Chasing the Rush

Football and Feels #2

by Lauren Rowe

Rudy meets Moneyball in a sexy yet warm-hearted, second-chance football romance for fans of Sarah Adams, Tessa Bailey, Monica Murphy, Kristen Callihan, Lucy Score, and, of course, “Tayvis,” as the analytical, math-nerd, type-A daughter of a tough love coach is assigned to babysit the team’s adrenaline junkie pass rusher.

**DELUXE LIMITED EDITON with interior 4-color character art, designed chapter headers, and stenciled edges!**

Chelsea Parker, 26, knows football, thanks to growing up with a football coach for a father and two linebackers for brothers. But Chelsea’s true passion has always been math: crunching numbers to predict statistical outcomes for everything from football to stocks to romance. Chelsea dreams of merging her two passions to become the first female head of analytics for an NFL team. But for now, she’s got to convince the powers-that-be at her father’s new team, the Mastodons, the worst in the NFL, to give her that entry-level position in the front office.

Luca Maguire, 26, a pass rusher and adrenaline junkie with a famous last name, knows this upcoming training camp with his new team, the Mastodons, will likely be his last, if he can’t get out of his own way long enough to make the cut. The dire nature of his circumstances is the only reason Luca didn’t quit on the spot when Coach Parker assigned his daughter, Chelsea, a statistics-loving, spreadsheet-making math nerd, as Luca’s “personal coach” for the duration of camp. More like his babysitter, if you ask Luca.

Well, okay, Luca didn’t quit for that reason and another one: the thing that happened seven years ago between Luca and Chelsea as strangers, when Luca’s college football team stayed at the same hotel as Chelsea’s mathletes squad. Luca would never admit this to Chelsea, especially not with her being Coach’s daughter and the newly assigned bane of his existence, but the truth is Luca hasn’t stopped thinking about that cute little mathlete who ditched his ass seven years ago, right before their clothes came off, ever since.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Second Chance

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

USA Today and internationally bestselling author Lauren Rowe lives in San Diego, California, where, in addition to writing books, she performs with her dance/party band at events all over Southern California, writes songs, walks her dogs, and spends time with her family and friends.
Much to Lauren’s thrill, her books have been translated all over the world in multiple languages and hit multiple domestic and international bestseller lists. To find out about Lauren’s upcoming releases and giveaways, and to check out loads of bonus material, sign up for Lauren’s emails at www.LaurenRoweBooks.com.
Lauren loves to hear from readers! Send Lauren an email from her website, say hi on Instagram @laurenrowebooks, and/or come by her Facebook page by searching Facebook for “Lauren Rowe Author.”

Reviews

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I was going to have a good time with this one the second I realized the FMC was a math nerd. As a fellow math nerd, I absolutely loved seeing a heroine in STEM. We get so many quirky girls in romance, but I want more women who are unapologetically smart, and Chelsea was exactly that.

I honestly didn’t expect the football side of the story to work so well for me, but it did. It was enough to make the world feel authentic without ever taking over the romance.

This definitely has more of a New Adult feel, but I didn’t mind that at all. Luca and Chelsea had great chemistry, and I had a lot of fun watching them find their way back to each other.

More than anything, though, Chelsea is what made this book stand out for me. Give me smart women, women in STEM, women who are passionate about something outside the romance, and I’ll happily read every single one

[Courtenay (ceelovesbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing The Rush was a super cute, super swoony, exciting, hilarious read that was perfect for summer! If you’re looking for something easy, steamy, and fun these two will give you all of that and more!

Luca and Chelsea have absolutely beautiful chemistry and quite literally cannot keep their minds off one another since the day they met (7 years ago!)

The one that got away, the coaches daughter, and now your coworker, this book has it all! I really enjoyed this one and Lauren knows just how to set a scene! It was my first but definitely won’t be my last by this author.

Thank you so much to Kensington for the ARC copy of this book!

🏈 Mathlete / Football Player
🧡 Second Chance
🏈 Forced Proximity
🧡 Coaches Daughter
🏈 She Coaches Him
🧡 Workplace Romance
🏈 He Falls First & Hard

[Rene Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO. DARN. CUTE!!!!!

As a math and statistics major who was indeed on my high school’s math team, this prologue was made for me. Mathletes forever ♾️ plus I loved all the Mean Girls references!

I loved Chelsea and her analytical mind. She reminded me of myself. I hate that she kept getting overlooked for the sports analytics job she deserved, due to being a woman and being the coach’s daughter. Luca is such a cinnamon roll and I couldn’t get enough of him! Plus the cameos of Roman and Iris were great. I loved how kind Roman was to Chelsea.

Definitely check this one out if you love…..
🏈 sports romance
💚 coach’s daughter (off limits!!)
🏈 second chance
💚 secret dating
🏈 family rivalry

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Chasing the Rush by Lauren Rowe was a fun continuation of the series, and there is no denying that the McGuire family is out here stealing hearts. Coming off of how much I absolutely loved book one, I went into this with incredibly high hopes and expectations. Sadly, while it had its moments and I couldn't put it down once I pushed past the awkwardness, it ultimately didn't live up to its full potential, landing at 3 stars for me.

There were definitely things I enjoyed, particularly getting a heroine in STEM. I always want more women who are unapologetically smart, and Chelsea delivered. I also didn't expect the football side of the story to work so well for me, but it did; it provided just enough to make the world feel authentic without ever overshadowing the romance. The first 75% of the book was pretty great, and seeing Luca and Chelsea work together and connect on a deeper level than they ever had with past partners was really sweet. I was genuinely rooting for them to get their HEA.

However, this book was heavily skewed toward New Adult, and much of the writing and conflict felt incredibly immature and juvenile. My absolute biggest complaint was Chelsea's over-the-top, zealous hostility toward Luca’s brother, Roman, all because of her family’s sports rivalry. Honestly, some of the stuff she said and did in "support" of her team was borderline unacceptable. Calling Roman "Satan" and being continuously hostile to him rubbed me entirely the wrong way. Girl, you are 25 years old, trying to be a professional—grow up! This exact sports rivalry was apparently the whole reason she "couldn't be with Luca" seven years ago because “what would her family think about consorting with the enemy?!” This star-crossed lovers bit got tired after the first 25%, and it knocked a full star off the book for me. I wanted to yell in frustration every single time it came up.

Similarly, Luca needed to chill. This is a dual POV book, so I would have loved to see some actual yearning and pining from him. Instead, the moment he sees Chelsea, eight years after a one-time make-out session, he immediately starts demanding answers in the middle of a team meeting. Dude, it has been nearly a decade. You met her once. Calm down.

The last quarter of the book is where it really lost me. The third-act conflict was predictable and childish, with Luca pushing her away after making a mistake to "set her free" because he sees himself as a "defective scrub." While I hated the trope, I could almost forgive it because the boy was clearly depressed and didn't want to drag her down, but the resolution was a massive stretch. Chelsea magically has an epiphany about why he broke up with her based on a random comment from Moriarty that didn't even make sense in context.

Worse, though, was Luca's motivation. Chelsea rightly wanted an apology and a grovel, but does Luca finally cave because he's done some self-reflection or therapy? Nope. He finally decides he's "good enough" for her simply because he made it off the practice squad. Are you kidding me?! It wasn't even a real grovel; it was barely an apology. Combined with a sickly-sweet ending, I just wasn't feeling it by the time the pages stopped turning.

It was a fun time, but the cringy banter and juvenile conflict kept it at a flat 3 stars.

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you RBMedia and NetGalley for the audio ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chasing the Rush was another fantastic addition to this series! I absolutely loved the first book, and this one definitely kept the momentum going.

Chelsea and Luca were such a fun pair. I loved the mix of football, analytics, second chances, and all the banter between the numbers-loving heroine and the adrenaline-junkie football player. Their chemistry was effortless, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.

The audiobook was so enjoyable! I’m always a fan of dual narration, and it really brought these characters to life. Andi Arndt was, as always, phenomenal. She’s one of those narrators who makes every emotion feel authentic, and she completely elevated Chelsea’s character.

Lauren Rowe has created another addictive sports romance with plenty of laughs, heart, and swoony moments. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. I’m already looking forward to seeing where this series goes next!

[_goldenchapter]

Unfortunately, I was not able to fully connect with this one. I really wanted to love Luca and Chelsea’s story, especially after enjoying Luca’s brother Rowan’s book. Their initial meeting was cute, but after the time jump and seeing them reunite years later, I didn’t feel the same chemistry or banter that I loved.

I think their connection felt a little rushed after years of them living separate lives, especially during college, a critical time for individual growth. I wanted more time to see them rebuild that relationship and understand why they were drawn back to each other.

Maybe I need a small break from sports romances, but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me at the moment. DNF @ 40%

[Rosi Colmenares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC of this title. I loved the first book in this series and this is not the exception. I loved the banter, the slow burn and I was giggling and kicking my feet while reading it. I can’t wait for everyone to experience this book! Also, one of the best football romances I have read. It was SO accurate and I feel like I have a better grasp of the sport itself.

[Huniyah]

Expected publication July 28

[Etnies75 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our story begins seven years ago, when then 19 year old Chelsea Parker was away at a math competition, Chelsea is focused on one thing and one thing only: helping her team secure the win, she didn’t take into account that Luca Maguire a football legend in the making who’s college team happens to be staying at her hotel would flirt her socks off, after figuring out who Luca is she realizes her dad who’s a renown football coach has held a grudge against Luca’s two older brother’s since they have kept his team from winning on multiple occasions, that’s a huge red flag in Chelsea’s book since everyone in her family, herself included are diehard football fans and therefore despise the Maguires legacy. That’s why after the best kiss of her life she leaves Luca without an explanation.

Now 26 year old Chelsea dreams of becoming the first female head of analytics for an NFL team, so after her dad gets hired as the Mastodons (currently the worst team in the NFL) new coach she jumps at the opportunity to work with him and hopefully get a step closer to her ultimate goal, as only fate would have it none other than Luca Maguire gets traded to the team and let me tell you, his reputation precedes him, he’s now know as an adrenaline junkie who doesn’t take anything seriously and who also carries a famous last name that signifies a huge football legacy, since this could very well be his last shot at staying at the NFL Chelsea gets assigned as his “personal coach” for the duration of the training camp. After they immediately realize that they’ve met before and haven’t been able to stop thinking about each other for the past 7 years things are about to get messy, they both have a lot on the line and could lose everything, after all of this time their chemistry has not faded at all but it’s even stronger now, trying to navigate their personal and professional feelings just got way more complicated.

Let me start by saying I truly enjoyed this book, it was fast paced and the alternating timelines hooked me from the very start, I wanted to know how Chelsea and Luca’s paths would intertwine again plus I felt like I had front row seats to a defining moment that forever changed their story. I also loved that Chelsea was such a strong and determined FMC who was always unapologetically herself and refused to give up on her dreams of making it in a typically male dominated field. I truly enjoyed the banter and sizzling chemistry between our MMC and FMC, and found myself learning more about football than I ever thought possible!

This was my first Lauren Rowe book and it won’t be my last, I can’t wait to continue this series and see what book 3 will bring us, if you like second-chance football romances, math nerd FMCs, reckless MMCs and incredible banter then this is the book for you! Thank you so much to Lauren Rowe, Hambright PR and to NetGalley for the amazing story!

[Jo Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHASING THE RUSH by LAUREN ROWE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5)

Chasing The Rush is the second (#2) book in the FOOTBALL AND FEELS series.

After meeting at a hotel seven years ago, college math nerd Chelsea Parker and football pass rusher Luca McGuire go their separate ways, both with wonderful memories of a perfect evening spent together.

When Luca turns up at the NFLs worst team- The Mastodons training camp, he knows that this is his very last chance to make the cut. Injury and hijinks have hindered his career and he can’t afford for anything to go wrong this time.

Chelsea desperately desires to become the NFLs first female head of analytics but in hopes of even getting on that path she has taken a low level ‘invented’ role working with her father, Head Coach for The Mastodons.

When Luca is assigned Chelsea as his one on one personal coach, the only reason he doesn’t quit (apart from desperately needing the gig) is that Chelsea happens to be the hottie he hasn’t forgotten from all those years ago.

As the pair spend time together their previous chemistry raises its head and they find themselves fighting their attraction, they can’t risk either of their careers…..

—————————————

Chasing The Rush is a sweet American Football story with humour, misunderstandings and a budding second chance romance.

On the whole I enjoyed it though some bits were a bit cringey. I liked that Chelsea is portrayed as a strong, intelligent, go getter. Luca was the quintessential mischief maker with a soft heart.

There are some open door spicy scenes as their relationship progresses.

I enjoyed the football scenes and thought they were well described.The MCs relationships with their families was great too. My favourite part was the epilogue with the banter between all the characters. There were a lot of great side characters. I must admit I preferred the first book in this series but this was a great follow up.

I read an ebook version of this engaging book, with around 320 pages (print version), an illustrated, couples football cover and good editing. It would make a great beach read. This book releases on July 28th.

With thanks to Lauren Rowe and Hambright PR for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.


🏈 Slow Burn
🏈 Sports Romance
🏈 He Falls First
🏈 Spicy 🔥🔥🔥

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜 Blurb -
Chelsea Parker, 25, knows football, thanks to growing up with a football coach for a father and two linebackers for brothers. But Chelsea’s true passion has always been math: crunching numbers to predict statistical outcomes for everything from football to stocks to romance. Chelsea dreams of merging her two passions to become the first female head of analytics for an NFL team. But for now, she’s got to convince the powers-that-be at her father’s new team, the Mastodons, the worst in the NFL, to give her that entry-level position in the front office.
Luca Maguire, 26, a pass rusher and adrenaline junkie with a famous last name, knows this upcoming training camp with his new team, the Mastodons, will likely be his last, if he can’t get out of his own way long enough to make the cut. The dire nature of his circumstances is the only reason Luca didn’t quit on the spot when Coach Parker assigned his daughter, Chelsea, a statistics-loving, spreadsheet-making math nerd, as Luca’s “personal coach” for the duration of camp. More like his babysitter, if you ask Luca.
Well, okay, Luca didn’t quit for that reason and another one: the thing that happened seven years ago between Luca and Chelsea as strangers, when Luca’s college football team stayed at the same hotel as Chelsea’s mathletes squad. Luca would never admit this to Chelsea, especially not with her being Coach’s daughter and the newly assigned bane of his existence, but the truth is Luca hasn’t stopped thinking about that cute little mathlete who ditched his ass seven years ago, right before their clothes came off, ever since.
💚 Review -
I enjoyed the first book in the series and Chasing The Rush certainly didn't disappoint. I'm loving all the sports romance novels that are around at the moment and the author did the story well. I enjoyed the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. Plus I loved Chelsea and Luca's chemistry and I wanted them to have their happy ending. There was also a good cast of background characters too. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Hambright PR, the author Lauren Rowe and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven years ago, Chelsea was a freshman in college, attending a math competition out of state when she met a gorgeous football player, who happened to be the brother of her family’s greatest rival. After sharing a perfect date, she stopped things before their clothes came off, and has spent the time since trying to forget. Now she’s starting her new job, helping her father with the NFL team he was just hired on to coach, and hoping to convince the owners to give her an analytics position on the operations side. But her first day plans are derailed when she finds out exactly which player was just traded to the team.

Luca started his NFL career with high hopes, but if the past few years taught him anything, it’s that he may not be able to follow in his superstar brother’s footsteps. Being traded to the league’s worst team wasn’t on his vision board, but he knows if he wants to keep playing, he needs to keep his head down and show them he deserves his place on the team. When a first day stunt puts him in the head coach’s crosshairs, he is embarassed when the coach assigns his daughter to personally keep an eye on him, as well as coach him, but thrilled when he realizes that said daughter is none other than the girl from the hotel all those years ago.

I received an early copy of this book from @netgalley and @Hambright_pr and really enjoyed the story. As a science nerd, I absolutely loved seeing a fellow STEM girlie as the FMC and Chelsea was the perfect example of someone having both beauty AND brains. Although Luca was ready to pick up exactly where they’d left off so many years ago, I appreciated that they didn’t immediately jump into a relationship, but also that Luca respected Chelsea enough not to ask her to risk her career for him (even though that caused its own issues down the road), instead they let their lingering attraction grow until they were both ready to make this more than just a fling. The book definitely felt geared towards a less mature audience, but overall the story was fun, and I loved the cameos from Roman and Iris.

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your fave author combines two of My fave Tropes to give me a memorable, swoon worthy read, I'm here for it!! Oodles and Oodles of fun and love sprinkled on every page, I was invested in it from the get go and didn't stop till I finished in one sitting
Romance ✔️
Humour ✔️
Chemistry ✔️
Adorability ✔️
Banter ✔️
The Math Is Mathing people!!
Math-Nerd and Jock meet-cute results in a magnetic field where Chelsea Parker, a football princess and Luca Maguire, with football royalty in his name cannot stay away from each other. 7 years after the lives collide and what was not supposed to be, happens. They can't ignore the pull anymore than they can keep their breaths from mingling and hands pawing desperately.
My Oh My, Lauren fills the story with enough swoon to sweep you off in a tsunami of spicy waves. The maddening love was an absolute joy to read—funny, romantic, and filled with the kind of clever banter and swoony tension that made me fall in love with her characters. But now they're mine!!
“5 stars for Gods of Horndoggery ”
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[Gabby Fitzgibbon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love your sports romance with a massive side of banter and a heroine who actually knows her worth, then add this book to your TBR now!

As someone who is personally, deeply obsessed with spreadsheets, the moment I realized Chelsea was a fellow data loving, math nerd girlie, I was completely sold! Finding a romance heroine who genuinely appreciates the beauty of a perfectly organized row and column? Say less. Instant five-star vibes right there.

The chemistry between Chelsea and Luca is off the charts fun. Their cute, quick witted banter had me giggling like a schoolgirl the entire time. Now, some readers might think Luca's over the top, cheesy flirting is a bit much.. but honestly, that is Luca to a T! If you didn’t already pick up on his golden-retriever-on-caffeine energy from his brief appearances in book one (Chasing the Ring), then I don’t even know what to tell you. He's chaotic, cheesy, and completely unapologetic about it, and I wouldn't have wanted him any other way. I loved every second of it.

SPOILER ALERT: Can we talk about the breakup? I was beyond excited when Chelsea actually put her foot down and completely iced Luca out. It feels like so many romances lately have the heroine taking the hero back before he's really earned it, and I was so glad this wasn't one of those books. Chelsea stood her ground, made him work for that second chance, and refused to settle for anything less than what she deserved! I had mad respect for her during the third-act stretch, and her absolute refusal to give in easily made me love the book even more.

Now that we've made it through two McGuire brothers, I'm already counting down the days until we get the last one's story!

Rated: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

* I received an advanced reader copy of this book via Kensington Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Kwilecki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Hambright PR, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for this e-ARC!

This was a cute read! The romance was sweet and it gives the reader exactly what they came for! I loved all the references to the BIG 10 football teams and schools (my alma mater is University of Illinois) so it was fun to see Rowe mention the Fighting Illini!

I will say that Chelsea and Luca's relationship was well developed and progressed pretty naturally which I enjoyed. I loved the "house divided" nature of their relationship as well since he came from a Michigan family and her from an Ohio State family. I will add here though that I think the author took it a little too far with the rivalry sometimes because personally if I was really in love with someone I wouldn't let a college football rivalry affect that relationship. And ultimately in the end it didn't affect their relationship but it was a constant dynamic throughout the story.

I think Chelsea is a badass character and the way she's so driven and really fights for her dreams is admirable. Especially since she's attempting to work in the NFL, her struggles to establish herself in the sports world seemed very rooted in reality (sadly). Luca was a dynamic character as well and created a great foil to Chelsea with his fun loving nature and sweetness. However, he was not scared to get serious when needed!

Overall, this was an enjoyable read but there were times where the story felt a little dragged out and it could have been a bit more concise. And again, I think the football rivalry was a bit exaggerated at times. There were a few unbelievable moments where I was like "how the heck would these two characters get away with that when they work together" but I have to remind myself that this is a sports romance!

If you're looking for a light-hearted football romance this is the one for you!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Hambright PR for the opportunity to read this as an arc, in return for an honest review.

I’ve gone back and forth with how to rate this book. There were parts of this that I absolutely loved and other parts that had me cringe. It’s probably more of a 3.5.

What I loved:

The meet cute. The beginning of the story was super cute and really drew me in. Their flirting and banter felt realistic because they were both freshman in college.

The FMC- I love when the FMC is smart and has a personality of her own. Not only was she brilliant in math she loved football. One thing that sticks with me is when she said she doesn’t think she’d be able to find a partner who can love both sides of her. Obviously that person was Luca, but it still hit for me.

The MMC- he was funny and flirty Most of the book. One of things that stood out to me was how much Luca wanted Chelsea to succeed and follow her dreams. He really wanted what was best for her and while he didn’t go about it the best way during the 3rd act breakup - but in his mind he thought by letting her go would allow her to be more successful.

What wasn’t my favorite:
This honestly read more like a college football romance, rather than an adults. While I did like Luca and his golden retriever personality he came off as very immature. The spice did not hit for me. Using the terms “man meat” and “baloney pony” almost made me DNF. I also felt like most of their POV’s were how hot they thought each of them was and how badly they wanted to sleep together. I also can’t decide if I liked that Chelsea constantly turning down offers to meet with other teams for job opportunities. I’m

This is a fun read if you like quick, spicey, football reads. I think the auditor did a great job incorporating actual football into the story without making it confusing.

[MN Book Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romeo and Juliet meets modern football? Why not!

Luca and Chelsea met their freshman year of college by chance when he was playing against another team, and she was competing in a mathlete tournament. Chelsea recognized him right away and knew his family, and hers didn’t get along, but that didn’t stop her from giving him her first kiss. It’s now seven years later, and Chelsea’s set on making a name for herself as an NFL analyst while Luca’s just trying to be a professional footballer. She’s assigned as his babysitter and told that if she can make it so he can make the team, she can have a job with the team, not just as her dad’s assistant. Feelings are still there, and so is the motivation to do well. So what happens when emotions run strong, and Luca lets the star player get into his head and reacts poorly, thus not making the team? He still wants what’s best for Chelsea, and to him, that’s not him at this time.

Chelsea and Luca get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.

I love how much Luca grew up over the preseason, but he was really silly to try to make decisions for Chelsea alone. I do wonder how stubborn Chelsea could be and how long she could go not talking to someone, as we saw her go six weeks here. I do wonder how common it is to have families like this where all the kids end up playing professional football, as it seemed for these two families. Though, I loved how there seemed to only be the rivalry left with Luca’s oldest brother by the end and not any of his other siblings or cousin. It would be interesting to know how many teams in real life use someone like Chelsea to help with their games and if it really does pay off.

I received an advance review copy from Hambright PR, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love sports romances, you will love Chasing the Rush. It's a very solid addition to the genre. Once I got through Chelsea and Luca's awkward and at times cringy beginning I couldn't put the book down. But the awkward beginning is the reason for the 3 stars.

Mild spoilers below...

I would have loved to see more yearning and pining from Luca. It's a dual POV book, so it should be easy to show that. But the moment he sees Chelsea, despite it being 8 years after their one time make out session, he immediately starts demanding answers in the middle of a team meeting. Dude it has been 8 years, you met the girl once, chill out. His family also teases him for becoming an "internet sluth" trying to find her, but he has all the necessary information to find her. Yes he didn't have a last name and she lied about her school. But he knew she was competing in a math competition and where the competition was being held, AND that her team made it to the finals...all he had to do was look up the results of the competition and find her.

Chelsea is an incredibly stubborn nepo baby. I'm ok with the stubbornness but she is disappointed that she is working as a low level coach for and NFL team, where her dad is the head coach and got her the job. While she is a brilliant mathematician she has zero football experience except as the coaches daughter. Yet two more opportunities at other NFL teams get tossed her way, which she doesn't even try to pursue. Like girlie get out of your dads shadow and make your own way.

Once I got past all of that I really enjoyed Chelsea and Luca's story. This would make a fantastic fall read for football season.

[Zea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

Review 🏈📊

Chasing The Rush is the second installment in the Football and Feels series 🌟 We follow Luca and Chelsea as they navigate their relationship throughout their careers & feelings

Chelsea is an analyst - or trying to be - at a football team where she works with her father, the head coach. Suddenly, the first boy she might’ve had a connection years ago came back into her life & guess what; to play in the exact football team. Will there be something there to reconnect?

First thoughts; I like that it was so easy to read despite all the football jargon (I actually liked it!), their banter is funny and it was just a great time

Chelsea was every bit of a woman I very much respect; she’s a mathlete (I love maths!!), she’s very fierce & independent, she knows what she wants & she’ll work hard to get it 🔥 LOVE HER

Luca comes off cocky in the first scene but I’ve come to find it’s charming & endearing. He’s like a mischievous golden retriever with a big heart ❤️

I like their chemistry; they have fun banter with each other & I especially liked how they first met; I thought it was cute and sweet <33

I do have to say the flow of the story could’ve been better - I didn’t really feel it - because I really liked the setting despite the cliché plot

Some of the intimate scenes and dialogue were not for me and made me feel iffy - others I thought were super cute and sweet

And Luca could’ve groveled better (& more!!) imo

All in all, it was a fun read; something light & easy for summer ☀️🫶🏻

Thankyou to the author & Hambright PR for giving me an ARC 💘

Chasing The Rush releases on 28th July <33

XOXO

[Stephs.bookshelf09 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a fun continuation to the series. These McGuire family is definitely stealing hearts and taking names. Always got to be on your toes and ready for what’s to come.

If you love football and cute little nerd math geniuses then this book is for you. It’s the perfect opposites attract and some attraction never goes away. Once you’ve had a taste nothing can compare.

I loved Luca and Chelsea are just such a fun mash up. There were sooo many odds stacked against them but destiny has a way of say NOPE it’s going to happen. Whether by some forced proximity, crazy Romeo shenanigans, or a little bit of unintentional jealousy spiking it’s all here!

Luca is the ‘showy guy’ labeled of football. Always got to be in the limelight (so people say) and never staying in one place too long. Keeping his walls high and protecting himself he is as committed to them as he feels they are to him… which for the record hasn’t been much. But that all changes when the girl from his college years captures his attention all over again. The world is suddenly right and he gets the perfect opportunity to be around her cuz he is her new ‘babysitter’ 🤪🤭

Chelsea never thought she’d run into Luca ever again in her life. She knew who he was when they met and she was determined to leave that encounter fully in their past. Until the ends up on her field and her problem to coach. Being the head coach’s daughter isn’t easy and it’s even harder to keep things professional when the man who stole it all is trying hard to get the last few pieces of your heart. ❤️

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing the Rush by Lauren Rowe is such a happy, fun, comfort read! The author describes it as feeling "like sliding down a rainbow and riding a unicorn," and that is entirely accurate. I am a dark romance girlie to the core, I usually love a raw, relatable, emotional trauma read but sometimes a bright, colorful cover draws me in, and I'm so glad this one did!
​This was my first Lauren Rowe book, and I look forward to reading more. I didn’t realize at first that this is actually book two (book one is about the mmc's older brother, Rowan) so I will definitely be going back to read that one when I need a break from the dark.

​This story is full of a flirtatious, funny football player named Luca. Omg he had me kicking my feet and giggling so much! 🥰From the very start he knew what he wanted and wasn't ashamed to let it be known and went for it. The beginning was the perfect setup for a fun loving book. Luca met Chelsea when they were in college and he fell for her hard. Little did they know they would run into each other again seven years later and Chelsea had never once left Luca's mind.
​Chelsea was a little frustrating at times. She is super smart a "mathlete" and a football genius but some of her comments and thoughts drove me crazy and made her seem extremely immature(could just he a me problem) There were moments where I honestly felt like Luca deserved better! As the book progressed, I absolutely loved their relationship. Luca is definitely making it onto my book boyfriend list... and let me tell you, the guy can grovel better than most! 🤣
​If you are into an innocent (but still spicy), fun, lighthearted comfort read, this story is definitely a great one!

[Kelly Mulligan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Chasing the Rush, and I had such a fun time with it.

This is one of those books that's incredibly easy to read. It's light, entertaining, and the kind of romance you can happily get lost in for a few hours.

Luca was definitely the standout for me. He was so easy to like, full of energy, charm, and very much golden retriever boyfriend material. From the moment he met Chelsea, there was never any doubt about how he felt, and I loved how unwavering his support for her dreams was. Even when he got things wrong, his heart was always in the right place, and you could tell he genuinely wanted to see her succeed.

That said, I did find myself wishing he'd matured just a little more. At times, I wanted to see him grow as the story progressed, especially because he had so many wonderful qualities already. Which I think he did..

Chelsea was a great match for Luca. I really enjoyed watching her pursue what she wanted and carve out her own path rather than simply becoming part of someone else's story. Their chemistry felt natural, and they balanced each other well, bringing out different sides of one another throughout the book.

There were plenty of sweet moments, laughs, and swoony scenes that kept me turning the pages, making it an ideal comfort read.

Overall, this was a fun, feel-good romance with a lovable hero, an engaging couple, and a story that was easy to escape into. If you're looking for a light sports romance with plenty of heart and a hero you'll struggle not to smile at, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Susan McClintock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chelsea Parker, a brilliant math prodigy, dreams of breaking barriers as the first woman to lead the analytics department for an NFL team. Raised in a football family, she’s determined to prove herself despite her father’s assignment to babysit and coach Luca Maguire, the star quarterback of the Mastodon’s, the NFL’s worst team.

Their past is complicated. Chelsea and Luca were college rivals, and their rivalry reached its peak when Luca’s brother, Roman, led his team to victory over Coach Parker’s team in the league championship. This past incident has left a lasting impact on both of them. Seven years ago, they almost had a chance at romance when Chelsea’s mathlete team happened to be staying at the same hotel as Luca’s college football team. Since then, Luca has compared all other girls he’s dated to “Chelsea the Mathlete,” the one who got away.

Now, with seven years of college behind them and Luca’s career hanging in the balance, he needs Chelsea’s help. He’s a natural talent, but he needs to focus on the small things that will elevate him from the NFL bubble. Chelsea, on the other hand, is determined to prove herself and break free from her father’s expectations.

Their forbidden romance unfolds with a mix of humor, tension, and heartwarming moments. Chelsea and Luca’s chemistry is undeniable, and their journey together is both entertaining and inspiring. Overall, this book is a delightful addition to the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my honest review.

[Tome Time Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do we love a man who swoons, falls first, and falls HARD?
Yes. Yes, we absolutely do.

I devoured Chasing the Rush in one sitting, and Lauren Rowe once again proves she knows exactly how to deliver a sports romance that checks every box. The chemistry, the banter, the heart… she does it so well.

Luca is the ultimate golden retriever MMC. He’s athletic, sexy, hilarious, and has a larger-than-life personality that makes him impossible not to love. But my favorite thing about him? This man is DOWN BAD for Chelsea, and watching him fall for her was everything. Give me a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to show it.

And Chelsea? An absolute dream of an FMC. I will forever root for a brilliant woman who chases her goals, works hard for her dreams, and inspires everyone around her. She’s beautiful inside and out, but what I loved most was her heart. Chelsea doesn’t just want to succeed, she wants the people around her to rise with her. That kind of ambition and generosity is something I love seeing in a character.

The family dynamics in this book were another huge highlight for me. I’m such a sucker for found family and strong relationship dynamics when they’re done well, and Lauren delivered. Watching these two football families come together and put their rivalry aside was the perfect way to bring everything full circle.

If you love sports romance with a swoony, golden retriever hero, a powerhouse FMC, incredible chemistry, and all the feel-good family moments, Chasing the Rush needs to be on your TBR!

[Samantha✨ [reads everythinggggg] · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐️ I received Chasing the Rush by Lauren Rowe as an ARC from Kensington Publishing Corp., and I'd like to thank the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this adorable, feel-good sports romance.

As someone who doesn't usually read cutesy romances, I was a little nervous that I wouldn't get hooked. Thankfully, I had nothing to worry about! This sports romance was absolutely adorable, and I found myself feeling giddy over their banter more than once. It was just so cute! I also found myself really wanting to know what would happen next and hoping they'd finally get over their own issues, if you know what I mean.

One thing I did struggle with was the maturity of the main characters. I actually thought their maturity level was perfect when they first met, but later on when they  were actual adults with serious careers, some of their behavior started to feel pretty immature. Maybe that was intentional and just part of their personalities, but it kept sticking out to me. I also found the whole "Romeo and Juliet" vibe to be a little repetitive, though that may have just been me.

Overall, though, I thought this was such a fun, feel-good read. As a huge football fan, I loved all the little football references and getting a glimpse into that world. I think this book may have officially convinced me that I'm a sports romance fan, and I'm definitely going to be exploring the genre more. So thank you, Lauren Rowe, for that!

[sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Rating: 4⭐️
🫧 Vibes: flirting and coaching
🎶 Song: so high school - taylor swift
📖 Favourite Quote: "All I know is, every time Luca was dating someone new and I asked him how it was going, he'd say, I mean, she's okay, but she can't hold a candle to Chelsea."
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 tldr thoughts: a sweet and easy read!

In the package:
📦 coach's daughter
📦 he falls first
📦 forbidden romance

Plot: Chelsea and Luca met on a random night when they were teens and never saw each other again. Neither of them have ever stopped thinking about each other. Seven years later, they come face-to-face again as Chelsea becomes Luca's personal football coach at training camp.. and the chemistry is even stronger.

Thoughts: I absolutely adored this whole math nerd x football player dynamic. Chelsea was insanely smart and way too good for the job she was assigned but she always powered through in a male-dominated field. She was my favourite part of this book, she was determined, strong-willed and didn't take shit from anyone. The family rivalry was hilarious and how serious Chelsea took it. Luca was such a constant flirt with Chelsea and their chemistry was fire. I loved the whole "coaching" concept in the book and it didn't take away from the romance.

Thank you Kensington Books and Lauren Rowe for the physical ARC!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a football romance especially when she’s the coach’s daughter. But this time she’s not just the coach’s daughter but also his assistant coach which made their banter and forbidden flirting even better. Chelsea and Luca are absolutely adorable, with Chelsea’s insistence on their football rivalry being like Romeo and Juliet and Luca’s love of her quirky mathlete side. From the second they met again after seven years, he’s been calling her “MY mathlete” and it ruined me. Luca is the definition of whipped and pining, this man told his family about her and tried to find her after their one night stand for over two years. I was gone for his fun and flirty personality and his stubbornness and inability to give up on the “fate” and “true love” that brought them back together. The plot was written very well and I was captivated from the start. There are many “twists” so to speak that elevated the plot and were pretty heartbreaking too. One thing that they both had in common was this “nepo baby” status and desire to prove themselves in their own way. It was inspiring but also broke my heart when Luca believed he was the “defective Maguire”. He was the sweetest most lovable character in how he always supported her dreams even if it meant being away from him. This book shows “the one that got away” trope to the next level and it was beautiful. Chelsea and Luca’s romance is one for the ages and any sports romance lover should read this. I give it a 5/5

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a football fan I am an absolute sucker for sports romances that actually feel like football is part of the story not just a backdrop for the romance.

Chelsea Parker is brilliant and unapologetically obsessed with analytics while determined to earn her place in the NFL on her own merit.📊🏈

Then there's Luca...Golden retriever energy in football pads.😂
He's impulsive, ridiculously flirty and completely smitten with Chelsea from the very beginning. Seven years may have passed since they shared one unforgettable night in college but this man never forgot his mathlete who walked away before either of them could discover what might have been.

Chelsea worked incredibly hard to prove she deserved her opportunity. Women belong in football on the sidelines, in analytics, in coaching, in front offices and I loved seeing that represented here.

Luca…He absolutely falls first... and he falls HARD.🥹

If you're looking for an emotional but lighthearted football romance that'll leave you smiling long after you finish then definitely pick this one up.

Tropes
💙 Second Chance Romance

📊 STEM FMC / Math Nerd

🏈 Football Romance

👨‍👧 Coach's Daughter

💼 Workplace Romance

🤝 Forced Proximity

🌶️ Slow Burn

😍 He Falls First & Hard

✨ One That Got Away

❤️ Opposites Attract

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing the Rush by Lauren Rowe absolutely stole my heart!

If you love a second-chance sports romance with incredible chemistry, this one is definitely for you. Chelsea, the math-loving nerd, and Luca, the football star, have the kind of connection that never really fades. Seven years after they first met, they still can't stop thinking about each other, and let me tell you...the tension between these two is everything! Throw in the one that got away, the coach's daughter, and now they're coworkers, and you've got a romance that kept me smiling from beginning to end.

One thing Lauren Rowe does so well is balance the emotional moments with humor and heart. This story has its heavier themes, but it never feels weighed down because she knows exactly when to bring in the fun, the flirting, and those swoony moments that make you fall even harder for the characters.

I say this every time I read one of Lauren's books, but she has such a gift for creating characters that feel real. They are by no means perfect, they're flawed, they make mistakes, and I somehow end up loving them even more because of it. By the end, I was completely invested in Chelsea and Luca and couldn't help but root for them.

Lauren Rowe, once again, grinning like an idiot, and completely invested in two people who clearly should've gotten their act together years ago. I loved this one!

[Tommie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing The Rush - Lauren Rowe
Football and Feels - Book 2

Thank you @laurenrowebooks, @kensingtonbooks and @hambright_pr for my gifted ARC.

My Review:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 320
Publication Date: July 28, 2026
Genre: Romance
TROPES ✨

👩 Coach's Daughter
 🏈 NFL Linebacker
 🚫 Babysitter/Coach
 🔁 Second Chance
 😫 Reckless MMC
 🔢 Former Mathlete

#HPRChasingtheRush
#LaurenRowe
#KensingtonPublishing
#HambrightPR


This is Luca and Chelsea’s story. This book was a total delight to read! It held my attention from start to finish. I couldn’t have fallen in love with the characters more. The banter was perfection. The side characters were equally as wonderful as the MMC and FMC. Roman was my favorite side character. I’ve loved football all my life and this book definitely has me counting down to Friday night lights.

I highly recommend this book. You will fall in love with Chelsea (a female working in a man’s world and more than holds her own) and Luca (a talented defensive linebacker living in the shadow of two older highly successful brothers also in the NFL).

This is one of those books you love so much you don’t want it to end!

#laurenrowe #kensingtonbooks #hambright_pr #chasingtherush #footballandfeels #chasingthering #romance #sportsromance