The Comeback Plan

by S Jones

Rule number one of being a sports journalist. Never get too close to the players.

Rule number two. Oops, too late.

Nate Sandler is the franchise quarterback for the Harbor Bay Hawks. He is confident, infuriating, and way too charming for his own good.

I’ve made it my job to ask tough questions, while he’s built a reputation of dodging them. Every time we are in the same room, the interviews turn into verbal sparring matches.

Especially when he makes a point to call me sweetheart in front of my peers. I should hate it. Instead, my pulse spikes for all the wrong reasons.

To top it all off, my boss assigns me to an exclusive interview with the same man who hates the press as much as he does losing. For the sake of my career, I can’t exactly turn it down. How hard can it be? It’s only a few weeks after all.

Well, the joke is on me because this isn’t as simple as I thought.

Not when every smirk feels like a challenge and every touch feels like a dare. Instead of keeping things professional, I’m breaking every rule and boundary I set for myself.

Now the closer I get, the more I realize Nate is not the man I thought he was. And that’s a problem, because I’m falling for the one man who could derail my career with a single headline.

If I’m not careful, the story I’ve been chasing might not just cost me my career, but my heart too.

The Comeback Plan is a sports romance featuring a confident quarterback and a feisty reporter, that’s packed with all the tension and heat you can handle with guaranteed happily ever after.

Genres: Football, Sports Romance, Contemporary, Workplace Romance, Romance, Forbidden Romance, Forced Proximity

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2026

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75🌟, 3🌶️

I love a good sports romance, and this one absolutely delivered.

Nate and Becca completely drew me in with their effortless banter, undeniable chemistry, and dual POV. Becca’s determination as a sports journalist and Nate’s more guarded personality balanced each other so well, and I loved watching them slowly break down each other’s walls.

The best part for me was watching Nate and Becca’s relationship unfold so naturally. The workplace tension, forced proximity, and forbidden element kept things interesting, but it was the trust, communication, and emotional connection between Nate and Becca that made me so invested. Nate had far more depth than I expected, and I loved seeing Becca bring out that softer side of him while staying true to herself.

This was such a fun, feel-good read that left me smiling long after I finished. It had the perfect mix of romance, humor, emotion, and spice, and I couldn’t get enough of Nate and Becca.

This left me excited to see what the rest of the series has in store.

~~~~

Huge thank you to S. Jones and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Kristel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers free review 🫶🏻 | 4.75 🌟

I actually enjoyed this book a lot! When I read the blurb I got excited because I love sports romances, but the truth is that nothing could prepare me for The Comeback Plan.

I loved that it gave me a plot, romance, emotions that I didn't think it would give me, it's double pov so that hooked me even more! I must say that it is a very complete book and the truth is that it left the story so well written, that I already want to read the second book!

A highlight for my dear reader friends, there is no third act breakup and I know that many of us love that! The communication that develops between the main characters is being built through the story and that, really, is too beautiful to read <3

All the time while reading, I thought of The Alchemy by Taylor Swift as their song hahaha I don't know if it crossed the author's mind, but definitely, “who are they to deny the alchemy?” 🏈💘

Many thanks to Luna Literacy and the author, S. Jones for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion!

[lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC READ***

S. Jones always writes amazing sports romances! I’ve been a big fan for a while and was so grateful she reached out to me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Nate and Becca were just cute as a button! Becca becoming everything Nate didn’t know he wanted but everything he needed. She was there for him at the most important time and challenged him to be better. Nate would’ve given up his career if it meant saving Becca’s. His love for her had no bounds. If you’re looking for a cute sports romance… this book is exactly what you are looking for!!

[Ananya]

The story had potential but the writing was kind of boring.
RTC

[Haleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great communication for once. Actual adults that act like adults (mostly) Butttttttt the writing fell flat. They developed "deep" feelings after......2 interviews? Nah. It just moved way too fast and got into the "I love you" way too quickly. There's potential, but the pacing just made it completely unbelievable. The conflict at the end didn't even make it more interesting and didn't feel that serious. All in all just boring.

[Meesh Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun. I love a good sports romance, and having the FMC being the sports reporter for the team was such a fun spin!

Becca was such a strong female lead, but I loved the insights to her softer side. She was funny and witty and the banter with her and Nate was hilarious.

Nate, the seemingly boring killjoy QB, was so much fun to read. I loved watching him grow into the person he was always meant to be, and learning more about his past.

Their story was fun, easy, and the FINALLY moment when they got together was perfect.

This is absolutely what I would call a perfect summer read!

[Lindsay Wolocki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint!!! It’s always the best day when a S. Jones book comes out and I was soooo grateful to be able to read it early!!! I couldn’t put it down! The banter. The chemistry. Sports romance do I have to say more?! I truly loved Becca’s character. I think she is a true representation of what women are going through in a male dominated workplace she was tough and strong didn’t back down but you also got to see some of her softer sides. I loved this book. I loved Nate. If you love a good sports romance do yourself a favor and pick this up!

[Makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, but not great. Definitely a lot of potential to progress throughout the series though. The mcs were both likeable.

I was expecting more of an enimies to lovers situation, but I never got that vibe at all. It was more of just a dislike to like, and the relationship moved really fast and wasn't much of a secret so the tropes that pulled me in mostly fell flat. The drama towards the end kinda felt unnecessary as well, but overall still an enjoyable read.

Thank you to The Author Agency for gifting me an e-arc!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good story about a forbidden relationship between a football player and reporter. Nate and Becca had tension since the first chapter in this story. I really enjoyed how they developed their relationship and didn’t let anything get in the way once they realized they were all in. We get romance, spice, family, friendships, and a great plot that didn’t involve them breaking up in the 3rd act! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. 4 stars!

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏈📰 When the Story You're Chasing Becomes Your Love Story 📰🏈
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️

I love a good sports romance, and The Comeback Plan absolutely delivered! Give me a confident quarterback, a feisty sports journalist who isn't afraid to challenge him, forced proximity, forbidden attraction, and banter from the very first chapter, and I'm going to have a good time. 😂

Becca is exactly the kind of FMC I enjoy reading about. She's smart, determined, confident, and serious about proving that she belongs in sports journalism because of her talent, not because of how she looks or who she knows. I really appreciated seeing some of the challenges she faces as a woman working in a male-dominated industry and how unwilling she is to make herself smaller just to make other people comfortable.

Then she's assigned an exclusive interview with Nate Sandler.

Nate is the franchise quarterback for the Harbor Bay Hawks, and after a devastating Super Bowl loss, he isn't exactly eager to open himself up to the media. Becca also happens to be the reporter who isn't afraid to ask the questions he'd rather avoid. Naturally, Nate handles this by smirking, dodging her questions, and calling her "sweetheart" because he knows exactly how much it gets under her skin. 😏

Their verbal sparring was one of my favorite parts of the book. Neither one backs down, and that tension is there almost immediately. But what I enjoyed even more was watching their relationship evolve once they were forced to spend real time together. Slowly, Becca begins seeing Nate rather than the quarterback persona she's accustomed to interviewing, and Nate starts trusting her enough to let her see the parts of himself he normally keeps away from the press.

There was so much more to Nate than I initially expected. His confidence and charm are definitely there, but he's also guarded, loyal, supportive, and incredibly close to his family. I especially loved his relationship with his sister Callie. Seeing their bond gave us such a different glimpse of Nate and added a lot of heart to his character.

And I really liked Nate and Becca together. ❤️

Yes, their chemistry is fantastic, but their relationship isn't built entirely around attraction. They communicate. They trust each other. They support each other's goals. And when their relationship starts creating very real complications for Becca's career, Nate understands what's at stake for her rather than dismissing it.

Also, can we please appreciate a romance where the couple doesn't suddenly implode in the third act simply because we've reached that point in the book? 🙌 Once these two realized they wanted each other, I loved watching them face the problems surrounding their relationship together instead of creating unnecessary drama between them.

The dual POV worked really well too because Nate and Becca initially have such different perceptions of one another. Getting inside both of their heads made watching those assumptions change even more fun.

The Comeback Plan gave me football, humor, family, friendships, forbidden romance, great banter, plenty of chemistry, and two people who discover there's much more behind their first impressions of each other. I had such a fun time with Nate and Becca, and the Harbor Bay Hawks already feel like a team I'm going to enjoy spending more time with.

I'm definitely ready to see whose story comes next! 🏈

Thank you so much to S. Jones and The Author Agency for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[My Used Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading sports romances, and The Comeback Plan by S. Jones reminded me exactly why. This was my most recent read, and it earned 4.5 out of 5 stars from me.

The first book in the Harbor Bay Hawks series follows Becca and Nate. Becca is a sports reporter who isn't afraid to ask the tough questions, a quality that lands her the opportunity to interview Nate, the Harbor Bay Hawks' star quarterback. After a devastating Super Bowl loss that may or may not have been partly his fault, Nate spends the offseason trying to rebuild his life and keep a lower profile. That plan becomes much more difficult when he finds himself drawn to the sports reporter assigned to interview him.

This book had everything I look for in a sports romance. The banter was fun, the chemistry between Becca and Nate was easy to root for, and the Harbor Bay Hawks quickly became a team I can't wait to read more about.

One of my favorite aspects of the story was Becca's career. I appreciated how the author highlighted some of the obstacles women still face in male-dominated fields, especially the expectation that they should focus more on their appearance than their abilities. Becca never backed down from proving she belonged, and I loved watching her excel in her career while staying true to herself.

I also really enjoyed Nate's family dynamic. So many romances feature strained family relationships, so it was refreshing to see a family that genuinely loved and supported one another. I especially loved Nate's relationship with his hearing-impaired sister, Callie. Their bond added so much heart to the story and was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Nate was another reason this book earned 4.5 stars from me. He was the perfect balance of confident quarterback and genuinely supportive partner. The moment his own problems began affecting Becca, he didn't hesitate to put her first. That spoke volumes about how much she meant to him, and it made it impossible not to root for their relationship.

Overall, this was an easy 4.5-star read. If you enjoy sports romances with witty banter, a strong and career-driven heroine, supportive family relationships, and a hero who always puts the woman he loves first, I highly recommend adding The Comeback Plan to your TBR.

Thank you to S. Jones and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I can't wait to continue the Harbor Bay Hawks series!

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH 😭❤️ Nate and Becca had me completely hooked from the start and I swear I could have read about these two forever. The banter, the tension, the flirting, the arguing, the way they were constantly pushing each other’s buttons… I WAS OBSESSED.

Becca is exactly the kind of heroine I love. She’s feisty, smart, confident and absolutely not afraid to give Nate a run for his money. And Nate??? THIS MAN. 😩 The confidence, the charm, the smug little attitude and the way he kept calling her sweetheart knowing damn well it got under her skin!!! I was screaming. 😂

I loved how their relationship started with all this verbal sparring and neither of them willing to back down, and then slowly turned into something so much deeper. Every interaction felt loaded and I was just waiting for one of them to finally crack. The chemistry between them was 🔥🔥🔥 and the closer they got, the more I was completely invested.

And I REALLY loved getting to see the man behind the quarterback persona. Nate could have so easily been written as just the cocky, charming sports hero, but there was so much more to him. Watching Becca discover those different sides of him while Nate started letting her in was probably one of my favourite parts.

The sports journalist + professional athlete setup was EVERYTHING. The whole “this is against the rules” situation had me hooked because obviously the rules were never going to survive these two being around each other. 😂 The forced proximity, the exclusive interviews, the career complications, the attraction they were desperately trying to ignore… GIVE ME ALL OF IT.

And Becca and Nate together??? I just adored them. Their banter had me laughing, their chemistry had me fanning myself, and their softer moments had my heart doing ridiculous little flips. 🥹❤️

S. Jones absolutely nailed the fun, flirty, spicy sports romance vibes with this one. It had everything I wanted: a confident quarterback, a feisty heroine, workplace forbidden romance, incredible chemistry, banter for DAYS, emotional depth and a guaranteed HEA that left me ridiculously happy.

NATE AND BECCA HAVE MY WHOLE HEART. 🥹🏈❤️

Absolutely LOVED this one and I am very much ready to immediately go back and reread all my favourite Nate and Becca moments because apparently I’m not ready to let them go yet. 😂

[Shanice Rouhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I would rate this story 4⭐

This story followed Nate, a star Quarterback for the Harbor Bay Hawks and Becca, a female reporter who is trying to make a name for herself in a male dominated industry. Becca is given an assignment to write an article on Nate and his personal life. Nate is known for being a notoriously private person, so Becca is surprised when he agrees easily to let her interview him. Throughout the process of the two of them spending one-on-one time with each other, they both start to develop feelings. From there they navigate how to be together and attempt to limit the effect it could have on their, most Becca’s, careers.

Becca was a very headstrong and self-assured individual that knew how to handle herself within her world where men saw women as less than and not as well respected. I loved that she knew how to handle her colleagues and could see their game from a mile away. She knew when to push the limits and was very good at her job. She handled her relationship development with Nate in the best and most mature way, and it showed when the fall out could have been a lot worse if she had not handled it the way she did right from the beginning.

Nate was an interesting character. He was almost a self-inflicted recluse from the situation he had created for himself. His ex-girlfriend was not great and all I could think when we first met her was, “wow, the audacity”. Nate’s relationship with his teammates was so good and they balanced his somewhat grumpy nature out with their antics. I liked that when it came down to it, he was able to admit and accept help with the crappy situation he was in, it takes a lot to swallow your pride and admit you are in over your head.

I really liked this story. It was refreshing to read a book that had drama, but the main characters worked through it together instead of against one another. There was no third act break up! YES! This was probably the thing I loved most about the story, because both characters had been so communicative to one another and didn’t hold back, they were able to rally together, and once they brought their friends into the circle, they created a group that were able to have each other’s backs, use their resources at their disposal and tackle (pun intended) the issue together.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Comeback Plan is the first book in the Harbor Bay Hawks football series featuring Nate Sandler- the generally quiet and private quarterback for the Hawks and Becca Hendrix- the sports reporter with a reputation for not holding back.

3.5 ⭐

I genuinely liked these characters- I thought that they had a good chemistry even if neither one of them wanted to admit to it at first. Nate's attraction to Becca allowed for her to get under his skin and made him agree to doing a more personal article than he would have usually agreed to, while Becca hated her attraction to Nate because of the kind of implications it would have on her article and career.

There is so much that this book had going for it- beyond the MC's I really enjoyed Nate's two best friends/teammates as well as Becca's best friend. It was definitely set up so that I am invested in these other characters and can't wait for their HEA to come later in the series. I loved that there was a little intrigue set up in the story- it takes a while before we kind of get to dig into Nate's past and these complicated past relationships that seem to kind of keep popping up to cause stress and drama now.

But the thing that I'm left with most is that I felt like there was just so much missed potential. One of the biggest issues for me was the timing. The bulk of this story takes place over the course of a month and while yes Nate and Becca are spending a lot of one on one time together, these two never really move past surface level- or if they do, it must take place off page. For these two to have developed these crazy feelings for one another after just a couple hours of this interview- it just didn't make sense. Now I know- Jenn, this is a fictional romance... - yes it is and while I'm not always a huge stickler for timelines when the story completely captivates me, I struggled here. There were also some moments that didn't quite add up or characters that appeared and disappeared just as quickly after adding some nugget of misplaced drama.

Like I said before, this book was alright, enjoyable but had so much more potential.

[Page Escapes by J · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing I love more than a romance where the chemistry is obvious from the very first interaction, and The Comeback Plan absolutely delivers.

The sports journalist/player dynamic is one of my favorite tropes, and this book made the most of it. Every interview between Nate and the heroine felt like a battle of wits, packed with sarcasm, playful teasing, and enough unresolved tension to make me grin. Watching their verbal sparring slowly evolve into genuine trust was incredibly satisfying.

Nate was so much more than the typical cocky quarterback. Yes, he’s confident, charming, and fully aware of his effect on people, but underneath that public persona is someone carrying pressure, expectations, and vulnerabilities that only start to surface once the walls come down. I loved seeing those quieter moments because they made his character feel so much more layered.

The heroine was equally compelling. She’s ambitious, determined to be taken seriously as a sports journalist, and refuses to let Nate—or anyone else—undermine her professionalism. I appreciated that her career remained an important part of the story, making the conflict between love and ethics feel authentic rather than manufactured.

The pacing was just right. The relationship develops gradually through interviews, shared moments, and growing trust, so when the romance finally takes off, it feels completely earned. The balance between football, career ambitions, romance, and emotional vulnerability kept me invested from beginning to end.

This is one of those sports romances where the football adds excitement, but it’s really the characters and their emotional growth that steal the show.

If you enjoy confident athletes, strong heroines, slow-burning chemistry, and romances built on banter as much as attraction, The Comeback Plan is definitely worth adding to your TBR.

[Victoria Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in the harbour bay series and is Nate and Beccas story.

What to expect
💙Workplace romance
💜Sports Romance
💙Enemies to Lovers
💜Forbidden love
💙Opposites Attract
💜Slow Burn

Nate is a professional NFL player and he's also an extremely private person. But one journalist who gets stuck in his mind has been assigned to do a story on him and his life.
Becca is a very beautiful, independent, sassy woman who knows exactly what she wants and how to get. She was completely career driven and new as a journalist in a male dominated profession She had to work even harder.

I absolutely loved these characters they we're so right for each other I the chemistry was there almost immediately and the connection between them both was so real. They had great banter and these characters were off the charts meant to be.
I loved that Becca was tough and that when she got the bit between her teeth she doesn't give up. I love that she'll challenged anyone's opinion and when she needed to be supportive she was, well her and Nate were both extremely caring and protective which I loved.

I also loved how this author written all the side characters they were also great to read about and complimented the story brilliantly, I absolutely loved Jax.
I've always loved how this author writes and how her words always pull you in, book you and keep you fully invested. I was so hooked I didn't even realise how fast I read this book. The storyline flows throughout perfectly.

I'm sooooooooo excited for the next book this this series and I highly recommend this book.

[Jea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Comeback Plan stars Nate, a star quarterback coming off a huge loss at the end of last season, and Becca, a sports journalist who covers his team and is trying to make a name for herself as a respected female reporter in a male-dominated career path. Becca's boss gives her an assignment to do a featured article on Nate, who is notoriously private and doesn't like interviews, especially with the reporter who is known for giving him the tough questions during pressers. After meeting with Becca, he agrees to do a series of short interviews with her, with the caveat that he gets final approval before anything goes to print. As their interview meetings progress, so do their feelings for each other, and Nate finds himself letting down his guard with her. However, Nate is keeping a big secret, and it's definitely one he doesn't want the press to know about. When his hand is forced, can he trust Becca with his secret, or will he throw away what they've been building to keep them both safe? Also, Becca's reputation as a respected journalist could be in jeopardy if it gets out that she was dating the subject of her interview. Is he worth the risk? If you love sports romance, this one was fun! Nate is guarded, Becca is feisty, and their banter and chemistry is addictive, and the progression of their relationship feels like a natural evolution. You'll also love Nate's teammates, and I can't wait to read their stories next!

[Shayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I want to thank S Jones and Luna Literary for the ARC of The Comeback Plan, I enjoyed the book a lot

Nate and Becca had me hooked from the get go. I loved the banter, the tension, and the way they were always pushing each other's buttons, I was like YES, this is my kind of story lol

Becca is a very feisty and smart character who was never afraid to give Nate a run for his money. Nate.... this man has charm and he's got it in spades. His smug attitude had me laughing the whole entire book. Also, the way he kept calling Becca sweetheart because he knew it got under her skin was brilliant

Their relationship started off with verbal sparring matches where neither one of them backed down from that "challenge" and over time turned into something deeper. I was reading their journey's waiting for them to finally given and once they did fireworks. The chemistry between Nate and Becca is fire, the closer they got, the more I found myself rooting for them

One of my favorite storylines was getting to know Nate outside of him being a quarterback. S Jones could have easily written him as cocky sports star but instead she gave him depth and layers which I thought was genius. Throughout the book you could see Becca peeling back those layers of Nate and once he let her in, it was a beautiful thing to get to read on paper

Sports Journalist + Pro Athlete Setup was AWESOME! The whole "this is against the rules" situation was very interesting to read. You could tell over time that the rules weren't going to stop these two from being around each other, they were like magnets that you couldn't keep apart no matter how hard you tried to. Forced proximity has slowly turned into a trope I love, which I wouldn't have said that when I got back into reading but here we are. Exclusive interviews, career complications, obvious attraction, all of that was super enjoyable to witness

I love Nate and Becca together! Their banter had me smiling the entire time. Their chemistry you could feel through the pages while their tender moments just melted my heart :)

S Jones... TOUCHDOWN! This book was fun, flirty, spicy, while it also being sweet, emotional, and heartfelt all at the same time. You can never go wrong with a sports romance book and I highly recommend checking this one out.

The Comeback Plan left me smiling from ear to ear and that's all I could've asked for or wanted while reading Nate and Becca's journey's... I adore these two! & I cannot wait to see more of them as well as what the rest of this series has to offer

Thank you again to S Jones and Luna Literary for the ARC of The Comeback Plan, I appreciate it :)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew through this book. It was the perfect poolside read. This was my first book by this author, and I wasn't disappointed. It had great banter, undeniable chemistry, football, and just the right amount of spice.

Becca was an awesome FMC—feisty, successful in her career, and determined to prove herself in a male-dominated profession. I appreciated that the story explored her concerns about being taken seriously without making it her entire personality.

Nate took a little longer to win me over. At first, I thought he was a jerk, but as his walls came down, I really enjoyed watching his character develop.

What I loved most was that there wasn't a third-act breakup, which was such a refreshing change. Nate and Becca actually communicated and worked through their conflicts instead of letting misunderstandings drag on, making their relationship feel more realistic. I also really enjoyed Nate's group of friends. They brought so much humor to the story, and every scene they were in had me smiling or laughing.

The story was well written and moved at a great pace—never too fast and never too slow. As the first book in the series, it did a great job introducing the characters while leaving me excited for the next installment.

[AmyzBookNook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Comeback Plan is a football slow-burn romance and the first book in the Harbor Bay Hawks series,  about 342 pages. It follows Becca, a determined reporter eager to prove herself by following the rules, especially her own: never date a football player, as it could jeopardize her career and reputation. Becca is committed to her work and wants to be taken seriously, avoiding any suggestion that she would date for the sake of a story. When she’s assigned to interview Nate, a star football player, unexpected feelings begin to develop. Both characters face challenges with trust, media scrutiny, and the risks that come with Becca’s profession.
Nate doesn’t like interviews and wants a more private life, which is hard to avoid, but things change as feelings between Nate and Becca develop.

My Thoughts:
Nate and Becca’s relationship was adorable, and they had good chemistry. I’ve never read a story about a reporter and a football player before, so I was eager to see how their dynamic would unfold.  I enjoyed this one and can’t wait for book two.
I rated this book four stars, mainly because the pacing felt a bit slow at first but picked up as the story progressed.

If you enjoy sports romance, this book is definitely worth adding to your TBR.

[Constance Haske · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a romance where two people have incorrect preconceived opinions about each other, are forced together, only to find out they were both WRONG! That's exactly what we've got here - a sports reporter who unnerves him because she refuses to back down from asking uncomfortable questions, and an NFL quarterback who she perceives as stoic due to the fact that she can't make him crack. They don't like each other, at all. Not even a little bit.

But they're forced to work together when her boss decides to assign her a lifestyle piece devoted solely to him. It turns out, he's got layers - deeper ones that are even more attractive than his physical appearance. And as they spend more time together, he finds that she's more than just the competence that her job demands.

They soon realize that the feelings that have sparked could be damning to the career she's worked so hard to prove herself in a male dominated field. Navigating their exposure could be a bumpy ride - especially when not everyone of her colleagues is looking for her to succeed.

I really enjoyed this story - especially their snarky banter and how much he supported her career after he got to know her. Men supporting women will always be sexy - and this book proves it well!

[Elizabeth Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy Review
I quite enjoyed this book. This is my first book by S. Jones, and I did enjoy her writing and would continue this series when other books come out. I am very thankful for getting to read this book as an ARC and hope to enjoy more of her writing soon.
Becca and Nate had a very sweet love story. I enjoyed getting to know both of these characters and seeing them come together. I enjoyed the way that S. Jones brought these two characters together and how she showed that they stuck together through thick and thin. Reading about how they fought for each other and stood up for each other was great and really showed how much Becca and Nate came to care for one another.
I will say that Nate was my favourite. I did love Becca, but the way that Nate was open and honest about things and stayed respectful to people even after they had caused him heartache was sweet, and it really shows the nice and caring person he is to his core.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you love a good football, cute, not a lot of spice romance. For sure worth a read if that is your kind of thing.

[Chaptersxchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The chemistry between Nate and the FMC was definitely the highlight for me. Their back-and-forth interviews, witty banter, and constant tension made the slow burn feel worth it, and I loved watching their opinions of each other gradually change. Nate had that cocky quarterback energy, but there was a lot more depth to him than I expected, which made him easy to root for.

The reporter/player dynamic was also a lot of fun. It added just enough conflict without feeling overly dramatic, and I liked that both characters had to navigate the line between their careers and their growing feelings. The secret relationship aspect kept the tension high, and the romance felt natural as it developed.

If I had one small critique, I would have liked a little more emotional depth in certain moments, especially toward the end, but overall it was an entertaining, easy-to-read sports romance that delivered exactly what I was looking for.

If you like pro football romances with enemies-to-lovers banter, slow-burn tension, and a swoony, confident quarterback, this is definitely worth picking up. I’d happily continue with the series.

[Mari Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my very first sports romance and it exceeded my expectations!

To start, I loved the characters and their development + relationship! They're hilarious and so relatable! Moreover, I loved the plot, setting, romance, and so much more!

The plot was so fun and cute where the fmc is a reporter and the mmc is a football player. Although they try to deny feelings for each other, their forced proximity and relentless interviews make it hard to do so. Eventually things spiral out of control and they eventually need to admit their love for each other!

Speaking of romance, I 100% loved it. The tension and chemistry was certainly there and even though the characters tried to deny their attraction for each other it definitely showed through their actions. The banter and flirting was super adorable, like stop lying to yourselves and confess your love already! (The fmc was perfect, i loved her strong feisty personality!)

More honorable mentions were the emotional intensity and depth of the book and the complications it talked about in life! Certainly cherish this book, go give it a try!

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Comeback Plan is the first book the Harbor Bay Hawks series and the first book I have rea The Comeback Plan is the first book in the Harbor Bay Hawks series and the first book I have read by this author. This story follows Nate, the quarterback for the Harbor Bay Hawks, and Becca, a sports reporter, that is required to write a one-on-one story on Nate. Nate is a private person and avoids interviews at all costs, while Becca is a no-nonsense reporter that wants the truth and asks the tough questions. Of course, as sparring sessions occur at meetings and tension-filled moments arise, feelings and forbidden romance start. They must decide if they want to ignore their feelings or start something where both their careers could be hurt by it and outside opinions could damage the relationship. I thought this was a fun and exciting story, I just don't think it had everything I was hoping for in the plot. I struggled to connect to either of the main characters and they felt one-dimensional. They also are supposed to be enemies, but I did not feel that at all, and then quickly catch feelings. I also felt like there was over-the-top drama that felt like fluff and didn't really add to the story. Overall, it was an okay story and I would be interested to see how the rest of the series continues.

[Sal’s life · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read!

Becca is a sports reporter and is tasked with getting the story from the star QB, who typically keeps to himself. Some of her male colleagues think this is going to be a fluff piece and that fans won't be interested, Becca has a belief in her professional self that she will do a good job and show the old timers that people want something different now, more than just stats, but who the players are as a person.

Nate has had a difficult year, splitting from his manager and girlfriend, who happen to be siblings causing this to be a particularly difficult split.

We get to see from both POVs, the interviews and the growing relationship between the two of them, they do all they can to not cross the professional boundaries but it's certainly not easy.

When they are faced with threats to both of their professional lives, they stand together and fight for each other which i found really heartwarming.

I really hope book 2 follows Ember and Jax...

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Harbor Bay Hawks #1

Becca Hendrix works for Pressbox as a reporter. She follows the Harbor Bay Hawks and has no problem asking the hard questions to their QB that others won't do and their interviews usually turn into a sparring match.

Nate Sandler is the golden boy and their team captain. He's confident, charming and has a reputation of not answering tough questions, he's a private person and doesn't answer questions about his private life or usually grants interviews.

When Becca's boss suggests she do an exclusive interview on Nate and his life she is surprised he agrees. She is determined to keep this professional
but the more time they spend together those lines start to blur. He's not what she thought and it's not as easy as she thought it would be.

4.25 stars
I enjoyed this book. I like that she was a hard hitter, not just a pretty face. He is being blackmailed which brings more dynamics to their story. I like how his 2 best friends/teammates had his back as her boss had hers.

[Gabriel Castaneda · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*
Recently, I started reading sports romance, and S. Jones’ novel “The Comeback Plan” did not disappoint.
It follows a strong female lead, Becca Hendrix, who is a sports reporter. We learned what she had to go through in a male-dominated profession and why she is cutthroat. She is funny and witty. Her banter with the MMC was hilarious and cute.
Nate Sandler, the overly serious quarterback, was fun to get to know. As the story progressed, we learned about his many layers and what he has endured in his past.
This couple was absolutely adorable—their chemistry stood out as both genuine and balanced. Right from the start, I found myself cheering them on.
S. Jones did an excellent job in driving the storyline from start to finish. She had lovable and relatable characters. I am glad to have found this book with @theauthor.agency, because I will definitely be reading S. Jones’ books.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be an ARC reader. It was a fun read that I definitely enjoyed!
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 2/5

[Liberty Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sheer perfection. An attraction that cannot be denied despite the fact that she is the journalist who asks him the tough questions. As they get to know each other, they realize that their preconceived notions about the other weren't true.

Here's what I loved about this story: slow burn done just right; once they decide that there might be a relationship worth exploring, Becca handles it like a smart, intelligent woman would and each time something challenges her, she does the smart thing (thank you for writing a truly strong female character who does smart things and feels real); Nate is nothing but green flags; kissing in the rain (this is one of the best scenes); and, no third act breakup... rather than leaning into the obvious way to add drama, the author allows Becca to show that she is there for Nate in every way that matters... I absolutely love it when authors write FMC as strong and their choices reinforce that strength rather than detract from it.

This book was a great read.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Harbor Bay Hawks: Nate and Becca

This was a great off-limits sports romance that started with a challenge.
Nate is a guarded NFL quarterback who keeps reporters at a distance, so being assigned an in-depth article with a journalist known for asking the hard questions was never going to be easy.

I loved the tension between them as she tried to get past his carefully controlled public image and he challenged her right back. Beneath the banter, their connection built into something steady and genuine, with Nate falling first and falling hard.

The hidden relationship added something extra, especially with the blackmail from his ex-agent, but the friendships were one of my favourite parts. Jax was hilarious, chaotic, and the perfect supportive mess of a friend, and seeing Jax and Ryder rally around Nate was great.

The bonus epilogue was adorable, and I’m definitely excited for Jax and Ember’s story next!