I’m just a human sports reporter. He’s a billionaire NFL quarterback… and a werewolf Alpha. The problem? He’s my father’s best friend I slept with… and my secret baby daddy.
RILEY Zander Cross— The kind of star who commands the field and steals hearts. Five years ago, I was a nobody intern with a stupid crush. One reckless night, he touched me like a promise. And the next morning? He iced me out like I was nothing.
Now I’m back in his stadium—mic in hand, walls up. Network Sports Today wants a post-championship interview. I came for answers, not love.
But when the cameras cut, his wolfish gaze pins me, breath hot on my skin. I don’t flinch anymore. Because this time… I didn’t come back alone. And he’s about to find out.
ZANDER I’ve been hit by 300-pound linebackers. I’ve bled for my pack. Nothing has ever wrecked me like Riley Matthews.
Her father died because of my world. I swore Riley would never be next. Now she’s back. I answer like a pro, but my wolf tracks every breath she takes. Until I catch a scent I shouldn’t recognize. A little boy is hiding behind the curtain. He smells… familiar. Like mine.
2.5 The title and the book cover = pure comedy 😜 This book has a lot of tropes. Football, dad’s BFF, age gap, rejected mates, wolf shifters, OW drama, secret kid, etc….
(Possible spoilers ahead with recaps)
h is a sports reporter and the book opens where she is sent on assignment to interview a football team. h is a human and knows nothing of the wolf world. h has a 4-year old son. I think h is 26.
H is the quarterback of the football team and he’s also an Alpha Wolf. He’s 39.
We know H and h had a weekend together 5 years previously. We know they are fated mates. H spent the weekend with her, then he got scared and GHOSTED her. 🥴 He blocked her on everything. h found out she was pregnant and she went to the stadium to tell H- but security called her a stalker and made her leave (under H’s orders) Then papers were filed from lawyers telling h to stay away. h got the hint
From H’s POV- we know that H was friends with h’s dad. The pack was attacked one night, and h’s dad was killed. The dad made H promise to take care of h as he was dying. H felt his Alpha position put h in danger, so he Ghosted h. 🤷♀️🤷♀️ (so goofy)
h is not happy to reunite with H. (I’m not sure why. She knew he was a part of that team. She knew she would see him) H immediately acts like a caveman and doesn’t seem to understand why h is so mad at him. lol h’s BBS starts right away, but she fights it.
Naturally, we are introduced to OW, Victoria. OW is the “proper” wife and Luna that H’s pack wants him to marry. OW is cray cray. H has no interest in her. She doesn’t care. She’s a total cartoon villain and WE THE READERS know there is going to be no whodunnit in this book.
H does mentioned that he’s been celibate since he met h.
H is not very smart. He sees the kid and immediately dismisses in his head that it’s his kid. 🤦♀️🤦♀️ And h has absolutely no intentions of ever telling him it’s his kid. Ugh
So…H and h slowly start to build something up again, and he finally shows her one night he’s a wolf. She accepts it, and they shag. It’s aMaZInG! He has to leave to take care of Alpha business. But really, H’s dad set something up where he meets up with OW instead. Their pictures are released to the press along with the rumors they are engaged. Also….since H hasn’t contacted h in two days, h thinks H has ghosted her again. When she sees the pictures of H with OW- 3rd act breakup. 😒 (Honestly, H made me irritated. At one event, he was letting OW wipe his sweat away. Then at this dinner, why didn’t he just leave when OW sat down? What a dumbarse)
The kid starts to experience his wolf, so h has to contact H. Surprise! That’s when he realizes he’s a daddy. He’s not even a little angry at h.
Scattered throughout this story is H also dealing with his dad. Dad starts out as garbage, but he gets better in the end. The stuff with h’s dad- idk. It’s didn’t make much sense to me and it basically turned out to be nothing. h’s dad knew about wolves. He was there the night the pack was attacked and he help H’s pack. He was killed in the fight.
H takes h and the kid to his pack to “protect” them because somebody *cough OW* has been leaving nasty letters to h. The pack seems to like h until OW shows up, spilling her toxic words. Then…suddenly, the kid disappears. OH NO who kidnapped him? If you’re thinking OW, you’d be correct. 🤪🤪 The reason OW did all this? Because she just wanted H so so bad. She wanted to be Luna. (Let’s be for real. OW didn’t even really know H. She had only met him a couple of times. He showed zero interest in her. I could *maybe* understand her obsession if she had known him for a long time or something, but this was just goofy)
Anyway, H is wounded but he recovers. OW is ☠️. A few months later, H and h wed. Then a while after that, h is pregnant with a girl and she’s at H’s championship football game. 😜
I think it was an okay enough read. I feel like some tropes were thrown in this plot that didn’t really need to be here. I would not read this again.
I went into Rejected by the Alpha Quarterback by Jasmine Fox fully expecting it to be too much. Werewolf Alpha? NFL superstar? Secret baby? Second-chance romance? It felt like every trope in the book had been thrown onto the field at once—and I was ready to roll my eyes.
Instead… I was hooked.
This story works because the characters feel real beneath all the high-drama elements. Riley isn’t the naive intern she once was—she’s confident, guarded, and absolutely done letting Zander Cross define her worth. Watching her return to his world on her terms, with a secret that changes everything, gives the story its emotional backbone.
Zander is where things get messy—in both good and frustrating ways. He’s intense, protective, and clearly torn between duty, fear, and desire. I understood why he made the choices he did, even when I didn’t agree with them. Some moments involving unnecessary outside drama pulled me out of the story and made his redemption feel shakier than it needed to be. I won’t pretend he was fully forgiven in my heart.
That said, the overall balance is impressive. The paranormal elements, sports romance, and emotional fallout are woven together smoothly, and the pacing keeps things moving without feeling rushed. The chemistry is strong, the stakes are high, and the reveal hits exactly where it should.
This ended up being one of those books that surprises you—not because it avoids tropes, but because it handles them well. If you love flawed alphas, second chances that have to be earned, and a story that leans into drama without losing heart, this one is worth your time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The only thing I could even complain about with this book is that there’s no indication that the scene has changed. Typically there’s a break in between paragraphs to announce a new scene has started, but that didn’t happen in this book. It got rather confusing since it occurred in just about every chapter.
One of my biggest dislikes in books is when the mom hides the relationship between the father and child. The author does that in this book, but she does it in such a way that as a reader you can’t help but empathize with the MFC and her reasons for doing so. It isn’t her being selfish or trying to punish the MMC. I really like the MFC in this book. She goes through so much alone and comes out stronger. She isn’t a pushover and makes the MMC grovel.
There is a 5 year gap where the MFC and the MMC are not together. Neither character is with other people during that time. There is other woman drama, but there is no cheating (the MMC has no interest in the OW).
I liked the MMC, but for being an alpha he made a lot of idiotic decisions. Throughout the whole book he has one enemy that he’s focused on and blames for the murder of his best friend and the reason he had to cut off the MFC. Had he communicated with the alpha of that pack he could have prevented a lot of heart ache, but then I guess we wouldn’t have a book.
Get comfortable you won’t put it down until the last page has been turned, I started out reading the insert and kept going 😊. Riley was young when she met the Alpha quarterback, her father’s best friend, an intern with a crush he paid her a little attention one night, and that night changed her life forever in so many ways. Zander sexy as all get out quarterback willing to go the length for his pack, but he lost his best friend because of his world knows his daughter was his fated mate, it was his fault she left five years ago, and he hasn’t forgotten or forgiven himself. Fast forward, five years she isn’t the young naïve intern she is returning on her terms stronger, not yet ready to forgive, guarded with secrets of her own, but she was sent there for a story, and she intends to get that story for Network Sports Today. Zander is overprotective is the best way but duty, guilt clearly but the decisions he made hurt others and the dangers that surround him are now putting a target on her back especially now that he has learned that the little boy hiding behind the curtain belongs to her and him well that means his protection just went into overdrive but will he be able to protect her, will she learn the truth about why her father died, will he accept her boy, will he be honest with her, and can they find happiness with a little peace along the way?
Another book by Jasmine Fox that made me feel like I was watching a soap opera and there is a reason they have been on tv so long because they hook you with their ridiculous storylines and you can’t look away….you want to know more….you crave answers so you keep reading. Miscommunication is huge in this storyline for me and I feel like the MMC really needed to beg more for his redemption as the FMC really put up with some ridiculous stuff as well as being unnecessary. But this book had your sports, wolf shifters, secret pregnancy, other woman drama, age gap, time jump, surprise pregnancy, and second chance at love. There were twists and turns but also spice between the main characters Zander and Riley and you already knew that Victoria was going to be the bad guy/villain. Only disappointed that there weren’t more questions from Riley to Zander when the wolf shifter stuff comes into play because her son starts showing the wolf side. But Zander wasn’t dealing with a naïve intern anymore because during the 5 years apart, Riley really grew up and learned how to stand her ground. Enjoyed this one
Surprisingly good considering it was a melting pot of tropes
I was totally ready to not like this story. If there’s a trope out there or a genre, it seemed to just be a giant melting pot of them all. Wolf shifters check. Alpha personality check. Grovel and redemption check. Sports romance check. Other woman drama check. Hidden pregnancy check. And it just keeps going. However the author did a very good job balancing it all out. The plot was strong and the characters very well developed. I’m not sure I completely forgave the MMC. I understood his reasoning, but I didn’t agree, and there were little pieces that bugged me about his behavior. For instance, when Victoria was there with him, wiping the sweat off of him, there was no reason that scene existed. There’s no reason the dinner scene existed. If she sat down and he didn’t want to be there, he could’ve stood right up and walked away, so the argument for the pictures and everything else none of it made sense. So it did lose a star for that however otherwise the story was actually very well done and executed.
This book was... OK? I was looking forward to seeing how the merge between shifter and sports would work. I totally expected something ridiculous, too. I was disappointed, though, that the sports was honestly just there to facilitate them finding each other again.
There was a little sports at the beginning, and with her being a reporter, that's how we can get them back together. Other than that, though, it was all shifter stuff. There really wasn't much merge at all.
I did like that this started with her not knowing anything about shifters existing. That's not something you see much anymore with shifter books. I didn't like that it started in the middle of their story. We didnt get to see them together, we didn't get to experience any of the heartbreak, either. It was just explained to us with a couple flashbacks.
Other than that, though, I wasn't really wowed much with this book. It was just mostly Meh. I am looking forward to the next one to see if it comes out just as ridiculous.
Come on, just give it a try! I promise it'll draw you in.
I like this book because of how it begins - detailing how her father died in a tragic accident and she was left alone, trusting only one. Man she loved, the man that broke her. Then put the Piece back together. But don't be misled; as you read, you'll find yourself unable to put the book down, drawn farther into the story with every page till the happy ending. The way Zander loved Riley, and how she never got over him while loving him still, was touching. Their concern was ensure their son's happiness. Despite everything that happened, they managed to build a life together. I'm not going into too many details, but it satisfying seeing them find their way back to each other. The author did a wonderful job. I love this book. I will probably read it again. I wish the epilogue was a little longer. Oh I give it 5 stars.
3.75💫 Es sólido pero se vuelve tedioso por el ruego del protagonista. En un punto se vuelve en círculos y recientes la falta de confianza de la protagonista aunque al mismo tiempo del protagonista porque cuesta verlo como un alpha luego de que deje que todos dicten su destino menos él. Siento también que tenia muchos problemas en su plato y que no supo manejarlos. Me abrumo. Me hubiera gustado que mostrarán más bien la historia de como se conocen y todo el drama alrededor. Pero esa ya es cuestión personal porque no me encantan las 2das oportunidades.
Fuera de eso, es adictivo con personajes carismáticos y mucho potencial dentro del mundo que creo.
Lo volvería a leer pero definitivamente habrá partes que me salte para restarle drama. Lo recomiendo.
An action packed shifter romance; full of drama, action, sports, father's best friend, overprotective alpha, second chances and love, with some great twists along the way.
Five years after Zander broke Riley's heart she's become a sports reporter and is due to do a report on the team he's the quarterback for. Being in the same place again brings back memories for them both. But she's not living alone anymore.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Zander and Riley’s story was another I couldn’t put down. It kept me glued from start to finish.
Their story was a roller coaster. Zander kept himself locked in football because he had not only lost his best friend but his mate as well. He thought keeping his distance was the best and only option to keep her safe, but destiny always finds a way.
Now he has to prove himself but not without constant danger for all of them.
I think the storyline fell flat for me when the FMC let her bitterness and anger continuously win. Any chance she had at getting angry at the MMC she would take it. I understand the reasoning (at times) but it doesn’t excuse her behavior. I wanted to give hit a higher rating but as the story was nearing to the end I just couldn’t. The FMC to me should have apologized a lot more to the MMC about keeping his son away from him. That kind of betrayal is just so wrong.
I like this different take on rejection of Fated mates, was done out of protection rather than cruelty though cruel in its own way. Strong FMC, A MMC who actually stayed true to his Fated mate regardless, seems quite rare in the rejected tropes. Dual Pov, Betrayal, I would say grovel was more just being present, true and honest which worked when they finally communicated. Some spice. Ow drama. HEA
I struggle to find a shifter book/series that I love and can remain engaged. This story was good a bit better than others that I have read recently. The thing that bothered me the most is took 61% for him to realize he was the father. His beta was looking into Riley also. Couldn’t anyone figure out how old he is and do the math?? Why didn’t he ever question Riley? He’s an alpha and his wolf didn’t pick it up? There was some OW drama that was predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5 years have passed since Zander gave Riley up and their last encounter. It's time to face the truth and maybe the future too. But enemies are circling and they are plentiful. They are coming after Zander and Riley. good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Maybe it's just me, but I thought with this being football-themed that there would be more written about actual football. That was one of my main reasons for picking it up because I love football and I love shifter romance books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I definitely enjoyed this read! it mixes a bunch of my favorite tropes so I couldn't go wrong. Sports? Check. Wolf Shifters? Check. Accidental/secret pregnancy? Check! Even with so many tropes, the plot remained pretty solid and wasn't all over the place. It kept me hooked and interested the entire time!
Riley was in last version with Sander at age 21 but he thought she was to young for him and was afraid she would get hurt so he dumped her not knowing she was pregnant. Five years later he is Star Quarterback for Dallas and she is a journalist interviewing the whole team on trying to win a championship. He sees her son but doesn't know Eli is his son. Good story.
This was amazing! From what she thought of him rejecting her was actually really him trying to protect her. And when the truth comes out, it is everything and more on how he responds!
okay compared to similar books. I am usually very generous and will give just about 4 stars for any book that holds my attention to finish. took away a star because this book was supposed to be set in Texas. I dont think the author ever stop foot in Texas based on the landscape description.
Riley was ghosted by Sander just when she needed him.Five years later her sports reporting has her doing an article on the team.A baby, a death threat, a secret allmake it a wild ride.You'll fall in love with these characters.
I thought this was the joining of my two favourite things sport and shifters but it quickly became just another pack based book was hoping for different.