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The Cocky Kingmans #7
The Tiger in the Sack
There's freedom behind a motorcycle helmet.
Nobody knows who you are.
No name. No jersey number. No six brothers who'd been famous longer than I could legally drive, and no one stopping me on the sidewalk to ask if I was actually related to the Chris Kingman.
So when I find Clover stuck in a tree with her cat, I keep the helmet on.
I crack Mandalorian jokes, rescue her and her cat, and feel like an absolute genius when I ask for her number and she gives it to me.
I am, in fact, an idiot. She's the new Dance and Cheer coach for the Cincinnati Tigers. The team where I happen to be the starting quarterback.
I can't keep this secret from her. That's a douchepotato move.
She figures it out before I can tell her. Which somehow manages to be worse.
And just to throw a monkey in our wrench the boss has assigned us to work together on a super-secret project to unmask whoever is sabotaging the team, and our cover? Of course, it's fake dating.
We’ll do it because Clover moved to Cincinnati to do the impossible: build a body-diverse professional cheer squad in a league that's never had one, for a team that everyone says is going nowhere.
Someone powerful is betting she'll fail. She's taking that bet, and I'm going to be there to make sure nobody hurts her.
This sports romance features a chaotic quarterback with a secret business empire and zero chill about his feelings, a plus-size heroine holding the door open for every woman who was told the dream wasn't for her, two cats with better emotional intelligence than their owners, and that Bridgertons-meets-American-Football family who will absolutely deploy every brother and one mastermind sister before this season is over.
Nobody knows who you are.
No name. No jersey number. No six brothers who'd been famous longer than I could legally drive, and no one stopping me on the sidewalk to ask if I was actually related to the Chris Kingman.
So when I find Clover stuck in a tree with her cat, I keep the helmet on.
I crack Mandalorian jokes, rescue her and her cat, and feel like an absolute genius when I ask for her number and she gives it to me.
I am, in fact, an idiot. She's the new Dance and Cheer coach for the Cincinnati Tigers. The team where I happen to be the starting quarterback.
I can't keep this secret from her. That's a douchepotato move.
She figures it out before I can tell her. Which somehow manages to be worse.
And just to throw a monkey in our wrench the boss has assigned us to work together on a super-secret project to unmask whoever is sabotaging the team, and our cover? Of course, it's fake dating.
We’ll do it because Clover moved to Cincinnati to do the impossible: build a body-diverse professional cheer squad in a league that's never had one, for a team that everyone says is going nowhere.
Someone powerful is betting she'll fail. She's taking that bet, and I'm going to be there to make sure nobody hurts her.
This sports romance features a chaotic quarterback with a secret business empire and zero chill about his feelings, a plus-size heroine holding the door open for every woman who was told the dream wasn't for her, two cats with better emotional intelligence than their owners, and that Bridgertons-meets-American-Football family who will absolutely deploy every brother and one mastermind sister before this season is over.
372 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Amy Award
15 books3,144 followersAmy Award is a curvy girl who has a thing for football players, fuzzy-butt pets, and spicy romance novels. She believes that all bodies are beautiful and deserve their own love stories with Happy Ever Afters. Find her at AuthorAmyAward.com
Amy also writes curvy girl paranormal romances with dragons, wolves, demons, and vampires, as Aidy Award. If that’s your jam, check those books out at AidyAward.com
Amy also writes curvy girl paranormal romances with dragons, wolves, demons, and vampires, as Aidy Award. If that’s your jam, check those books out at AidyAward.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
June 9, 2026
“You’re a man who loves in secret so it can’t be taken away, and it has never once occurred to you that loving in secret is just a slower way of not having it.”
✔️football romance
✔️fake dating
✔️hidden identity
✔️plus size rep
✔️found family
✔️no 3rd act breakup
Okay, so it pains me to write this review and rate this book so low because I love the rest of this series, however this book is the weakest in the series and, in my opinion, just not great overall. This is marketed as a romance. Which means I am expecting some romance and a reason to root for the couple to end up together. I’m not talking about spice (just so you know, there is one barely open door scene, which in comparison to the rest of the series is like not having any), I am talking about the romance being the main plot and reason for the book to exist in the first place, which is not happening here. Clover (FMC) is the main character of this book, and Isak (MMC) is essentially a prop to create internal strife for her and be yet another thing for her to overcome and grow because of, not a person. The main plot of this book is truly Clover’s journey to create the first body positive/inclusive dance/cheer team for the pro football team that the MMC plays for, and in turn, take down the misogynistic middle-aged white man who is trying to derail her dreams (not the MMC, one of the men who works for the team). All of that is great and I love, but the romance is thrown into the background and disappears often, only reappearing when it’s convenient for the FMC to have a moment of character growth.
The author is trying to do too much here, and it shows. The romance starts with a super cute hidden-identity meet cute with their cats, but after the truth is discovered and she walks away from him for lying by omission, it goes majorly down hill and there is no recovering from that. Then in an effort to throw them back together, there is a half-baked fake dating scheme, and it is seen as “drama” that he is in love with her despite the “rules”/even though it’s fake, when it has been established that it was basically love at first sight for him. He basically can’t do anything right and though he does have character growth it’s majorly overshadowed by everything else going on and the heavy-handed setting up of the next (I’m assuming final because it’s the last Kingman sibling) book in the series.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the FMC is an excellent character. I just don’t think this should be marketed as a romance, or frankly, as part of the Kingman series. This book doesn’t fit the vibes of the rest of the series, and doesn’t have the same charm. Unfortunately, even the “Kingman sibling needs help rally together time” and the “dad pep talk that’s really a way for the MMC to feel bad about himself” feels overplayed and like the author threw it in because it was expected. I just don’t understand what happened here. It honestly feels like it was written by another author, or that she really had no idea what to do with Isak but had to write a book for him because there is one for each of his other siblings. His personality that we saw when he was a side character is completely missing from this book.
*Thank you so much to the author (Amy Award) and Valentine PR for the opportunity to ARC read this book! All opinions are my own*
✔️football romance
✔️fake dating
✔️hidden identity
✔️plus size rep
✔️found family
✔️no 3rd act breakup
Okay, so it pains me to write this review and rate this book so low because I love the rest of this series, however this book is the weakest in the series and, in my opinion, just not great overall. This is marketed as a romance. Which means I am expecting some romance and a reason to root for the couple to end up together. I’m not talking about spice (just so you know, there is one barely open door scene, which in comparison to the rest of the series is like not having any), I am talking about the romance being the main plot and reason for the book to exist in the first place, which is not happening here. Clover (FMC) is the main character of this book, and Isak (MMC) is essentially a prop to create internal strife for her and be yet another thing for her to overcome and grow because of, not a person. The main plot of this book is truly Clover’s journey to create the first body positive/inclusive dance/cheer team for the pro football team that the MMC plays for, and in turn, take down the misogynistic middle-aged white man who is trying to derail her dreams (not the MMC, one of the men who works for the team). All of that is great and I love, but the romance is thrown into the background and disappears often, only reappearing when it’s convenient for the FMC to have a moment of character growth.
The author is trying to do too much here, and it shows. The romance starts with a super cute hidden-identity meet cute with their cats, but after the truth is discovered and she walks away from him for lying by omission, it goes majorly down hill and there is no recovering from that. Then in an effort to throw them back together, there is a half-baked fake dating scheme, and it is seen as “drama” that he is in love with her despite the “rules”/even though it’s fake, when it has been established that it was basically love at first sight for him. He basically can’t do anything right and though he does have character growth it’s majorly overshadowed by everything else going on and the heavy-handed setting up of the next (I’m assuming final because it’s the last Kingman sibling) book in the series.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the FMC is an excellent character. I just don’t think this should be marketed as a romance, or frankly, as part of the Kingman series. This book doesn’t fit the vibes of the rest of the series, and doesn’t have the same charm. Unfortunately, even the “Kingman sibling needs help rally together time” and the “dad pep talk that’s really a way for the MMC to feel bad about himself” feels overplayed and like the author threw it in because it was expected. I just don’t understand what happened here. It honestly feels like it was written by another author, or that she really had no idea what to do with Isak but had to write a book for him because there is one for each of his other siblings. His personality that we saw when he was a side character is completely missing from this book.
*Thank you so much to the author (Amy Award) and Valentine PR for the opportunity to ARC read this book! All opinions are my own*
June 10, 2026
I love Amy's books! And I wanted to love isak and clovers book but ill be honest. Clover kinda dropped it for me. I felt she was more in love with her dream then she was with Isak. So it was a huge turn off also i felt the romance in this book felt less romantic then the others.
Even when the hidden identities were revealed. The way she acted yes it was a lie but it wasn't a huge bad lie.
Isak I felt bad for him I really wanted him to shine but I just felt like this story could've been more. 😭
I love the siblings and cant wait for the last book with Julie's and Fox?
No ow/om drama, no cheating, drama, sexy time, no virgins
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶
Prologue
Slowburnish
Push away from h
Forced proximity
Body postive rep
Praise kink
Hea
Epilogue
Even when the hidden identities were revealed. The way she acted yes it was a lie but it wasn't a huge bad lie.
Isak I felt bad for him I really wanted him to shine but I just felt like this story could've been more. 😭
I love the siblings and cant wait for the last book with Julie's and Fox?
No ow/om drama, no cheating, drama, sexy time, no virgins
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶
Prologue
Slowburnish
Push away from h
Forced proximity
Body postive rep
Praise kink
Hea
Epilogue
June 10, 2026
I wanted to like this as much as I've liked all the others in the series, but I had a hard time getting through this story. Some of the charm and chaotic cuteness from the other books was just missing here. It was repetitive (quite literally in some instances), there was very minimal character growth, and next to no actual romance. They didn't even start "fake dating" until 61% into the story and even then that was barely shown before they were kissing for real. And that was immediately diminished by Clover saying "I guess we had an audience after all".
Logically, I understand the reasoning for the characters to fake date each other, but it didn't pay off the way I thought it would. Had both of them said no to the people pursuing them only for it to be ignored, then it would have really been worth it. As it stands, it reads as if they were both too cowardly to stand up to the Tiki & Warner respectively & were taking the middle school way out of things by portraying that they were in a relationship with someone else.
Both MCs having nosey older brothers was highlighted in the social media & email promo & yet Clover mentioned having brothers only for them to never be seen or even mentioned again. It's like they were forgotten as soon as they were brought up. Same goes for the Kingman twins. I know they have their own season with their team in another state, but how are they not even mentioned at least once? Nor are their partners? Family seems to be a big thing for Kingmans but they ignore them...at the very least could have mentioned playing against them the way the Mustangs were mentioned.
I'm not usually so nitpicky about this but the book could have also used another round to two of edits. The name for the same character was different within a few sentences to the point where I wasn't sure who was being talked about. There were so many grammar mistakes that it sometimes became hard to overlook and there were occasions where the timeline was off. For example, when the cars were broken into, Isak called security & told them there were several cars damaged yet on the next page, he mentions noticing it for the first time after he told Clover that her car was smashed. There was another during the confrontation with Monty. He's told to sit down when the page before it's plainly pointed out that he sits without being told to as part of his power move 🙄😒. Not to mention the discrepancy in her age. It was advertised that she was younger than Isak at 23, but more than once in she mentioned being 30...which is it?! There were definitely others but those stuck out the most to me.
All in all, I'm sad this one was a miss for me because I was looking forward to the book. A plus-sized FMC who is also a POC getting a HEA? As a plus sized black woman, I was all for it because sadly it didn't quite hit the mark. I'll probably finish the series because I'm curious about Jules and Fox, but I'll definitely be going into it with lower expectations.
Logically, I understand the reasoning for the characters to fake date each other, but it didn't pay off the way I thought it would. Had both of them said no to the people pursuing them only for it to be ignored, then it would have really been worth it. As it stands, it reads as if they were both too cowardly to stand up to the Tiki & Warner respectively & were taking the middle school way out of things by portraying that they were in a relationship with someone else.
Both MCs having nosey older brothers was highlighted in the social media & email promo & yet Clover mentioned having brothers only for them to never be seen or even mentioned again. It's like they were forgotten as soon as they were brought up. Same goes for the Kingman twins. I know they have their own season with their team in another state, but how are they not even mentioned at least once? Nor are their partners? Family seems to be a big thing for Kingmans but they ignore them...at the very least could have mentioned playing against them the way the Mustangs were mentioned.
I'm not usually so nitpicky about this but the book could have also used another round to two of edits. The name for the same character was different within a few sentences to the point where I wasn't sure who was being talked about. There were so many grammar mistakes that it sometimes became hard to overlook and there were occasions where the timeline was off. For example, when the cars were broken into, Isak called security & told them there were several cars damaged yet on the next page, he mentions noticing it for the first time after he told Clover that her car was smashed. There was another during the confrontation with Monty. He's told to sit down when the page before it's plainly pointed out that he sits without being told to as part of his power move 🙄😒. Not to mention the discrepancy in her age. It was advertised that she was younger than Isak at 23, but more than once in she mentioned being 30...which is it?! There were definitely others but those stuck out the most to me.
All in all, I'm sad this one was a miss for me because I was looking forward to the book. A plus-sized FMC who is also a POC getting a HEA? As a plus sized black woman, I was all for it because sadly it didn't quite hit the mark. I'll probably finish the series because I'm curious about Jules and Fox, but I'll definitely be going into it with lower expectations.
June 14, 2026
Where's the editor?
Sweet story. But wtf is the editing? Grammatical errors, punctuation errors, misspelled words, incorrect words. Every missed error took me out of the story.
Also, we get it. Clover is an engineer. We know because it was mentioned 30+ times. And the edges. We get it. She stuck to the edges. She clocked the room. She got left off the roster. I understand making a point. But this was beating a dead horse at this point.
The story really was sweet. But the whole story felt inconsistent. First Clover is 22, then she's been waiting 30 years. Then 22 years again. The meme usage was also a bit much. I appreciated the first books because of the nerdy references. This felt like trying too hard with some meme or tiktok trending sound bite on nearly every page.
And, going back to the last book, there was much less smut in this book. It's been getting less and less each book. Which, I read for things other than smut. But I also read FOR the smut.
Overall, this whole book felt like it missed the mark. I've loved the Kingmans since the beginning but I'm feeling hesitant about the last book coming.
Sweet story. But wtf is the editing? Grammatical errors, punctuation errors, misspelled words, incorrect words. Every missed error took me out of the story.
Also, we get it. Clover is an engineer. We know because it was mentioned 30+ times. And the edges. We get it. She stuck to the edges. She clocked the room. She got left off the roster. I understand making a point. But this was beating a dead horse at this point.
The story really was sweet. But the whole story felt inconsistent. First Clover is 22, then she's been waiting 30 years. Then 22 years again. The meme usage was also a bit much. I appreciated the first books because of the nerdy references. This felt like trying too hard with some meme or tiktok trending sound bite on nearly every page.
And, going back to the last book, there was much less smut in this book. It's been getting less and less each book. Which, I read for things other than smut. But I also read FOR the smut.
Overall, this whole book felt like it missed the mark. I've loved the Kingmans since the beginning but I'm feeling hesitant about the last book coming.
June 17, 2026
4🌟, 1🌶️
This book had all the ingredients for a fun, comforting romance.
The fake dating, adorable cats, and uplifting themes made it an easy, enjoyable read, and I loved the focus on confidence, belonging, and challenging outdated expectations.
Clover was easy to root for, and I admired how determined she was to fight for something she believed in. Isak was sweet, supportive, and impossible not to like. Their relationship had plenty of cute moments, although I found myself wanting a little more time with them as a couple to fully buy into the depth of their connection. The chemistry was there, but compared to other books in the series, the romance felt softer and the spice was much lighter, more fade-to-black (which I don’t mind, occasionally).
While some storylines felt like they could have been explored a bit further, there was still a lot of heart packed into these pages. The lovable characters, family dynamics, and feel-good atmosphere kept me turning the pages, and by the end, I was left happy to have spent time in this world again.
This was a sweet, comforting romance that left me with a smile.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Amy Award & Valentine PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This book had all the ingredients for a fun, comforting romance.
The fake dating, adorable cats, and uplifting themes made it an easy, enjoyable read, and I loved the focus on confidence, belonging, and challenging outdated expectations.
Clover was easy to root for, and I admired how determined she was to fight for something she believed in. Isak was sweet, supportive, and impossible not to like. Their relationship had plenty of cute moments, although I found myself wanting a little more time with them as a couple to fully buy into the depth of their connection. The chemistry was there, but compared to other books in the series, the romance felt softer and the spice was much lighter, more fade-to-black (which I don’t mind, occasionally).
While some storylines felt like they could have been explored a bit further, there was still a lot of heart packed into these pages. The lovable characters, family dynamics, and feel-good atmosphere kept me turning the pages, and by the end, I was left happy to have spent time in this world again.
This was a sweet, comforting romance that left me with a smile.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Amy Award & Valentine PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
June 13, 2026
I was so excited for this book. Isak had such an energetic and fun personality in the earlier books. He never showed up. This book was all about Clover but even her character was lacking. Isak was left in timeout in the corner from the beginning. He was left out of his own story. There was no chemistry. No romance. I was so disappointed...
June 13, 2026
I have to say that I love Amy Award, as a writer and a person and was so so excited for this book. But someone please please tell me that I received the roughest first draft and not the actual book!
I was so excited for this book and the tropes when it was announced, but then received a book with different tropes. The coach’s daughter aspect and then overprotective older brothers aspect, gone. Poof. Like it never existed. Yeah, I know things change, so I will let that pass. But I do have to say that each book feels like it picks up from the previous one and this book felt like it didn’t follow the previous one. Like there is a time jump and it felt off. Maybe that was just me. I thought we were picking up from The Goat in the Bedroom, not years after.
But this book felt very different from all its previous books in this series. A series I love with everything in me. There were just a lot of things that felt like it wasn’t an Amy Award book. A lot of things that made it feel like it was rushed and incomplete. I know I did receive an ARC, but this is not my first ARC, much less my first ARC from Amy Award. So, I know and kinda expect some things not being perfect and a few errors, but not like I found in this book.
Rushed. That is how this book felt. But also inconsistent. Push aside the several times where they said someone left the room and then were there on the next page like they never left. Push aside the little errors because those are expected. But it was inconsistent. An example is that the team owner got the team from her dad and had to share it with her sister that she doesn’t agree with. But then in the last few chapters it went on about how she bought the team herself and worked hard to achieve that. Which then just undermines the whole plot with her sister. Things like that.
I’m not even going to touch the lack of spice. Not every book needs spice, but I did expect more from this book considering the rest of the series. Okay Okay, I am salty that they said Isak was pierced and then never went into detail about and had a fade to black and only said Clover enjoyed it! What about me?!
Okay, but seriously, I was confused with this book. Not just because of the inconsistency of it, but the way a few things were written, had me confused. So there is a secret identity trope in this book and how it was discovered was so confusing.
There was just a lot of rushed and inconsistent aspect of this book and I was so disappointed. I love this series so much and this book had so so much potential!
Will I read the next book in this series? Yes, and I hope it isn’t like rushed like this one. Do I still love this series? Yes, and I recommend you read all the previous books because they are amazing! I am just sad that this one wasn’t like the others. But I will continue to keep reading Amy’s books and really hope that this is a one off.
Spice Rating: ❤️🔥❤️🔥
I was so excited for this book and the tropes when it was announced, but then received a book with different tropes. The coach’s daughter aspect and then overprotective older brothers aspect, gone. Poof. Like it never existed. Yeah, I know things change, so I will let that pass. But I do have to say that each book feels like it picks up from the previous one and this book felt like it didn’t follow the previous one. Like there is a time jump and it felt off. Maybe that was just me. I thought we were picking up from The Goat in the Bedroom, not years after.
But this book felt very different from all its previous books in this series. A series I love with everything in me. There were just a lot of things that felt like it wasn’t an Amy Award book. A lot of things that made it feel like it was rushed and incomplete. I know I did receive an ARC, but this is not my first ARC, much less my first ARC from Amy Award. So, I know and kinda expect some things not being perfect and a few errors, but not like I found in this book.
Rushed. That is how this book felt. But also inconsistent. Push aside the several times where they said someone left the room and then were there on the next page like they never left. Push aside the little errors because those are expected. But it was inconsistent. An example is that the team owner got the team from her dad and had to share it with her sister that she doesn’t agree with. But then in the last few chapters it went on about how she bought the team herself and worked hard to achieve that. Which then just undermines the whole plot with her sister. Things like that.
I’m not even going to touch the lack of spice. Not every book needs spice, but I did expect more from this book considering the rest of the series. Okay Okay, I am salty that they said Isak was pierced and then never went into detail about and had a fade to black and only said Clover enjoyed it! What about me?!
Okay, but seriously, I was confused with this book. Not just because of the inconsistency of it, but the way a few things were written, had me confused. So there is a secret identity trope in this book and how it was discovered was so confusing.
There was just a lot of rushed and inconsistent aspect of this book and I was so disappointed. I love this series so much and this book had so so much potential!
Will I read the next book in this series? Yes, and I hope it isn’t like rushed like this one. Do I still love this series? Yes, and I recommend you read all the previous books because they are amazing! I am just sad that this one wasn’t like the others. But I will continue to keep reading Amy’s books and really hope that this is a one off.
Spice Rating: ❤️🔥❤️🔥
June 29, 2026
I was extremely excited for Amy to write a Black FMC because she did a pretty good job writing Tempest’s culture and racial identity into her story without making it her entire identity. Even though I have related to all the FMCs, I was so looking forward to meeting Clover.
I am deeply troubled by Clover’s inner monologue and the signaling of her Blackness to the reader.
There are several instances in the book that make her feel like a caricature of a “strong Black woman.” I don’t want to write an exhaustive list, but these are some of the highlights I had:
(22) “…I was more of a Proud Family girl.”
(22) “She was the epitome of black girl magic.”
(78) “…like the successful black woman she was.”
(239) “I was a proud, confident, black woman with a whole lot of junk in the trunk.”
These instances feel like signaling Clover’s Blackness without addressing the racial aspect of why Clover’s Blackness may have also been excluded in the spaces she wanted to be a part of. The anti-Blackness we face as Black women compounded with the fatphobia of our society means we experience fatphobia differently than white women. Our Blackness is ever present in our lives, but I don’t know anyone whose inner monologue includes saying “I am a proud Black woman” or “black girl magic.” Those are terms that were created by white media in an attempt to recognize Black women, but actually feel like an additional layer of “othering” by having to point out our Blackness. So Clover’s feelings of exclusion feel centered on her fatness, and do not touch at all on the possibility that she would have experienced a lot of racism as well.
Also, Clover Freeman’s name itself feels like a caricature. I want to read it as a nod to Black history and the importance of formerly enslaved people embracing their freedom, as Clover’s story is very much about her finding her own voice. But again, her name feels like a signal to readers that she is a “proud black woman,” when her name could have been an opportunity to explain her family dynamic and history.
I would also like to say that I sent Amy a more detailed message both on facebook and her website and she hasn’t replied. I was such a massive fan of this series and the Kingman family, but this entire book and experience has been disheartening and disappointing.
I am deeply troubled by Clover’s inner monologue and the signaling of her Blackness to the reader.
There are several instances in the book that make her feel like a caricature of a “strong Black woman.” I don’t want to write an exhaustive list, but these are some of the highlights I had:
(22) “…I was more of a Proud Family girl.”
(22) “She was the epitome of black girl magic.”
(78) “…like the successful black woman she was.”
(239) “I was a proud, confident, black woman with a whole lot of junk in the trunk.”
These instances feel like signaling Clover’s Blackness without addressing the racial aspect of why Clover’s Blackness may have also been excluded in the spaces she wanted to be a part of. The anti-Blackness we face as Black women compounded with the fatphobia of our society means we experience fatphobia differently than white women. Our Blackness is ever present in our lives, but I don’t know anyone whose inner monologue includes saying “I am a proud Black woman” or “black girl magic.” Those are terms that were created by white media in an attempt to recognize Black women, but actually feel like an additional layer of “othering” by having to point out our Blackness. So Clover’s feelings of exclusion feel centered on her fatness, and do not touch at all on the possibility that she would have experienced a lot of racism as well.
Also, Clover Freeman’s name itself feels like a caricature. I want to read it as a nod to Black history and the importance of formerly enslaved people embracing their freedom, as Clover’s story is very much about her finding her own voice. But again, her name feels like a signal to readers that she is a “proud black woman,” when her name could have been an opportunity to explain her family dynamic and history.
I would also like to say that I sent Amy a more detailed message both on facebook and her website and she hasn’t replied. I was such a massive fan of this series and the Kingman family, but this entire book and experience has been disheartening and disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2026
Honestly disappointed 😢
I love the Cocky Kingmans series. Like truly I do. The first few tickled me with all the Colorado jokes and renames. The animals are always a great character addition. These last few books have taken me out of my fun little romance land because of how disappointingly bad they’ve gotten. This one is particular is making me write a review, which I don’t do often. Clover and Isak are barely together in this book. Truly I do not know how they even fell in love other than by proxy because of their cats. There are so many inconsistencies it’s astounding. Is Clover in her early twenties just out of college? Or is she thirty having lived a life? You just don’t know because in almost the same paragraph she describes herself having learned something in her thirty years but then go and say for the twenty-two years she’s been alive. So which is it? This is just one instance of the mental gymnastics you have to do to get through the book. Also I wanted to like Isak but other than being secretive and that he has a cat you know nothing about him.
I think this book could have done with a lot more editing and plenty more beta readers.
I still give it two stars because I like the author and the world she has created.
I love the Cocky Kingmans series. Like truly I do. The first few tickled me with all the Colorado jokes and renames. The animals are always a great character addition. These last few books have taken me out of my fun little romance land because of how disappointingly bad they’ve gotten. This one is particular is making me write a review, which I don’t do often. Clover and Isak are barely together in this book. Truly I do not know how they even fell in love other than by proxy because of their cats. There are so many inconsistencies it’s astounding. Is Clover in her early twenties just out of college? Or is she thirty having lived a life? You just don’t know because in almost the same paragraph she describes herself having learned something in her thirty years but then go and say for the twenty-two years she’s been alive. So which is it? This is just one instance of the mental gymnastics you have to do to get through the book. Also I wanted to like Isak but other than being secretive and that he has a cat you know nothing about him.
I think this book could have done with a lot more editing and plenty more beta readers.
I still give it two stars because I like the author and the world she has created.
June 21, 2026
I shouldn’t be surprised anymore when I like one of Amy Award’s books! The thing about this whole series is that each book tackles a little something more than brain candy but still with a main couple to root for!
Really like the body positive nature of this one specifically in comparison to the whole series because The Tiger in the Sack talks a lot about body positivity and inclusion in a space where it’s definitely NOT traditionally been: professional sports dance teams !! Even the way the dancers were found and developed was by finding women who have traditionally felt excluded from even tryouts!!
P.S. we love a groveling tattooed hero!! This is one of those slow burn romances that made me hug my kindle! 💕💕
HOUSEKEEPING:
* Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
* Reader Age Suggestions: new adult to adult
* Content Warnings: micro aggressions/ r4cism
* Kindle Unlimited: ✅
* Part of A Series: ✅ / Can it be read alone?: I think so! There are ALOT of tropes throughout this whole series so you can pick the ones you like the most.
**Thank you to Valentine PR for the book! I rec3ived this book for fr3e, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
Really like the body positive nature of this one specifically in comparison to the whole series because The Tiger in the Sack talks a lot about body positivity and inclusion in a space where it’s definitely NOT traditionally been: professional sports dance teams !! Even the way the dancers were found and developed was by finding women who have traditionally felt excluded from even tryouts!!
P.S. we love a groveling tattooed hero!! This is one of those slow burn romances that made me hug my kindle! 💕💕
HOUSEKEEPING:
* Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
* Reader Age Suggestions: new adult to adult
* Content Warnings: micro aggressions/ r4cism
* Kindle Unlimited: ✅
* Part of A Series: ✅ / Can it be read alone?: I think so! There are ALOT of tropes throughout this whole series so you can pick the ones you like the most.
**Thank you to Valentine PR for the book! I rec3ived this book for fr3e, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
July 7, 2026
2.75 stars (rounded up)
Thank you to Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC). All thoughts are my own.
As with the author's other books, I found the cat names funny and the opening banter was cute! Overall, I enjoyed the body positivity message woven throughout this story but there was one part that really resonated with me:
However, I struggled to get through this one because the romance part was just kinda meh. There was one open door scene, although that door was only cracked open...no one could see much! Their relationship was not that interesting honestly. This book did not feel like the others in her series.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC). All thoughts are my own.
As with the author's other books, I found the cat names funny and the opening banter was cute! Overall, I enjoyed the body positivity message woven throughout this story but there was one part that really resonated with me:
“I’m not waiting for him to leave because I think he will. I’m waiting for him to leave because if he doesn’t, I have to actually have this. I get to be a plus-size woman who got the whole fantasy, the quarterback and the family and the home and the love, no qualifier, no ‘in spite of,’ no asterisk, and I don’t—”
My voice went somewhere I’d never let it go in front of another person. “I don’t know how to be a woman who got the thing. I know how to be the woman who was brave about not getting it. I’ve been so brave, Zahra. For so long. About not getting it. And he’s going to make me find out if I’m brave enough to actually get it, and that is so much more terrifying than being left, you have no idea, being left I know how to do, I’m an expert, I could teach a workshop…”
However, I struggled to get through this one because the romance part was just kinda meh. There was one open door scene, although that door was only cracked open...no one could see much! Their relationship was not that interesting honestly. This book did not feel like the others in her series.
June 24, 2026
Let me start by saying I absolutely adore this series and I never leave reviews but I feel like I have to.
I am super disappointed with this book. The entire thing didn’t make any sense. It was not the lovable Kingman family we know and love, it was a weird story about Clover and her lists and her doors and her edges.
There was zero connection, passion between her and Isak. There was no getting to know Isak from past books, he seemed like a completely different person.
This book made Bridger Kingman seem unlikable, it referenced April more than once as a “dead woman” which seemed highly disrespectful for a character who continues to shape other characters and leave a legacy for, it left out the classic third act Kingman troop team rescue.
There was no true story of how Isak and Clover fell in love, no spice, not much witty banter that these stories are know for.
The typos, the repetition of phrases, words, paragraphs…whoever edited this book needs to try again. It was so distracting and took away from the book. There is so much more to say, but I don’t want to give spoilers.
I wanted to DNF so many times, hence why it took me weeks to read when I’ve read all the other books in this series in a day but I wanted to see it through.
I really pray that Jules book closes the original Kingman story the way we are familiar with.
I am super disappointed with this book. The entire thing didn’t make any sense. It was not the lovable Kingman family we know and love, it was a weird story about Clover and her lists and her doors and her edges.
There was zero connection, passion between her and Isak. There was no getting to know Isak from past books, he seemed like a completely different person.
This book made Bridger Kingman seem unlikable, it referenced April more than once as a “dead woman” which seemed highly disrespectful for a character who continues to shape other characters and leave a legacy for, it left out the classic third act Kingman troop team rescue.
There was no true story of how Isak and Clover fell in love, no spice, not much witty banter that these stories are know for.
The typos, the repetition of phrases, words, paragraphs…whoever edited this book needs to try again. It was so distracting and took away from the book. There is so much more to say, but I don’t want to give spoilers.
I wanted to DNF so many times, hence why it took me weeks to read when I’ve read all the other books in this series in a day but I wanted to see it through.
I really pray that Jules book closes the original Kingman story the way we are familiar with.
June 22, 2026
Isak Kingman is an NFL quarterback with a huge family in football. Clover, the plus-size dance coach, just moved to Cincinnati to bring her diverse cheer vision to fruition. These two meet when Clover & her cat are stuck up in the tree together. Isak, the masked motorcyclist & his cat, save both of them. Sparks fly between these two, even with Isak’s hidden identity. Then Clover & Isak must fake date in order to investigate team sabotage. You will not be able to put this book down!
“Take up two chairs. Then go fly.” This will be my new mantra. I loved everything about this book. I felt seen in every version of Clover Freeman. I was the curvier cheerleader that somehow made Captain. Thank you Amy for making the curvier heroine feel visible & deserving of a HEA! Such a feel good book with mystery & the feel for justice should be served. Now I’m going back the beginning of this series & start on this whole journey!
“Take up two chairs. Then go fly.” This will be my new mantra. I loved everything about this book. I felt seen in every version of Clover Freeman. I was the curvier cheerleader that somehow made Captain. Thank you Amy for making the curvier heroine feel visible & deserving of a HEA! Such a feel good book with mystery & the feel for justice should be served. Now I’m going back the beginning of this series & start on this whole journey!
August 1, 2026
Netgalley ALC
This one wasn’t for me sadly. I didn’t feel connected to the characters. They felt quite boring all the way through this. I liked the names of the cat 😂😂😂 but the romance fell flat. The actual characters fell flat. Plus the male audio narration didn’t do it for me either, it made him seem even more boring than the writing. I do think this authors writing could be for me with the humour, maybe I just started with the wrong book. But very much not my kind of thing 💀
This one wasn’t for me sadly. I didn’t feel connected to the characters. They felt quite boring all the way through this. I liked the names of the cat 😂😂😂 but the romance fell flat. The actual characters fell flat. Plus the male audio narration didn’t do it for me either, it made him seem even more boring than the writing. I do think this authors writing could be for me with the humour, maybe I just started with the wrong book. But very much not my kind of thing 💀
August 7, 2026
Now this is how you start out a new month! A 5 star audio of a series that you have loved so much. I absolutely love all the body positivity in Amy Awards books and this one is definitely no exception. I really enjoyed their meet cute and the fact that (due to a motorcycle helmet) the FMC got to know him without knowing who the MMC was having never seen his face. And, as with the rest of the series- adorable animal representation throughout the book. Highly recommend this series !!
July 5, 2026
I wanted to like this more than I did. There were a LOT of grammar and continuity errors, to the point that it made certain parts of the story a bit confusing. Clover's age was listed as 23 in one place, but something else later on. There was another part where almost everyone in Isak's family was in his apartment, going over lots of plans, but then he and Clover went back up there to talk an hour or so later, and suddenly everyone is just gone and there's no explanation.
There was also a lot less of the Kingman family in this book, which took away from it. That's the fun of these books. Having everyone in everyone's business and all the chaos is the point, besides the romance.
I did like Clover, as a character, as well as Isak. But their reason for needing to fake a relationship was really weak. Both of the people they didn't want relationships with were very overtly sexually harassing them in the workplace. They could've both easily gotten help to get them to leave them alone. The two cats were awesome.
There was also a lot less of the Kingman family in this book, which took away from it. That's the fun of these books. Having everyone in everyone's business and all the chaos is the point, besides the romance.
I did like Clover, as a character, as well as Isak. But their reason for needing to fake a relationship was really weak. Both of the people they didn't want relationships with were very overtly sexually harassing them in the workplace. They could've both easily gotten help to get them to leave them alone. The two cats were awesome.
June 10, 2026
3 ⭐️
The Tiger in the Sack follows Isak, the youngest Kingman brother, as he struggles with the pressure of living up to both the Kingman name and the football legacy his older brothers have built. When he rescues a woman and her cat from a tree, he’s immediately drawn to the fact that she has no idea who he is. For once, he gets to be just Isak instead of “one of the Kingman brothers,” and he loves the chance to get to know her without all the expectations attached to his name. Things get even more interesting when he discovers she’s the new cheer and dance coach for his team.
Clover was one of my favorite parts of the book. As a plus-size Black woman, she’s spent years feeling overlooked and underestimated in the cheer and dance world. Now that she has the opportunity to lead her own program, she’s determined to create a team where everyone feels welcome and represented, regardless of body type. I really appreciated how the story highlighted both racial and body diversity in a space where that representation is often lacking.
I also thought the individual character growth for both Isak and Clover was handled well. They each had meaningful personal journeys, and I found myself invested in their stories. Unfortunately, the romance itself didn’t quite work for me. While there were definitely some sweet and swoony moments, I never fully felt the emotional connection between them. The chemistry just wasn’t there for me, so the relationship ended up feeling a little flat and less believable than I wanted it to.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t love it as much as I expected to. The representation and character development were definite highlights, even if the romance didn’t completely land.
Thank you Amy and Valentine PR for an advanced reader copy of The Tiger in the Sack (publishing June 9, 2026).
The Tiger in the Sack follows Isak, the youngest Kingman brother, as he struggles with the pressure of living up to both the Kingman name and the football legacy his older brothers have built. When he rescues a woman and her cat from a tree, he’s immediately drawn to the fact that she has no idea who he is. For once, he gets to be just Isak instead of “one of the Kingman brothers,” and he loves the chance to get to know her without all the expectations attached to his name. Things get even more interesting when he discovers she’s the new cheer and dance coach for his team.
Clover was one of my favorite parts of the book. As a plus-size Black woman, she’s spent years feeling overlooked and underestimated in the cheer and dance world. Now that she has the opportunity to lead her own program, she’s determined to create a team where everyone feels welcome and represented, regardless of body type. I really appreciated how the story highlighted both racial and body diversity in a space where that representation is often lacking.
I also thought the individual character growth for both Isak and Clover was handled well. They each had meaningful personal journeys, and I found myself invested in their stories. Unfortunately, the romance itself didn’t quite work for me. While there were definitely some sweet and swoony moments, I never fully felt the emotional connection between them. The chemistry just wasn’t there for me, so the relationship ended up feeling a little flat and less believable than I wanted it to.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t love it as much as I expected to. The representation and character development were definite highlights, even if the romance didn’t completely land.
Thank you Amy and Valentine PR for an advanced reader copy of The Tiger in the Sack (publishing June 9, 2026).
June 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read this book for:
🐈 Workplace Romance
🏈 Cheerleader x Quarterback
🐈 No Third Act Break Up
🏈 Hidden Identity
🐈 Fake Dating
🏈 He Falls First and Harder
Synopsis
Being a famous quarterback was never supposed to feel this suffocating.
For once, he just wanted to be anonymous. No reporters. No famous family name. No expectations. So when he meets Clover while wearing his motorcycle helmet and helps rescue her cat from a tree, he enjoys the rare chance to be seen as just a normal guy.
Then he realizes she’s the Cincinnati Tigers’ new Dance and Cheer coach.
And she realizes exactly who he is.
Clover came to Cincinnati determined to change the game by building the league’s first body-diverse professional cheer squad. But not everyone wants her to succeed, and someone seems intent on sabotaging the team from the inside.
When they’re forced to work together undercover to uncover the truth, fake dating becomes the perfect cover.
At first, it’s only pretend. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the chemistry between them.
Because somewhere between secret investigations, stolen kisses, and impossible dreams, they both start wanting something real.
My Thoughts
After reading the first six books in the series, and with Cocky Kingmans being one of my all-time favorite romance series, I had pretty high expectations for this one. Thankfully, it did not disappoint, and the series gets to keep its place as one of my favorites.
One thing that surprised me was that this was probably the least spicy book Amy has written in the series so far. I was not really used to that because her books are usually packed with spice, but honestly, it did not take away from my enjoyment at all. The story between Isak and Clover was so unique and refreshing, and I found myself completely invested in their journey. And that plot twist? Absolutely chef’s kiss. I genuinely did not see it coming, and it made the story even more memorable.
But can we talk about Vito and Tig for a second? First of all, those names are iconic. I loved them immediately. And secondly, a cat wearing a helmet on a motorcycle? That image lived rent-free in my head for the entire book. If that existed in real life, I would absolutely pay money to see it.
One thing I always love about Amy’s books is that they carry an empowering message, and this one was no different. Even though the Kingsman family had a slightly smaller role compared to some of the previous books, they still felt like the warm, chaotic, supportive family everyone wishes they could be part of. Every time they appeared on the page, they brought so much heart to the story.
Fox Daws was another standout character for me. I loved every second of his goofiness, his antics, and the way he brought humor into every scene he was in. I am already crossing my fingers that he ends up being Jules’s love interest because I just know that book would be an absolute masterpiece. The chemistry and chaos potential are already there, and I need it immediately.
Going back to the empowering message, I absolutely loved seeing the women come together and fight for their worth, their voices, and the space they deserved to take up in the world. Those moments were inspiring and added so much depth to the story. And honestly, I would have loved to see the flying pig routine in real life because it sounded completely badass.
Even Tiki, despite being one of the antagonistic characters, was someone I enjoyed reading about. She brought so much energy to the story and made every scene more interesting. And then there was Coach. I swear, every time he found another excuse to eat one of his cookies, I could not stop laughing. It became one of those little running jokes that made me smile every single time.
And now, after spending more time with Jules in this book, I need the next book immediately. I am so invested in her story already, and the thought of waiting another year feels way too long. I am hoping with everything I have that the next book will be released by the end of the year because I am definitely not ready to leave the Cocky Kingmans behind yet.
Read this book for:
🐈 Workplace Romance
🏈 Cheerleader x Quarterback
🐈 No Third Act Break Up
🏈 Hidden Identity
🐈 Fake Dating
🏈 He Falls First and Harder
Synopsis
Being a famous quarterback was never supposed to feel this suffocating.
For once, he just wanted to be anonymous. No reporters. No famous family name. No expectations. So when he meets Clover while wearing his motorcycle helmet and helps rescue her cat from a tree, he enjoys the rare chance to be seen as just a normal guy.
Then he realizes she’s the Cincinnati Tigers’ new Dance and Cheer coach.
And she realizes exactly who he is.
Clover came to Cincinnati determined to change the game by building the league’s first body-diverse professional cheer squad. But not everyone wants her to succeed, and someone seems intent on sabotaging the team from the inside.
When they’re forced to work together undercover to uncover the truth, fake dating becomes the perfect cover.
At first, it’s only pretend. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the chemistry between them.
Because somewhere between secret investigations, stolen kisses, and impossible dreams, they both start wanting something real.
My Thoughts
After reading the first six books in the series, and with Cocky Kingmans being one of my all-time favorite romance series, I had pretty high expectations for this one. Thankfully, it did not disappoint, and the series gets to keep its place as one of my favorites.
One thing that surprised me was that this was probably the least spicy book Amy has written in the series so far. I was not really used to that because her books are usually packed with spice, but honestly, it did not take away from my enjoyment at all. The story between Isak and Clover was so unique and refreshing, and I found myself completely invested in their journey. And that plot twist? Absolutely chef’s kiss. I genuinely did not see it coming, and it made the story even more memorable.
But can we talk about Vito and Tig for a second? First of all, those names are iconic. I loved them immediately. And secondly, a cat wearing a helmet on a motorcycle? That image lived rent-free in my head for the entire book. If that existed in real life, I would absolutely pay money to see it.
One thing I always love about Amy’s books is that they carry an empowering message, and this one was no different. Even though the Kingsman family had a slightly smaller role compared to some of the previous books, they still felt like the warm, chaotic, supportive family everyone wishes they could be part of. Every time they appeared on the page, they brought so much heart to the story.
Fox Daws was another standout character for me. I loved every second of his goofiness, his antics, and the way he brought humor into every scene he was in. I am already crossing my fingers that he ends up being Jules’s love interest because I just know that book would be an absolute masterpiece. The chemistry and chaos potential are already there, and I need it immediately.
Going back to the empowering message, I absolutely loved seeing the women come together and fight for their worth, their voices, and the space they deserved to take up in the world. Those moments were inspiring and added so much depth to the story. And honestly, I would have loved to see the flying pig routine in real life because it sounded completely badass.
Even Tiki, despite being one of the antagonistic characters, was someone I enjoyed reading about. She brought so much energy to the story and made every scene more interesting. And then there was Coach. I swear, every time he found another excuse to eat one of his cookies, I could not stop laughing. It became one of those little running jokes that made me smile every single time.
And now, after spending more time with Jules in this book, I need the next book immediately. I am so invested in her story already, and the thought of waiting another year feels way too long. I am hoping with everything I have that the next book will be released by the end of the year because I am definitely not ready to leave the Cocky Kingmans behind yet.
June 12, 2026
✨ Tiger in the Sack – Amy Award ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
🏈🧡🐯🎭🔥
If you love:
• sports romance (football)
• fake dating
• forced proximity
• grumpy/sunshine vibes
• secret identity / helmet anonymity
• protective MMC
THIS BOOK WAS SO FUN, SWEET, AND ADDICTIVE 😭🔥
Chris Kingman starts off living his best “no one knows I’m famous” life behind a motorcycle helmet, and honestly?? That opening scene with him rescuing Clover and her cat was ICONIC 🐱😂
He’s trying so hard to be anonymous, mysterious, and cool… and then immediately fumbles everything in the best way 😭
And Clover???
I LOVED her.
She’s confident, passionate, and determined to build something meaningful with a body-diverse cheer squad in a sport that clearly isn’t ready for it yet 🧡🔥
Their meet-cute is hilarious, but the real story starts when they realize who each other actually are 😮💨
Because suddenly:
• he’s the quarterback
• she’s the new cheer/dance coach
• they have to work together
• and now FAKE DATING enters the chat 👀
The chemistry between them was instant and so easy to root for. Chris becomes incredibly protective of Clover in a way that never feels controlling—just deeply supportive and genuinely invested in her dreams 🥹
I also really loved the deeper themes in this book. Clover facing pushback for trying to change the system added emotional weight beyond the romance, and it made her story feel really empowering.
The banter, the tension, the secrecy, and the fake relationship all blended perfectly into a romance that was both funny and heartfelt.
For me, this was just pure enjoyment from start to finish. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile while reading and immediately want the next chapter 😭🏈
If you love football romance with fake dating, protective heroes, strong heroines, and lots of heart… this one is a MUST READ 🧡🐯🔥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
🏈🧡🐯🎭🔥
If you love:
• sports romance (football)
• fake dating
• forced proximity
• grumpy/sunshine vibes
• secret identity / helmet anonymity
• protective MMC
THIS BOOK WAS SO FUN, SWEET, AND ADDICTIVE 😭🔥
Chris Kingman starts off living his best “no one knows I’m famous” life behind a motorcycle helmet, and honestly?? That opening scene with him rescuing Clover and her cat was ICONIC 🐱😂
He’s trying so hard to be anonymous, mysterious, and cool… and then immediately fumbles everything in the best way 😭
And Clover???
I LOVED her.
She’s confident, passionate, and determined to build something meaningful with a body-diverse cheer squad in a sport that clearly isn’t ready for it yet 🧡🔥
Their meet-cute is hilarious, but the real story starts when they realize who each other actually are 😮💨
Because suddenly:
• he’s the quarterback
• she’s the new cheer/dance coach
• they have to work together
• and now FAKE DATING enters the chat 👀
The chemistry between them was instant and so easy to root for. Chris becomes incredibly protective of Clover in a way that never feels controlling—just deeply supportive and genuinely invested in her dreams 🥹
I also really loved the deeper themes in this book. Clover facing pushback for trying to change the system added emotional weight beyond the romance, and it made her story feel really empowering.
The banter, the tension, the secrecy, and the fake relationship all blended perfectly into a romance that was both funny and heartfelt.
For me, this was just pure enjoyment from start to finish. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile while reading and immediately want the next chapter 😭🏈
If you love football romance with fake dating, protective heroes, strong heroines, and lots of heart… this one is a MUST READ 🧡🐯🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2026
The Tiger in the Sack was funny, heartwarming, and packed with the kind of chaos that makes romantic comedies impossible to put down. Between a quarterback who has absolutely no chill, a heroine determined to change the game, and a fake dating setup that practically begged for disaster, this book delivered both the laughs and the feels.
Clover was such an easy character to root for. I loved her determination to create a body-diverse professional cheer squad despite all the obstacles in her way. Her confidence, vulnerability, and refusal to back down made her an incredibly strong heroine. Watching her chase a dream that meant so much to her gave the story an emotional core that balanced the humor perfectly.
Chris was pure golden retriever energy wrapped in football pads. From the motorcycle helmet meet-cute to his complete inability to hide his feelings, he was endlessly lovable. His support for Clover never felt performative. He genuinely wanted her to succeed, and I loved how protective and encouraging he was without overshadowing her journey.
The fake dating storyline was everything I wanted it to be. The chemistry was immediate, the banter was fantastic, and the gradual shift from pretending to something very real felt natural and believable. Add in the sabotage mystery, the lovable cats, and the larger-than-life Kingman family, and there was never a dull moment.
What stood out most was how much heart this story had. Beneath the humor and romance is a message about belonging, representation, and fighting for a place in spaces that weren't built with you in mind.
Overall, this was sweet, funny, emotional, and completely addictive. A sports romance with plenty of laughs, swoony moments, and characters you'll want to spend more time with long after the final chapter.
Clover was such an easy character to root for. I loved her determination to create a body-diverse professional cheer squad despite all the obstacles in her way. Her confidence, vulnerability, and refusal to back down made her an incredibly strong heroine. Watching her chase a dream that meant so much to her gave the story an emotional core that balanced the humor perfectly.
Chris was pure golden retriever energy wrapped in football pads. From the motorcycle helmet meet-cute to his complete inability to hide his feelings, he was endlessly lovable. His support for Clover never felt performative. He genuinely wanted her to succeed, and I loved how protective and encouraging he was without overshadowing her journey.
The fake dating storyline was everything I wanted it to be. The chemistry was immediate, the banter was fantastic, and the gradual shift from pretending to something very real felt natural and believable. Add in the sabotage mystery, the lovable cats, and the larger-than-life Kingman family, and there was never a dull moment.
What stood out most was how much heart this story had. Beneath the humor and romance is a message about belonging, representation, and fighting for a place in spaces that weren't built with you in mind.
Overall, this was sweet, funny, emotional, and completely addictive. A sports romance with plenty of laughs, swoony moments, and characters you'll want to spend more time with long after the final chapter.
June 15, 2026
Isak, the youngest Kingman brother finds his Queen in the lovely and competent Clover in this slow burn, fake dating, wonderful romcom with major heart and soul.
Although she’s just a masters degree away from becoming a full fledged engineer, Clover has been handed a challenging yet groundbreaking position overseeing the creation of the first ever size- and age-inclusive cheer and dance team for Cincinnati’s professional football team. More than up for the task, and used to handling everything on her own, when her precious feline Tig escapes the confines of their new apartment and gets himself well and truly wedged up a nearby tree.
Cinci quarterback Isak is riding home on his motorcycle with his trusty tuxedo cat harnessed in (like one does) when both his and Vito Catleone’s attention are arrested by a gorgeous young woman stuck in a tree having unsuccessfully attempted to save her orange tabby. Keeping his helmet in place, and therefore his anonymity, the burly Cat Daddy plucks both critter and cheerleader from certain doom. While the pair then exchange numbers and flirty texts, Isak declined to give his name or reveal his face.
At the stadium, Isak learns Clover’s identity but doesn’t let on who he is, which of course comes back to bite him. As the pair work together to uncover the saboteurs working to sink Clover’s pilot program, unwanted attention from both Clover’s ex and an entitled, influential divorcee looking to bag the only remaining Kingman bachelor necessitate a fake-dating situation between Clover and Isak. Isak, however, is in it for real, for real.
Will they get to the bottom of the plot against the squad? And will Clover be able to forgive Isak for thinking keeping his secrets was a good idea? Will Cincinnati survive an invasion of Kingmans???
Amy Award has delivered another winning installment in the idyllic Kingman universe where creeps get their comeuppance and all bodies are beautiful. Full stop. Oh to live in such a world.
I was generously provided an advance reader copy from the author, and I’m pleased to share my honest and enthusiastic impressions.
Although she’s just a masters degree away from becoming a full fledged engineer, Clover has been handed a challenging yet groundbreaking position overseeing the creation of the first ever size- and age-inclusive cheer and dance team for Cincinnati’s professional football team. More than up for the task, and used to handling everything on her own, when her precious feline Tig escapes the confines of their new apartment and gets himself well and truly wedged up a nearby tree.
Cinci quarterback Isak is riding home on his motorcycle with his trusty tuxedo cat harnessed in (like one does) when both his and Vito Catleone’s attention are arrested by a gorgeous young woman stuck in a tree having unsuccessfully attempted to save her orange tabby. Keeping his helmet in place, and therefore his anonymity, the burly Cat Daddy plucks both critter and cheerleader from certain doom. While the pair then exchange numbers and flirty texts, Isak declined to give his name or reveal his face.
At the stadium, Isak learns Clover’s identity but doesn’t let on who he is, which of course comes back to bite him. As the pair work together to uncover the saboteurs working to sink Clover’s pilot program, unwanted attention from both Clover’s ex and an entitled, influential divorcee looking to bag the only remaining Kingman bachelor necessitate a fake-dating situation between Clover and Isak. Isak, however, is in it for real, for real.
Will they get to the bottom of the plot against the squad? And will Clover be able to forgive Isak for thinking keeping his secrets was a good idea? Will Cincinnati survive an invasion of Kingmans???
Amy Award has delivered another winning installment in the idyllic Kingman universe where creeps get their comeuppance and all bodies are beautiful. Full stop. Oh to live in such a world.
I was generously provided an advance reader copy from the author, and I’m pleased to share my honest and enthusiastic impressions.
June 16, 2026
The Tiger in the Sack is the seventh book in the Cocky Kingmans series. Since I hadn’t read any of the previous books, I was curious to see if a book this far into a series could really stand on its own.
Here’s the thing: it failed at being a true standalone because now I want to read the entire series!
In all seriousness, it does work as a standalone novel. There are a few backstory elements that probably would have added more depth if I had read the earlier books, but everything was explained well enough that I never felt lost or like I was missing essential information from the earlier books.
One thing I especially enjoyed was the tone and family dynamic, which felt like a modern-day Bridgerton. The characters are well developed, lovable, and easy to become invested in. I ended up enjoying this book far more than I expected.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt story about positivity, found family, and not being afraid to take up space, this is the book for you. I was also surprised that, despite the raunchy title, there wasn’t much spice until about 90% of the way through the book. For readers who pay attention to spice levels, this one is fairly tame overall.
I absolutely loved this book and wasn’t quite ready for it to end. It’s exactly the kind of story that makes you want to immediately pick up the rest of the series.
Here’s the thing: it failed at being a true standalone because now I want to read the entire series!
In all seriousness, it does work as a standalone novel. There are a few backstory elements that probably would have added more depth if I had read the earlier books, but everything was explained well enough that I never felt lost or like I was missing essential information from the earlier books.
One thing I especially enjoyed was the tone and family dynamic, which felt like a modern-day Bridgerton. The characters are well developed, lovable, and easy to become invested in. I ended up enjoying this book far more than I expected.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt story about positivity, found family, and not being afraid to take up space, this is the book for you. I was also surprised that, despite the raunchy title, there wasn’t much spice until about 90% of the way through the book. For readers who pay attention to spice levels, this one is fairly tame overall.
I absolutely loved this book and wasn’t quite ready for it to end. It’s exactly the kind of story that makes you want to immediately pick up the rest of the series.
June 10, 2026
STEM FMC: aerospace engineer
Sigh. This is the first stem girlie we get in the series, and her engineering background is a tagline about spreadsheets. While engineers do love spreadsheets, don’t get me wrong, it was literally the only thing about her that wasn’t cheerleading. It made me sad.
Also, you can tell that Amy rushed to finish this one. There was a load of typos and sentences that didn’t quite make sense and some timing that was off in the progression of the storyline. And there was so much less of the rest of the kingmans and their wives and Bridger in this one than the others. I missed them and their shenanigans.
This was the least spicy of all of the series so far, so if you’re looking for spice, this one really isn’t it.
Overall this one was disappointing for me, but still relatively silly and light. I’m really pumped for Jules and Fox next.
Sigh. This is the first stem girlie we get in the series, and her engineering background is a tagline about spreadsheets. While engineers do love spreadsheets, don’t get me wrong, it was literally the only thing about her that wasn’t cheerleading. It made me sad.
Also, you can tell that Amy rushed to finish this one. There was a load of typos and sentences that didn’t quite make sense and some timing that was off in the progression of the storyline. And there was so much less of the rest of the kingmans and their wives and Bridger in this one than the others. I missed them and their shenanigans.
This was the least spicy of all of the series so far, so if you’re looking for spice, this one really isn’t it.
Overall this one was disappointing for me, but still relatively silly and light. I’m really pumped for Jules and Fox next.
August 4, 2026
I swear Amy Award puts something addictive in her books because I was planning to listen to a few chapters… and suddenly I was completely invested in Isak and Clover.
Isak was easily my favorite part of this book. Watching this confident quarterback slowly realize he was absolutely gone for Clover had me smiling the whole time. I love a hero who falls hard, and he definitely delivered.
Clover was so easy to root for. She knew exactly who she was, and I loved that she never tried to be anyone else. Seeing someone love her for exactly that made this romance even sweeter.
One thing I absolutely love about the Kingman family is that no matter how far apart they are, when one of them needs help, they show up. Every single time. Those moments always remind me why I love this family so much.
This was one book I genuinely enjoyed from beginning to end. If you love sports romances with heart, humor, and a hero who’s completely down bad, with the biggest heart, this one is worth adding to your TBR..
4.25 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️
4.50 🎧📚
Thank you very much Valentine PR and Amy Award for never letting me way for my favorite releases
Isak was easily my favorite part of this book. Watching this confident quarterback slowly realize he was absolutely gone for Clover had me smiling the whole time. I love a hero who falls hard, and he definitely delivered.
Clover was so easy to root for. She knew exactly who she was, and I loved that she never tried to be anyone else. Seeing someone love her for exactly that made this romance even sweeter.
One thing I absolutely love about the Kingman family is that no matter how far apart they are, when one of them needs help, they show up. Every single time. Those moments always remind me why I love this family so much.
This was one book I genuinely enjoyed from beginning to end. If you love sports romances with heart, humor, and a hero who’s completely down bad, with the biggest heart, this one is worth adding to your TBR..
4.25 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️
4.50 🎧📚
Thank you very much Valentine PR and Amy Award for never letting me way for my favorite releases
June 9, 2026
4.25⭐️1🌶️
Thank you to Amy Award & VPR for sending me the advanced copy of this book! Isak Kingman is up there with Hayes as my favorite Kingman brother - he’s so sweet and loving that he doesn’t quite know how to show it. Clover is our badass FMC who is blazing a path for plus-sized women who’ve been told they don’t belong in sports (specifically dance and cheerleading) their whole lives. I love her and everything she stands for, as well as how Isak lets her fight her own battles.
My favorite characters of the book have to be our cats - Tig O’Bittlesworth and Vito Catleone. First of all, cutest cat names ever. Second, I love how they sneak away to be with each other - it’s so freakin sweet! 🥹
Book 7 of this crazy series that I’ve loved so much - I can’t believe just one book is left!
Thank you to Amy Award & VPR for sending me the advanced copy of this book! Isak Kingman is up there with Hayes as my favorite Kingman brother - he’s so sweet and loving that he doesn’t quite know how to show it. Clover is our badass FMC who is blazing a path for plus-sized women who’ve been told they don’t belong in sports (specifically dance and cheerleading) their whole lives. I love her and everything she stands for, as well as how Isak lets her fight her own battles.
My favorite characters of the book have to be our cats - Tig O’Bittlesworth and Vito Catleone. First of all, cutest cat names ever. Second, I love how they sneak away to be with each other - it’s so freakin sweet! 🥹
Book 7 of this crazy series that I’ve loved so much - I can’t believe just one book is left!
July 29, 2026
I’ve loved this series and was really looking forward to this book but it didn’t hit like the others. I’m not sure if it’s because I did the audio where I’ve read the last few books but the humor was really missing from this story. While the fat phobia story line is still present, the general story is both the FMC and the MMC are extremely unsure of theirselves and it’s a bit repetitive. The cat dad lines are very cute but this didn’t fall into the same category as the previous books. Likewise, the male narrator - Stephen Borne - sounds like a 50 year old smoker, not a young NFL player - I couldn’t connect with the audio at all. The female narration by AM Elizabeth Kay was fine.
Obviously I encourage you to finish the series but I’d suggest to skip the audio!
3.75
Obviously I encourage you to finish the series but I’d suggest to skip the audio!
3.75
June 13, 2026
Tiger in the Sack is a fun body positive romance by Amy Award. This was my first book of the author’s to read and won’t be the last. Clover is a curvaceous lady that was hired to create a body positive cheerleader team. She had a very positive body image. Isak was the star quarterback of the football team and Clover was creating the team for. In the beginning, Isak hid who he was from Clover. Isak came from a famous football family and was proud of the life he created away from football. Clover was up against the old boys club and what they thought cheerleaders should look like. They teamed up together and feel in love with each other. Thank you to VPR arc’s for an e-copy for an honest review.
June 20, 2026
Amy making room for the girls who feel like they don’t belong, and the quiet guys who feel like they can’t be too loud or open with their feelings. I enjoyed these characters and their arcs, but I occasionally felt like they were overshadowed by the potential of Jules and Fox. The cats were adorable, who wouldn’t love to see a motorcycle riding cat in a helmet! Amy is known for her solid inclusive steam but that was basically pushed to the side, I feel like unintentionally. I liked the drama from the overconfident Monty, and tiki, but I felt like it fell a bit flat, I wish more had happened to Tiki besides slipping away in embarrassment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2026
This was such a cute story. Not just the romance but the confidence it brings. It showcases the confidence you have to have to believe in yourself and what your capabilities are. Everything else just flowed perfect, the chemistry between the FMC AND MMC was great, their banter was adorable. I was able to get this as an ALC and I had already purchased the Ebook because the story just called to me so being able to immersive read was evem better. The only issues I had but my preference, is the male actor performing the female voice, I dont see the point of it. But all in all this was a great read.
August 8, 2026
Tiger in the sack by Amy Award
Audiobook ARC from Libro FM
-book just started and I’m already blushing and giddy
-her being in the tree to save the cat is giving me get a life Chloe brown vibes (my fav book by Talia Hibbert
-he sounds fine also tattoos , motorcycle 🤪👀 we love a man that admires a women’s curves
-clover is an interesting and cute name
-love seeing a boss ass black plus size cheerleader 🫶🏾✨
-forced proximity, fake dating, cheerleader and football player gobble gobble
-the cat is adorable and funny😂
-this was cute I did find myself disconnecting a lot tho
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Audiobook ARC from Libro FM
-book just started and I’m already blushing and giddy
-her being in the tree to save the cat is giving me get a life Chloe brown vibes (my fav book by Talia Hibbert
-he sounds fine also tattoos , motorcycle 🤪👀 we love a man that admires a women’s curves
-clover is an interesting and cute name
-love seeing a boss ass black plus size cheerleader 🫶🏾✨
-forced proximity, fake dating, cheerleader and football player gobble gobble
-the cat is adorable and funny😂
-this was cute I did find myself disconnecting a lot tho
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
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