She owns the team. Falling for a player was never an option. Sadie doesn’t just sit courtside—she signs the checks. She’s the temporary owner of the Stingers, struggling to be taken seriously, and one wrong move could cost her everything. Love is a distraction she can’t afford. Falling for one of her players? Unthinkable. Especially this one. Hugo is the franchise’s star forward with a highlight-reel game—until he steps to the free throw line. When the pressure’s on, his shot falters, and suddenly the whole arena holds its breath. Off the court, he’s disciplined, loyal, and far too easy to be around…until she can’t stop thinking about him. When a blockbuster trade offer threatens to send Hugo away, Sadie must decide whether to do what’s best for the team—or protect the man who can’t miss except when it matters most. A sizzling basketball romantic comedy about forbidden love, high-stakes decisions, and taking the shot when the whole world is watching.
Jill Brashear is a small-town girl with a kind heart and an abundance of sass. She writes contemporary romance that brings the heat and the laughter. If she’s not at her laptop writing the perfect book boyfriend, she can be found somewhere on the trails of North Carolina with her faithful dog companions.
Sadie owns the team. Sadie doesn’t just sit courtside—she signs the checks. She’s the temporary owner of the Stingers, struggling to be taken seriously, and one wrong move could cost her everything.
Love is a distraction she can’t afford. Falling for one of her players? Unthinkable. Especially this one. Hugo is the franchise’s star forward with a highlight-reel game—until he steps to the free throw line. When the pressure’s on, his shot falters, and suddenly the whole arena holds its breath. Off the court, he’s disciplined, loyal, and far too easy to be around…until she can’t stop thinking about him.
When a blockbuster trade offer threatens to send Hugo away, Sadie must decide whether to do what’s best for the team—or protect the man who can’t miss except when it matters most.
A sizzling basketball romantic comedy about forbidden love, high-stakes decisions, and taking the shot when the whole world is watching.
Tropes: Female Team Owner, Temporary Owner, Struggling to Be Taken Seriously, Star Forward MMC, Disciplined/Loyal/Easy to Be Around MMC, Blockbuster Trade Offer, Best for The Team/Best for Them, Basketball Romance, Romantic Comedy, Forbidden Love, High-Stakes Decisions, Taking the Shot/Whole World is Watching, Longing, Owner x Player Relationship, Fit FMC over 30, Fit Basketball Player MMC, Spicy, Hope, Love for the Game.
More than a Game by Jill Brashear.
In life there are some risks that are worth taking if you want to be truly happy.
I love when an author gives us a strong, intelligent FMC who is willing to step up and do what she knows and believes to be right. And Jill Brashear did just that in More than a Game when she wrote Sadie’s character. In Sadie we get an FMC who is not just strong and intelligent, she’s also independent, loyal, disciplined, and willing to do not only what’s right for her but what’s right for the team that her best-friend has entrusted to her. And most of all I love that she’s mature and knows who she is and what she wants for herself and for her life.
Sadie had spent two years with Jack, Victoria’s nephew, and on her 30th birthday she honestly thought he was going to propose to her. But instead, he dumped her. Leaving her broken heated, her dreams shattered, and he walked away leaving Sadie to put her shattered heart back together, picking up the broken pieces of her life, and she decided to concentrate on her job. Even though she was somewhat anxious about spending time with Hugo, mainly due to her attraction to him.
Two years after the break up Sadie is asked by her best-friend Veronica and owner of the Charlotte Stingers - Sadie’s ex Jack’s aunt – to step into her shoes and become the temporary owner of the Charlotte Stingers in her absence. A position that Jack had been sure would be his, after all it was his aunt who was the current owner, it only made sense that the team would pass to him, at least that was his thinking. Now, Sadie has big shoes to fill and a lot of hurdles to over come. Least of all convincing the team, management, and the fans that she has the qualifications and the talent to turn the team around she deserves to be taken seriously.
Her biggest hurdle, managing her ex-Jack who is bitter and angry that he wasn’t the one his aunt Veronica choose to hand the reins of ownership to and he seems bound and determined to prove his aunt made a mistake choosing Sadie as the temporary new owner.
Sadie’s not willing to allow love, romance, or dating to distract her, she doesn’t believe that it’s a distraction she can afford. And falling for one of her players? That’s unthinkable and against the rules as the Stingers have a no fraternization rule that prohibits management from dating the payers and it’s supposed to prohibit management from dating anyone on the cheer team, but that’s never stopped Jake.
The problem is Sadie feels this intense and undeniable attraction for Hugo, the Stingers star forward, he has a highlight-reel to rival the best-of-the-best. One the court he’s the star, playing his part, encouraging his team. At least until he steps up to the free throw line. It’s when that pressure is on that his shot falters and suddenly the entire arena finds it’s holding its breath. And in the end Hugo finds the pressure is too much and he lets himself, his team, the management, and worst of all his fans, down.
Off the court though, Hugo is disciplined, loyal, and Sadie finds he’s far to easy to be around. And she loves watching the way he is with his fans.
Sadie and Hugo also have a history as they knew each other back when they were in high school. Even back in high school Hugo had a crush on Sadie, so when he arrives on the Stingers team and discovers that Sadie is working with the management, he’s ecstatic.
Hugo keeps pushing Sadie to go out with him, even though they both know that it’s against the Stingers rules. And Sadie keeps refusing, even though she knows they are both attracted to each other, they have this amazing chemistry, and she’s honestly not sure how long she can hold out and keep saying no.
She finally gives in to her attraction for Hugo and the overwhelming chemistry she feels with him and agrees to go out on a date with him. And Hugo couldn’t be happier about it. Hugo knows this is their chance to spend time one-on-one, get to know each other again as adults and see where things could go. But Sadie is still on the fence about getting into a relationship with Hugo. She just doesn’t know if that’s the right choice to make. Especially as there’s still a chance that Hugo could be traded.
Sadie has always had issues with workplace relationships, especially when they are against team policies. And yet fate keeps drawing Sadie and Hugo together, so Sadie and Hugo choose to embark on their own secret relationship. Sadly, what could have been a blissful secret relationship didn’t go quite as smoothly as they wanted as both Sadie and Hugo’s exes decided to interfere in their lives and this led to a lot of misunderstandings between Sadie and Hugo.
One of the things that I really liked about this book and one of the things that I think Jill did right was the way she managed to balance the professional basketball stakes and the personal tension, angst, and chemistry. Sadie is navigating more than just her personal feelings; she’s navigating professional leadership, responsibility, and her sudden and new reality that every decision she now makes affects not only herself but the entire Stinger team. This adds on an additional layer of conflict to the romance and keeps things enthralling without losing that lighthearted energy you expect from a romantic comedy.
I have been slowly falling in love with sports romance but this is only the third or fourth basketball romance I’ve read and this setting added such a depth and atmosphere, created a lively backdrop for this story while still managing to keep all the focus on the characters and the connections their growing. And the result is this romance that feels so playful, emotional, and full of high-stakes decisions that are not only on the court but also off.
If you love a great and interesting sports romance, with workplace tension, chemistry, humor mixed in, OW/OM drama, a storyline that’s believable then let me tell you this is a great read you don’t want to miss and it’s one that will enthrall you from the first chapter. I highly recommend it.
P.S. As for Jack, he can jump off a short bridge and just go away and leave our girl alone.
More Than A Game by Jill Brashear delivers a fun mix of sports romance, workplace tension, and undeniable chemistry set against the fast-paced world of professional basketball.
Sadie finds herself in a position she never expected. Running a professional basketball team while trying to prove she belongs in a space that doesn’t always take her seriously. With the pressure of ownership weighing on every decision she makes, the last thing she needs is a complication. Unfortunately for her carefully drawn boundaries, that complication comes in the form of Hugo, one of the team’s standout players.
I really loved the balance between the professional stakes and the personal tension. Sadie isn’t just navigating feelings; she’s navigating leadership, responsibility, and the reality that every decision she makes affects the entire team. That adds an extra layer of conflict to the romance that keeps things engaging without losing the lighthearted energy of a romantic comedy.
Hugo is an easy character to root for. I loved him so much. His dedication to the game, paired with the pressure he faces on the court, gives his character a relatable vulnerability. The dynamic between him and Sadie builds naturally as their worlds collide both professionally and personally.
The basketball setting adds a lot of atmosphere, creating a lively backdrop for the story while still keeping the focus on the characters and their growing connection. The result is a romance that feels playful, emotional, and full of high-stakes decisions both on and off the court.
If you enjoy sports romances with workplace tension, strong chemistry, and a bit of humor mixed into the drama, this one is an entertaining read.
P.S. Jack can go fly a kite (for a lack of the the actual things I want to say because I want my review to be posted LOL)
As always be mindful of trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Some Risks are Really Worth Taking Where Happiness is Concerned - Sadie managed to put her heartbreak behind her and concentrated on her job, so she was apprehensive about spending time with Hugo, even though she was attracted to him. Hugo had been lusting after Sadie since high school, so he was really ecstatic when he arrived to start on his new team and discovered she was working there. Hugo was happy when Sadie agreed to go out on a date with him, which allowed them to spend time getting to know each other, but she was still weary about getting into a relationship with him.
Sadie also had an issue about workplace relations being against the policy of the team, but fate kept bringing Sadie and Hugo together, which led to them embarking on a secret relationship. Unfortunately, Sadie and Hugo’s blissful relationship didn’t run smoothly, as both their exes caused misunderstanding situations, that created conflict between them. Nevertheless, Sadie and Hugo got a chance to have the life they wanted, after finally acknowledging their feelings and standing together to fight for it.
If you are looking for an interesting and entertaining sports romance story with exciting characters and believable storyline, that will have you totally engrossed from the beginning until the end, then look no further than this book. You will definitely enjoy reading this book and b3 happy to recommend it to everyone.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Standing her ground I enjoyed this story of a strong woman stepping up to do what is right for her beloved basketball team. Sadie, temporarily taking over as owner of the team for a season (at her best friends request) has many hurdles to overcome. One being her nasty ex who is bitter about not being the one chosen to take the reins. Then there is the attraction she feels for Hugo their star player that needs to improve in some areas on the court or there’s the possibility he could be traded. Both Sadie & Hugo feel the chemistry between each other but can they keep it professional between themselves? Also with both of their exes causing problems between the two will there be a chance for them to be together? I enjoyed the storyline, the romance and tension plus both Sadie and Hugo’s character interaction, but really came to dislike Jack. Thank you Jill Brashear and Booksprout for the opportunity to read this story.
I was given the opportunity to read More Than a Game in trade for an honest review. I enjoyed this enough to be able to finish it in a little over 24 hours. The characters were enjoyable but I feel like there needed to be more to them, not a lot more but just a tiny bit. Sadie and Hugo have the chemistry and you can tell that they love each other but to me they feel a bit rushed. I also feel like a little more back story on Jack and Sadie would help make things a little more clear on why they are no longer together. The storyline was good, it was a medium pace read and it had a good plot. I did find myself needing to re read a few pages though because I read things how I thought they were supposed to be written but they were different than what I thought. (sorry if that's confusing lol) Overall it was a good quick read with some spice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
More Than A Game by Jill Brashear is an exhilarating ride that pulls at your heartstrings and ignites your passion. It’s a thrilling blend of sports romance, intense workplace tension, and a fierce, undeniable chemistry that crackles from every page, all set against the blistering pace of professional basketball. If you crave a story packed with raw emotion, sizzling attraction, and just the right sprinkle of humour amidst the drama, then this book will sweep you off your feet and leave you breathless. And honestly, anyone who reads this will be right there with me—absolutely convinced that Jack can go 🤬🤬
This is Book 1 of the series. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'A sizzling basketball romantic comedy about forbidden love, high-stakes decisions, and taking the shot when the whole world is watching.'
'She owns the team. Falling for a player was never an option.'
The characters were very appealing and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sadie is given a chance to make a difference with the basketball team. However, she keeps getting into problems with her ex, who is on the board for the basketball team. Along the way we see Sadie and the star basketball player, Hugo, become closer together. She has to fight for her place in this world and her feelings about Hugo. Both of these characters have meddlesome exes which cause a lot of problems for this couple. I loved how fiercely Hugo wanted to be with Sadie and everything he was willing to risk and give up for her.
Abby has been the entertainer for the basketball team and on her thirty birthday her boyfriend Jack dump her. Now Jack and her are fighting over a player who she is having feelings for. But their last game has Hugo missing free shot and now Jack trades him and shebhasvto fly to the owner of the time to help her keep him. Read and see what happens between them all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not getting into rules, games, or everyone involved's obligations to the team, it was interesting how the protagonists had their love story flourish by overcoming work hurdles, exes, and emotional struggles, becoming closer while maintaining distance, with special moments.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fabulously well written. Believable chemistry, smoking hot intensity and interesting characters. I was never quite certain how it was all going to come together and enjoyed all of the ride that was this story. Special thanks to Jill Brashear herself for letting be an ARC reader for this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the strong chemistry between Sadie and Hugo and their relationship. I liked the basketball setting and how her ex was dealt with.
First time reading a book by this author and it won't be the last. I will definitely be picking up more of their books.
I was hooked from start to finish, such a wild rollercoaster ride, with twists & turns. Has great characters, storyline and plot. Action filled and much more.
Overall enjoyed the book and the idea. I kikes the characters as well felt like some of the characters could have had more time in the book. As well as I felt like it jumped around a bit.
Sadie and Hugo are adorable together. It’s a cute book about perseverance, love, and basketball.
Sadie FMC thrown into the unknown of owning a team and dealing with the fallout of an Ex who is a manager and the hot basketball player.
Hugo MMC down on his luck basketball player who lost hard and has to find his way again.
Sadie and Hugo are adorable together. It’s a cute book about perseverance, love, and basketball.
Key points in no particular order: - Longing - Owner/player relationship - Fit FMC over 30 - Fit basketball playing MMC - Spicy 3.5/5 - Hope - Love for the game