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Side Lined: A friends to lovers, workplace romance
412 pages, Paperback
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Jaqueline Snowe
39 books1,286 followersJaqueline Snowe lives in Arizona where the "dry heat" really isn't that bad. She prefers drinking coffee all hours of the day and snacking on anything that has peanut butter or chocolate. She is the mother to two dogs who don’t realize they aren’t humans and a = mom to the sweetest boy. She is an avid reader and writer of romances and tends to write about athletes. Her husband works for an MLB team (not a player, lol) so she knows more about baseball than any human ever should.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 30, 2026
Thank you so much for the arc!
Noah and Em’s story brought me joy! We have yearning, friends to lovers, and found family. These two main characters work hard to make their dreams come true and the support they offer each other is top tier!
Noah is a professional athlete (yay football) who is grieving the loss of his sister while also raising her son (Miles is the sweetest little human). His parents are going against his sister’s wishes and trying to start a custody battle for their grandson, driving a wedge between them and their son.
Em is a sports fashion designer with the best dog (five stars for Sassy) and she is struggling to prove herself to her parents (and herself). But when she gets an amazing opportunity, her siblings (and the team)step in to help!
I gave this book 4 stars, I thought Noah was one of the sweetest men that I’ve ever read. I loved Em and Sassy’s connection with Miles, it was so genuine! I’m excited to read more books by this author. ☺️
Noah and Em’s story brought me joy! We have yearning, friends to lovers, and found family. These two main characters work hard to make their dreams come true and the support they offer each other is top tier!
Noah is a professional athlete (yay football) who is grieving the loss of his sister while also raising her son (Miles is the sweetest little human). His parents are going against his sister’s wishes and trying to start a custody battle for their grandson, driving a wedge between them and their son.
Em is a sports fashion designer with the best dog (five stars for Sassy) and she is struggling to prove herself to her parents (and herself). But when she gets an amazing opportunity, her siblings (and the team)step in to help!
I gave this book 4 stars, I thought Noah was one of the sweetest men that I’ve ever read. I loved Em and Sassy’s connection with Miles, it was so genuine! I’m excited to read more books by this author. ☺️
June 1, 2026
4 Stars for this Jaqueline Snowe Rampage book.
There was not much football in the book, it is a friends-to-lovers trope, which is one of my favorites. Both main characters suffer not living up to their parent’s expectations, but in spite of that, thrived with their chosen passion.
Sassy plays a main role as an emotional support dog for both Emily and Miles. The book is dedicated to Snowe’s dog who crossed the rainbow bridge this year. Emily is forever pushing up her glasses, which I believe is a nod to Snowe herself.
I love how much Noah wants to take care of Emily.
There was not much football in the book, it is a friends-to-lovers trope, which is one of my favorites. Both main characters suffer not living up to their parent’s expectations, but in spite of that, thrived with their chosen passion.
Sassy plays a main role as an emotional support dog for both Emily and Miles. The book is dedicated to Snowe’s dog who crossed the rainbow bridge this year. Emily is forever pushing up her glasses, which I believe is a nod to Snowe herself.
I love how much Noah wants to take care of Emily.
June 3, 2026
There is something about a romance built on years of friendship, quiet longing, and being each other’s safe place that always gets me.
Side Lined gave me exactly that.
Noah and Em’s story is filled with the kind of yearning that makes every interaction matter. The feelings are there from the start, lingering beneath conversations, shared history, and all the moments they spend supporting one another. It wasn’t dramatic or over-the-top. It was emotional, heartfelt, and incredibly easy to become invested in.
Noah completely won me over.
As a professional football player, he seems strong enough to handle anything life throws at him. But beneath that strength is a man grieving the loss of his sister while trying to honor her wishes and raise her son, Miles. Watching him navigate grief, parenthood, and an unexpected custody battle made his story incredibly emotional.
What hit me hardest was seeing how fiercely he loved Miles.
The custody battle creates tension not only within Noah’s life but also between him and his parents, who are challenging his sister’s wishes. Those family dynamics added an emotional depth that made the story feel bigger than just the romance.
And then there was Em.
Em is a sports fashion designer trying to prove herself—to her parents, to the people around her, and sometimes even to herself. I loved watching her chase opportunities and grow into her confidence. What made her stand out was that she wasn’t waiting for someone else to save her. She worked hard for her dreams, and the support system around her only made her stronger.
One of my favorite parts of the book was seeing how Noah and Em balanced each other. They felt like true partners. The kind of couple who make each other better simply by showing up when it matters most.
The found family elements were wonderful, the friendships felt genuine, and the emotional moments landed exactly where they needed to.
Most of all, I loved the hope woven throughout the story. Even during the difficult moments, there was always the feeling that these characters were building something worth fighting for.
Noah was the perfect MMC.
Em was the perfect person for him.
And together, they made this book impossible not to root for.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 5/5
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Jaqueline Snowe for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Side Lined gave me exactly that.
Noah and Em’s story is filled with the kind of yearning that makes every interaction matter. The feelings are there from the start, lingering beneath conversations, shared history, and all the moments they spend supporting one another. It wasn’t dramatic or over-the-top. It was emotional, heartfelt, and incredibly easy to become invested in.
Noah completely won me over.
As a professional football player, he seems strong enough to handle anything life throws at him. But beneath that strength is a man grieving the loss of his sister while trying to honor her wishes and raise her son, Miles. Watching him navigate grief, parenthood, and an unexpected custody battle made his story incredibly emotional.
What hit me hardest was seeing how fiercely he loved Miles.
The custody battle creates tension not only within Noah’s life but also between him and his parents, who are challenging his sister’s wishes. Those family dynamics added an emotional depth that made the story feel bigger than just the romance.
And then there was Em.
Em is a sports fashion designer trying to prove herself—to her parents, to the people around her, and sometimes even to herself. I loved watching her chase opportunities and grow into her confidence. What made her stand out was that she wasn’t waiting for someone else to save her. She worked hard for her dreams, and the support system around her only made her stronger.
One of my favorite parts of the book was seeing how Noah and Em balanced each other. They felt like true partners. The kind of couple who make each other better simply by showing up when it matters most.
The found family elements were wonderful, the friendships felt genuine, and the emotional moments landed exactly where they needed to.
Most of all, I loved the hope woven throughout the story. Even during the difficult moments, there was always the feeling that these characters were building something worth fighting for.
Noah was the perfect MMC.
Em was the perfect person for him.
And together, they made this book impossible not to root for.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 5/5
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Jaqueline Snowe for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 29, 2026
firstly thank you to LoveNotes PR and Jaqueline Snowe for allowing e to have this book and be an ARC reader!
NOAH AND EMMM!
i love a good friends to lovers trope and a “it’s always been you”. this book was so good ! kind of a slow burn but also a quick read. definitely a book to get you out of a reading slump.
i absolutely loved how trusting Noah and Em were with each other with all they’ve been through. Noah dealing with grief from his sister passing, taking in his nephew Miles who he loves like his own and his parents harassing him and threatening to take Miles from him because he’s playing in the NFL.
Em having to deal with her father not believing in the designs she comes up with and her passion for it. for her whole family thinking she is a child all over again after trauma happens
this book shows that dealing with grief or those that don’t believe in what you believe is hard but having that right person in your life can make it all the more better. found family has to be the best kind of family you can have when things in life are going wrong!
i can’t wait for everyone to read their story and see how loveable each character is!
NOAH AND EMMM!
i love a good friends to lovers trope and a “it’s always been you”. this book was so good ! kind of a slow burn but also a quick read. definitely a book to get you out of a reading slump.
i absolutely loved how trusting Noah and Em were with each other with all they’ve been through. Noah dealing with grief from his sister passing, taking in his nephew Miles who he loves like his own and his parents harassing him and threatening to take Miles from him because he’s playing in the NFL.
Em having to deal with her father not believing in the designs she comes up with and her passion for it. for her whole family thinking she is a child all over again after trauma happens
this book shows that dealing with grief or those that don’t believe in what you believe is hard but having that right person in your life can make it all the more better. found family has to be the best kind of family you can have when things in life are going wrong!
i can’t wait for everyone to read their story and see how loveable each character is!
June 8, 2026
this was so cute!! i loved it!!
June 5, 2026
Side Line Review 🪡🏈
I received an ARC of this book, so I want to thank Jacqueline Snowe and Love Notes PR for sending it to me.
I am loving these recent books where the hero falls first and harder for the heroine, and this story delivers exactly that with Noah and Em.
They met in college and became best friends—mostly because that’s what Em wanted. If it had been up to Noah, they would have been together from the very beginning. But he respected both her wishes and her relationship at the time, becoming the best friend she could have asked for. He was her shoulder to cry on, her study partner, and someone she could always count on. Then college ended, Noah was drafted, and they lost touch, until their college reunion.
It had been years since they had last seen each other, but for Noah, one look at Em was enough to realize that his feelings had never gone away. He promised to call her so they could catch up properly and see where things might lead.
But tragedy strikes Noah’s life, and suddenly he finds himself raising his five-year-old nephew, Miles. He never makes that phone call, but fate seems determined to give these two another chance, and before long, they find their way back to each other.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Em, Noah, and Miles. Em feels like she hasn’t accomplished anything meaningful with her life. Her father constantly tells her she needs to find a “real” job, making her doubt herself and her dreams. But with Noah’s support, and the encouragement of her siblings, she begins to see that fashion can be more than a hobby, it can be her future.
And Noah needs someone to remind him that he’s doing an amazing job raising Miles. That it’s okay to ask for help when he needs it. That he doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders alone.
I loved watching Noah finally get the girl he had been in love with for years, and I loved how Em showed him that while he may have loved her first, she was ready to love him just as fiercely in return.
These three (yes, I am absolutely including Miles because he is the sweetest) made this book such a joy to read.
A heartwarming friends to lovers story filled with family, second chances, and one very adorable little boy. An easy 4.5 ⭐️ read for me. 🪡🏈
I received an ARC of this book, so I want to thank Jacqueline Snowe and Love Notes PR for sending it to me.
I am loving these recent books where the hero falls first and harder for the heroine, and this story delivers exactly that with Noah and Em.
They met in college and became best friends—mostly because that’s what Em wanted. If it had been up to Noah, they would have been together from the very beginning. But he respected both her wishes and her relationship at the time, becoming the best friend she could have asked for. He was her shoulder to cry on, her study partner, and someone she could always count on. Then college ended, Noah was drafted, and they lost touch, until their college reunion.
It had been years since they had last seen each other, but for Noah, one look at Em was enough to realize that his feelings had never gone away. He promised to call her so they could catch up properly and see where things might lead.
But tragedy strikes Noah’s life, and suddenly he finds himself raising his five-year-old nephew, Miles. He never makes that phone call, but fate seems determined to give these two another chance, and before long, they find their way back to each other.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Em, Noah, and Miles. Em feels like she hasn’t accomplished anything meaningful with her life. Her father constantly tells her she needs to find a “real” job, making her doubt herself and her dreams. But with Noah’s support, and the encouragement of her siblings, she begins to see that fashion can be more than a hobby, it can be her future.
And Noah needs someone to remind him that he’s doing an amazing job raising Miles. That it’s okay to ask for help when he needs it. That he doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders alone.
I loved watching Noah finally get the girl he had been in love with for years, and I loved how Em showed him that while he may have loved her first, she was ready to love him just as fiercely in return.
These three (yes, I am absolutely including Miles because he is the sweetest) made this book such a joy to read.
A heartwarming friends to lovers story filled with family, second chances, and one very adorable little boy. An easy 4.5 ⭐️ read for me. 🪡🏈
June 3, 2026
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Thank you Love Notes PR and the author for an eARC. The below thoughts and honest review are my own.
Noah and Em have been friends for a long time. They lost touch for a bit, grew up (Noah's a professional football player and Em is a sports fashion designer), and reconnect at a reunion. Em and Noah have the best time and dare each other to put it all out there. Em makes a big decision for her career. Noah plans to tell her his true feelings. Unfortunately they get interrupted and life gets busy again. For Noah, life actually gets completely upended after his sister passes away and leaves him sole custody of her 5 year old son, Miles. Em's bold career move works out though as she starts working with the Noah's football team, so they luckily have an excuse to cross paths again and when disaster strikes for Em and her pup, Sassy, Noah swoops in to help. Now they're in a forced proximity situation and there's no place for their feelings to hide.
This was such a sweet friends-to-lovers romance. Noah and Em, while they had a little bit of a bumpy start trying to find their footing with each other (they definitely had to kind of re-feel each other out because Noah didn't want Em to apologize for imposing, but Em didn't want to accept Noah's help without also providing a service) they ended up getting into a good rhythm and better communication with each other once feelings were out in the open and they remembered how easy it was between them. I don't know if I've ever read a story where an aunt or uncle had custody of their sibling's child, so I thought that was really interesting. I would have loved to dive a little deeper into the sibling grief and other family dynamics at play. I was really impressed though in the author's knowledge or research into both careers, but Em's in particular. I know nothing about fashion design, but it sure is obvious Em (and therefore the author) does! I always appreciate that. I had not read the first book in this series (whoops) and that did not affect my read of this at all, which I appreciate. So I'm looking forward to going back now!
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Thank you Love Notes PR and the author for an eARC. The below thoughts and honest review are my own.
Noah and Em have been friends for a long time. They lost touch for a bit, grew up (Noah's a professional football player and Em is a sports fashion designer), and reconnect at a reunion. Em and Noah have the best time and dare each other to put it all out there. Em makes a big decision for her career. Noah plans to tell her his true feelings. Unfortunately they get interrupted and life gets busy again. For Noah, life actually gets completely upended after his sister passes away and leaves him sole custody of her 5 year old son, Miles. Em's bold career move works out though as she starts working with the Noah's football team, so they luckily have an excuse to cross paths again and when disaster strikes for Em and her pup, Sassy, Noah swoops in to help. Now they're in a forced proximity situation and there's no place for their feelings to hide.
This was such a sweet friends-to-lovers romance. Noah and Em, while they had a little bit of a bumpy start trying to find their footing with each other (they definitely had to kind of re-feel each other out because Noah didn't want Em to apologize for imposing, but Em didn't want to accept Noah's help without also providing a service) they ended up getting into a good rhythm and better communication with each other once feelings were out in the open and they remembered how easy it was between them. I don't know if I've ever read a story where an aunt or uncle had custody of their sibling's child, so I thought that was really interesting. I would have loved to dive a little deeper into the sibling grief and other family dynamics at play. I was really impressed though in the author's knowledge or research into both careers, but Em's in particular. I know nothing about fashion design, but it sure is obvious Em (and therefore the author) does! I always appreciate that. I had not read the first book in this series (whoops) and that did not affect my read of this at all, which I appreciate. So I'm looking forward to going back now!
June 9, 2026
Book: Side lined
Author: Jaqueline Snowe
My Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: Romance
Release date: May 19th, 2026
Tropes:
- Friends to lovers
- Roommates
- Second chances
- Always been her
My thoughts:
This was my first ARC in a long time and I loved it soo much 🤭 Noah and Em are sooo cute and they got me out of my reading slump! The writing was amazing, and I loved the character development 💖 I would totally recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the tropes mentioned! ✨
Blurb:
Noah Abbott is the Rampage’s unbreakable wall—big, quiet, protective. The man who keeps his team safe.
He’s also the man who never got over Emily Sanders—his college almost, his late-night laughter, the girl he wanted but never claimed.
When they reconnect at a Central State alumni event, the attraction is immediate. Familiar. Explosive. For the first time in years, Noah thinks he might get a second chance.
Then his sister dies and her will makes Noah guardian of her five-year-old son.
Now Noah is fighting on every front—grief, a custody battle, and a little boy who needs him more than the spotlight ever did. Emily refuses to walk away, especially when her design business lands a contract with the Rampage and forces them into close quarters.
He’s built to take hits. He’s not built to ask for help.
But Emily is all in…even when his walls are up, even when the court dates pile up, even when love feels like one more risk he can’t afford.
Because this time, Noah isn’t playing to win. He’s playing to keep his family.
And Em? She’s fighting to finally be chosen.
Author: Jaqueline Snowe
My Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: Romance
Release date: May 19th, 2026
Tropes:
- Friends to lovers
- Roommates
- Second chances
- Always been her
My thoughts:
This was my first ARC in a long time and I loved it soo much 🤭 Noah and Em are sooo cute and they got me out of my reading slump! The writing was amazing, and I loved the character development 💖 I would totally recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the tropes mentioned! ✨
Blurb:
Noah Abbott is the Rampage’s unbreakable wall—big, quiet, protective. The man who keeps his team safe.
He’s also the man who never got over Emily Sanders—his college almost, his late-night laughter, the girl he wanted but never claimed.
When they reconnect at a Central State alumni event, the attraction is immediate. Familiar. Explosive. For the first time in years, Noah thinks he might get a second chance.
Then his sister dies and her will makes Noah guardian of her five-year-old son.
Now Noah is fighting on every front—grief, a custody battle, and a little boy who needs him more than the spotlight ever did. Emily refuses to walk away, especially when her design business lands a contract with the Rampage and forces them into close quarters.
He’s built to take hits. He’s not built to ask for help.
But Emily is all in…even when his walls are up, even when the court dates pile up, even when love feels like one more risk he can’t afford.
Because this time, Noah isn’t playing to win. He’s playing to keep his family.
And Em? She’s fighting to finally be chosen.
June 7, 2026
I really enjoyed reading Side Line! I found the story of Noah and Emily to a perfect example of friends to lovers romances. Noah is a football player that is raising his sister’s son and is dealing with a custody battle. Emily is sports fashion designer that is trying to prove her parents and herself that she can do this. The chemistry between them is there from the start and only grows as feelings that have been hidden start to become known. They have a lot of things in common, especially when it comes to their parents. They are very supportive of each other and will do whatever it takes to help the other.
Other things I liked about this story was that it was written really well. It was told at a good pace and flowed well. It was easy to understand what was going on throughout the book. I love the found family aspect of the story. Noah and Emily’s friends are best and were there for them. There are some spicy scenes throughout the story. Those scenes were well written and not over the top or cheesy.
Overall Side Line is good friends to lover romance. Noah and Emily are both likable and relatable characters. You can’t help but root for Noah and Emily in everything they are dealing with. The story will have you hooked from the first page all the to the last page.
Other things I liked about this story was that it was written really well. It was told at a good pace and flowed well. It was easy to understand what was going on throughout the book. I love the found family aspect of the story. Noah and Emily’s friends are best and were there for them. There are some spicy scenes throughout the story. Those scenes were well written and not over the top or cheesy.
Overall Side Line is good friends to lover romance. Noah and Emily are both likable and relatable characters. You can’t help but root for Noah and Emily in everything they are dealing with. The story will have you hooked from the first page all the to the last page.
May 30, 2026
Thanks to love notes pr and the author for the arc <3
I’m always weak for stories where a character willingly takes on responsibility for someone they love, and this one delivered exactly that. Watching him show up, not because he had to but because he genuinely wanted to, made me fall for him so fast. He was caring, dependable, and so deeply devoted that I found myself smiling through most of the book.
One thing I really appreciated was how the author handled the emotional aspects of the story. There were plenty of heartfelt moments, but it never felt overly dramatic or emotionally exhausting. The balance between the sweeter scenes and the heavier topics was done really well, making it such an easy book to get lost in.
If I had one small complaint, it would be that I wanted a little more exploration of the family dynamics and past conflicts. I felt like there was room to dive deeper into some of the relationships and understand their history a bit better. Still, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story overall.
A sweet, emotional, and incredibly comforting read with a hero who would do absolutely anything for the people he loves. ❤️
I’m always weak for stories where a character willingly takes on responsibility for someone they love, and this one delivered exactly that. Watching him show up, not because he had to but because he genuinely wanted to, made me fall for him so fast. He was caring, dependable, and so deeply devoted that I found myself smiling through most of the book.
One thing I really appreciated was how the author handled the emotional aspects of the story. There were plenty of heartfelt moments, but it never felt overly dramatic or emotionally exhausting. The balance between the sweeter scenes and the heavier topics was done really well, making it such an easy book to get lost in.
If I had one small complaint, it would be that I wanted a little more exploration of the family dynamics and past conflicts. I felt like there was room to dive deeper into some of the relationships and understand their history a bit better. Still, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story overall.
A sweet, emotional, and incredibly comforting read with a hero who would do absolutely anything for the people he loves. ❤️
June 8, 2026
This book was so good! Jaqueline Snowe really did a fantastic job. The characters were layered, had great chemistry, the pace was good, and I couldn’t put it down.
Emily and Noah were best friends that had met in college only to fall out of touch. When fate has them reconnect, we find that Noah is going through the loss of his sister. On top of this, she wanted Noah to have custody of her son, Miles, and now his parents are challenging him for custody on the grounds that he is a football player in the NFL.
Emily meanwhile has become a sports fashion designer. However, her family does not support her career and feels she needs to be more serious. This doubt really takes a toll on her. However, she remains focused and shows her independent, driven nature throughout the book as she continues to persevere.
Emily and Nosh together provide a great balance for each other. It is such a nice thing to read how well they compliment each other.
Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
Single Dad
Sports Fashion Designer x Football Player
Found Family
He Falls First
Thanks to Jaqueline Snowe and Love Notes PR for the ARC!!!
Emily and Noah were best friends that had met in college only to fall out of touch. When fate has them reconnect, we find that Noah is going through the loss of his sister. On top of this, she wanted Noah to have custody of her son, Miles, and now his parents are challenging him for custody on the grounds that he is a football player in the NFL.
Emily meanwhile has become a sports fashion designer. However, her family does not support her career and feels she needs to be more serious. This doubt really takes a toll on her. However, she remains focused and shows her independent, driven nature throughout the book as she continues to persevere.
Emily and Nosh together provide a great balance for each other. It is such a nice thing to read how well they compliment each other.
Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
Single Dad
Sports Fashion Designer x Football Player
Found Family
He Falls First
Thanks to Jaqueline Snowe and Love Notes PR for the ARC!!!
June 17, 2026
Side Lined by Jacqueline Snow is the kind of romance that closes with you feeling genuinely hopeful. Like a love that’s meant to be will always find its way back.
Noah and Em were college friends who lost touch, carrying quiet feelings for each other they never quite said out loud. Years later, when Em lands a job designing clothing for Noah’s NFL team, those buried feelings resurface with a lot of tension and even more longing. Then her apartment floods, and Noah does what he does best, he shows up, scoops up Em and her pup Sassy, and brings them home.
What makes this one linger is the yearning. These two love each other so completely and so silently for so long that when they finally open up, it genuinely feels earned. Without giving away spoilers they each carry their own baggage. Reading about them learning to lean on each other, choosing each other as a team, is the quiet heart of this book.
If you’re a reader of friends to lovers, second chance, roommates, workplace romance, football romance, or just two people who are so obviously meant to be together it’s almost painful then this one’s for you! I finished it feeling hopeful and optimistic, which is honestly exactly what I needed.
Noah and Em were college friends who lost touch, carrying quiet feelings for each other they never quite said out loud. Years later, when Em lands a job designing clothing for Noah’s NFL team, those buried feelings resurface with a lot of tension and even more longing. Then her apartment floods, and Noah does what he does best, he shows up, scoops up Em and her pup Sassy, and brings them home.
What makes this one linger is the yearning. These two love each other so completely and so silently for so long that when they finally open up, it genuinely feels earned. Without giving away spoilers they each carry their own baggage. Reading about them learning to lean on each other, choosing each other as a team, is the quiet heart of this book.
If you’re a reader of friends to lovers, second chance, roommates, workplace romance, football romance, or just two people who are so obviously meant to be together it’s almost painful then this one’s for you! I finished it feeling hopeful and optimistic, which is honestly exactly what I needed.
May 24, 2026
Sidelined was honestly so freaking cute. I’m such a sucker for a man who steps up for a child in any capacity …sibling custody, found family, surprise responsibility, all of it gets me every single time. And the way he was so completely down bad? Showing up for everyone around him without hesitation? Ugh. Inject it directly into my veins.
Jacqueline Snow does such a good job balancing the emotional depth without making the story feel heavy or overwhelming. The emotional moments hit exactly where they needed to, but the book still felt comforting and easy to sink into.
My only real wish was that we got a little more payoff when it came to the parents and the family conflict. I wanted a deeper understanding of how their upbringing shaped them and why the lack of access became such a defining issue. I feel like there was just a tiny bit more emotional depth there that could’ve been explored.
But overall? Such a heartfelt, swoony read with a man who would move mountains for the people he loves. 4.5 stars.
Jacqueline Snow does such a good job balancing the emotional depth without making the story feel heavy or overwhelming. The emotional moments hit exactly where they needed to, but the book still felt comforting and easy to sink into.
My only real wish was that we got a little more payoff when it came to the parents and the family conflict. I wanted a deeper understanding of how their upbringing shaped them and why the lack of access became such a defining issue. I feel like there was just a tiny bit more emotional depth there that could’ve been explored.
But overall? Such a heartfelt, swoony read with a man who would move mountains for the people he loves. 4.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2026
Sidelined was such a sweet and enjoyable football romance! I loved the chemistry between the main characters and how their relationship developed naturally throughout the story. The banter was fun, the emotional moments hit just right, and I found myself rooting for them from the beginning.
One of my favorite parts was the supportive dynamic between the characters and the way they helped each other grow. The football setting added a nice layer to the story without overshadowing the romance, and the adorable dog was definitely a bonus!
The reason this wasn’t a full 5-star read for me was that some parts felt a little predictable, and I would have loved a bit more depth in a few of the emotional conflicts. Still, it was a heartwarming, feel-good romance that kept me engaged and left me smiling by the end.
If you’re looking for a sweet sports romance with lovable characters, great chemistry, and plenty of heart, Sidelined is definitely worth picking up! 🏈💕📚
Thank you to Love Notes for this eARC
One of my favorite parts was the supportive dynamic between the characters and the way they helped each other grow. The football setting added a nice layer to the story without overshadowing the romance, and the adorable dog was definitely a bonus!
The reason this wasn’t a full 5-star read for me was that some parts felt a little predictable, and I would have loved a bit more depth in a few of the emotional conflicts. Still, it was a heartwarming, feel-good romance that kept me engaged and left me smiling by the end.
If you’re looking for a sweet sports romance with lovable characters, great chemistry, and plenty of heart, Sidelined is definitely worth picking up! 🏈💕📚
Thank you to Love Notes for this eARC
June 7, 2026
4.5⭐️2.5🌶 2.5😭
This is a slow burn, but it was done so well! These two have so much history that it was truly wonderful to see their story unfold. Noah is, and always has been, incredibly attentive to Emily, knowing her in ways that few others do. Emily, who has spent so much of her life feeling overlooked, unimportant, and not good enough, is so deserving of someone like Noah.
Em and Noah have a way of saving each other and making the best out of every situation. The character development was top-notch, and watching both of them grow into better versions of themselves was incredibly rewarding.
The little family they built along the way completely stole my heart. I found myself putting off my to-do list just so I could spend a little more time with sweet Miles. He is such a precious little boy and added so much warmth and heart to the story.
This is a slow burn, but it was done so well! These two have so much history that it was truly wonderful to see their story unfold. Noah is, and always has been, incredibly attentive to Emily, knowing her in ways that few others do. Emily, who has spent so much of her life feeling overlooked, unimportant, and not good enough, is so deserving of someone like Noah.
Em and Noah have a way of saving each other and making the best out of every situation. The character development was top-notch, and watching both of them grow into better versions of themselves was incredibly rewarding.
The little family they built along the way completely stole my heart. I found myself putting off my to-do list just so I could spend a little more time with sweet Miles. He is such a precious little boy and added so much warmth and heart to the story.
June 7, 2026
Noah's story broke my heart losing his sister so suddenly and then having to look after Miles (the most adorable kid) his nephew. Noah is also a football player so he has a lot on his plate but his parent's trying to go against his sisters wishes and take custody of Miles really got me mardy because when you read this story Noah quite clearly had Miles best interest.
Enter Em someone who has known Noah for a long time but they haven't reconnected till recently. She is a fashion designer trying to make a living, she designs sports fashion. But she is constantly questioned and made to feel that work is not enough ( parents where not good in this)
But when a disaster makes it so she has no where to live she ends up staying with Noah and Miles.... can they continue to be just friends.
How that made supports her omg i was obsessed.
Enter Em someone who has known Noah for a long time but they haven't reconnected till recently. She is a fashion designer trying to make a living, she designs sports fashion. But she is constantly questioned and made to feel that work is not enough ( parents where not good in this)
But when a disaster makes it so she has no where to live she ends up staying with Noah and Miles.... can they continue to be just friends.
How that made supports her omg i was obsessed.
May 25, 2026
This story just brought me so much joy. Noah and Emily are one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever read.
Noah’s life as a professional football player was upended when his sister passes away, making him the sole guardian of his little nephew, Miles. I loved everything about Noah. Miles was his priority but he still showed up for Emily in big ways.
Emily was on the cusp of launching her design business when she reconnects with Noah. She brought the sunshine back into Noah’s (and Miles’) life. Together, they learned some hard lessons. One of my favorite things about them was their healthy communication. It was very refreshing to see them openly talk about their feelings. This book was another perfect addition to this series!
Noah’s life as a professional football player was upended when his sister passes away, making him the sole guardian of his little nephew, Miles. I loved everything about Noah. Miles was his priority but he still showed up for Emily in big ways.
Emily was on the cusp of launching her design business when she reconnects with Noah. She brought the sunshine back into Noah’s (and Miles’) life. Together, they learned some hard lessons. One of my favorite things about them was their healthy communication. It was very refreshing to see them openly talk about their feelings. This book was another perfect addition to this series!
May 30, 2026
I’ll say what I always say about Jaqueline Snowe, if she writes it I will read it!! Love Notes PR gave me a chance to get this book as an ARC, and I was beyond excited because I loved the first book in this series.
This was a super sweet story in a “it’s always been you” kinda way. It’s got all of my favorite tropes; second chance, workplace, friends to lovers, found family, roommates to lovers, sports romance. Both the FMC (Em) and MMC (Noah) are dealing with their own type of grief (one a loss of a loved one, the other struggling with family trauma) and learn how to manage it together all while falling in love. Watching the relationship grow between Sassy (the goodest girl!!) and sweet Miles might have been my favorite part.
This was a super sweet story in a “it’s always been you” kinda way. It’s got all of my favorite tropes; second chance, workplace, friends to lovers, found family, roommates to lovers, sports romance. Both the FMC (Em) and MMC (Noah) are dealing with their own type of grief (one a loss of a loved one, the other struggling with family trauma) and learn how to manage it together all while falling in love. Watching the relationship grow between Sassy (the goodest girl!!) and sweet Miles might have been my favorite part.
June 6, 2026
Screaming and kicking my feet, this is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I’m so grateful to the author and Love Notes PR for the opportunity.
Deep. Intense. Yearning. Friends to lovers, sports romance, unrequited love, forced proximity, sort of.
College buddies. Noah is big, strong, and has always been head over heels in love with his friend Emily, but she has been too caught up in her own life to ever see it.
When they reunite, they share one night full of laughter and nostalgia, promising to see each other again then tragedy strikes.
I hope this book goes far and wide. It’s such an amazing, well written story. I am hardly ever impressed by MMCs, but Noah Abbott, the man that you are. I love his emotional intelligence, the way he gives Emily his full attention and basically pledges his life to her. He wants her with every fiber of his being and we as readers can feel every bit of it.
It was so nice to see Emily who was battling with so many self esteem issues get such a deep and pure love inspite of everything her growth was refreshing to read.
They both deal with toxic and difficult family members, but they overcome it all.
Thank you so much, Jaqueline Snowe, for the gift of this story, and thank you to Love Notes PR. 🤍
June 1, 2026
Side Lined
Jaqueline Snowe
June 1, 2026
4 stars
Side Lined is about Noah who steps up to take care of his nephew Miles when his sister dies all while playing in the NFL. Enter Em who is an aspiring designer trying to kickstart her career. Both were best friends in college and now meet again at an alumni event. Noah and Em are both dealing with family drama in their lives. As they connect they form their bond again with her living with him. Will Em and Noah form something more than friendship?
I loved the trope friends to lovers. Both characters were written so well. The bond between Miles and Noah was perfect. I also loved what Em and Noah brought out in each other. Side Lined is for anyone who likes found family and friends to lovers.
Jaqueline Snowe
June 1, 2026
4 stars
Side Lined is about Noah who steps up to take care of his nephew Miles when his sister dies all while playing in the NFL. Enter Em who is an aspiring designer trying to kickstart her career. Both were best friends in college and now meet again at an alumni event. Noah and Em are both dealing with family drama in their lives. As they connect they form their bond again with her living with him. Will Em and Noah form something more than friendship?
I loved the trope friends to lovers. Both characters were written so well. The bond between Miles and Noah was perfect. I also loved what Em and Noah brought out in each other. Side Lined is for anyone who likes found family and friends to lovers.
June 1, 2026
Side Lined by Jaqueline Snowe is a captivating sports romance that delivers the perfect balance of emotional depth, electrifying chemistry, and heartfelt character growth. As the second book in the Rampage Football series, we get to meet the MMC Noah Abbott, the Rampage’s unbreakable wall and the FMC Emily Sanders, the one who got away. I really enjoyed how the main characters chemistry felt natural so that the slow-building romance created plenty of tension and anticipation before reaching a satisfying payoff. Overall, Side Lined is a heartfelt and entertaining read that showcases Jaqueline Snowe's talent for crafting compelling sports romances.
I received an ARC copy from Love Notes PR. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
I received an ARC copy from Love Notes PR. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
June 4, 2026
Thank you to LoveNotes PR for my copy of this book though I did buy the paperback.
Five stars for this friends to lovers romance that you won’t want to put down. I love everything that Snowe writes and this one was so good!
Noah and Em had been the best of friends and then they lost touch for a while. When Em starts working for the Rampage her Noah reconnect. Noah is going through some family stuff as he has custody of his nephew, Miles. When Noah needs some help Em helps them out and we get to watch as these three become a little family. We have all the emotions running though this book. I laughed, I cried, and I really rooted for this family to make it. And they do. They get their happily ever after. Highly recommended.
Five stars for this friends to lovers romance that you won’t want to put down. I love everything that Snowe writes and this one was so good!
Noah and Em had been the best of friends and then they lost touch for a while. When Em starts working for the Rampage her Noah reconnect. Noah is going through some family stuff as he has custody of his nephew, Miles. When Noah needs some help Em helps them out and we get to watch as these three become a little family. We have all the emotions running though this book. I laughed, I cried, and I really rooted for this family to make it. And they do. They get their happily ever after. Highly recommended.
June 9, 2026
Five ⭐️
Noah and Emily what a great read. It was an emotional,heartfelt book that had me invested from the beginning to the end. The rollercoaster of emotions that I felt. The connection, the yearning the feelings they felt from the beginning that just got stronger when they saw each other again.Emily and Noah’s shared history the way they support each other is just top tier. Noah grieving his sister while honoring her wishes of raising her son Miles a custody battle . Emily chasing her dreams while being there for Noah and Miles .Noah being there for her. They balance each other so well. I absolutely loved this book! Received as an Arc read and these are my honest opinions. Highly recommend reading this book!
Noah and Emily what a great read. It was an emotional,heartfelt book that had me invested from the beginning to the end. The rollercoaster of emotions that I felt. The connection, the yearning the feelings they felt from the beginning that just got stronger when they saw each other again.Emily and Noah’s shared history the way they support each other is just top tier. Noah grieving his sister while honoring her wishes of raising her son Miles a custody battle . Emily chasing her dreams while being there for Noah and Miles .Noah being there for her. They balance each other so well. I absolutely loved this book! Received as an Arc read and these are my honest opinions. Highly recommend reading this book!
May 27, 2026
I received this book as an ARC, and I'm leaving an honest review voluntarily.
This book had everything! I didn't want the story to end.
Noah was such a well written character. He was loyal, caring, loving, dedicated, supportive, and steady. Swoon worthy moments from him...the man can lean on a door frame, apparently! Wowza!
Em - I really loved her growth and her gained strength as the story went on. She was perfect for Noah and Miles, as was her dog Sassy! Sassy was such a loving presence in the story.
This book will be a re-read for me for sure!!! I don't re-read books often, but this will be one I return to. It's that good!
This book had everything! I didn't want the story to end.
Noah was such a well written character. He was loyal, caring, loving, dedicated, supportive, and steady. Swoon worthy moments from him...the man can lean on a door frame, apparently! Wowza!
Em - I really loved her growth and her gained strength as the story went on. She was perfect for Noah and Miles, as was her dog Sassy! Sassy was such a loving presence in the story.
This book will be a re-read for me for sure!!! I don't re-read books often, but this will be one I return to. It's that good!
June 7, 2026
This friends-to-lovers sports romance is a heartwarming, slow-burn read. It follows Noah, an NFL player suddenly raising his five-year-old nephew after a family tragedy, and Em, a budding entrepreneur battling imposter syndrome. When a flood destroys Em's apartment, Noah takes her in, shifting their years-long college crush into a forced-proximity romance. Noah is the ultimate "green flag"—constantly supporting Em's new business and remembering the little things while she cares for everyone around her. After years of missed connections, the emotional payoff of seeing them finally get together and build a life is incredibly satisfying.
May 26, 2026
You won me over at Sassy 🥹 she was such a great girl in this story. But Noah and Emily were close seconds 😉 Noah being a football player put his career on hold to become the guardian of his nephew after his sister passed. That was the ultimate love for me. And he always showed up. No matter who or when, he was always there. Especially for Emily. His love for her was everything. He was so supportive and caring. Seeing these two connect was the absolute best. I really enjoyed reading this story. It was beautiful and so heartfelt.
June 2, 2026
Noah is officially one of my book boyfriends!!! He's swoony AF. I'm in love lol! I'm honestly swooning over this book like an idiot. I loved Noah & Em, their relationship, their banter, the awkwardness. I loved it all. Noah has always been attracted to Em but something happened that drifted them apart. Now, time later, there are feelings, unresolved issues, family drama and a lot of attraction. I just loved their friendship and how that friendship grew alongside their relationship.
And THE PROPOSAL!!!! OMG.. This book will live rent free in my head for a while. Read this story!!
And THE PROPOSAL!!!! OMG.. This book will live rent free in my head for a while. Read this story!!
May 28, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. It has everything I look for in a great romance. We follow Emily, who is still trying to figure out her life, and Noah, a football player who has custody of his nephew, Miles. Their story is heartfelt, engaging, and impossible to put down.
Jacqueline Snowe delivers a wonderful romance, and I honestly wanted even more from this couple by the end.
Thank you to Lovenotes.pr for the eARC!
Jacqueline Snowe delivers a wonderful romance, and I honestly wanted even more from this couple by the end.
Thank you to Lovenotes.pr for the eARC!
May 31, 2026
Thanks to Love Notes PR and Jaqueline Snowe for the ARC.
This is my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised, especially since it’s the 2nd book of the series. I am fond of a multi-verse stand-alone series so will definitely have to go back and read the first book of the Rampage football series.
I enjoyed the story and the touches of grief throughout was dealt with nicely, it really showed how different people deal with death of a family member.
This is my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised, especially since it’s the 2nd book of the series. I am fond of a multi-verse stand-alone series so will definitely have to go back and read the first book of the Rampage football series.
I enjoyed the story and the touches of grief throughout was dealt with nicely, it really showed how different people deal with death of a family member.
June 8, 2026
Received as ARC.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS STORY.
Em and Noah have such a fun story. I love the interwoven past and present and how it all comes together.
Noah faced an immense loss and Em balances some hard feelings of not being good enough. Together they heal each other and make it right.
All the characters are great, the banter is great, this was definitely a kick my feet and giggle while reading book.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS STORY.
Em and Noah have such a fun story. I love the interwoven past and present and how it all comes together.
Noah faced an immense loss and Em balances some hard feelings of not being good enough. Together they heal each other and make it right.
All the characters are great, the banter is great, this was definitely a kick my feet and giggle while reading book.
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