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Riding The Wave: A Miami Sports Romance

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Sophia Thompson, a driven and ambitious businesswoman, has always prioritized her career over her personal life. But after a particularly grueling project, she finds herself burned out and in desperate need of a break. She escapes to Miami, hoping to unwind and recharge.

That's where she meets Kelly Miller, a free-spirited surf instructor with a quick smile and a passion for living life to the fullest. As they spend more time together, Sophia finds herself drawn to Kelly's carefree nature and the two begin a whirlwind summer romance.

As they explore the coast, share laughter, and dance under the stars, Sophia starts to confront the emotional scars of her past. She begins to open up to Kelly, sharing her fears, dreams, and desires. But as their connection deepens, Sophia is forced to confront the reality of her high-powered job and the life she left behind.

Torn between her loyalty to her career and her growing feelings for Kelly, Sophia must make a choice that will alter the course of her life forever. Will she return to her corporate life, or will she take a chance on love and a new life in Miami?

Love is worth the wave.

Book 5 in the Miami Sports Romance Series

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

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About the author

Sheila Fowler

51 books553 followers
Sheila Fowler is an award-winning author, a lover of TV, and a dachshund fanatic. She is the beloved mother of 4 of those little hot dogs. Sheila and her husband George are living that romantic trope life. He's older - age-gap romance. They met when he was married- forbidden love. They found each other again after a couple years apart- 2nd chance romance.

It's no wonder those are Sheila's favorite romantic stories. Over the past five years, Sheila has written over 25 books. She has seven different series that compose these books.

Scottish Love Stories (Romance)
The FBI Files (Romantic Suspense)
Love Craft (Romance)
Saddle Key Mysteries (Cozy Mysteries)
Miami Sports Romance (Sports Romance)
Forbidden Protection Series (Romantic Suspense)
Willow Creek Romances (Small-Town Romance)

You can reach Sheila here: https://linktr.ee/rockafowlers

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5 stars
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4 (23%)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for ReadingIsFun.
73 reviews9 followers
March 31, 2026
Escape from reality with this story!
'Riding The Wave' was a very saucy, sizzling, yet emotionally fast-paced read. Ideal for those looking to escape for an evening or a weekend and get away from the realities of work, unpaid bills, tomorrow's business meeting, un-ironed shirts, forgotten laundry, and so on.
I liked Kelly because he reminded me of the guy next door, but with lots and lots and lots of money, and more confident. A great book boyfriend.
Sofia was a typical wounded heroine, a bit too independent for me.
Lovely story to escape from reality.
Profile Image for Angela.
1,098 reviews47 followers
February 20, 2026
loved it

This was a sweet, breezy romance with heart. Sophia’s burnout and emotional growth feel relatable, and Kelly’s laid-back energy balances her perfectly. The Miami setting adds charm, and their chemistry makes the love story feel genuine and satisfying.
Profile Image for Myles .
187 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2026
Love

Very interesting book! Loved the pictures it had at every start of a chapter! Great story line! Would definitely recommend if you are a big fan of erotica!
3 reviews
April 15, 2026
I’d give this 4.4 stars if I could—so rounding to a solid 4 ⭐.

This story pulled me in quickly, especially with how naturally the main characters were drawn to each other from the start. Their connection felt immediate but still grounded in meaningful backstory, which I appreciated—especially since it centers on an older couple, something you don’t always see done well in this genre.

The male main character really stood out to me. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, deep loyalty, and that “kind alpha” energy that’s protective without being overbearing. The female lead, on the other hand, is in a place of searching—looking for direction and purpose—which made her arc relatable and gave their dynamic a nice balance.

There’s also an engaging subplot involving crime and coincidence that adds intrigue without overpowering the romance. I liked how the story weaves in themes of pushing back against corporate greed, as well as adoption and carving your own path to success.

The supporting cast deserves a shoutout too—particularly the LGBTQ+ side characters, who felt authentic and added warmth and depth to the story. The Miami setting was refreshing as well; it was present without leaning into overdone Florida stereotypes, which made the backdrop feel more genuine.

That said, a few of the resolutions felt a bit rushed or unearned. Some moments that could have had more emotional payoff were wrapped up a little too quickly, which pulled me out of the story at times.

There’s some spice, and the alternating POV works well overall, giving insight into both characters—though I did find myself wanting just a bit more depth in certain transitions.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, engaging read with strong characters, meaningful themes, and just enough intrigue to keep things interesting. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy character-driven romance with a bit of edge.
Profile Image for Mindy Mather.
Author 27 books11 followers
February 23, 2026
I picked this up on a whim without realizing it was part of a larger series, and now I am officially hooked.

If the rest of the books are anything like this one, I will be diving into them immediately.

Sophia Thompson felt incredibly real to me from the start. Her burnout, her relentless focus on career success, and that quiet exhaustion after pushing too hard for too long were all portrayed in a way that felt honest and relatable.

Watching her escape to Miami in search of rest and instead finding something far more transformative was such a satisfying journey.

Kelly Miller absolutely stole my heart. As a free spirited surf instructor with warmth and depth beneath that easy smile, Kelly brings such light to the story.

The chemistry between Sophia and Kelly is effortless. Their summer romance feels natural, filled with laughter, sun soaked beach days, and those vulnerable late night conversations that slowly shift everything.

The emotional build is just as strong as the romantic one.

What I loved most was how the story balanced escapism with real stakes. It is not just about a vacation fling.

Sophia’s internal conflict between her high powered corporate life and the possibility of building something meaningful in Miami gives the romance weight. You can feel her struggle, and that makes every tender moment feel earned.

This book made me care deeply about the characters and left me genuinely invested in their world.

Discovering this series through this story feels like finding a hidden gem, and now I am excited to go back and read the earlier installments.

If you love heartfelt romance, personal growth, and beachside chemistry, this is absolutely worth the wave.
6 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2026
Riding the Wave is clearly written from a very real place, and you can feel that throughout the book. The author has lived what they’re writing about, especially when it comes to loss, resilience, and trying to keep going during hard seasons. When the book slows down and leans into those emotions, it genuinely connects.

That said, I had a hard time staying engaged in the middle. The book sometimes feels unsure whether it wants to be a story, a memoir, or a reflective look at grief, and that made parts of it drag for me. Some sections felt repetitive, and a tighter edit would’ve helped the flow and pacing quite a bit.

Overall, this feels like a story that really needed to be told, even if it wasn’t fully polished before being published. I think readers who care more about emotional honesty than a tightly structured plot will still find value here.

Best for readers who enjoy reflective, emotion-driven books rather than fast-paced narratives.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Gracie Monroe.
Author 8 books31 followers
February 22, 2026
As someone who reads a lot of romance books, I really enjoyed Riding The Wave. It follows Sophia, a career-driven woman who heads to Miami and ends up meeting Kelly, a laid-back (and unexpectedly powerful) surfer. What starts as a getaway quickly turns into a deeper connection especially with the added tension of her job and her boss pushing her to get information on Kelly’s company.

I liked how the story balanced the romance with a bit of drama, especially when things fall apart with her job. Sophia’s growth and the chemistry between her and Kelly kept me hooked, and the beach setting made it an easy, feel-good read.

A sweet, engaging romance with just enough conflict to keep it interesting.
Profile Image for Dahlia Hart.
Author 5 books4 followers
March 15, 2026
I love these kinds of romance stories, so Riding The Wave was right up my alley. It had a little conflict, a flash-to-bang hot love story, and plenty of spice to keep things entertaining. This was definitely more erotic than my normal cup of tea, but it was still a fun and engaging read.

Even though it leaned more pornographic than what I usually go for, I do not think that detracted from the romance. It still felt like the story cared more about the relationship building and the conflict in the background than being a porno masquerading as a romance novel. The chemistry was there, the heat was there, and the romance still came through.

Overall, this was a very spicy, entertaining romance that gave me exactly the kind of story I was in the mood for.
Profile Image for Kahlani Steele.
Author 6 books37 followers
April 5, 2026
“Riding the Wave: A Miami Sports Romance” by Sheila Fowler is an age-gap romance that follows Kelly, an older surfer and real estate investor whose career ended after a tragic accident, and Sophie, a younger, career-driven woman. The plot intensifies when Sophie’s boss asks her to gather information on Kelly’s company. Torn between her career and her feelings for Kelly, this book is not just an age-gap romance but also one filled with intrigue, suspense, and drama. The chemistry between the main characters, the beach setting, and the drama all combine to make an enjoyable read. Highly recommend “Riding the Wave.”
Profile Image for Kelly Miller.
Author 14 books437 followers
March 11, 2026
“Riding The Wave: A Miami Sports Romance” is book 5 in a romance series. This spicy and engaging age-gap romance features Kelly, a former professional surfer who becomes a real estate investor after a debilitating injury ends his competitive career. Now a billionaire, he lives in his beach-side hotel in Miami. When he meets Sophie, the 32-year-old sister of his assistant’s girlfriend, he is immediately captivated. Sophie, in turn, finds the older, retired surfer attractive, even if he is a bit cocky.
Profile Image for Candice Zan.
Author 1 book2 followers
February 18, 2026
Riding the wave was an enjoyable read. Sophie goes on vacation to Florida to visit her sister. There she meets a Billionaire Surfer Kelly who happens to be the owner of a rival. Her boss wants her to gather information on Kelly's company. He fires her when he finds out that she is staying at a Hotel owned by Kelly and she did not disclose the information to him. Kelly and Sophie fall in love and they work together to take down her former boss.
Profile Image for Heide Middlebrook.
Author 4 books13 followers
February 22, 2026
The author did a stunning job at weaving the characters past journeys, present challenges, and future hopes through the pages. I adored the genuine feel of the characters and those surrounding them. The plot was most intriguing and kept me turning the pages at rapid rate! If you are looking for a contemporary romance filled with heart, tasteful spice, and characters you can root for this one is for you. The last page left me with a smile on my face and a touch of warmth in my soul- loved it!
Profile Image for Reina Everhart.
Author 10 books45 followers
February 20, 2026
This was a sweet, breezy romance with heart. Sophia’s burnout and emotional growth feel relatable, and Kelly’s laid-back energy balances her perfectly. The Miami setting adds charm, and their chemistry makes the love story feel genuine and satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews