Sacked

The Coopers #3

by Aleatha Romig

An NFL Dynasty Romance

Second chance romance. Football dynasty. High-stakes betrayal.

My life, my career, my future—was built on the Hubbards’ legacy: honor, heritage, tradition.
Or so I believed.

Now it’s all falling apart.

The Coopers aren’t just a football team.
They’re power, secrets, and emotional warfare.

Under the bright lights of Crystal Light Stadium, the real game is finally clear.
This isn’t just about the Super Bowl—
It’s about protecting my family’s dynasty at any cost.

And this is when he walks back into my life.

The man from my past.
My biggest regret… and my greatest weakness.

He wants a second chance.
A place beside me in a game ruled by loyalty, lies, and betrayal.

But in this world, trust is a risk.
And desire is a liability.

Because what we share…
It’s explosive. Dangerous. Impossible to ignore.

And it might be the one thing that brings everything crashing down.

Because football isn’t just a game.

It’s power. It’s legacy. It’s survival.
And I’ll stop at nothing to keep it alive.

Have you been Aleatha’d?

From New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a steamy, addictive football romance packed with power plays, betrayal, and jaw-dropping twists.

SACKED is Book 3 in The Coopers series, ends on a cliffhanger, and must be read in order: INTERCEPTED → RUSHED → SACKED → SCORED.

Genres: Sports Romance, Sports, Romance, Football, Second Chance, Romantic Suspense, Audiobook

334 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2026

About the author

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis, Indiana. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her friends and family, including her beloved grandchildren.
Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than a million e-readers. Her next series, INFIDELITY (not about cheating) hit New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-seller lists. Aleatha has since released over seventy novels in multiple genres: dark romance, romantic suspense, psychological thrillers, and romantic comedy.
The titles keep coming. Be sure to check out her website to stay up to date.
Aleatha is represented by Danielle Sanchez of SBR Media and PR with Wildfire Marketing.

Books by Aleatha:
Consequences Series (Anthony Rawlings / Tony Rawlings and Claire Nichols) : Consequences, Truth, Convicted, Revealed, Beyond the Consequences - A Dark Wealth and Power Romance

The Infidelity series (Lennox Demetri/ Nox Demetri and Alexandria Collins / Charli Collins) Betrayal, Cunning, Deception, Entrapment, Fidelity. - A Wealth and Power Steamy Romance

The Price of Honor- A Mafia novel - Oren Demetri and Angelina Demetri - An Epic Mafia Love Story

The Web of Sin trilogy - SECRETS, LIES, PROMISES - Sterling Sparrow and Araneae McCrie (Sparrow Webs) A Dark Mafia Romance

Tangled Web trilogy - TWISTED, OBSESSED, BOUND - A dark mafia romance

Web of Desire trilogy - SPARK, FLAME, ASHES - A dark mafia romance

Dangerous Web trilogy - "Danger's First Kiss," DARK, DUSK, DAWN - A dark marriage Mafia romance

LIGHT DARK - Psychological Cult Thriller

INSIDIOUS - Domestic Thriller

FEAR OF FLAMES - Small-town, psychological thriller, family secrets

RISING WATERS - Dark, small-town psychological thriller

Indulgence Series: Unconventional, Unexpected, Unforgettable, and Undeniable - sexy BDSM novellas

Plus One, One Night, Another One, My Always One, Quintessentially the One, One Kiss, and One String - Aleatha's Lighter Ones - Contemporary romances

Fate's Demand - dark romance - prequel to DEVIL'S DEAL - Everett Ramses and Emma North - A Dark Mafia Romantic Suspense Duet prequel
DEVIL'S DEAL and ANGEL'S PROMISE - A Dark Mafia Romantic Suspense Duet

Sin Series: RED SIN, GREEN ENVY, GOLD LUST, and BLACK KNIGHT - A steamy age-gap romantic suspense

Royal Reflections: RUTHLESS REIGN, RESILIENT REIGN, RAVISHING REIGN, and RELEVANT REIGN - A Royal Romantic Suspense - A man hired to impersonate a prince falls in love with the princess who can never discover his true identity.

Brutal Vows: Mafia/cartel arranged marriages - NOW AND FOREVER, TILL DEATH DO US PART, BOUND BY A PROMISE, QUEENS AND MONSTERS, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD, and NAUGHTY AND NICE - Mafia Romantic Suspense

The Coopers- INTERCEPTED, RUSHED, SACKED, and SCORED - Professional Football Dynasty Romantic Suspense series

The titles keep coming. Be sure to check out her website to stay up to date.

Aleatha is represented by Danielle Sanchez of SBR Media and PR with Wildfire Marketing.

Reviews

[Renita Lofton McKinney]

Aleatha Romig really said, “You thought you knew where this was going? That’s cute.”

Sacked was packed with twists, tension, secrets, trust issues, family drama, heat, and enough emotional whiplash to leave me staring at the wall after finishing. And somehow, in the middle of all that chaos, she still managed to weave in football, the pressure of the season, and the team pushing toward the Super Bowl without it ever feeling forced. It all blended perfectly into the story.

The chemistry was intense. The emotional pull was intense. And the suspense? Ridiculous. Every time I thought I had somebody figured out, here came another reveal proving I absolutely did not.

This book constantly kept me questioning motives, loyalty, and who was really playing who. Nobody writes manipulation, obsession, and layered relationships quite like Aleatha. Being “Aleatha’d” should honestly come with a warning label at this point.

And that cliffhanger? Criminal behavior.

Now I’m sitting here needing the next book immediately because there’s no way she expected people to just casually move on after THAT ending.

[skia_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vee Hubbard is my kind of fmc!
She’s grieving her father, dealing with family drama she never asked for, and still managing to run an entire NFL team like the boss she is! I absolutely loved how much the players respected her.

Fin is protective without being overbearing, and the chemistry between these two is 👌🏽! Their banter, their teasing, and the way they create their own little bubble away from all the chaos made me love them even more.

Then theres the mystery surrounding Vee’s father’s death kept me completely invested.

And just like that.. were hit with another cliff hanger.. I mean i should expect it by now right…Why Mrs Romig why!!

lol. Overall I really enjoyed this story. I’m excited to see how everything wraps up!

4⭐️

Thank you Hambright PR for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review

[Juli Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride… Suspense, Football 🏈 and spice all in one book, sign me up.
Reading this series is really making me wish for September and football season. I’m a huge fan of football and Aleatha’s romantic suspense stories. All the questions running through my mind, who killed Reid, will said person come after Vee next and with that cliffhanger….what will happen with Finn? I have my suspicions but they keep changing so I will have to wait for Scored. Can’t wait.

[TaylorYourShelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈 and 🌶️🌶️ : keep in mind the star review is based off of MY interests!

Okay… Aleatha… I’m loving and despising these cliffhangers! Why are you doing this to me?! I am now veryyy impatiently waiting the last book coming in September, Scored! Any chance you want to move that date sooner?

Book 3 in “The Coopers” series. I would really read books 1/2 first otherwise you’ll be confused. By far one of my favorite series in sports romances.

Sacked officially entered romantic suspense more on the suspense side. You will still see the changing of relationships: on the field, off the field, emotional and physical. The suspense and questions for all the characters start popping out, making you question everyone’s loyalty.

Fin and Vee continue their romance and trying to break through her commitment issues. Fin’s career challenges continue. And the cliffhanger from Rushed continues!

As with the other books Aleatha focuses on football and will add in some of that conversation. I personally love it and it makes it more realistic to me, a good way to progress through the seasons and have the characters pass time.

There are quite a few moving parts that I can tell are setting up the last book to take the cake on the series.

I can’t quite get a read on Rachel. But my thoughts are telling me she is trying to actually help Vee. So many of the characters we are left in suspense with and it has me sitting dumbfounded because I can’t figure it out!

The chemistry between Fin and Vee is so consistent and not too overwhelming. Yes there are some spicy scenes but I don’t think it’s overbearing. Seems like they are still in their honeymoon phase!

If you like suspenseful sports romance series, throw this one at the top of your list you will not be disappointed!

Tropes:
💞 Second Chance Romance
🏈 Football Dynasty
🤫 Family Secrets
🧲 Forced Proximity
🥺 The One That Got Away
🧗🏻 Cliffhanger

⚠️: discussions about murder and cheating, not with the main characters.

I am voluntarily leaving this review and all thoughts are my own!

Thanks for the advanced copy @hambrightpr and @authoraleatharomig for the chance to read and review early! So thankful 🙏

[The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏈 The Coopers Series 🏈
(( ARC Review of entire series ))

Titles- Intercepted (1), Rushed (2), Sacked (3), Scored (4)
Author- Aleatha Romig
Genre- Contemporary Sports Romance
Series- The Coopers Series

Trope City-
🏈 Forced Proximity
🏈 Second Chance
🏈 Workplace Romance
🏈 Suspense
🏈 Female Boss Babe
🏈 Football Family Dynasty
🏈 Football Romance
🏈 Murder?!
🏈 Grief
🏈 Cheating
🏈 Cliff Hangers

HOLY CLIFFHANGER AT THE END OF BOOKS 1, 2 and 3! This series follows the Lexington Coopers. They define the world of professional football. The Hubbards have run the franchise as a family- with Mauve’s (Vee) (FMC) Hubbard’s dad at the helm. Several family members fill the franchise in. Knowing our arena is football, it should come as no surprise that it’s a world dominated by men. Because of that ugly factor, no one expects Vee to train to take over for her dad one day in the future. To throw another challenge in, the franchise makes the choice to bring Vee’s ex Fin Graham on to the team. Over a decade prior, Fin broke Vee’s heart. Forced proximity goes to work! The daily grind and learning how to run things gets derailed at the end of book 1! Vee’s dad passes unexpectedly in a car accident. The new set of challenges that come with loss of a loved one take over all whilst the challenges of taking over an entire franchise present immediately. The fans of this franchise and media do not take it easy on this family during their time of grief. Then, we get punched in the gut again! Was the death of her father an accident? Does his assistant have anything to do with his passing? What about Vee’s stepmom? There are so many layers in this series. I really love the structure of this series. I love that it follows this same family, with the same characters, flowing through the same story. We don’t need to focus on entirely new characters with every installment. I also LOVE ALEATHA ROMIG! Obsessed with her romance writing, sports writing and all these twists and turns. She had me hooked and gasping far too often.

Thank you Hambright PR for sharing this series with me! 🏈🫶🏻

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

As if things hadn’t gotten complicated since her father’s death, Vee is now left reeling when yet another secret is revealed. Realizing she knows less than she thought she did about her father, she’s forced to make decisions without knowing his true motivations, and with the vultures circling, everyone’s future seems uncertain. As new revelations come forward, Vee begins to wonder whether his father’s alleged mistress was framed for his death, but with so much conflicting information, she doesn’t know who to trust.

Through her struggles, at least she has Fin by her side, as they work to make up for all the years they were apart. While he works his way back from injury, he supports her in a way that no one has. Willing to do anything to keep her safe, he begins his own research into her family history, getting information from an unlikely source.

Having been waiting for months for book 3 in the series, I was thrilled to receive an early copy from @Hambright_Pr. This book delivered in every possible way, sucking me in from the first page. The love and chemistry between Vee and Fin is off the charts, and somehow it isn’t even the most powerful part of the book. @authoraleatha has a way of weaving suspense into every part of the story, and just when you think you have someone figured out, she throws another twist at you, making you doubt everything. As if that wasn’t enough, the cliffhanger ending had me in a full panic. I cannot wait for the fourth book to come out, as I’m hoping that we’ll finally get the full picture and learn just who’s telling the truth and who will be buried under their lies.

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series I’m really enjoying! To be fair with this one I did skim a bit in some of the sports related parts, but the suspense and trying to figure out exactly what happened and just who in her family Vee can really trust has kept me on the edge of my seat, flipping pages as quickly as possible to find out.

This book had her ex coming back and actually maybe being someone who had some knowledge to help her, and he really did want to help her, he’s maybe not that bad of a guy. It’s hard to talk too much about this third book in the series without giving anything away, no spoilers. So I won’t talk a ton.

We just have the will being challenged, but it is unsure if the lawyer for her father/stepmother is maybe causing a lot of the issues? Because it also isn’t clear about if the stepmother is just who she is, or if she’s maybe more of a mastermind than thought? And as I mentioned there is doubt about her uncle and her cousin possibly being in on something. Not to mention information about her family and how they actually got a hold of owning the franchise and if it was all on the up and up or maybe some shady dealings or working with some shady people to get it done.

And of course we’re left with a huge cliffhanger, this time one of our two main characters being in danger of maybe not making it (although we know they will because it is a romance) it will be interesting to see where it will go. We’ve got till September to wait for those answers!

My only complaint? Lol, having this fictional football team beat my Chiefs. It’s not explicitly said it is my Chiefs, but they say they win in Kansas City, and I’m not a fan of that at all, lol. Although with how we played last year, definitely would have been a possibility.

Okay, enough, now to wait for the final book!

[Alexia Gauthier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touchdowns, trust Issues & emotional felonies

4 ⭐️ | 2.25 🌶️

Aleatha Romig really looked at us and said: “Answers? In this economy?”

Sacked throws us straight back into the Coopers’ world of football, power, family secrets, and enough emotional manipulation to qualify as a competitive sport.

And Vee? My girl is fighting for her life. Not literally; although, honestly, give it a few more plot twists.

She just wants to breathe. To live. To make one decision without another secret, betrayal, or suspiciously attractive man from her past blowing everything to hell. But peace? Never heard of her.

Then he comes back. The one who got away. The biggest regret. The weakness she definitely cannot afford.

Because nothing says “healthy second chance romance” like unresolved feelings, forced proximity, family warfare, and absolutely no idea who can be trusted.

Their chemistry? Dangerous. Their history? Complicated. Their timing? Completely fucking terrible. And yes, it’s sexy; but the real intimacy here is trauma bonding under stadium lights.

I’ve read Intercepted and Rushed, so I knew Aleatha Romig wasn’t going to hold my hand through this mess. She was going to blindfold me, shove me into the maze, and whisper: “Good luck, babe.”

There’s more drama. More lies. More suspects. More questions. Answers? Apparently, those are being held hostage until further notice.

Who’s innocent? Who’s manipulating whom? Who’s hiding what? And will Vee ever get five uninterrupted minutes without her entire life combusting?

At this point: Who the fuck knows. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Now, honesty time. Compared to the first two books, this one felt a little… meeeeh. The tension was there. The intrigue was there. The emotional chaos was absolutely clocked in and working overtime.

But the gut-punch? It bruised me. It didn’t break me. I wanted to feel feral. Unwell. Personally victimized. Instead, I was mostly standing in the middle of the mystery holding seventeen unanswered questions and developing trust issues with fictional people.

And then came the cliffhanger. Illegal? Yes. Disrespectful? Naturally. Did it hit as hard as the previous ones? Not quite. But will I still read Scored like my emotional stability depends on it? Obviously. I didn’t survive three books of psychological football warfare just to quit before the final whistle.

Thank you to Hambright PR for sending me this e-ARC, and congratulations to Aleatha Romig on the upcoming release of Sacked on July 27th.

This series must be read in order: Intercepted → Rushed → Sacked → Scored

Have you been Aleatha’d or do you still have functioning trust issues?

[Angela Vicente · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC courtesy of NetGalley*

This plot keeps getting more and more ridiculous as the story continues with book 3. It’s like a telenovela but make it football themed. I’ve really enjoyed the murder-mystery plot unfolding. Though I do think the love story feels more like the subplot at this point. It’s gotten lost in the drama. I was expecting way more romance.

The football aspect is fun, but I do feel like there may be too much technical talk about it. Describing every play of the game when it’s not relevant to the plot makes it feel like filler. In all honesty this series could have been a duology if all the extra stuff was removed. But maybe the big football lovers enjoy that, I’m not a fan of the sport so it all goes right over my head.

Since this is the third book in this series, I think I can say confidently that this author needs to use literally ANY other word than “orbs” to describe Fin’s eyes… It’s like I’ve been Pavlov’d to react with a cringe every time I hear it, even in other books.

I really do think the murder-mystery plot is the best thing about this series. I’ll read the last book, but only because I want to see how it plays out.

The narrators on this audiobook adaptation both did great. I’m a big fan of duets in romance series, so that was a big plus for me.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Aleatha Romig for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook (ALC) of Sacked in exchange for an honest review!

I will first off say, I do wish I had read the other books in the series before I dove into this one which is good to know, but I still really enjoyed this!

I don’t really know what I was expecting but definitely not all of those twists and turns.. it kept me hooked from the moment I started listening. Which is also why I wish I got the full picture - looking back it definitely says that they should be read in order. Whoops! I will definitely be going back and reading the other books in the series.

This book had everything you could want in a sports romance and more with just the right amount of spice that felt like it flowed well with the story and Fin & Vee’s relationship development.

The book deals with complex topics with such grace and I truly loved Aleatha’s writing and her ability to just consistently keep the reader (me I guess) entertained and locked in.

On a strictly audiobook review note: the narrators were perfection!

Thank you again for the opportunity to listen. I look forward to going back in time and reading the first two books in this series!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine just going along, minding your own business, then all of a sudden, out of nowhere comes a freight train barreling down the tracks directly towards you.
That is how it feels reading an Aleatha Romig story.
At home, Vee and Fin have created a bubble full of comfort and combustible desire.
At work, everything is chaos. Everyone is suspect.
With more bits of information coming to light, Vee is bombarded with doubts and suspicion. With a real chance at playing in the Super Bowl, Fin is ready, feeling confident in his back-up QB role and ready to take the field.
Then — freight train! Aleatha'd again. Where will she take us next?

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this amazing series, and Vee and Fin’s journey continues.
Vee is not sure who to trust besides Fin,
This series needs to be read in order, and this story ends in another cliffhanger!
This is a well written action-packed story, with family dynamics, friendships, emotions, drama, suspense, intrigue, high stakes betrayal, loyalty, secrets, lies, touch her and die vibes, trust, romance, humour, and forbidden love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Jill Elza · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ 5 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 spicy peppers

I LOVE this series!

Sacked continues the story from Scored, and the drama is bigger than ever. The Cooper family drama intensifies, the football storyline expands, and the secrets and power struggles kept me completely invested.

I loved watching Fin and Vee continue to face everything together while trying to protect the life and relationship they are building. This book was FANTASTIC, and I could not put it down!

It ends on another cliffhanger, but don’t worry—Book 4 was released on September 7, so The Coopers series is now complete and ready to binge!

Thank you to Hambright PR and Aleatha Romig for the opportunity to read and review Sacked.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love second chance romance.

This sports series by Ms. Romig has been superb!
It keeps getting better and better with each hike!

Vee and Fin will definitely have your heart beating hard! In more ways than one!

Cannot wait to see where Ms. Romig takes us for the finale!

If you haven't been Aleatha’d yet…what are you waiting for!
I don't think there's a genre or trope she cannot write!

I have been reading her stories for a long time now, and you owe yourself wonderful reading experiences!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacked

The Coopers: NFL Dynasty, what an intense, exciting and full of unexpected drama throughout. Fin and Vee are finding their footing in their relationship as well as his place on the team. Now with the unexpected change of status of her father's death, being a homicide. But, who is responsible? The dynamics of this family is suddenly in question? Is there danger for Vee? Or for Fin? This story will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seats! Ready for book 4, cannot wait for final book.

[Michella · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the twists and turns in this second chance/sports romance storyline will keep you hooked from the beginning to the end. The web of lies and deceit will keep you guessing. Add in the chemistry between Vee and Fin, you won’t want to put this one down. I need the next and final book in this series now!!

[Hannah May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Hambright PR in exchange for an honest review

This book was so good. I am so completely obsessed with this series and love both Vee and Fin. I am not ready for this series to be over but with how this book finished, I will be starting the next one asap. This whole series has made me read one after the other and it isn’t going to stop now

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded to 4 stars for me.

I really enjoyed this audiobook,the only thing is I thought it's a standalone.Mystery will continue in another book,but the romance is sweet and spicy at the same time.Will be looking out for another book in the series.

Thank you netgalley and Dreamscape Media for alc,my review is honest and my own.

[Sharon]

Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.

[Cynthia T · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you @NetGalley and @DreamscapeMedia for the ALC. This is the third book in The Cooper's series. I felt lost listening to this book, I would recommend reading books in order, there are a lot of characters. I felt this story was just ok for me, felt rushed and things resolved quickly.

[ML Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I am loving this series more and more with every installment. As usual the book ends with a Romig cliff hanger, noooooooooo. Romig has a talent that blends romance with drama/suspense with the perfect proportions. Can’t wait for the final installment!!!

[Michelle Quintana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cliffhanger

This is the third book in this series. After the bombshell at the ending of the last book, both Fin and Vee don't know who to believe or what to do. I have my theory about who did it and I can't wait for the next book to see of I'm right. With the way this book ended, I feel like Fin can't seem to catch a break.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is intense and I’m loving it!

The relationship between Fin and Vee has quickly become solid, and I love his determination to provide her with a safe bubble to breathe. The mystery around her father and his personal affairs is crazy, and getting crazier.

This most recent cliffhanger left me gasping. Vee has been through so much this season, she stringer with Fin by her side.

I received a free ARC from the author and Wildfire Marketing Solutions; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say about Sacked......gosh I love Fin.
I think about this for every single book but I feel it sums up this entire review. This whole book just felt like the biggest love letter in the best way and Fin can stay forever. The end.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first: this is NOT a standalone. You must read the first two books to understand what is happening. That being said, OMG! What a cliffhanger!

I love this series by Aleatha. It’s sports romance with a twist, and I’m loving every single page. It’s fast paced and electric. Each chapter has you trying to guess who in Vee’s circle is sincere and who isn’t.

I’m so thankful that the final book, Scored, comes out in September. I’m going to be on pins and needles until then!

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacked was such an intense read, this series just keeps ratcheting up the drama in the best way. Vee trying to hold onto control of the Coopers after her father's mysterious death, all while everyone in the family is pointing fingers and fighting for power, is such a great backdrop, and then Fin walks back into her life on top of it all? Aleatha Romig really doesn't let up.

The second chance angle worked so well here because it's not just about old feelings resurfacing, it's tangled up in all this legacy and betrayal and power struggle, so every moment between Vee and Fin feels loaded with more than just romantic tension. You can feel how much is at stake for her beyond just her heart, and that made their chemistry hit even harder.

The family drama is the real star for me though, the secrets, the shifting alliances, the "who can actually be trusted" paranoia running through the whole Cooper dynasty kept me hooked just as much as the romance did. It's got that boardroom power-play energy mixed with real emotional stakes, which is such a hard balance to strike well.

Only reason it's not a full 5 is it's definitely not a book you can jump into without the first two, and even then some of the political maneuvering got a little dense to track. But as a middle book in a high-drama series, this delivered completely, and that cliffhanger has me desperate for Scored. Fair warning, don't start this one if you can't handle waiting for the next release.

[Brooke Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you HambrightPR and Aleatha Romig for the ARC!

Aleatha gets me every bloody time!
Vee and Fin’s relationship, the twists and turns.
I don’t want to give anything away because my god I need the last book, but this author blows me away every time!

You need to read this!
I promise you, it’s fucking good!

🌶️🌶️
❤️❤️❤️

[Isabella Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATIMG: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️

Have you been Aleatha’d?

Because I have.

Repeatedly.

Against my will.

And apparently, I continue returning for additional emotional injury. 🤡

Aleatha Romig is one of my favorite authors, hands down, and I LOVE this series. Football, power, family secrets, second chances, betrayal, and enough psychological warfare to qualify for its own professional league?

PLEASE. I’M ALREADY IN UNIFORM.

SACKED is book three in The Coopers series and absolutely must be read in order:

INTERCEPTED → RUSHED → SACKED → SCORED

Do not wander into book three with confidence and a dream.

You will be confused.

I read the first two books, and I’m STILL confused—but in the intentional “Aleatha is withholding critical evidence and laughing from an undisclosed location” way.

✨ Second-Chance Romance
✨ Football Dynasty
✨ The One Who Got Away
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Family Secrets
✨ Career Pressure
✨ Suspicious Loyalties
✨ Romantic Suspense
✨ Emotional Warfare
✨ Cliffhanger—because Aleatha hates peace

SACKED throws us directly back into the Cooper family’s world, where football isn’t simply a game.

It is legacy.

It is money.

It is power.

It is survival.

And under the bright lights of Crystal Light Stadium, everyone is playing a position whether they admit it or not.

Vee’s entire life, career, and future were built around the Hubbard legacy—honor, tradition, heritage.

Cute.

Apparently, that was the decorative version of the truth.

Now everything is collapsing, secrets are surfacing, and Vee is trying to determine who she can trust while protecting the football dynasty connected to her family.

My girl just wants to breathe.

To make one decision without another secret, betrayal, career crisis, or suspiciously attractive man detonating somewhere nearby.

Peace?

Never met her.

She doesn’t even attend the games.

Then Fin—the man from her past, her greatest regret, and the weakness she absolutely cannot afford—walks back into her life wanting a second chance.

Because nothing says “healthy romantic reconciliation” like unresolved feelings, forced proximity, family warfare, and seventeen active reasons not to trust anyone.

Their chemistry?

Explosive.

Their history?

Complicated.

Their timing?

Completely f*cking terrible.

PERFECT.

Fin and Vee continue trying to build something real while Vee battles her commitment issues and Fin faces increasing challenges in his career.

I loved that their relationship remained consistent even as everything around them became more unstable. They clearly want one another, but wanting someone and trusting the future are two entirely different sports.

Vee is not a woman who surrenders control easily.

Honestly, she barely hands it over with notarized documents and two witnesses.

Her resistance makes sense. Every new revelation reinforces the idea that trust is dangerous, loyalty is conditional, and the people closest to her may be moving pieces around a board she cannot fully see.

Then Fin asks her to believe in them.

SIR, READ THE ROOM.

There are secrets falling from the ceiling.

But Fin keeps showing up, and their connection gives the story an emotional anchor. Their chemistry is strong without overwhelming the suspense, and the spicy scenes feel like part of their honeymoon phase rather than mandatory interruptions in the larger plot.

Two peppers.

Sexy, consistent, and appropriately placed between family crises.

At this point, intimacy is basically the only cardio they can complete without someone revealing a conspiracy.

SACKED pushes the series firmly into romantic suspense, with the suspense taking center field. Relationships are changing everywhere—on the field, off the field, emotionally, professionally, and physically.

Questions begin multiplying faster than answers.

Who is loyal?

Who is lying?

Who is manipulating whom?

Who knows more than they’re admitting?

Who can be trusted?

Aleatha Romig looked directly at us and said:

“Answers? In this economy?”

Then she turned off the lights and left.

I’ve read enough Aleatha to know she was never going to hold my hand through this mystery. She was going to blindfold me, shove me into the maze, move three walls, and whisper, “Good luck, babe.”

At one point, I had theories about nearly everyone.

The family.

The team.

The staff.

A random person standing near the stadium entrance.

Nobody was above suspicion.

I was two chapters away from interrogating the football.

Rachel especially remains a giant question mark for me.

I cannot get a clean read on that woman.

Part of me thinks she may genuinely be trying to help Vee. Another part of me has been Aleatha’d too many times to trust someone simply because their behavior occasionally resembles kindness.

RACHEL, STATE YOUR INTENTIONS.

Hands where I can see them.

No sudden plot twists.

The continuation of the cliffhanger from RUSHED adds another layer to the tension, and the moving pieces throughout this book are clearly positioning SCORED to deliver the series’ biggest collision.

This installment feels like the moment every player begins moving toward the final formation.

The problem is that Aleatha has hidden the playbook.

RUDE.

I also loved the amount of actual football woven through the story. Aleatha doesn’t use the sport as a decorative reason to place muscular men in tight pants—although I fully support that important artistic choice.

The conversations around the game, career decisions, team dynamics, and movement through the season make the world feel authentic. Football becomes a natural way to mark time while reinforcing how deeply the sport controls these characters’ lives.

For the Coopers, a bad play does not end when the clock runs out.

Every decision affects careers, relationships, reputations, and the family dynasty.

The sport and suspense are connected because the team itself is part of the power structure everyone is fighting to protect or control.

That being said, honesty time.

Compared with INTERCEPTED and RUSHED, SACKED didn’t hit me quite as hard.

The intrigue was there.

The tension was there.

The emotional chaos clocked in early, skipped lunch, and worked overtime.

But the gut punch?

It bruised me.

It did not rupture a major organ.

I wanted to feel feral. Unwell. Personally victimized. I wanted to close the book and stare at a wall as though Aleatha had personally dismantled my family.

Instead, I spent much of the story standing in the middle of the mystery holding seventeen unanswered questions and developing new trust issues with fictional people.

Still enjoyable.

Just slightly less emotionally destructive than I expected.

And I read Aleatha Romig specifically to have my emotional stability hunted for sport.

The cliffhanger was naturally illegal.

ALEATHA.

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?

Again?

At this point, ending one of these books on a complete thought might violate her publishing contract.

Did this cliffhanger hit me as hard as the previous ones?

Not quite.

Did I still stare at the final page in betrayal and check whether SCORED had magically appeared in my library?

Obviously.

I did not survive three books of psychological football warfare just to retire before the final whistle.

I need answers.

I need Fin and Vee to survive their relationship.

I need to know who is lying.

I need Rachel to step beneath a bright interrogation lamp.

Most importantly, I need Aleatha to stop behaving like emotional closure is a limited natural resource.

SACKED is another addictive installment in a series that blends sports romance, family drama, mystery, and betrayal beautifully. The football dynasty raises the stakes, Fin and Vee bring the heat and emotional vulnerability, and the escalating suspense makes every relationship feel potentially dangerous.

Four stars for power plays, second chances, suspicious loyalties, and another cliffhanger I will be discussing with my attorney.

Was this my favorite installment?

No.

Am I still completely invested?

Unfortunately for my blood pressure, yes.

Have I been Aleatha’d?

Baby, I don’t think I ever recovered from the first time.

Content note: This story includes discussions of murder and cheating, neither involving the central couple.

[Tropes_and_Taboo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacked (The Coopers, book 3) by Aleatha Romig
⭐⭐⭐⭐ .5🌶️🌶️🌶️
Romantic Suspence * Sport (Football) * MMC's Over 30 * Second Chance * Old College Sweethearts * Football Operation/Owner's Daughter x Quarterback * Cheating (Not MC's) * Billionaire * Workplace Romance * Grief
📖336 pages 🎧6h46
🎙️Narrated by ? (audio release sept 29 2026)

This is Book 3 of 4, and these are NOT standalones. All four books are necessary to tell the full story, as they follow the same couple and have one overarching plotline running through the entire series.

This is my first series by Aleatha Romig, and it's safe to say I've already bought a few of her other series because I am absolutely loving her writing style. Each book has been incredibly interesting, and I love how seamlessly the story flows from one scene to the next. Even with a fairly large cast, the secondary characters all have definition and substance, rather than just feeling like filler characters hanging around in the background.

While I don't mind series that follow the same couple throughout, I often find that each book can start to feel formulaic, especially in romance. You know the drill: romantic problems, breakup, angst, get back together, rinse and repeat. This series is doing something completely different, and I'm loving it.

Our couple already went through their second-chance romance in the first book, and their relationship continues to grow and evolve throughout each subsequent book. But the main source of tension, suspense, and emotion isn't whether they're going to break up for the 47th time. Instead, the real driving force is the family, the football team, wills, trusts, inheritance issues, board positions, team operations, and questions about who officially owns what. The romance is woven into all of this, but not it's source of conflict.

And surprisingly, I am LOVING the football aspect. I know very little about football beyond what I've picked up from reading books, so I still couldn't explain first downs, plays, or half of the terminology if you paid me. But this book goes much deeper into the actual sport, with plays, game-time action, and the operations behind a professional team. And somehow, despite my complete lack of football knowledge, I'm completely enthralled as the football isn't just thrown in as background scenery, it’s seamlessly woven into the story, and I genuinely feel like I'm right there with them during the games. I could absolutely see actual football fans enjoying this aspect even more than I already do.

And, of course, we get another cliffhanger. Because apparently Aleatha Romig has decided I don't deserve peace. Luckily, I already have access to Book 4, so I don't have to suffer for long. I'll be jumping straight into it because after three books, I NEED to know how all of this plays out.

[Jo Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

SACKED by ALEATHA ROMIG ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sacked in the third (#3) book in the COOPERS: AN NFL DYNASTY ROMANCE series.
Note: This series must be read in order: INTERCEPTED—> RUSHED —> SACKED —> SCORED

The tension continues at the Crystal Light Stadium as the Hubbard family, owners of ‘The Coopers’, bicker over control and ownership of the team.

Vee Hubbard, now owner and NFL Quarterback Finn Graham’s relationship is progressing despite all the obstacles determined to pull them apart….

——————————————

Gahhhh this book! This series!! I literally read this one in one sitting and am salivating over the thought of the final book.

Aleatha Romig has an uncanny ability to draw you in, with fascinating characters, impeccable attention to detail and so much tension she has you sitting on the edge of your seat. This series is the first of hers I have read and I am definitely going to be looking out for more of her outstanding work.

The explicit descriptions of the on pitch game play action and coaching scenes have you so gripped you can picture every scene. Being a Brit I have zero knowledge of American Football but I truly have learnt a lot reading this series and it’s so interesting- it is clear that the author is very knowledgeable about the sport and it gives this great read an extra dimension.

The relationship between Vee and Finn is interesting, with believable chemistry it runs at a realistic pace. There is a reasonable amount of open door spicy scenes as befitting the progression of their relationship. I like Vee’s character - It is always nice to see strong, independent women portrayed especially in high powered roles.

The family dynamics are escalating deliciously. The back stabbing, secrecy and tension grow and Vee doesn’t know from one minute to the next who to trust. With false affections, deception, rampant misogyny and nefarious actions a plenty no one appears trustworthy and I LOVE IT!

I am thoroughly enjoying this series of books, it has so many twists and turns and I think Ms ROMIG is going to surprise us all in the final instalment. This book (as with previous books in this series) finishes on an intriguing cliffhanger. I’ve said it before but I think this book series would be excellent adapted for the tv.

I read an ebook copy of this fascinating book, with just over 270 pages (print copy) , a gorgeous printed, football cover and excellent editing. This book releases July 27th 2026.

With thanks to Aleatha Romig and Hambright PR for an early chance to read this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.

🏈 Football Romance
🏈 Second Chance
🏈 Spicy 🔥🔥🔥
🏈 Backstabbing Twists
🏈 Billionaire Romance
🏈 Cliffhanger Ending