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Rugby Queen
Not yet published
Expected 13 Aug 26Marigold has a habit of making bad decisions and taking a PR job with the Ocala Otters might be the worst yet.
What starts as a simple favor, quickly turns into something far messier.
The team is chaos.
The men are worse.
The winger—reckless, fast, and too perceptive.
The veteran—steady, protective, and hard to resist.
The hooker—charming, watchful, and hiding pain behind a grin.
She’s supposed to fix them.
Instead, her past is catching up, and she might be the very reason they all fall apart…
This an MMFM with MM pairing too. TWs will be in the front matter.
What starts as a simple favor, quickly turns into something far messier.
The team is chaos.
The men are worse.
The winger—reckless, fast, and too perceptive.
The veteran—steady, protective, and hard to resist.
The hooker—charming, watchful, and hiding pain behind a grin.
She’s supposed to fix them.
Instead, her past is catching up, and she might be the very reason they all fall apart…
This an MMFM with MM pairing too. TWs will be in the front matter.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC.
I really appreciate the opportunity to read this book before it was released, but...it was not good. It's marketed as a Why Choose with MMFM. And while there are references to the men being intimate, we never actually see it. All the spicy scenes involve Marigold - and the men don't even do anything to one another when they have group sex!
The plot is just...it doesn't make any sense. Mari is ordered by her step-father, the owner of a rugby team, to get close to the players and uncover a drug scandal. She pretty much does not do that and instead spends all her time with only three of the players - Lachlan, Finn, and Darcy.
Honestly, I thought all of the characters sucked. Shane, Mari's step-father, was an ass for getting her involved in this scheme in the first place. With all his money and connections, he could have actually hired someone competent. Lachlan has a martyr complex that is incredibly annoying. Finn is portrayed as an unfeeling asshole in the beginning, but also a total idiot (himbo) by the end. Darcy is a jerk and controlling toward Lachlan. And Marigold sucks because she waited SO LONG to tell Finn she was pregnant, even though they had been living together for at least a month.
Finally, the writing is just not good. It needs better editing because there were A LOT of comma splices and sentence fragments, randomly italicized words (super annoying), and just inconsistencies with the plot. The ending was rushed and a total cop-out. Several chapters in the beginning had sentences as their
Own
Entire
Paragraph
WHY? It drove me absolutely insane.
I sped through like 70% of this book because it was just not good, sorry.
I really appreciate the opportunity to read this book before it was released, but...it was not good. It's marketed as a Why Choose with MMFM. And while there are references to the men being intimate, we never actually see it. All the spicy scenes involve Marigold - and the men don't even do anything to one another when they have group sex!
The plot is just...it doesn't make any sense. Mari is ordered by her step-father, the owner of a rugby team, to get close to the players and uncover a drug scandal. She pretty much does not do that and instead spends all her time with only three of the players - Lachlan, Finn, and Darcy.
Honestly, I thought all of the characters sucked. Shane, Mari's step-father, was an ass for getting her involved in this scheme in the first place. With all his money and connections, he could have actually hired someone competent. Lachlan has a martyr complex that is incredibly annoying. Finn is portrayed as an unfeeling asshole in the beginning, but also a total idiot (himbo) by the end. Darcy is a jerk and controlling toward Lachlan. And Marigold sucks because she waited SO LONG to tell Finn she was pregnant, even though they had been living together for at least a month.
Finally, the writing is just not good. It needs better editing because there were A LOT of comma splices and sentence fragments, randomly italicized words (super annoying), and just inconsistencies with the plot. The ending was rushed and a total cop-out. Several chapters in the beginning had sentences as their
Own
Entire
Paragraph
WHY? It drove me absolutely insane.
I sped through like 70% of this book because it was just not good, sorry.
August 7, 2026
I received this book as an ARC.
Did I finish this book in one sitting? Yes.
But was I also trapped in the car for a 14-hour drive as the passenger princess? Also yes.
Would I recommend it? Ehhh… maybe.
Let’s talk about drama… because there was drama. Messy drama. Almost too much drama. At times it felt so over-the-top that it lost the realism and relatability I was looking for.
I did enjoy that this was a sports romance, but I never really got the “real-life athlete” vibes. The reason the FMC was constantly around the team also felt a little weird, which made it harder to fully buy into the story.
There were a lot of characters introduced, and I found it difficult to keep track of everyone. I would have liked more background on the main characters. Their pasts were touched on, but it felt rushed.
Overall, this one wasn’t for me.
Did I finish this book in one sitting? Yes.
But was I also trapped in the car for a 14-hour drive as the passenger princess? Also yes.
Would I recommend it? Ehhh… maybe.
Let’s talk about drama… because there was drama. Messy drama. Almost too much drama. At times it felt so over-the-top that it lost the realism and relatability I was looking for.
I did enjoy that this was a sports romance, but I never really got the “real-life athlete” vibes. The reason the FMC was constantly around the team also felt a little weird, which made it harder to fully buy into the story.
There were a lot of characters introduced, and I found it difficult to keep track of everyone. I would have liked more background on the main characters. Their pasts were touched on, but it felt rushed.
Overall, this one wasn’t for me.
July 16, 2026
******ARC Read*********
Marigold has a one night stand with the man her step-dad asked her to investigate. She ends up pregnant and doesn’t know what to do, so she continues investigating her step-dad’s rugby team for drug use. Lachlan and Darcy have been getting together in secret for over a year and Lachlan is finally done with hiding. So what does he do, gets a fake girlfriend, the team’s new PR rep, Marigold. The four come together in an unconventional way. Finn realizes he is bisexual, Lachlan learns he is not gay, Darcy accepts love, and Marigold realizes that not all men are abusers.
Marigold has a one night stand with the man her step-dad asked her to investigate. She ends up pregnant and doesn’t know what to do, so she continues investigating her step-dad’s rugby team for drug use. Lachlan and Darcy have been getting together in secret for over a year and Lachlan is finally done with hiding. So what does he do, gets a fake girlfriend, the team’s new PR rep, Marigold. The four come together in an unconventional way. Finn realizes he is bisexual, Lachlan learns he is not gay, Darcy accepts love, and Marigold realizes that not all men are abusers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
July 14, 2026🔴 This is a poly romance, not a RH 🔴
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a beautifully chaotic first co-write!
I’ve now had the pleasure of ARC reading three of Erin Mersey’s books, and I absolutely adore her writing style and the way she creates such layered, complex characters. I started reading Sage’s work when she began co-writing the Omegaverse series with Erin, and I quickly fell in love with her storytelling too. Put these two together, and they’ve created an absolute storm of chaos, emotion, humour, and complexity.
I devoured Rugby Queen in less than 24 hours because I genuinely couldn’t put it down.
The story kicks off with Marigold, buffalo sauce on her titties, and a broken condom… and honestly, it only gets more chaotic from there.
Marigold is an incredibly complex heroine. After surviving both sexual assault and domestic violence, she’d essentially given up on any kind of intimate relationship until Finn crashed into her life. When we’re first introduced to Finn, he comes across as a complete grade-A asshole, but as the story unfolds, you quickly realise he’s actually an adorable, lovable himbo with the biggest heart.
Marigold is sent by her stepfather, the owner of the Ocala Otters rugby team, to investigate rumours of drug use within the team while posing as their new PR representative. That’s where she meets Finn, Lachlan, and Darcy.
Lachlan and Darcy are stuck in a complicated “situationship”. Lachlan desperately wants more, but Darcy is trapped by the fear of losing access to his child. His ex-wife has made it clear that his sexuality could be used against him in court, leaving him terrified to make their relationship public. Add in their age gap, and their relationship is beautifully messy and heartbreaking.
Then comes one of my favourite moments in the book. While wandering around the rugby grounds before her first day, completely lost and on the phone to her best friend telling her she’s pregnant with Finn’s baby, Marigold accidentally stumbles across Darcy pinning Lachlan to the ground in a very compromising position. From that moment on, secrets are shared, favours are exchanged, and the story takes off at full speed.
Every character brought something different to the story.
Lachlan completely stole my heart. He’s a man who had to grow up far too quickly, hide who he truly is, and keep his relationship with Darcy hidden despite wanting so much more.
Darcy radiates protective daddy energy. He constantly puts himself in harm’s way for the people he loves and would do absolutely anything to protect Lachlan and Marigold.
Finn is peak golden-retriever himbo energy. He’s affectionate, loyal, and loves with his whole heart… even if he genuinely seems to believe the internet is made of paper clips and that the capital of the United States is New Jersey.
And then there’s Marigold. Despite everything she’s survived, she never loses herself completely, and watching her finally get the happy ending she deserved was incredibly satisfying.
My only complaint? I wanted more.
This honestly felt like the beginning of a series rather than a standalone. The world and characters were so layered that I found myself desperate for more answers. Who exactly is Shane, and what was his life before owning the Otters? What happened to Finn’s mother for her to behave the way she did? Was Duncan always that evil, or did something make him that way? And seriously… how on earth did Darcy ever end up married to Angel?
I also would have loved to see more of the relationships between the boys on the page. While Lachlan and Darcy’s relationship was beautiful, and I loved the glimpses we got of Lachlan and Finn’s connection, many of those moments happened off-page. For me personally, I love seeing the boyfriends actually being boyfriends. Whether that’s through quiet moments together, their emotional connection, or how their physical relationships develop. I think seeing more of both Lachlan and Darcy, and Lachlan and Finn, would have added even more depth to an already fantastic cast.
Overall, I absolutely loved Rugby Queen. Erin and Sage absolutely smashed their first co-write together, and I genuinely hope this isn’t the last time they collaborate.
If they ever decide to co-write a series together, I’ll be first in line to read every single book. Their writing styles complement each other beautifully, and I’d love to spend more time with the kinds of complex characters and emotionally layered stories they create together. I’d also love to see more of the MM and MMF relationships explored on the page. While the glimpses we got were fantastic, I’d have happily read even more of those moments and would have loved to see those dynamics develop on-page rather than happening behind the scenes.
An easy five-star read for me, and I can’t wait to see what these two write together next 💜
I’ve now had the pleasure of ARC reading three of Erin Mersey’s books, and I absolutely adore her writing style and the way she creates such layered, complex characters. I started reading Sage’s work when she began co-writing the Omegaverse series with Erin, and I quickly fell in love with her storytelling too. Put these two together, and they’ve created an absolute storm of chaos, emotion, humour, and complexity.
I devoured Rugby Queen in less than 24 hours because I genuinely couldn’t put it down.
The story kicks off with Marigold, buffalo sauce on her titties, and a broken condom… and honestly, it only gets more chaotic from there.
Marigold is an incredibly complex heroine. After surviving both sexual assault and domestic violence, she’d essentially given up on any kind of intimate relationship until Finn crashed into her life. When we’re first introduced to Finn, he comes across as a complete grade-A asshole, but as the story unfolds, you quickly realise he’s actually an adorable, lovable himbo with the biggest heart.
Marigold is sent by her stepfather, the owner of the Ocala Otters rugby team, to investigate rumours of drug use within the team while posing as their new PR representative. That’s where she meets Finn, Lachlan, and Darcy.
Lachlan and Darcy are stuck in a complicated “situationship”. Lachlan desperately wants more, but Darcy is trapped by the fear of losing access to his child. His ex-wife has made it clear that his sexuality could be used against him in court, leaving him terrified to make their relationship public. Add in their age gap, and their relationship is beautifully messy and heartbreaking.
Then comes one of my favourite moments in the book. While wandering around the rugby grounds before her first day, completely lost and on the phone to her best friend telling her she’s pregnant with Finn’s baby, Marigold accidentally stumbles across Darcy pinning Lachlan to the ground in a very compromising position. From that moment on, secrets are shared, favours are exchanged, and the story takes off at full speed.
Every character brought something different to the story.
Lachlan completely stole my heart. He’s a man who had to grow up far too quickly, hide who he truly is, and keep his relationship with Darcy hidden despite wanting so much more.
Darcy radiates protective daddy energy. He constantly puts himself in harm’s way for the people he loves and would do absolutely anything to protect Lachlan and Marigold.
Finn is peak golden-retriever himbo energy. He’s affectionate, loyal, and loves with his whole heart… even if he genuinely seems to believe the internet is made of paper clips and that the capital of the United States is New Jersey.
And then there’s Marigold. Despite everything she’s survived, she never loses herself completely, and watching her finally get the happy ending she deserved was incredibly satisfying.
My only complaint? I wanted more.
This honestly felt like the beginning of a series rather than a standalone. The world and characters were so layered that I found myself desperate for more answers. Who exactly is Shane, and what was his life before owning the Otters? What happened to Finn’s mother for her to behave the way she did? Was Duncan always that evil, or did something make him that way? And seriously… how on earth did Darcy ever end up married to Angel?
I also would have loved to see more of the relationships between the boys on the page. While Lachlan and Darcy’s relationship was beautiful, and I loved the glimpses we got of Lachlan and Finn’s connection, many of those moments happened off-page. For me personally, I love seeing the boyfriends actually being boyfriends. Whether that’s through quiet moments together, their emotional connection, or how their physical relationships develop. I think seeing more of both Lachlan and Darcy, and Lachlan and Finn, would have added even more depth to an already fantastic cast.
Overall, I absolutely loved Rugby Queen. Erin and Sage absolutely smashed their first co-write together, and I genuinely hope this isn’t the last time they collaborate.
If they ever decide to co-write a series together, I’ll be first in line to read every single book. Their writing styles complement each other beautifully, and I’d love to spend more time with the kinds of complex characters and emotionally layered stories they create together. I’d also love to see more of the MM and MMF relationships explored on the page. While the glimpses we got were fantastic, I’d have happily read even more of those moments and would have loved to see those dynamics develop on-page rather than happening behind the scenes.
An easy five-star read for me, and I can’t wait to see what these two write together next 💜
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have such mixed feelings about this book because I genuinely had a great time reading it, but I also spent a good chunk of it side-eyeing some of the character choices.
First things first: I finished this in one sitting. I got the ARC, sat down to “just read a few chapters,” and suddenly it was over. That’s always a good sign.
Marigold was fun. She made me laugh more than once, and the girl absolutely cannot catch a break. Every time you think she’s finally going to get a moment to breathe, life says, “Actually… no.” Between her ex, her stepbrother, the coach, and just about every garbage human in her orbit, I wanted to throw hands on her behalf. That said, while I liked her, I don’t know that she’s going to be one of those FMCs that lives rent-free in my head forever. She was enjoyable, but there wasn’t one defining personality trait that made her unforgettable.
The book starts with Finn absolutely fumbling the bag in spectacular fashion. The broken condom, the awful things he says, him storming off… I was ready to hate this man immediately.
Then we meet Darcy and Lachlan.
Can we talk about Lachlan? Because that sweet little cinnamon roll deserved the entire world. I adored him from the beginning. Protect him at all costs.
Darcy… I could honestly take him or leave him.
I understood why he acted the way he did. His ex-wife put him through hell, and you could see how badly that trauma affected him. He lashed out because he was hurting, and while I didn’t necessarily like him, I understood him. I just never found myself especially attached to him. He wasn’t a bad character, I just didn’t connect with him the way I did some of the others.
Finn, however, surprised me the most.
He starts off exactly how everyone describes him: angry, rude, and honestly kind of an asshole. Then Marigold casually mentions that people can like more than one gender, and it’s like someone flipped a switch.
Suddenly he’s sunshine.
Like… full-on goofy, funny, lovable golden retriever energy.
I’m all for seeing the softer side underneath the walls people build, but this didn’t feel like peeling back layers. It felt like meeting an entirely different character. I kept waiting for that angry, guarded Finn to resurface every once in a while, but he really never did. It was such a drastic shift that it almost gave me whiplash.
The funny thing is… I actually liked Sunshine Finn way more.
Once he relaxed, he became one of my favorite characters. He was hilarious, constantly broke the tension, and every scene with him became more entertaining.
And speaking of Finn…
His absolute obsession with getting Lachlan pregnant had me laughing every single time it came up.
The man had ONE dream.
“I need you to get pregnant so I can have your baby.”
Sir. Please.😂
It somehow became one of my favorite running jokes throughout the entire book.
By the end, when everything is wrapped up, I was honestly hoping we’d get to actually see Finn’s reaction to Lachlan and Marigold having the baby instead of it mostly happening off-page. After hearing him talk about it for over half the book, I wanted that payoff.
One thing I really appreciated was how the book handled Lachlan’s trauma. After everything Marigold goes through—and trust me, she goes through a lot—I was relieved that the author didn’t feel the need to put another horrific scene on the page just for shock value. We understand exactly what happened through the aftermath, and for me, that was enough.
I also have to mention the stepdad.
I spent most of the book wondering where that relationship was headed, and I’ll admit I was nervous. Instead, I ended up really loving where the author took it. By the end, he stayed exactly what Marigold needed: her dad. After everything she’d been through, having that stable parental figure was so much more. Looking back, you can really see how much he loved her mom, even if it wasn’t always obvious while reading.
Overall, this book was chaotic, funny, emotional, a little dark, and somehow still incredibly easy to binge. Even with my complaints about Finn’s abrupt personality shift and not feeling particularly attached to Darcy, I genuinely enjoyed myself.
Would I read it again? Absolutely.
Do I wish this had been longer or part of a bigger series so I could spend more time with these characters? Also yes.
So despite all my nitpicks, this is still a solid 4-star read for me. It entertained me, made me laugh, made me emotional, and most importantly, made me stay up reading until I finished. Sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for in a book.
First things first: I finished this in one sitting. I got the ARC, sat down to “just read a few chapters,” and suddenly it was over. That’s always a good sign.
Marigold was fun. She made me laugh more than once, and the girl absolutely cannot catch a break. Every time you think she’s finally going to get a moment to breathe, life says, “Actually… no.” Between her ex, her stepbrother, the coach, and just about every garbage human in her orbit, I wanted to throw hands on her behalf. That said, while I liked her, I don’t know that she’s going to be one of those FMCs that lives rent-free in my head forever. She was enjoyable, but there wasn’t one defining personality trait that made her unforgettable.
The book starts with Finn absolutely fumbling the bag in spectacular fashion. The broken condom, the awful things he says, him storming off… I was ready to hate this man immediately.
Then we meet Darcy and Lachlan.
Can we talk about Lachlan? Because that sweet little cinnamon roll deserved the entire world. I adored him from the beginning. Protect him at all costs.
Darcy… I could honestly take him or leave him.
I understood why he acted the way he did. His ex-wife put him through hell, and you could see how badly that trauma affected him. He lashed out because he was hurting, and while I didn’t necessarily like him, I understood him. I just never found myself especially attached to him. He wasn’t a bad character, I just didn’t connect with him the way I did some of the others.
Finn, however, surprised me the most.
He starts off exactly how everyone describes him: angry, rude, and honestly kind of an asshole. Then Marigold casually mentions that people can like more than one gender, and it’s like someone flipped a switch.
Suddenly he’s sunshine.
Like… full-on goofy, funny, lovable golden retriever energy.
I’m all for seeing the softer side underneath the walls people build, but this didn’t feel like peeling back layers. It felt like meeting an entirely different character. I kept waiting for that angry, guarded Finn to resurface every once in a while, but he really never did. It was such a drastic shift that it almost gave me whiplash.
The funny thing is… I actually liked Sunshine Finn way more.
Once he relaxed, he became one of my favorite characters. He was hilarious, constantly broke the tension, and every scene with him became more entertaining.
And speaking of Finn…
His absolute obsession with getting Lachlan pregnant had me laughing every single time it came up.
The man had ONE dream.
“I need you to get pregnant so I can have your baby.”
Sir. Please.😂
It somehow became one of my favorite running jokes throughout the entire book.
By the end, when everything is wrapped up, I was honestly hoping we’d get to actually see Finn’s reaction to Lachlan and Marigold having the baby instead of it mostly happening off-page. After hearing him talk about it for over half the book, I wanted that payoff.
One thing I really appreciated was how the book handled Lachlan’s trauma. After everything Marigold goes through—and trust me, she goes through a lot—I was relieved that the author didn’t feel the need to put another horrific scene on the page just for shock value. We understand exactly what happened through the aftermath, and for me, that was enough.
I also have to mention the stepdad.
I spent most of the book wondering where that relationship was headed, and I’ll admit I was nervous. Instead, I ended up really loving where the author took it. By the end, he stayed exactly what Marigold needed: her dad. After everything she’d been through, having that stable parental figure was so much more. Looking back, you can really see how much he loved her mom, even if it wasn’t always obvious while reading.
Overall, this book was chaotic, funny, emotional, a little dark, and somehow still incredibly easy to binge. Even with my complaints about Finn’s abrupt personality shift and not feeling particularly attached to Darcy, I genuinely enjoyed myself.
Would I read it again? Absolutely.
Do I wish this had been longer or part of a bigger series so I could spend more time with these characters? Also yes.
So despite all my nitpicks, this is still a solid 4-star read for me. It entertained me, made me laugh, made me emotional, and most importantly, made me stay up reading until I finished. Sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for in a book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wow, so this is whatever the direct opposite of slow burn is, and fast burn is not even an accurate enough description, page one and you are literally slapped in the face with a spice scene -which I personally really freaking enjoyed!
This was a really quick read for me, I more of less read it in one sitting and I found myself really enjoying Marigold and her guys. Marigold is a really likeable FMC, but she seriously can't catch a break and every time things seems to be going better for her another shit hits the proverbial fan and perhaps to a degree where it felt like a bit too much.
The guys all turned out to be great characters, but Finn was definitely an acquired taste. However, he really did redeem himself later during the book. Finn and Lachlan ended up being my favorites, whereas Darcy, who is usually the kind of MMC I am drawn to dark and broody, somehow never completely worked for me as well as the other guys.
The main plot of the book is Marigold having suffered a pretty traumatic past and is now trying to get her life back together, which is made a heck of a lot more difficult with a surprise pregnancy, spying as her day job, and falling for the guys she is spying on, while having one really abuse AF ex coming back into her life.
She eventually gets her HEA with her guys, but it took some time and hurt to get there and I was really happy that the epilogues add some more joy, which was needed with some heavy topics and our all our lovers having to go through so much to get there.
The spice is hot, and there is MM in the book, which I find to be the cherry on top of my Sundae, but in case that is not your preference. I personally would have preferred more MM action and actually having more of the focus split between all the people in the relationship, but if you want a book with MM but where the FMC is still the main focus, I think Rugby Queen is a great option!
I found the plot and pacing really to my liking, but do be aware there are some heavy subjects in this book, which I think are handled with care and are important to the story being told, but definitely check you TW with this one.
I enjoyed the heck out of 'Rugby Queen', and I kinda hope the stepdad gets his own spin off, since I feel like there is a cool story there about him finding love again and his shady past, possible present! 🌶️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wow, so this is whatever the direct opposite of slow burn is, and fast burn is not even an accurate enough description, page one and you are literally slapped in the face with a spice scene -which I personally really freaking enjoyed!
This was a really quick read for me, I more of less read it in one sitting and I found myself really enjoying Marigold and her guys. Marigold is a really likeable FMC, but she seriously can't catch a break and every time things seems to be going better for her another shit hits the proverbial fan and perhaps to a degree where it felt like a bit too much.
The guys all turned out to be great characters, but Finn was definitely an acquired taste. However, he really did redeem himself later during the book. Finn and Lachlan ended up being my favorites, whereas Darcy, who is usually the kind of MMC I am drawn to dark and broody, somehow never completely worked for me as well as the other guys.
The main plot of the book is Marigold having suffered a pretty traumatic past and is now trying to get her life back together, which is made a heck of a lot more difficult with a surprise pregnancy, spying as her day job, and falling for the guys she is spying on, while having one really abuse AF ex coming back into her life.
She eventually gets her HEA with her guys, but it took some time and hurt to get there and I was really happy that the epilogues add some more joy, which was needed with some heavy topics and our all our lovers having to go through so much to get there.
The spice is hot, and there is MM in the book, which I find to be the cherry on top of my Sundae, but in case that is not your preference. I personally would have preferred more MM action and actually having more of the focus split between all the people in the relationship, but if you want a book with MM but where the FMC is still the main focus, I think Rugby Queen is a great option!
I found the plot and pacing really to my liking, but do be aware there are some heavy subjects in this book, which I think are handled with care and are important to the story being told, but definitely check you TW with this one.
I enjoyed the heck out of 'Rugby Queen', and I kinda hope the stepdad gets his own spin off, since I feel like there is a cool story there about him finding love again and his shady past, possible present! 🌶️
August 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This is such a light read for me, yet still filled with trauma / dark & mental health things in the plot, as per usual for dark romance. It’s entertaining - with the sports romance trope, as well as for the characters and plot growth. The overall pace is fine, not a slow burn yet not too fast either, just nice with the plot.
There’s drama indeed, aligned with the sports romance trope, and well, yeah, as each of the person. Might be a lot for some, but I just see how that’s just life, exactly like life for each of different people. I can resonates them with my own things as well as the things that happened to the people around me. The struggles, the problems, the abuse, the assaults, the dark past that come to catching up, the mental health, and more are nicely seeped through with the plot and characters in this book. It’s also included sexuality discovery and questioning, which it did in very humanly part too. I like that it’s written in multi pov, so it’s easy to follow and compartmentalize for each of the characters and what’s happening with them and overall in the plot. Each chapters keeps me hooked with the growth - be it in the characters growth as well as the plot growth.
The characters also shows that there’s always more into the person rather than just what they showed to the world. It also shows how we’ll never know anyone’s struggles until we really look, or taking our time getting to know the real them. Also, some evil ones aren’t the one that’s acting bad with you from the start, and some evil ones fabricating a good facade all while it’s actually rotten and vile inside. These are the reality that been portrayed in this book as well, which I appreciate.
Overall, it’s actually is just a light reading for me, as most things I’ve noted earlier were tapped lightly and carefully in the book, but if you’re a sensitive reader - especially for SA (with rape) and self harm / suicidal tendencies - I think the scenes doesn’t got into the painful detail, but still you’ll get the idea of how it is from their conversation and that might still be triggering, so be careful to go through it if those are the things that might triggered you. As usual, read the tw first. I don’t have any triggers, so it might be a different reading experience for you.
All the dramas and characters are entertaining enough for me, and I enjoyed reading the whole book ❤️
This is such a light read for me, yet still filled with trauma / dark & mental health things in the plot, as per usual for dark romance. It’s entertaining - with the sports romance trope, as well as for the characters and plot growth. The overall pace is fine, not a slow burn yet not too fast either, just nice with the plot.
There’s drama indeed, aligned with the sports romance trope, and well, yeah, as each of the person. Might be a lot for some, but I just see how that’s just life, exactly like life for each of different people. I can resonates them with my own things as well as the things that happened to the people around me. The struggles, the problems, the abuse, the assaults, the dark past that come to catching up, the mental health, and more are nicely seeped through with the plot and characters in this book. It’s also included sexuality discovery and questioning, which it did in very humanly part too. I like that it’s written in multi pov, so it’s easy to follow and compartmentalize for each of the characters and what’s happening with them and overall in the plot. Each chapters keeps me hooked with the growth - be it in the characters growth as well as the plot growth.
The characters also shows that there’s always more into the person rather than just what they showed to the world. It also shows how we’ll never know anyone’s struggles until we really look, or taking our time getting to know the real them. Also, some evil ones aren’t the one that’s acting bad with you from the start, and some evil ones fabricating a good facade all while it’s actually rotten and vile inside. These are the reality that been portrayed in this book as well, which I appreciate.
Overall, it’s actually is just a light reading for me, as most things I’ve noted earlier were tapped lightly and carefully in the book, but if you’re a sensitive reader - especially for SA (with rape) and self harm / suicidal tendencies - I think the scenes doesn’t got into the painful detail, but still you’ll get the idea of how it is from their conversation and that might still be triggering, so be careful to go through it if those are the things that might triggered you. As usual, read the tw first. I don’t have any triggers, so it might be a different reading experience for you.
All the dramas and characters are entertaining enough for me, and I enjoyed reading the whole book ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
The right people
A contemporary romance that is so addictive and such a page-turner, with rugby as its main backdrop.
A wonderful dark why-choose romance. I definitely recommend checking the TWs before diving in.
The authors give us a spectacular story, filled with characters who are just as surprising as they are captivating, and packed with twists and turns that trigger a myriad of emotions.
This book is a true roller coaster.
From hilarious moments — many of them thanks to the personalities of our MCs — to moments that made me feel just as much indignation as anger, with plenty of steamy moments in between.
We have an FMC who is a survivor and who simply wants to be loved. Through a twist of events, she finds herself involved with unexpected people, each with very different personalities.
And then we have three MMCs with very different personalities and pasts, but with far more in common than they ever imagined. After all, they have all experienced painful pasts that continue to impact their present.
Together, they are the perfect group of misfits, perfectly imperfect for one another.
This is a standalone where our MCs get their well-deserved HEA. Yes, the plural is correct! We get an amazing ending, with something I absolutely love: more than one epilogue, giving us a glimpse into our MCs’ future.
Another thing I absolutely loved is how hilarious the authors are in the way they interact with each other — the dedications are proof of that! They genuinely made me smile. Please never stop.
A fantastic read for anyone looking for a dark, emotional, steamy, and hilarious why-choose romance with rugby, unforgettable characters, and a very well-deserved HEA.
A contemporary romance that is so addictive and such a page-turner, with rugby as its main backdrop.
A wonderful dark why-choose romance. I definitely recommend checking the TWs before diving in.
The authors give us a spectacular story, filled with characters who are just as surprising as they are captivating, and packed with twists and turns that trigger a myriad of emotions.
This book is a true roller coaster.
From hilarious moments — many of them thanks to the personalities of our MCs — to moments that made me feel just as much indignation as anger, with plenty of steamy moments in between.
We have an FMC who is a survivor and who simply wants to be loved. Through a twist of events, she finds herself involved with unexpected people, each with very different personalities.
And then we have three MMCs with very different personalities and pasts, but with far more in common than they ever imagined. After all, they have all experienced painful pasts that continue to impact their present.
Together, they are the perfect group of misfits, perfectly imperfect for one another.
This is a standalone where our MCs get their well-deserved HEA. Yes, the plural is correct! We get an amazing ending, with something I absolutely love: more than one epilogue, giving us a glimpse into our MCs’ future.
Another thing I absolutely loved is how hilarious the authors are in the way they interact with each other — the dedications are proof of that! They genuinely made me smile. Please never stop.
A fantastic read for anyone looking for a dark, emotional, steamy, and hilarious why-choose romance with rugby, unforgettable characters, and a very well-deserved HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off, I will start by saying that this book was a fun read. It was interesting, funny, and sweet at times. The way that the author wrote about Lach and Marigold healing from trauma was very graceful and I did love that part. I ended up falling in love with most of the characters. I really did like the book.
It would have easily been a 5 star read, there were only a few things that made it a 4 star. The first meeting with Finn and how he is a completely aloof, rude hookup, to the immediate switch to being a goofy golden retriever character was a bit confusing. There was no acknowledgement about the sudden 180, and there was no gradual or meaningful character development there.
Second, Darcy. Darcy was a bit of a 2 dimensional character. There was really just nothing there.
Third, for all of the talk about the men being bisexual and involved, there was almost NO scenes individually between them. Marigold was there almost every. Single. Time. I love a poly or reverse harem where swords cross, but there was nothing. Really not many scenes with more then one of the men either.
Fourth, for her stepfather making her investigate the drug usage on the team, Marigold barely did anything. Every other person there did all of the mystery solving. She didn't even pretend to be real PR, she basically just acted like an unemployed girlfriend hanging out most of the time.
That being said, I did enjoy reading the book a lot. If you like a poly sports romance with a bit of a back-plot beyond the relationships and smut, a morally Grey stepfather, and an absolute golden retriever of a man that's obsessed with getting his boyfriend pregnant, then this book is for you.
It would have easily been a 5 star read, there were only a few things that made it a 4 star. The first meeting with Finn and how he is a completely aloof, rude hookup, to the immediate switch to being a goofy golden retriever character was a bit confusing. There was no acknowledgement about the sudden 180, and there was no gradual or meaningful character development there.
Second, Darcy. Darcy was a bit of a 2 dimensional character. There was really just nothing there.
Third, for all of the talk about the men being bisexual and involved, there was almost NO scenes individually between them. Marigold was there almost every. Single. Time. I love a poly or reverse harem where swords cross, but there was nothing. Really not many scenes with more then one of the men either.
Fourth, for her stepfather making her investigate the drug usage on the team, Marigold barely did anything. Every other person there did all of the mystery solving. She didn't even pretend to be real PR, she basically just acted like an unemployed girlfriend hanging out most of the time.
That being said, I did enjoy reading the book a lot. If you like a poly sports romance with a bit of a back-plot beyond the relationships and smut, a morally Grey stepfather, and an absolute golden retriever of a man that's obsessed with getting his boyfriend pregnant, then this book is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my first ARC read. I wasnt quite sure what that was going to be like. Glad to say I was not disappointed. If I wouldnt have had to work the following morning, I would have finished this book in one sitting!
Starting off, i am a SUCKER for crazy ridiculous chapter names. No idea why. I genuinely love them. I like being able to read them beforehand and then as im reading, discovering why that name within each chapter.
I was hooked in the beginning. I enjoyed the main characters and the story. There was a few of the other characters, I was side eyeing. This story was a little chaotic, but I enjoy the chaos. It had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next.
Marigolds inner thoughts were soo relatable. I enjoyed seeing how each of the guys relationships evolved throughout the story. Between themselves and with Marigold. I will say, there was kind of an instant infatuation with the main characters. Finn cracked me up once he came out of his shell in the group. Lachlan, gosh such a sweetie. Darcy's like the brooding protector after his ex wife, whom could be a little more open minded lol. I think Marigold and Lachlans traumas played together well, and helped them get through it together.
I found the whole drug investigation odd, I think that could've been improved upon. I think the relation between Marigold and her stepfather was a little bizarre. And especially his behavior. If the book would've been longer/part of a series, i believe it would've played out better.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would read again and recommend! I look forward to exploring their other books !
Starting off, i am a SUCKER for crazy ridiculous chapter names. No idea why. I genuinely love them. I like being able to read them beforehand and then as im reading, discovering why that name within each chapter.
I was hooked in the beginning. I enjoyed the main characters and the story. There was a few of the other characters, I was side eyeing. This story was a little chaotic, but I enjoy the chaos. It had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next.
Marigolds inner thoughts were soo relatable. I enjoyed seeing how each of the guys relationships evolved throughout the story. Between themselves and with Marigold. I will say, there was kind of an instant infatuation with the main characters. Finn cracked me up once he came out of his shell in the group. Lachlan, gosh such a sweetie. Darcy's like the brooding protector after his ex wife, whom could be a little more open minded lol. I think Marigold and Lachlans traumas played together well, and helped them get through it together.
I found the whole drug investigation odd, I think that could've been improved upon. I think the relation between Marigold and her stepfather was a little bizarre. And especially his behavior. If the book would've been longer/part of a series, i believe it would've played out better.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would read again and recommend! I look forward to exploring their other books !
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m grateful for the chance to provide an ARC review for Erin Mersey and Sage RelleAnne. Thank you for allowing me to read Rugby Queen early. As always, please check the trigger warnings before diving in.
Without giving too much away, the four main characters collide because Marigold’s father, the team owner, asks her to secretly investigate possible steroid use. Marigold was fun, and the first line of the book definitely grabs your attention. She has deep trust issues with men for good reason. She’s likable, but she’s not the kind of heroine who’ll live in my head for days.
We meet Finn very briefly in the first chapter. He's the stereotypical athlete: arrogant and rude. But once he starts understanding who he is and realizes it’s okay, you see that he is funny and genuinely likeable.
Lachlan and Darcy have a complicated relationship from the get go. Lachlan is not what you expect. He’s sweet, steady, and carrying far too much responsibility for someone his age. I wanted to protect him at all costs. Darcy is the older player whose ex‑wife put him through the wringer. His trauma shows, and while his choices aren’t always great, they’re understandable. He’s not unlikable, but he’s not especially likable either; I just didn’t connect with him.
The story starts fast, almost too fast. Some may find the lack of early character development off-putting, and at times it feels rushed. Once things settle, you realize each character is carrying a lot of emotional baggage. Honestly, this could have been a longer book to explore their trauma and healing more fully.
But if you’re looking for a fun, quick read, this one fits the bill.
Without giving too much away, the four main characters collide because Marigold’s father, the team owner, asks her to secretly investigate possible steroid use. Marigold was fun, and the first line of the book definitely grabs your attention. She has deep trust issues with men for good reason. She’s likable, but she’s not the kind of heroine who’ll live in my head for days.
We meet Finn very briefly in the first chapter. He's the stereotypical athlete: arrogant and rude. But once he starts understanding who he is and realizes it’s okay, you see that he is funny and genuinely likeable.
Lachlan and Darcy have a complicated relationship from the get go. Lachlan is not what you expect. He’s sweet, steady, and carrying far too much responsibility for someone his age. I wanted to protect him at all costs. Darcy is the older player whose ex‑wife put him through the wringer. His trauma shows, and while his choices aren’t always great, they’re understandable. He’s not unlikable, but he’s not especially likable either; I just didn’t connect with him.
The story starts fast, almost too fast. Some may find the lack of early character development off-putting, and at times it feels rushed. Once things settle, you realize each character is carrying a lot of emotional baggage. Honestly, this could have been a longer book to explore their trauma and healing more fully.
But if you’re looking for a fun, quick read, this one fits the bill.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A messy, chaotic rugby romance that kept me turning the pages!
Rugby Queen was such a fun read. Marigold’s decision to take a PR job with the Ocala Otters definitely lands her in the middle of more chaos than she bargained for, and I really enjoyed watching everything unfold.
The team dynamic was probably one of my favourite parts. Each of the guys has such a different personality, and I liked that they all brought something different to the story. There’s the reckless winger, the dependable veteran, and the charming hooker who clearly has more going on beneath the surface. Watching their relationships develop while all the team drama was happening made for an entertaining read.
Marigold was also a character I enjoyed. She’s far from perfect, makes questionable decisions, and has plenty of baggage of her own, but that made her feel more believable. I liked seeing her try to navigate the mess she’d found herself in while dealing with pieces of her past coming back to haunt her.
There’s plenty of drama, secrets, complicated relationships and rugby team chaos to keep things moving, and I liked that the story wasn't just about the romance. The characters have their own issues to work through, which gave the story a little more depth.
The MM relationship/dynamic was also a nice addition and brought another layer to the overall relationship between the characters.
If you like why did I agree to this situations, sports romance, complicated relationships and a cast of characters who are definitely going to make questionable decisions, this one is worth picking up.
Rugby Queen was such a fun read. Marigold’s decision to take a PR job with the Ocala Otters definitely lands her in the middle of more chaos than she bargained for, and I really enjoyed watching everything unfold.
The team dynamic was probably one of my favourite parts. Each of the guys has such a different personality, and I liked that they all brought something different to the story. There’s the reckless winger, the dependable veteran, and the charming hooker who clearly has more going on beneath the surface. Watching their relationships develop while all the team drama was happening made for an entertaining read.
Marigold was also a character I enjoyed. She’s far from perfect, makes questionable decisions, and has plenty of baggage of her own, but that made her feel more believable. I liked seeing her try to navigate the mess she’d found herself in while dealing with pieces of her past coming back to haunt her.
There’s plenty of drama, secrets, complicated relationships and rugby team chaos to keep things moving, and I liked that the story wasn't just about the romance. The characters have their own issues to work through, which gave the story a little more depth.
The MM relationship/dynamic was also a nice addition and brought another layer to the overall relationship between the characters.
If you like why did I agree to this situations, sports romance, complicated relationships and a cast of characters who are definitely going to make questionable decisions, this one is worth picking up.
Read
July 30, 2026This book surprised me from beginning to end. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, the authors took it in a completely different direction. Even the chapter titles had me making predictions, and more often than not, I was completely wrong.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the multiple points of view. Each character had a distinct voice, and every perspective added something meaningful instead of feeling repetitive. I found myself constantly changing my opinions about different characters as I learned more about them, which made them feel layered and real.
I found myself laughing out loud one chapter and sitting in complete shock the next. Finn was the perfect comic relief when the book became emotionally heavy, while Lachlan completely stole my heart. Shane also ended up being one of the most fascinating characters to me. My opinion of him changed more than once throughout the book, which speaks to how well the characters were developed.
This book doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, so I definitely recommend checking the content warnings before reading. It explores themes of abuse, manipulation, trauma, and healing, but it also highlights resilience, hope, and the power of finding people who truly see and support you.
If you’re looking for a romance that isn’t predictable, gives every character room to grow, and keeps you emotionally invested until the very end, I highly recommend giving this book a read.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the multiple points of view. Each character had a distinct voice, and every perspective added something meaningful instead of feeling repetitive. I found myself constantly changing my opinions about different characters as I learned more about them, which made them feel layered and real.
I found myself laughing out loud one chapter and sitting in complete shock the next. Finn was the perfect comic relief when the book became emotionally heavy, while Lachlan completely stole my heart. Shane also ended up being one of the most fascinating characters to me. My opinion of him changed more than once throughout the book, which speaks to how well the characters were developed.
This book doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, so I definitely recommend checking the content warnings before reading. It explores themes of abuse, manipulation, trauma, and healing, but it also highlights resilience, hope, and the power of finding people who truly see and support you.
If you’re looking for a romance that isn’t predictable, gives every character room to grow, and keeps you emotionally invested until the very end, I highly recommend giving this book a read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was hooked from the first line.
I have a friend who uses the quote, “there I was, bbq sauce on my tithes.” So I instantly knew I found my people with the buffalo sauce line! 😹
I came across this book in a Facebook RH group and it was mentioned they were still giving out ARCs. The premise and book cover definitely caught my interest but sometimes when signing up for an ARC from a new-to-you author you get stuck with a not so great story and you’re expected to put your opinion out there while trying not to hurt anyone’s feelings. I was so relieved when this was not the case. I ADORED this book. The characters were all unique, the plot line was engaging, although the miscommunication trope is my least favorite. But let’s be real, it’s definitely something that happens IRL.
A few things I enjoyed most:
🙈Did not expect Mr $50 to be a part of the picture, or to even love him for that matter
🕵🏻♂️ Lachlan was not who he seemed. Appearances are seldom true.
💡Development of Darcy and Lachlans relationship, love an age gap
🎀 LOVE a good himbo 💋
🤰🏻Not a fan of pregnancy in a book, but while it was crucial to the story, I didn’t feel as though the book was all about it which was a relief!
While this was my first book from either of these authors, it won’t be my last. I already downloaded samples on my kindle from both authors and I really hope they continue to write more together 🖤
I have a friend who uses the quote, “there I was, bbq sauce on my tithes.” So I instantly knew I found my people with the buffalo sauce line! 😹
I came across this book in a Facebook RH group and it was mentioned they were still giving out ARCs. The premise and book cover definitely caught my interest but sometimes when signing up for an ARC from a new-to-you author you get stuck with a not so great story and you’re expected to put your opinion out there while trying not to hurt anyone’s feelings. I was so relieved when this was not the case. I ADORED this book. The characters were all unique, the plot line was engaging, although the miscommunication trope is my least favorite. But let’s be real, it’s definitely something that happens IRL.
A few things I enjoyed most:
🙈Did not expect Mr $50 to be a part of the picture, or to even love him for that matter
🕵🏻♂️ Lachlan was not who he seemed. Appearances are seldom true.
💡Development of Darcy and Lachlans relationship, love an age gap
🎀 LOVE a good himbo 💋
🤰🏻Not a fan of pregnancy in a book, but while it was crucial to the story, I didn’t feel as though the book was all about it which was a relief!
While this was my first book from either of these authors, it won’t be my last. I already downloaded samples on my kindle from both authors and I really hope they continue to write more together 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
If you love a high-stakes sports romance, this why choose rugby book is an absolute must-read! Written from multiple perspectives, the story remains completely cohesive and consistent throughout. I loved how seamlessly the author bounced between the different points of view without ever losing the plot's momentum.
The highlight of the book for me was definitely watching each character develop as they overcame their own personal challenges to reach a well-deserved Happily Ever After (HEA). Every single character served a distinct purpose in the dynamic—I especially loved the contrast between the protective alpha types and the total golden retrievers. While I thoroughly enjoyed the character building, my only minor critique is that I wished a few of the backgrounds were just a little bit more detailed and fleshed out.
That being said, the epilogues completely stole my heart! Being able to look past the main conclusion and see exactly where the characters ended up was the perfect finishing touch
Tropes: Why choose / reverse harem, sports romance (rugby), protector vs. golden retriever dynamics.Highlights: Phenomenal multi-POV execution, emotional character growth, satisfying extended epilogues.
If you love a high-stakes sports romance, this why choose rugby book is an absolute must-read! Written from multiple perspectives, the story remains completely cohesive and consistent throughout. I loved how seamlessly the author bounced between the different points of view without ever losing the plot's momentum.
The highlight of the book for me was definitely watching each character develop as they overcame their own personal challenges to reach a well-deserved Happily Ever After (HEA). Every single character served a distinct purpose in the dynamic—I especially loved the contrast between the protective alpha types and the total golden retrievers. While I thoroughly enjoyed the character building, my only minor critique is that I wished a few of the backgrounds were just a little bit more detailed and fleshed out.
That being said, the epilogues completely stole my heart! Being able to look past the main conclusion and see exactly where the characters ended up was the perfect finishing touch
Tropes: Why choose / reverse harem, sports romance (rugby), protector vs. golden retriever dynamics.Highlights: Phenomenal multi-POV execution, emotional character growth, satisfying extended epilogues.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book grabbed a rugby team, a fake-dating scheme, several questionable decisions, and enough chemistry to become a legitimate fire hazard—then released them all into the same plot unsupervised.
Marigold accepts a PR job thinking she’s there to manage the Ocala Otters’ chaos. Unfortunately for her, the team is full of attractive men with feelings, terrible impulse control, and absolutely no interest in keeping anything professional.
The chemistry was CHEMISTRY-ING. Each relationship brought its own dynamic, but nothing felt isolated—the connections kept building, crossing over, and becoming increasingly messier and hotter. The MM relationships were not treated like an optional bonus either, which made the entire group dynamic feel much more complete and satisfying.
And the spice? Generous. Creative. Team-oriented. A compelling argument for communication and cooperation in the workplace.
But beneath all the fake-dating ridiculousness, bi-awakening panic, and rugby-player audacity, there was also a surprising amount of tenderness. These characters were chaotic disasters, but they were chaotic disasters who genuinely cared about one another, and I became deeply invested in watching them stumble toward something real.
Basically, Rugby Queen was spicy why-choose nonsense delivered with chemistry, heart, and thighs.
I had a fantastic time.
Marigold accepts a PR job thinking she’s there to manage the Ocala Otters’ chaos. Unfortunately for her, the team is full of attractive men with feelings, terrible impulse control, and absolutely no interest in keeping anything professional.
The chemistry was CHEMISTRY-ING. Each relationship brought its own dynamic, but nothing felt isolated—the connections kept building, crossing over, and becoming increasingly messier and hotter. The MM relationships were not treated like an optional bonus either, which made the entire group dynamic feel much more complete and satisfying.
And the spice? Generous. Creative. Team-oriented. A compelling argument for communication and cooperation in the workplace.
But beneath all the fake-dating ridiculousness, bi-awakening panic, and rugby-player audacity, there was also a surprising amount of tenderness. These characters were chaotic disasters, but they were chaotic disasters who genuinely cared about one another, and I became deeply invested in watching them stumble toward something real.
Basically, Rugby Queen was spicy why-choose nonsense delivered with chemistry, heart, and thighs.
I had a fantastic time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a pretty high expectations going into this. The intro to the first chapter was hook, line and sinker. I thought I’d struck gold, but the deeper I went into the book, the more disappointment set in. Obviously I’m not an author, but I would like to think that why choose is hard to write in a way where the reader is able to connect with all or most of the MCs. This book felt very surface level and I really didn’t connect with anyone. Was the drama OTT? Yes, but I still kept reading although I didn’t really feel much for anyone.
The MCs in this book are all different ages, but I felt like they were all pretty immature and just didn’t have the emotional capacity to enter into whatever they had going on. The relationship kinks (I’m not talking about the fun ones) at the beginning don’t really get talked about or resolved and all of a sudden things are fine at the end? Not to mention the level of ridiculousness practically ALL side characters had just kind of made it impractical. I get it though, it’s fiction and I’m not a stranger to TW, but literally every single person had something crazy going on. I think I would enjoy this book more if it was a little longer in order to focus on character depth and growth, rather than having things happen at the drop of hat.
I had a pretty high expectations going into this. The intro to the first chapter was hook, line and sinker. I thought I’d struck gold, but the deeper I went into the book, the more disappointment set in. Obviously I’m not an author, but I would like to think that why choose is hard to write in a way where the reader is able to connect with all or most of the MCs. This book felt very surface level and I really didn’t connect with anyone. Was the drama OTT? Yes, but I still kept reading although I didn’t really feel much for anyone.
The MCs in this book are all different ages, but I felt like they were all pretty immature and just didn’t have the emotional capacity to enter into whatever they had going on. The relationship kinks (I’m not talking about the fun ones) at the beginning don’t really get talked about or resolved and all of a sudden things are fine at the end? Not to mention the level of ridiculousness practically ALL side characters had just kind of made it impractical. I get it though, it’s fiction and I’m not a stranger to TW, but literally every single person had something crazy going on. I think I would enjoy this book more if it was a little longer in order to focus on character depth and growth, rather than having things happen at the drop of hat.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was hooked from the very first sentence.
The character development in this book is incredible, and the authors masterfully leave a trail of breadcrumbs that kept me piecing together the mystery. I loved (and hated!) how every little clue kept me invested as I tried to figure out Marigold’s secrets, her father’s true motives, and how everyone is going to get along.
The depth of these characters is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Instead of simply telling us who they are, the authors take the time to show their personalities, relationships, and growth, making them feel authentic and unforgettable.
This isn’t your typical guy best friends/brothers reverse harem romance. The plot unfolds in ways I never saw coming, and every new revelation left me wanting more. At the 50% mark, my jaw was literally on the floor. I had to stop for a minute just to process what I’d read.
Every chapter pulled me in deeper, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. If you’re looking for a reverse harem with phenomenal character development, unpredictable twists, and a story that will completely consume you, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Thank goodness for the epilogues and HEA because I needed some serious closure after this one!
The character development in this book is incredible, and the authors masterfully leave a trail of breadcrumbs that kept me piecing together the mystery. I loved (and hated!) how every little clue kept me invested as I tried to figure out Marigold’s secrets, her father’s true motives, and how everyone is going to get along.
The depth of these characters is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Instead of simply telling us who they are, the authors take the time to show their personalities, relationships, and growth, making them feel authentic and unforgettable.
This isn’t your typical guy best friends/brothers reverse harem romance. The plot unfolds in ways I never saw coming, and every new revelation left me wanting more. At the 50% mark, my jaw was literally on the floor. I had to stop for a minute just to process what I’d read.
Every chapter pulled me in deeper, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. If you’re looking for a reverse harem with phenomenal character development, unpredictable twists, and a story that will completely consume you, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Thank goodness for the epilogues and HEA because I needed some serious closure after this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rugby Queen
Let me just say I am obsessed with why choose and I love when a book has a Music playlist.
So at first, I was really angry with Finn. He made me frustrated, but as the time went on, I realized that he was just like a golden retriever. Always wanting attention, learning new things about himself, looking it up online he was figuring out who he was as a person in a fun, kind way. He made me laugh a lot during the book.
Lachlan - he melts my heart. I love the relationship he has with Marigold even if he wasn’t sexually attracted to her, they had a deeper connection and it turned into more and I loved that for them . With Finn and him it was fun to read about and watch how that played out
Darcy -
Oooo Age gap hottie who I’d call daddy any day ! I was upset at first but I have to say he is my Favorite!! He liked to watch that’s 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ we all have to have one and he is mine . 🔥
Marigold - reading her story and watching how it all played out I had all the feels sad, angry, and turned on . I felt for her and all she was going through.
Great book fast read and lots to find out with little twisting, turns in there
And I didn’t forget Shane Wallace . Didn’t see that coming
Let me just say I am obsessed with why choose and I love when a book has a Music playlist.
So at first, I was really angry with Finn. He made me frustrated, but as the time went on, I realized that he was just like a golden retriever. Always wanting attention, learning new things about himself, looking it up online he was figuring out who he was as a person in a fun, kind way. He made me laugh a lot during the book.
Lachlan - he melts my heart. I love the relationship he has with Marigold even if he wasn’t sexually attracted to her, they had a deeper connection and it turned into more and I loved that for them . With Finn and him it was fun to read about and watch how that played out
Darcy -
Oooo Age gap hottie who I’d call daddy any day ! I was upset at first but I have to say he is my Favorite!! He liked to watch that’s 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ we all have to have one and he is mine . 🔥
Marigold - reading her story and watching how it all played out I had all the feels sad, angry, and turned on . I felt for her and all she was going through.
Great book fast read and lots to find out with little twisting, turns in there
And I didn’t forget Shane Wallace . Didn’t see that coming
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book managed to be a fun and quick read while also delving deep into the traumas of different main characters. At times the story jumped forward a bit too quickly and I was left wanting more, but in the end everything came together and my questions were answered.
I loved the dynamics between all main characters, since they were so different from each other, but still wanting the same thing. We have an adorable Seth Capella type golden retriever, a serious and protective daddy and a burnt out older brother with an imposter syndrome. And in the center of it all a woman who is trying to heal herself while helping others. Were some of their actions annoying and questionable? Yes, but that is what made them all feel real and human.
Regarding some triggers and tropes:
Definitely check the warnings if you have triggers. But I must say that the traumatic events were handled tastefully and the healing that happened was beautiful and worth going through difficult emotions.
I am also usually not the biggest fan of pregnancy tropes, but in this story it worked so well that I found myself enjoying this part of the plot too. The book also wasn't too sports heavy, rugby mainly acted as a stage for the story to develop.
I highly recommend giving this book a chance!
I loved the dynamics between all main characters, since they were so different from each other, but still wanting the same thing. We have an adorable Seth Capella type golden retriever, a serious and protective daddy and a burnt out older brother with an imposter syndrome. And in the center of it all a woman who is trying to heal herself while helping others. Were some of their actions annoying and questionable? Yes, but that is what made them all feel real and human.
Regarding some triggers and tropes:
Definitely check the warnings if you have triggers. But I must say that the traumatic events were handled tastefully and the healing that happened was beautiful and worth going through difficult emotions.
I am also usually not the biggest fan of pregnancy tropes, but in this story it worked so well that I found myself enjoying this part of the plot too. The book also wasn't too sports heavy, rugby mainly acted as a stage for the story to develop.
I highly recommend giving this book a chance!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved Rugby Queen! The characters and their backstories were easily my favorite parts of the entire book. Some of their stories were tragic, but learning what each person had experienced gave them so much depth and made me understand their choices even more.
Lachlan was nothing like I originally expected him to be. He was not just the average twenty-year-old, and I loved slowly discovering everything underneath the person we first meet. Grandpa (Darcy) story also stood out to me because he was a father trying to keep his rights to his daughter, which added another emotional layer to his character. I loved that Finn was more than his family and worked every day to prove that he was his own person.
More than anything, I loved Marigold and how strong she remained despite everything she went through. Her strength did not mean that everything was easy for her, which made her feel even more real.
The relationships had their bumps along the way, but watching the trust, love, and connections grow between everyone was amazing. I became so attached to this entire group of characters and loved seeing them become something like a family.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. All opinions in this review are completely my own.
I absolutely loved Rugby Queen! The characters and their backstories were easily my favorite parts of the entire book. Some of their stories were tragic, but learning what each person had experienced gave them so much depth and made me understand their choices even more.
Lachlan was nothing like I originally expected him to be. He was not just the average twenty-year-old, and I loved slowly discovering everything underneath the person we first meet. Grandpa (Darcy) story also stood out to me because he was a father trying to keep his rights to his daughter, which added another emotional layer to his character. I loved that Finn was more than his family and worked every day to prove that he was his own person.
More than anything, I loved Marigold and how strong she remained despite everything she went through. Her strength did not mean that everything was easy for her, which made her feel even more real.
The relationships had their bumps along the way, but watching the trust, love, and connections grow between everyone was amazing. I became so attached to this entire group of characters and loved seeing them become something like a family.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. All opinions in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Let's start off by saying that this book could have been longer. I felt like a lot of it was condensed and rushed in a way, especially the many, many epilogues.
The spicy scenes were kind of lacking and very few and far between which made me a little sad because I was hoping for more MM "sideline" fun while the MC is getting her rocks off. Often left me wanting more/ writing my own fantasies about the characters.
I feel quite bad for the MC, I understand how her step dad wanted more with her but had to keep her a secret for secret reasons, I just wish he played more of a role in the book itself. Would have made me feel stronger for the character in the end.
Im happy with the way the book ended, not a single cliffhanger was had, which is refreshing. My only complaint being the - what felt like - 35 epilogues to get there.
Despite my negative sounding review, im rating this 4 stars purely because it was an engaging emotional read. Not as predictable as I was anticipating. I very much enjoyed the plot. Wish it wasnt so condensed as I previously mentioned. But I would recommend to my friends for a quick read.
The spicy scenes were kind of lacking and very few and far between which made me a little sad because I was hoping for more MM "sideline" fun while the MC is getting her rocks off. Often left me wanting more/ writing my own fantasies about the characters.
I feel quite bad for the MC, I understand how her step dad wanted more with her but had to keep her a secret for secret reasons, I just wish he played more of a role in the book itself. Would have made me feel stronger for the character in the end.
Im happy with the way the book ended, not a single cliffhanger was had, which is refreshing. My only complaint being the - what felt like - 35 epilogues to get there.
Despite my negative sounding review, im rating this 4 stars purely because it was an engaging emotional read. Not as predictable as I was anticipating. I very much enjoyed the plot. Wish it wasnt so condensed as I previously mentioned. But I would recommend to my friends for a quick read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh man, some books start out slow. This is not the case for this book, and it's amazing. I really enjoy the banter between them and how relaxed the characters were together, even when things were stressful. While everyone is trying to figure out where up and down are, I swear a certain someone was writing hearts in his notebook. Let me just say, I'm so here for it, & we need to protect him always! ❤️ Boyfriend ❤️
Ugh!!! The rage at these characters! Yes, I love them, but feelings happen. There's a point where a major twist comes out, and you just realize that all the secrets that everyone is holding back would save them if they COMMUNICAT ED! Ugh!!!! They can be so frustrating, but they will steal your heart!!! I mean, they all had the best of intentions.
Oh. My. GOSH! Shane's POV… I love that we get so many different views throughout this book. It really helps you see how good or truly evil and vile the characters could be.
Seriously there's so much to say about this book, but without giving too much information I'll just leave it at, I'm so glad it was written, I absolutely love it, and you should definitely read it.
Ugh!!! The rage at these characters! Yes, I love them, but feelings happen. There's a point where a major twist comes out, and you just realize that all the secrets that everyone is holding back would save them if they COMMUNICAT ED! Ugh!!!! They can be so frustrating, but they will steal your heart!!! I mean, they all had the best of intentions.
Oh. My. GOSH! Shane's POV… I love that we get so many different views throughout this book. It really helps you see how good or truly evil and vile the characters could be.
Seriously there's so much to say about this book, but without giving too much information I'll just leave it at, I'm so glad it was written, I absolutely love it, and you should definitely read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
⭐️⭐️
🌶
Im giving this book 2 stars solely because I did finish it so it must have kept me hooked. But tbh it was a messy read and im not sure if its because it had two authors. There was too many plots and dramas going on which meant nothing was ever actually developed and was resolved too quickly.
Marigold annoyed me, she brushed alot of things off and never focused on one thing. She never challenged anyone or did anything for her actual role as a PR.
I feel like Marigold, Finn, Darcy & Locke could have been written so much better together. It all happened very suddenly and even through out I didnt really know who was with who etc. I felt each character had there own struggles, trauma but also strengths and personality but it just wasnt developed enough to make you connect with them.
Not going to lie this book gave me alot of whiplash. To say the 4 of them were meant to be in some sort of a couple there wasnt any open communication between them all. I also still dont have a clue with Darcy and Locke became a thing again.
The side characters also made it too confusing to keep up.
⭐️⭐️
🌶
Im giving this book 2 stars solely because I did finish it so it must have kept me hooked. But tbh it was a messy read and im not sure if its because it had two authors. There was too many plots and dramas going on which meant nothing was ever actually developed and was resolved too quickly.
Marigold annoyed me, she brushed alot of things off and never focused on one thing. She never challenged anyone or did anything for her actual role as a PR.
I feel like Marigold, Finn, Darcy & Locke could have been written so much better together. It all happened very suddenly and even through out I didnt really know who was with who etc. I felt each character had there own struggles, trauma but also strengths and personality but it just wasnt developed enough to make you connect with them.
Not going to lie this book gave me alot of whiplash. To say the 4 of them were meant to be in some sort of a couple there wasnt any open communication between them all. I also still dont have a clue with Darcy and Locke became a thing again.
The side characters also made it too confusing to keep up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is an emotional roller coaster of a read. The characters are amazingly written and so easy to connect to. Marigold was struggling so hard to figure out her life and to get past her trauma. I loved how strong she was even though I think she wasn’t aware of it for most of the book. The relationship they all built had almost grown naturally. There was so much love and respect. Darcy and Locke were the two most complicated characters. But both of them had so much love for each other. Finn was finding himself but once he did, he was all in. I loved this book, from the well written story line to all the characters. The team mates on the rugby team and how that fit into their lives playing such an important role. The complex feelings and the dynamic of the four partner relationship had so many facets and each individual had different feelings and roles in each other’s lives. What started out as a one night stand, a fake relationship and heart breaking break up ended up bringing these four together with so much love. This was an excellent read and I highly recommend you don’t pass up this must read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I started Rugby Queen less than 24 hours ago and somehow finished the entire thing because this book had me in an absolute chokehold. My husband kept asking if I was coming to bed, and I was like, "I have priorities."
First of all, the chapter names are completely off the wall, hilarious, and extremely accurate. I knew from page one that I was going to LOVE it. THEN I found out the book has a playlist?! Say less.
The characters? Obsessed.
The pacing? Perfect.
The multiple epilogues with little life updates in the future? Pure Genius. It felt like getting bonus scenes after the movie ends.
And can we talk about the spicy scenes for a sec? They were STEAMY without being your typical copy-and-paste smex scenes. They were written so well, fit the characters perfectly, and still somehow manage to be both hot and meaningful.
Also... can we PLEASE talk about the $50?! Because I know I'm not the only one still thinking about it. I need answers, I need details, I need a support group.
Final thoughts.
10/10
Sleep WAS lost.
Responsibilities were IGNORED.
My husband thinks I've lost my mind.
Would absolutely let this book ruin my schedule again.
Now, excuse me while I sit here and beg the author for another standalone from the other POVS because I NEED MORE!
First of all, the chapter names are completely off the wall, hilarious, and extremely accurate. I knew from page one that I was going to LOVE it. THEN I found out the book has a playlist?! Say less.
The characters? Obsessed.
The pacing? Perfect.
The multiple epilogues with little life updates in the future? Pure Genius. It felt like getting bonus scenes after the movie ends.
And can we talk about the spicy scenes for a sec? They were STEAMY without being your typical copy-and-paste smex scenes. They were written so well, fit the characters perfectly, and still somehow manage to be both hot and meaningful.
Also... can we PLEASE talk about the $50?! Because I know I'm not the only one still thinking about it. I need answers, I need details, I need a support group.
Final thoughts.
10/10
Sleep WAS lost.
Responsibilities were IGNORED.
My husband thinks I've lost my mind.
Would absolutely let this book ruin my schedule again.
Now, excuse me while I sit here and beg the author for another standalone from the other POVS because I NEED MORE!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was obsessed with this book! First one by these authors and read as an ARC, which I am super grateful for as now I have to go back and find everything they have written and add it to my TBR. Okay, wait, maybe I’m mad then…
Anyway, I digress. Rugby Queen is a beautifully written why choose with (sadly) off-page sword crossing. Marigold has never lived in the world of rugby, but suddenly finds herself making a deal with her step-father that puts her right into the path of three rugby gods. I cannot even possibly list all the tropes that this book holds, but one of my biggest turn offs as a trope was written so well in this that I loved it! And I very much love the message of love the person, not the package they come in! Anyway, this book had it all, romance, spice, drama and a bit of suspense. Definitely check your trigger warnings. I have very few, but there are some themes that may bother some readers due to sensitivities or past experiences.
A must read that I will more than likely revisit!
Anyway, I digress. Rugby Queen is a beautifully written why choose with (sadly) off-page sword crossing. Marigold has never lived in the world of rugby, but suddenly finds herself making a deal with her step-father that puts her right into the path of three rugby gods. I cannot even possibly list all the tropes that this book holds, but one of my biggest turn offs as a trope was written so well in this that I loved it! And I very much love the message of love the person, not the package they come in! Anyway, this book had it all, romance, spice, drama and a bit of suspense. Definitely check your trigger warnings. I have very few, but there are some themes that may bother some readers due to sensitivities or past experiences.
A must read that I will more than likely revisit!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given this as an ARC review. It was my first time reading anything by these authors. The dedications and first page are what got me hooked from the beginning!! I’m a big fan of Why Choose and sports smut! This is only the 2nd Rugby smut I’ve read (I’m very familiar with the sport) and it was pretty good!! The authors did a great job of blending in the heavy (definitely read the trigger warnings!!!) with humor and a lot of spice!! I thought the characters were fantastic and very well written! Finn’s “redemption” (I use quotations because he isn’t what he first appeared) was nice to read. I loved that he became more or less the comic relief. I was so happy that I didn’t have to hate the step dad! At first, I thought I was going to, but he ended up being one of the first men to look out for her, and she didn’t realize it at first. I HATED the step brother and Duncan!! It’s not often I hate fictional characters. I was glad they, as well as the coach, got what they deserved!!
4/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from these authors!!
4/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from these authors!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book from the authors in exchange for this review.
Is it possible for there to be too much drama?
The answer is yes there is. I think when you have so many “main character energy” characters, it gets overwhelming quickly.
And because this book is a stand alone I think some aspects are really rushed. For example: Locke’s SA event. His recovery I feel is just so rushed after he is in the hospital.
The characters are super likable, and have great stories. There isn’t even anything inherently wrong with the story, but it is a lot at one time, it was if 5 inciting incidents happened all at the same time.
While I liked the dad chapter, the chapter of Duncan sexually assaulting Locke from his point of view was, different.
Also we see some Dom energy from Darcy and then that like disappears which felt a little weird.
I will say overall, most of the time I couldn’t tell this was cowritten, which when you are doing a book like this, it’s nice to see the cohesiveness between characters.
Is it possible for there to be too much drama?
The answer is yes there is. I think when you have so many “main character energy” characters, it gets overwhelming quickly.
And because this book is a stand alone I think some aspects are really rushed. For example: Locke’s SA event. His recovery I feel is just so rushed after he is in the hospital.
The characters are super likable, and have great stories. There isn’t even anything inherently wrong with the story, but it is a lot at one time, it was if 5 inciting incidents happened all at the same time.
While I liked the dad chapter, the chapter of Duncan sexually assaulting Locke from his point of view was, different.
Also we see some Dom energy from Darcy and then that like disappears which felt a little weird.
I will say overall, most of the time I couldn’t tell this was cowritten, which when you are doing a book like this, it’s nice to see the cohesiveness between characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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