balance of plot depth and character development. Also having the setting of the story being in Australia added a special touch that enhanced the reading experience. I cannot WAIT for book 2, I feel like I’ve got an idea of whose story it might follow 👀😍
October 23, 2025
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Such a nice and easy read, with a great storyline!
June 16, 2026
4.5 🌟
Omg I don’t know what I was expecting but this exceeded all expectations! This is like Icebreaker but for aussies - I am so here for this & I NEED more rugby romance in my life!☺️
Omg I don’t know what I was expecting but this exceeded all expectations! This is like Icebreaker but for aussies - I am so here for this & I NEED more rugby romance in my life!☺️
April 11, 2026
Loved it!
Worth the Scandal by E. L. Moran is such a fun, easy Aussie sports romance that I flew through.
I loved the Aussie footy vibes, the characters, and the chemistry—it’s light, entertaining, and super bingeable. The story follows a second-chance romance set in a rugby league world, with just the right mix of drama, heart, and spice to keep you hooked.
Worth the Scandal by E. L. Moran is such a fun, easy Aussie sports romance that I flew through.
I loved the Aussie footy vibes, the characters, and the chemistry—it’s light, entertaining, and super bingeable. The story follows a second-chance romance set in a rugby league world, with just the right mix of drama, heart, and spice to keep you hooked.
April 24, 2026
Scar and Ash 💜
Ok. I loved it. I'm not normally a huge sports romance kinda gal but I was recommended this by a friend and it delivers.
Banter - check
Sassy FMC - check
Slightly damaged MMC - check
Chilli peppers - check
The only thing I missed was Caleb's comeuppance. He definitely deserved more.
Absolutely cannot wait for book 2
Ok. I loved it. I'm not normally a huge sports romance kinda gal but I was recommended this by a friend and it delivers.
Banter - check
Sassy FMC - check
Slightly damaged MMC - check
Chilli peppers - check
The only thing I missed was Caleb's comeuppance. He definitely deserved more.
Absolutely cannot wait for book 2
October 26, 2025
This book has everything you could want in a romance. The banter? delicious and the drama? so good! But it also has real character development, heartfelt moments, and a good dose of rugby. It’s impossible not to love Scarlett and be rooting for Asher.
And can we talk about the dad?! So well written. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a romance dad more. That alone makes this an easy 5 stars for me. Such a feel good read with some laughs! I’m super keen for the next one.
And can we talk about the dad?! So well written. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a romance dad more. That alone makes this an easy 5 stars for me. Such a feel good read with some laughs! I’m super keen for the next one.
May 20, 2026
Scar and Asher are meant to be together and you can’t convince me otherwise.
Boss bitch meets footy star and well didn’t the stars align.
This book is a great read, the characters story’s are meaningful, each exploring their troubles and lingering grief.
There’s not a single character that I didn’t love, well maybe except one IYKYK.
I Can’t wait to read book 2, bring it on!
Boss bitch meets footy star and well didn’t the stars align.
This book is a great read, the characters story’s are meaningful, each exploring their troubles and lingering grief.
There’s not a single character that I didn’t love, well maybe except one IYKYK.
I Can’t wait to read book 2, bring it on!
January 3, 2026
Corny in the best way
This was a super sweet semi predictable story but in the best way it was so nice to read and gave you warm fuzzies watching how much the MCs were obsessed with each other.
This was a super sweet semi predictable story but in the best way it was so nice to read and gave you warm fuzzies watching how much the MCs were obsessed with each other.
June 26, 2026
Book Review 📚🥰
Who doesn’t love a sports romance that’s set round NFL Football in Australia 😆🏉
I’m a sucker for a good sports romance & I’ve been looking forward to reading @el first book for so long!!
Scarlett & Asher’s chance meeting one night in Sydney sets in motion some spicy, fun, dramatic & above all scandalous events in their lives that they never saw coming 🥰
Their story was a nice easy read & I timed reading it perfectly to coincide with the ARC is was lucky enough to receive of book two in the Maroon Management series, Worth the Lies which will be released to everyone on the 27th of June 🥳🙌🏼
🏉 One Night Stand
🩷 Second Chance Romance
🏉 Rugby League/NFL Romance
🩷 He Falls for his Coach’s Daughter
🏉 She Calls Him ‘Big Boy’
🩷 He Calls Her ‘Darling’
🏉 Aussie Setting
🩷 Dual POV
Who doesn’t love a sports romance that’s set round NFL Football in Australia 😆🏉
I’m a sucker for a good sports romance & I’ve been looking forward to reading @el first book for so long!!
Scarlett & Asher’s chance meeting one night in Sydney sets in motion some spicy, fun, dramatic & above all scandalous events in their lives that they never saw coming 🥰
Their story was a nice easy read & I timed reading it perfectly to coincide with the ARC is was lucky enough to receive of book two in the Maroon Management series, Worth the Lies which will be released to everyone on the 27th of June 🥳🙌🏼
🏉 One Night Stand
🩷 Second Chance Romance
🏉 Rugby League/NFL Romance
🩷 He Falls for his Coach’s Daughter
🏉 She Calls Him ‘Big Boy’
🩷 He Calls Her ‘Darling’
🏉 Aussie Setting
🩷 Dual POV
July 1, 2026
This was my first Aussie rugby book and it hit all the right spots I loved it. Scarlett and Asher are couple goals and the twist don’t get me started I didn’t see that coming
Already 3 chapters into worth the lies, I need more!
Already 3 chapters into worth the lies, I need more!
November 14, 2025
4 ⭐️
Was so lucky to receive an early copy of this!!
NRL romance set in Australia. I absolutely loved this book! Perfect amount of romance, banter, fun! The relationship between Scarlett and Asher was so well written! Highly recommend reading this! Pre order yours now! It will not disappoint!
January 23, 2026
I love a good sports romance book and at the moment on booksta sport is definitely having its moment. So I was very excited to enter @elmoran world of NRL and her beautifully written little word of Dawson’s Ridge.
I loved this read, I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in a little over two days. Our FMC was strong, smart and sexy and our MMC fell hard and fast! As an Aussie I really enjoyed the banter throughout the book and a sprinkling of our slang. Finding the work “fuckstick” was a personal favourite.
I’m excited for the rest of this series and can’t wait to read anything else that she puts out.
I loved this read, I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in a little over two days. Our FMC was strong, smart and sexy and our MMC fell hard and fast! As an Aussie I really enjoyed the banter throughout the book and a sprinkling of our slang. Finding the work “fuckstick” was a personal favourite.
I’m excited for the rest of this series and can’t wait to read anything else that she puts out.
October 22, 2025
The banter had me grinning and the chemistry was just chef’s kiss!
I normally read romantic fantasy or dark romance, but this one completely won me over, it honestly felt like watching a romcom movie play out in my head. I loved how bingeable it was, and I couldn’t stop reading once I started.
If you’re after something light and a little bit cheeky this is such a good pick. I’m already hanging out for the next book in the series!
I normally read romantic fantasy or dark romance, but this one completely won me over, it honestly felt like watching a romcom movie play out in my head. I loved how bingeable it was, and I couldn’t stop reading once I started.
If you’re after something light and a little bit cheeky this is such a good pick. I’m already hanging out for the next book in the series!
May 23, 2026
More rugby league romances, please!
May 22, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. Easy read and was great for it to feel more relatable being an Aussie sport.
Did Not Finish
June 20, 2026I wanted to like this book. Because nrl romance, would be so good and such a missed market in the sport romances genre. But the first line had me disgusted and immediately dnf. The line being “Honestly fu*k Jason, fu*k him and his baby cucumber sized pen*s.” Like that’s such gross behaviour making fun of someone like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2025
WORTH THE SCANDAL by EL MORAN ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At rock bottom after losing her sports management job, Scarlett Walker is forced to return to Dawson’s Ridge to start her own management company. Dawson’s Ridge is not just her hometown, but also the hometown of the Ridgebacks, rugby league royalty, where her dad coaches. When she arrives she is shocked to find that the mystery man she shared one stolen, passionate and deeply intimate night with two years ago is her dad’s new star player.
After suffering a devastating event, Asher Kingston is starting over with a new team. Fighting pressure from his parents and hiding plenty of secrets, the only bright spark in his life is the reemergence of the stunning woman that had such a profound impact on him two years ago. The only problem is, her father has warned the entire team to stay away from her.
Sparks fly and the chemistry between them is still burning hot but with Asher’s secrets threatening to tear them apart and Scarlett struggling to promote her new company, can they find a way to have the future they both dream of?
———————————————
This is a great debut? book by EL Moran (I believe she concentrated on poetry before). I really enjoyed her writing style and although I am more a rugby union girl 😜, I thoroughly enjoyed the action and behind the scenes chapters.
The chemistry between the two MC’s was off the charts from the very beginning and I couldn’t help but cheer these two to their HEA. There is plenty of banter but also some deep meaningful moments between the pair.
The side characters are also very engaging ( I adored Scarlett’s dad and would love to see more of him) and this book introduced plenty of options for future books, to see where those characters lives lead - Shell, Jace, Jenn etc etc, that I would love to read.
At around 260 pages, with a bright, engaging cover that draws you in, I definitely recommend readers to give this delightful book a try.
Thank you to E.L.Moran for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🏉 Sports Romance
🏉 Close Proximity
🏉 Second Chance
🏉 🔥🔥🔥
🏉 He Falls Hard
🏉 Rugby League
🏉Australia
At rock bottom after losing her sports management job, Scarlett Walker is forced to return to Dawson’s Ridge to start her own management company. Dawson’s Ridge is not just her hometown, but also the hometown of the Ridgebacks, rugby league royalty, where her dad coaches. When she arrives she is shocked to find that the mystery man she shared one stolen, passionate and deeply intimate night with two years ago is her dad’s new star player.
After suffering a devastating event, Asher Kingston is starting over with a new team. Fighting pressure from his parents and hiding plenty of secrets, the only bright spark in his life is the reemergence of the stunning woman that had such a profound impact on him two years ago. The only problem is, her father has warned the entire team to stay away from her.
Sparks fly and the chemistry between them is still burning hot but with Asher’s secrets threatening to tear them apart and Scarlett struggling to promote her new company, can they find a way to have the future they both dream of?
———————————————
This is a great debut? book by EL Moran (I believe she concentrated on poetry before). I really enjoyed her writing style and although I am more a rugby union girl 😜, I thoroughly enjoyed the action and behind the scenes chapters.
The chemistry between the two MC’s was off the charts from the very beginning and I couldn’t help but cheer these two to their HEA. There is plenty of banter but also some deep meaningful moments between the pair.
The side characters are also very engaging ( I adored Scarlett’s dad and would love to see more of him) and this book introduced plenty of options for future books, to see where those characters lives lead - Shell, Jace, Jenn etc etc, that I would love to read.
At around 260 pages, with a bright, engaging cover that draws you in, I definitely recommend readers to give this delightful book a try.
Thank you to E.L.Moran for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🏉 Sports Romance
🏉 Close Proximity
🏉 Second Chance
🏉 🔥🔥🔥
🏉 He Falls Hard
🏉 Rugby League
🏉Australia
May 5, 2026
I really wish, that I loved this book more… but I had such a hard time getting into it for a lot of reasons. I would give this more 2,5⭐️ Since the premise of the story was great and the plot itself was kind of a nice idea and something I was intrigued by, I rounded up to 3⭐️ BUT:
First, the writing style just wasn’t for me, maybe that’s due to the Aussie slang, which I am not used to but I had to re-read whole sentences and paragraphs multiple times. And I see that this might be a me problem and isn’t necessarily an issue for others.
Second, I just could not connect with the characters whatsoever. I think for me this was caused by the fact that a lot of important backstory or emotions are just described in a short sentence and then we jump to something else. E.g I have no real clue what happened to Ashers brother? But apparently that is essential for his character? Scarlett’s relationship to her dad? It is mentioned somewhat, but I don’t see it… Her mum is an issue for like 1 chapter and then ??? Just basically never mentioned again.. the pacing and the character building were just off to me.
Third, I was missing other characters, I love team banter in sports romance and yes there was a Team and a little banter, actually my favourite scene was Asher arriving at practice soaked after his run in with Scarlett’s dad, but this was so short and since I had no real idea about the relationships between Asher and these other guys it just fell flat.
And the third act breakup basically at 90% of the book just made me aggressive. I do like a good third act breakup but this one came super unexpected and did not make sense to me.
First, the writing style just wasn’t for me, maybe that’s due to the Aussie slang, which I am not used to but I had to re-read whole sentences and paragraphs multiple times. And I see that this might be a me problem and isn’t necessarily an issue for others.
Second, I just could not connect with the characters whatsoever. I think for me this was caused by the fact that a lot of important backstory or emotions are just described in a short sentence and then we jump to something else. E.g I have no real clue what happened to Ashers brother? But apparently that is essential for his character? Scarlett’s relationship to her dad? It is mentioned somewhat, but I don’t see it… Her mum is an issue for like 1 chapter and then ??? Just basically never mentioned again.. the pacing and the character building were just off to me.
Third, I was missing other characters, I love team banter in sports romance and yes there was a Team and a little banter, actually my favourite scene was Asher arriving at practice soaked after his run in with Scarlett’s dad, but this was so short and since I had no real idea about the relationships between Asher and these other guys it just fell flat.
And the third act breakup basically at 90% of the book just made me aggressive. I do like a good third act breakup but this one came super unexpected and did not make sense to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2025
What a fun NRL inspired book by E L Moran as her debut! I could tell she knows her rugby, which reflected on the page—something I appreciated throughout the entire book. Nothing beats an accurate depiction of the sport!
I liked how fiery Scarlett was. It made for an interesting read. I enjoyed reading about her friendship with Shell and watching that blossom throughout the book.
Overall, for me, I found the pacing of the plot and lack of character arc growth to be the main reasons for not 100% loving the book. I unfortunately didn't feel much of a connection between Scarlett and Asher, which made it hard to root for them through the book. I wanted to love Asher, but I sadly didn't form that connection with him that I was hoping for. At times, I felt confused by the MCs' reactions to certain things and their decision-making, especially toward the end, and there didn't seem to be any stakes for their relationship. Even when there was drama happening, it all just fell flat to me because of the lack of stakes and urgency for the MCs. At times, the improper use of grammar and punctuation took me out of scenes throughout the book. But that's just a personal thing!
Besides that, I enjoyed the small town vibes, which totally reminded me of the town I grew up in! And I will forever love the use of Aussie slang in books, no matter how many times people say it's cringe 😅
If you want to add an NRL inspired book to your TBR, I would recommend Worth the Scandal 😊
I liked how fiery Scarlett was. It made for an interesting read. I enjoyed reading about her friendship with Shell and watching that blossom throughout the book.
Overall, for me, I found the pacing of the plot and lack of character arc growth to be the main reasons for not 100% loving the book. I unfortunately didn't feel much of a connection between Scarlett and Asher, which made it hard to root for them through the book. I wanted to love Asher, but I sadly didn't form that connection with him that I was hoping for. At times, I felt confused by the MCs' reactions to certain things and their decision-making, especially toward the end, and there didn't seem to be any stakes for their relationship. Even when there was drama happening, it all just fell flat to me because of the lack of stakes and urgency for the MCs. At times, the improper use of grammar and punctuation took me out of scenes throughout the book. But that's just a personal thing!
Besides that, I enjoyed the small town vibes, which totally reminded me of the town I grew up in! And I will forever love the use of Aussie slang in books, no matter how many times people say it's cringe 😅
If you want to add an NRL inspired book to your TBR, I would recommend Worth the Scandal 😊
November 8, 2025
Wow. Just wow. This is E.L. Moran’s debut novel and honestly, what a way to make an entrance! As an Aussie reader, it’s so refreshing to read a story set right here in Australia that actually feels Aussie — full of our humour, our banter, and that vibe you just don’t get anywhere else. We need more of this on our shelves!
Scarlett and Asher meet at a party in Sydney and agree to one night — no names, no numbers, no strings… and years later, they’re both still thinking about it 👀 Scarlett’s a total boss babe, running her own Sports PR agency, and Asher’s the rising star for the Dawson’s Ridge Ridgebacks (yes, an NRL team 😍). He’s got that tough, broody thing going on, but underneath it all? Absolute sweetheart.
Oh, and just a little detail — the Ridgebacks’ coach happens to be Scarlett’s dad, who’s made it very clear the team needs to stay far, far away from his daughter 😅 So yeah, the tension is real.
This book has everything — sizzling chemistry, banter that’ll make you grin, a bit of angst, a whole lot of heart, and the perfect dash of spice. It’s an emotional ride in all the best ways.
If you love a good sports romance with an Aussie twist, Worth the Scandal needs to be on your TBR immediately. E.L. Moran absolutely nailed it, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next! 🫶
Scarlett and Asher meet at a party in Sydney and agree to one night — no names, no numbers, no strings… and years later, they’re both still thinking about it 👀 Scarlett’s a total boss babe, running her own Sports PR agency, and Asher’s the rising star for the Dawson’s Ridge Ridgebacks (yes, an NRL team 😍). He’s got that tough, broody thing going on, but underneath it all? Absolute sweetheart.
Oh, and just a little detail — the Ridgebacks’ coach happens to be Scarlett’s dad, who’s made it very clear the team needs to stay far, far away from his daughter 😅 So yeah, the tension is real.
This book has everything — sizzling chemistry, banter that’ll make you grin, a bit of angst, a whole lot of heart, and the perfect dash of spice. It’s an emotional ride in all the best ways.
If you love a good sports romance with an Aussie twist, Worth the Scandal needs to be on your TBR immediately. E.L. Moran absolutely nailed it, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next! 🫶
October 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
I loved this book! Worth the Scandal was such a fun, emotional, and addictive read — I couldn’t put it down. E.L. Moran did an amazing job balancing romance, drama, and heart in a way that felt totally authentic.
The rugby league setting was such a fresh backdrop — it added intensity and realism without overshadowing the romance. You can tell the author really knows the sport, and it made the story feel grounded and believable.
The characters were what really sold it for me. They felt real — flawed, passionate, and easy to root for. The chemistry was amazing (and seriously hard to look away from), but what I loved most was how much emotional depth there was beneath all the attraction. Both leads had their own baggage and insecurities, and watching them slowly let their walls down was so satisfying.
I also really appreciated that the story didn’t shy away from the pressures and challenges of being in the spotlight. It made the “scandal” part of the title hit harder and gave the romance more weight.
Overall, Worth the Scandal was heartfelt, steamy, and full of tension in all the right ways. If you love sports romances with strong chemistry, real emotion, and characters you can’t stop thinking about, this one is absolutely worth the read.
I loved this book! Worth the Scandal was such a fun, emotional, and addictive read — I couldn’t put it down. E.L. Moran did an amazing job balancing romance, drama, and heart in a way that felt totally authentic.
The rugby league setting was such a fresh backdrop — it added intensity and realism without overshadowing the romance. You can tell the author really knows the sport, and it made the story feel grounded and believable.
The characters were what really sold it for me. They felt real — flawed, passionate, and easy to root for. The chemistry was amazing (and seriously hard to look away from), but what I loved most was how much emotional depth there was beneath all the attraction. Both leads had their own baggage and insecurities, and watching them slowly let their walls down was so satisfying.
I also really appreciated that the story didn’t shy away from the pressures and challenges of being in the spotlight. It made the “scandal” part of the title hit harder and gave the romance more weight.
Overall, Worth the Scandal was heartfelt, steamy, and full of tension in all the right ways. If you love sports romances with strong chemistry, real emotion, and characters you can’t stop thinking about, this one is absolutely worth the read.
November 25, 2025
Worth the Scandal is a fresh, fast-paced sports romance set against the vibrant backdrop of Australia’s NRL world. This book delivers everything you want in the genre—heat, spice, drama, and genuinely good vibes—while still giving you characters you can’t help but root for.
Scarlett is instantly lovable. As a sports manager, she’s driven, relatable, and written with a level of depth that makes you feel her every emotion. Then there’s Asher—the NRL star you inevitably fall for. Their chemistry is electric from the very first page.
The story kicks off with a no-names one-night stand that leaves a lasting mark on both of them. When they cross paths again two years later, neither has forgotten the connection they shared. Watching that spark turn into something real—full of tension, longing, and slow-burn payoff—makes the journey incredibly satisfying.
E.L. Moran’s writing shines throughout: engaging, addictive, and perfectly paced. I loved every moment of this book and found myself completely swept up in Scarlett and Asher’s world.
A must-read for fans of steamy romance and sports-driven drama.
Scarlett is instantly lovable. As a sports manager, she’s driven, relatable, and written with a level of depth that makes you feel her every emotion. Then there’s Asher—the NRL star you inevitably fall for. Their chemistry is electric from the very first page.
The story kicks off with a no-names one-night stand that leaves a lasting mark on both of them. When they cross paths again two years later, neither has forgotten the connection they shared. Watching that spark turn into something real—full of tension, longing, and slow-burn payoff—makes the journey incredibly satisfying.
E.L. Moran’s writing shines throughout: engaging, addictive, and perfectly paced. I loved every moment of this book and found myself completely swept up in Scarlett and Asher’s world.
A must-read for fans of steamy romance and sports-driven drama.
November 30, 2025
✨️eARC Review✨️
4/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶
When Scarlett's company goes under, it means she can finally build her own sports management company, but at the cost of moving back to her small town where she comes face to face with her nameless ONS that helped her through her grief. And he's the star player of her dad's rugby team she's now looking to represent. She knows she shouldn't mix business with pleasure but they just can't stay away after constantly thinking about each other the past 2 years. Will Asher's grief and past be a bigger scandal then them dating?
How fitting that my first rugby book was E L's debut! If you know me, you know I enjoy actual sports talk in my sports romance and while I don't know anything about rugby, I enjoyed that there was game play going on among the plot. I also loved towards the end that we got a little suspense plot and a little 3rd act will they/won't they to keep things tense until the HEA! Scarlett and Asher really fought their past to bring something beautiful together from their grief.
Tropes:
✔️ Rugby Romance
✔️ One Night Stand
✔️ Second Chance Romance
✔️ Small Town Romance
✔️ He Falls First
✔️ Work Place Romance
✔️ Forced Proximity
4/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶
When Scarlett's company goes under, it means she can finally build her own sports management company, but at the cost of moving back to her small town where she comes face to face with her nameless ONS that helped her through her grief. And he's the star player of her dad's rugby team she's now looking to represent. She knows she shouldn't mix business with pleasure but they just can't stay away after constantly thinking about each other the past 2 years. Will Asher's grief and past be a bigger scandal then them dating?
How fitting that my first rugby book was E L's debut! If you know me, you know I enjoy actual sports talk in my sports romance and while I don't know anything about rugby, I enjoyed that there was game play going on among the plot. I also loved towards the end that we got a little suspense plot and a little 3rd act will they/won't they to keep things tense until the HEA! Scarlett and Asher really fought their past to bring something beautiful together from their grief.
Tropes:
✔️ Rugby Romance
✔️ One Night Stand
✔️ Second Chance Romance
✔️ Small Town Romance
✔️ He Falls First
✔️ Work Place Romance
✔️ Forced Proximity
November 3, 2025
ARC Review
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice- 🌶️🌶️
I was utterly smitten with Worth The Scandal, a Rugby League Romance that has left me craving more.
I was captivated by Author E L Moran's writing style, which was smooth and seamless throughout. This second-chance romance, set in a small Australian town, it immediately drew me in. If you enjoy sports romances with relatable characters, witty dialogue, and a happily ever after, this is definitely worth checking out.
Two years earlier in Sydney, Scarlett and Asher had a one-night stand, but they never exchanged names or numbers.
What happens when Scarlett returns to her hometown of Dawson's Ridge two years later and her path crosses with his?
Favourite Moments -
Cleans your place while you sleep
Leaves a posted note
Theft of a Shopping List
Infamous Yellow Roses
Water Boarded by a Garden Hose
I want to thank you for the opportunity to have ARC read Worth The Scandal. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was sad when it ended. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work in the future. 🫶🖤
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice- 🌶️🌶️
I was utterly smitten with Worth The Scandal, a Rugby League Romance that has left me craving more.
I was captivated by Author E L Moran's writing style, which was smooth and seamless throughout. This second-chance romance, set in a small Australian town, it immediately drew me in. If you enjoy sports romances with relatable characters, witty dialogue, and a happily ever after, this is definitely worth checking out.
Two years earlier in Sydney, Scarlett and Asher had a one-night stand, but they never exchanged names or numbers.
What happens when Scarlett returns to her hometown of Dawson's Ridge two years later and her path crosses with his?
Favourite Moments -
Cleans your place while you sleep
Leaves a posted note
Theft of a Shopping List
Infamous Yellow Roses
Water Boarded by a Garden Hose
I want to thank you for the opportunity to have ARC read Worth The Scandal. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was sad when it ended. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work in the future. 🫶🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Tropes:
🏉 Sports romance
🏉 one night stand turned second chance romance
🏉 forced proximity
I really enjoyed this book, it was such an easy read and the character development and pacing was ✨phenomenal✨.
Asher Kingston the man that you are, he was practically kicking his feet over Scarlett’s texts and I loved that we got so much of his perspective, the dual pov really contributed to how much I loved it. I also really liked how work focused Scarlett was and how this wasn’t viewed as a bad trait and instead everyone was super supportive and championed her success.
I realised I need to read more Aussie authors where the books are set in Australia, because the joy I felt when I saw “fuckwit” printed in this book I have never felt before.
Im an absolute sucker for a sports romance and look while im not a rugby fan…. (I was raised on afl 💅) this made me want to watch a game. You can really tell the author is an nrl fan and she really did it justice in this book. I also really enjoyed the writing style it flowed seamlessly like a stream of consciousness which made it a quick and enjoyable read and I found it a lot easier to connect with the characters.
Favourite moment? Garden hose. I will not be elaborating because spoilers and you should read it 💅 but it was 1am when I got there and I was
✨ cackling✨.
Favourite character was obviously coach Ted ( god of dad energy) and I really loved his relationship with Scarlett and was left wanting more.
A massive thank you to E L Moran for the arc this was such a great introduction to your work and I cannot wait to read more.
🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Tropes:
🏉 Sports romance
🏉 one night stand turned second chance romance
🏉 forced proximity
I really enjoyed this book, it was such an easy read and the character development and pacing was ✨phenomenal✨.
Asher Kingston the man that you are, he was practically kicking his feet over Scarlett’s texts and I loved that we got so much of his perspective, the dual pov really contributed to how much I loved it. I also really liked how work focused Scarlett was and how this wasn’t viewed as a bad trait and instead everyone was super supportive and championed her success.
I realised I need to read more Aussie authors where the books are set in Australia, because the joy I felt when I saw “fuckwit” printed in this book I have never felt before.
Im an absolute sucker for a sports romance and look while im not a rugby fan…. (I was raised on afl 💅) this made me want to watch a game. You can really tell the author is an nrl fan and she really did it justice in this book. I also really enjoyed the writing style it flowed seamlessly like a stream of consciousness which made it a quick and enjoyable read and I found it a lot easier to connect with the characters.
Favourite moment? Garden hose. I will not be elaborating because spoilers and you should read it 💅 but it was 1am when I got there and I was
✨ cackling✨.
Favourite character was obviously coach Ted ( god of dad energy) and I really loved his relationship with Scarlett and was left wanting more.
A massive thank you to E L Moran for the arc this was such a great introduction to your work and I cannot wait to read more.
October 26, 2025
Wow… I absolutely loved this! Thanks to E L Moran for giving me the opportunity to read this one early.
My overall impression is that I loved the Australian representation with the focus on NRL and small town community. And of course that one spicy scene, (hint): the goal post 🔥
For me the pacing was excellently paced building on just the right amount of sexual tension.
I enjoyed how as a reader we learned little pieces of Scarlet and Asher’s past and how it all fits together into the bigger picture.
I even fell in love with some of the side characters like Shelly, Jen, and Collin. The found family aspect made me heart melt.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
I would rate this one a 5/5 stars! I so hope we get to see more from Dawson’s Ridge. I’m so not ready to say goodbye!
Pre order for the book is open now. Release date is 22 November .
Happy reading🫶📚
My overall impression is that I loved the Australian representation with the focus on NRL and small town community. And of course that one spicy scene, (hint): the goal post 🔥
For me the pacing was excellently paced building on just the right amount of sexual tension.
I enjoyed how as a reader we learned little pieces of Scarlet and Asher’s past and how it all fits together into the bigger picture.
I even fell in love with some of the side characters like Shelly, Jen, and Collin. The found family aspect made me heart melt.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
I would rate this one a 5/5 stars! I so hope we get to see more from Dawson’s Ridge. I’m so not ready to say goodbye!
Pre order for the book is open now. Release date is 22 November .
Happy reading🫶📚
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