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Ava Enters the Group Chat: A sweet, opposites-attract romance
Not yet published
Expected 2 Feb 27Wrong Number. Right Guy. One Big Secret.
When Ava, a giraffe keeper who wants nothing to do with fame, is accidentally added to a group chat of men she assumes are coworkers, she plans to quietly leave. Instead, she stays--and quickly becomes part of the easy banter and unexpected friendship.
What she doesn't realize? The chat is made up of a pro football team. Including Hudson--the quarterback she already turned down in real life because his very public career is exactly what she's trying to avoid.
As Ava and Hudson start talking privately, real feelings begin to grow. But when Hudson realizes who she is, he makes a risky he won't tell her the truth just yet. First, he'll prove he's more than the spotlight.
Now, with crossed paths, growing chemistry, and a secret that won't stay hidden forever, Hudson risks losing the one woman who never cared about his fame in the first place.
When Ava, a giraffe keeper who wants nothing to do with fame, is accidentally added to a group chat of men she assumes are coworkers, she plans to quietly leave. Instead, she stays--and quickly becomes part of the easy banter and unexpected friendship.
What she doesn't realize? The chat is made up of a pro football team. Including Hudson--the quarterback she already turned down in real life because his very public career is exactly what she's trying to avoid.
As Ava and Hudson start talking privately, real feelings begin to grow. But when Hudson realizes who she is, he makes a risky he won't tell her the truth just yet. First, he'll prove he's more than the spotlight.
Now, with crossed paths, growing chemistry, and a secret that won't stay hidden forever, Hudson risks losing the one woman who never cared about his fame in the first place.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 2, 2027
About the author
Emma St. Clair
62 books4,271 followersEmma St. Clair is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves sassy heroines, witty banter, and love stories with heart and humor. She has an MFA in Fiction and lives in Katy, Texas (go, Tigers!) with her hubby, five children, and Great Dane. Her favorite place to write is tapping on her phone while on the elliptical machine. No Emmas have been hurt in the writing of these novels. (Yet.)
Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante
You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.
Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante
You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 26, 2026
(I received a complimentary advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Emma St. Clair does it again!
I have fallen in love with each of her books, for a plethora of reasons, and all of them can be found in this book.
1. The Cheese
Yes, the book is cheesy. Yes, it can be silly. Yes, it may not be entirely believable (PA to giraffe keeper is far fetched—turn it into a zoology student who couldn’t find a job out of college so took the PA job to work up to it, and that would have been better! Or some other reason to justify that Ava wanted to work with animals.)
However, the cheese and silliness and playfulness between characters is the charm of St. Clair’s books! Her character relationships are so believable because they tease each other (doing it well, I might add), and you can see the bond they have beneath it. I was giggling and laughing out loud at some of the group texts, and even at the letters and in person interactions. (Tangent, but Hudson’s letters?? Yes please!) So yes, there is cheese. No, it’s not for everyone. Does it help this reader to escape reality and enjoy a cute book? Absolutely! It may not be your cup of hot cocoa, but it sure is mine!
2. Character Relationships
I touched on this briefly already with the cheese, but the banter and the friendships we see throughout the book are so cute. I loved the football players and their camaraderie, but especially how soft and sweet they were with Ava and Hazel. I also loved that Ava connected with Presley, and that she realized that her own hindrances were keeping her back, not that Presley wasn’t interested. I would love to see more of their relationship now that they are spending time together!
Family relationships aren’t always easy, so I loved that St. Clair showed that—with Ava and her dad, Hudson and his dad, Ava and her step-mother, Ava and Presley, etc. Even Hudson and his mom showed growth, and as an added benefit, his mom raised him right! I mean, “Anne of Green Gables”? Priceless. (And on that note, a man that willingly reads “Pride and Prejudice” without being directly asked to??? I died dead.)
3. No Spice
Clean rom coms are my jam! This is a hallmark for St. Clair, which may be controversial, but it is a hill I am willing to die on: you do not need explicit scenes for character growth, relationships, or tension. The sparks between Ava and Hudson leap off the page, without the added scenes. You can still giggle and cry and gasp in all the right places. Enough said.
4. The Romance
Ah, the romance. The heart of the story. That meet cute was something else, for sure! I can honestly say that I’ve never read another book with a fake make-out session in a walk-in fridge that ends up with bloody hands from broken glasses. Believable? …meh. Freaking cute and setting the tone for more banter? Absolutely!
Ava and Hudson are so cute together, and I adore that Hudson was patient with Ava and let her come to her own conclusions instead of trying to force something. He never tried to change her, loved her work uniform and glasses, and took the time to get to know what makes her tick. He is long suffering and shows Ava that not all public relationships are going to end up the same way—he keeps their kisses private, as promised, and knows that she isn’t in it for the fame. Win-win!
Ava takes some time to let down her tower gates, (iykyk), but once she does? She knows what she wants and she doesn’t mess it up. Sold!
On the flip side…
A few thoughts for improvement:
Ava’s backstory and desire to be out of the public eye was totally believable! However, I would have liked to have a bit more information to bolster that character growth. We get bits and pieces throughout, which I love! But maybe a flashback or her dad talking about the accident more would have been helpful. That being said, I loved that we saw how Ava had a complicated relationship with her dad and yet still loved him, persevered, and actually talked to him! Underrated, imo. I also think it would have been cool to see them play together or to co-write a song or something.
I do also wish we got a bit more from the football players. BUT. If the reason behind the lack of Gunny, Polo, and Sherlock content is that this is eventually going to be a series and the rest of them will find love… I will be sat and stop complaining!
Overall!
This is a 5-star read for me because it is the type of book that I personally love. It may not be for everyone, but as a cute, opposites attract rom com? Sign me up! There are a few things that I would consider tweaking, as mentioned, but I would reread this in a heartbeat and I would bet that I would still be giggling and smiling at it just the same as the first time through. I could probably go on and on and elaborate on all the points made, but instead, I’ll just wait for the official release and reread it then!
Emma St. Clair does it again!
I have fallen in love with each of her books, for a plethora of reasons, and all of them can be found in this book.
1. The Cheese
Yes, the book is cheesy. Yes, it can be silly. Yes, it may not be entirely believable (PA to giraffe keeper is far fetched—turn it into a zoology student who couldn’t find a job out of college so took the PA job to work up to it, and that would have been better! Or some other reason to justify that Ava wanted to work with animals.)
However, the cheese and silliness and playfulness between characters is the charm of St. Clair’s books! Her character relationships are so believable because they tease each other (doing it well, I might add), and you can see the bond they have beneath it. I was giggling and laughing out loud at some of the group texts, and even at the letters and in person interactions. (Tangent, but Hudson’s letters?? Yes please!) So yes, there is cheese. No, it’s not for everyone. Does it help this reader to escape reality and enjoy a cute book? Absolutely! It may not be your cup of hot cocoa, but it sure is mine!
2. Character Relationships
I touched on this briefly already with the cheese, but the banter and the friendships we see throughout the book are so cute. I loved the football players and their camaraderie, but especially how soft and sweet they were with Ava and Hazel. I also loved that Ava connected with Presley, and that she realized that her own hindrances were keeping her back, not that Presley wasn’t interested. I would love to see more of their relationship now that they are spending time together!
Family relationships aren’t always easy, so I loved that St. Clair showed that—with Ava and her dad, Hudson and his dad, Ava and her step-mother, Ava and Presley, etc. Even Hudson and his mom showed growth, and as an added benefit, his mom raised him right! I mean, “Anne of Green Gables”? Priceless. (And on that note, a man that willingly reads “Pride and Prejudice” without being directly asked to??? I died dead.)
3. No Spice
Clean rom coms are my jam! This is a hallmark for St. Clair, which may be controversial, but it is a hill I am willing to die on: you do not need explicit scenes for character growth, relationships, or tension. The sparks between Ava and Hudson leap off the page, without the added scenes. You can still giggle and cry and gasp in all the right places. Enough said.
4. The Romance
Ah, the romance. The heart of the story. That meet cute was something else, for sure! I can honestly say that I’ve never read another book with a fake make-out session in a walk-in fridge that ends up with bloody hands from broken glasses. Believable? …meh. Freaking cute and setting the tone for more banter? Absolutely!
Ava and Hudson are so cute together, and I adore that Hudson was patient with Ava and let her come to her own conclusions instead of trying to force something. He never tried to change her, loved her work uniform and glasses, and took the time to get to know what makes her tick. He is long suffering and shows Ava that not all public relationships are going to end up the same way—he keeps their kisses private, as promised, and knows that she isn’t in it for the fame. Win-win!
Ava takes some time to let down her tower gates, (iykyk), but once she does? She knows what she wants and she doesn’t mess it up. Sold!
On the flip side…
A few thoughts for improvement:
Ava’s backstory and desire to be out of the public eye was totally believable! However, I would have liked to have a bit more information to bolster that character growth. We get bits and pieces throughout, which I love! But maybe a flashback or her dad talking about the accident more would have been helpful. That being said, I loved that we saw how Ava had a complicated relationship with her dad and yet still loved him, persevered, and actually talked to him! Underrated, imo. I also think it would have been cool to see them play together or to co-write a song or something.
I do also wish we got a bit more from the football players. BUT. If the reason behind the lack of Gunny, Polo, and Sherlock content is that this is eventually going to be a series and the rest of them will find love… I will be sat and stop complaining!
Overall!
This is a 5-star read for me because it is the type of book that I personally love. It may not be for everyone, but as a cute, opposites attract rom com? Sign me up! There are a few things that I would consider tweaking, as mentioned, but I would reread this in a heartbeat and I would bet that I would still be giggling and smiling at it just the same as the first time through. I could probably go on and on and elaborate on all the points made, but instead, I’ll just wait for the official release and reread it then!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2026
I loved this one. I have really liked Emma St Clair books in the past but THE COVER is what drew me in to this and moved it to the top of my TBR list. Is Ava’s job a real thing? (Do ultra-rich people keep giraffes? IDK). Maybe had to suspend a little disbelief there, but it was a fun addition to the rom com formula.
Also, I had a hard time believing that Ava didn’t figure out Hudson/Boss were the same person sooner. She’s a smart cookie… and girl, the signs were there 😂
Even still, I loved this one. St Clair is one of my favorite clean romance authors to recommend to my teenage daughter and I will forsure be recommending it to her upon publication in February!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Also, I had a hard time believing that Ava didn’t figure out Hudson/Boss were the same person sooner. She’s a smart cookie… and girl, the signs were there 😂
Even still, I loved this one. St Clair is one of my favorite clean romance authors to recommend to my teenage daughter and I will forsure be recommending it to her upon publication in February!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2026
Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emma St. Clair has done it again! I absolutely adored Ava Enters the Group Chat from the very first page and couldn’t put it down. Honestly, I adore anything Emma writes, and this one was no exception.
The accidental group chat premise was so much fun and had me smiling the entire time. The banter between the characters was hilarious, witty, and felt so natural. Ava was such a lovable heroine, and Hudson completely stole my heart. Their chemistry was sweet, heartfelt, and had me rooting for them from the beginning.
I loved how this story balanced laugh out-loud moments with genuine emotion. The secret, the slow building romance, and the reminder that there’s more to a person than their public image made this such a feel-good read.
If you’re looking for a charming, closed-door romance with fantastic characters, amazing banter, and all the butterflies, this one is an absolute must read. Another five star winner from Emma St. Clair!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emma St. Clair has done it again! I absolutely adored Ava Enters the Group Chat from the very first page and couldn’t put it down. Honestly, I adore anything Emma writes, and this one was no exception.
The accidental group chat premise was so much fun and had me smiling the entire time. The banter between the characters was hilarious, witty, and felt so natural. Ava was such a lovable heroine, and Hudson completely stole my heart. Their chemistry was sweet, heartfelt, and had me rooting for them from the beginning.
I loved how this story balanced laugh out-loud moments with genuine emotion. The secret, the slow building romance, and the reminder that there’s more to a person than their public image made this such a feel-good read.
If you’re looking for a charming, closed-door romance with fantastic characters, amazing banter, and all the butterflies, this one is an absolute must read. Another five star winner from Emma St. Clair!
July 29, 2026
A giraffe keeper and a quarterback fall in love in an unorthodox way. Ava Enters The Group Chat is just cheesy enough to be enjoyable. I am a huge sucker for text messages in books and this one is no exception. I really enjoyed the banter between the boys.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✔️sitz baths
✔️goofy boy bros
✔️family drama
✔️too many shoes
Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction + NetGalley for the ARC! I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
tldr: if you’re looking for an easy on the brain read, a will they wont they romance, a banter filled sports romance, or just an excuse to laugh out loud — You will love this book!
Group chats is one of my top micro tropes, and this book is full of them! I think it’s particularly special when men are teasing with one another while not being toxically backhanded. I definitely had a few moments reading these text messages in this book and actually laughed out loud at all of the men’s perspectives on the random topics they’d text about. It made all of the side characters feel very rich in depth and purposeful to the plot!
I really enjoyed the female companionship/ camaraderie that happens between multiple sets of the female characters as well! Particularly loved Avas boss being a woman, though I felt like the competition of wanting the football team to be successful wasn’t really detrimental to the story as it could have been for the plot (especially for the will they/ wont they for each others careers)
For me personally this book isn’t something I’d ever read again, but I would definitely recommend it to any romcom lover to give it a shot!
key notes:
- incredible banter & tension, this being closed door romance is something I don’t usually gravitate towards however, I genuinely felt like the story kept me reeled in without needing the spice to validate their true connection
- I did find it a bit hard to decipher who was who, and I did have to create a little note to remember their identities correlations.
- this book was about 150 pages too long seeing as how there wasn’t much of any other plot other than the main one.
- Ava‘s backstory felt a little brushed over for how much it seemed to affect her decision making.
✔️goofy boy bros
✔️family drama
✔️too many shoes
Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction + NetGalley for the ARC! I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
tldr: if you’re looking for an easy on the brain read, a will they wont they romance, a banter filled sports romance, or just an excuse to laugh out loud — You will love this book!
Group chats is one of my top micro tropes, and this book is full of them! I think it’s particularly special when men are teasing with one another while not being toxically backhanded. I definitely had a few moments reading these text messages in this book and actually laughed out loud at all of the men’s perspectives on the random topics they’d text about. It made all of the side characters feel very rich in depth and purposeful to the plot!
I really enjoyed the female companionship/ camaraderie that happens between multiple sets of the female characters as well! Particularly loved Avas boss being a woman, though I felt like the competition of wanting the football team to be successful wasn’t really detrimental to the story as it could have been for the plot (especially for the will they/ wont they for each others careers)
For me personally this book isn’t something I’d ever read again, but I would definitely recommend it to any romcom lover to give it a shot!
key notes:
- incredible banter & tension, this being closed door romance is something I don’t usually gravitate towards however, I genuinely felt like the story kept me reeled in without needing the spice to validate their true connection
- I did find it a bit hard to decipher who was who, and I did have to create a little note to remember their identities correlations.
- this book was about 150 pages too long seeing as how there wasn’t much of any other plot other than the main one.
- Ava‘s backstory felt a little brushed over for how much it seemed to affect her decision making.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having read several of Emma St. Clair’s books, I’ve come to expect stories that are heartfelt, clean, and laugh out loud funny — and this one absolutely delivers.
Quarterback Hudson Herring is determined to rebuild his career after a rough rookie year in Tennessee. When he’s traded to Houston, he quickly bonds with his new teammates. A group chat soon forms, and Hudson is added… except his number is entered incorrectly. To everyone’s surprise, the owner of that wrong number starts responding. Once the mistake is fixed, the guys decide to keep the mystery contact, labeling her “Imposter.” It doesn’t take long to discover the imposter is a woman.
Ava has worked for wealthy Maxine Knies for years — first as her personal assistant and now as her senior giraffe keeper. Max collects exotic animals and also happens to own the Houston football team. During a team event on Max’s property, Ava and the new recruit meet under wildly unexpected circumstances. Sparks fly instantly, but Ava has a firm rule: never get involved with anyone famous or publicly recognizable.
Things become even more complicated when the players realize the imposter is Ava — and that Hudson has developed a huge crush on her. His teammates, well-meaning but relentless, bombard him with romantic advice, making the situation even more entertaining.
I laughed my way through this book, and it was impossible not to fall in love with these wonderfully quirky, lovable characters. Emma St. Clair blends humor, heart, and charm in a way that makes this story an absolute delight.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
Quarterback Hudson Herring is determined to rebuild his career after a rough rookie year in Tennessee. When he’s traded to Houston, he quickly bonds with his new teammates. A group chat soon forms, and Hudson is added… except his number is entered incorrectly. To everyone’s surprise, the owner of that wrong number starts responding. Once the mistake is fixed, the guys decide to keep the mystery contact, labeling her “Imposter.” It doesn’t take long to discover the imposter is a woman.
Ava has worked for wealthy Maxine Knies for years — first as her personal assistant and now as her senior giraffe keeper. Max collects exotic animals and also happens to own the Houston football team. During a team event on Max’s property, Ava and the new recruit meet under wildly unexpected circumstances. Sparks fly instantly, but Ava has a firm rule: never get involved with anyone famous or publicly recognizable.
Things become even more complicated when the players realize the imposter is Ava — and that Hudson has developed a huge crush on her. His teammates, well-meaning but relentless, bombard him with romantic advice, making the situation even more entertaining.
I laughed my way through this book, and it was impossible not to fall in love with these wonderfully quirky, lovable characters. Emma St. Clair blends humor, heart, and charm in a way that makes this story an absolute delight.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
July 24, 2026
Given the title, you can expect to see back and forth between multiple characters through message exchanges. This book centers around Ava, a giraffe keeper for a wealthy football team owner. Ava is inadvertently added to a group chat that includes members of that same football team. On the same day that Ava is added to the chat, she meets Hudson when they both escape to the giraffe barn on the property to avoid the party they are both supposed to be attending. Rather than delete Ava from the chat, the team members decide to keep the chat going, but with everyone maintaining anonymity by using nicknames. It is later revealed that one member of the group chat is Hudson. Throughout the book, Hudson and Ava continue to chat with one another through chat while not revealing their true identities while they also begin to develop a relationship in person.
Similar to Emma St. Clair’s other sports romances, this one was also a bingeable, fun, closed-door romance. The best parts (imo) were the group chat exchanges. The personalities of each member of the team came through and there was clear camaraderie between the team members.
One thing that took me out of the story was that having volunteered and worked in zoo settings in the past, the idea that a PA could transition to a giraffe keeper seemed a bit far-fetched for me, but I was able to put that aside and enjoy the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Similar to Emma St. Clair’s other sports romances, this one was also a bingeable, fun, closed-door romance. The best parts (imo) were the group chat exchanges. The personalities of each member of the team came through and there was clear camaraderie between the team members.
One thing that took me out of the story was that having volunteered and worked in zoo settings in the past, the idea that a PA could transition to a giraffe keeper seemed a bit far-fetched for me, but I was able to put that aside and enjoy the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
August 1, 2026
I’m conflicted, but I give this a four star rating because of how unique the story is, how hilarious the writing is, and because I genuinely enjoy Emma St Clair’s writing.
The characters were so incredibly diverse and entertaining. The story is one I can safely say I’ve never read before, lol. And the chemistry between the main characters was palpable. This was a cozy novel and I would say that I don’t think I noticed or minded one bit.
My criticism? There were some perspectives I don’t quite agree with. I also think there was a point when the book felt a bit drawn out. I could get over that, but I did struggle with these outdated ideas that boys and girls can’t be friends.
O
Sure, the FMC probably can’t be genuine “friends” with two guys she has a crush on and her guilt stems from that. But that blanket statement that boys and girls can’t be friends unless they’re single is bizarre and rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t even have straight guy friends, but the idea that both parties will magically develop attraction beyond their control that leads people to betray their partners is kind of toxic.
I get how people can see things that way, especially if they have been cheated on, but that’s not really a reality for the FMC. Overlay, this is less of a criticism of the existence of that way of thinking, and more so that I don’t think that way so content that revolves around this idea makes me want to disengage a bit.
Anyway, besides that I definitely enjoyed this novel.
The characters were so incredibly diverse and entertaining. The story is one I can safely say I’ve never read before, lol. And the chemistry between the main characters was palpable. This was a cozy novel and I would say that I don’t think I noticed or minded one bit.
My criticism? There were some perspectives I don’t quite agree with. I also think there was a point when the book felt a bit drawn out. I could get over that, but I did struggle with these outdated ideas that boys and girls can’t be friends.
O
Sure, the FMC probably can’t be genuine “friends” with two guys she has a crush on and her guilt stems from that. But that blanket statement that boys and girls can’t be friends unless they’re single is bizarre and rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t even have straight guy friends, but the idea that both parties will magically develop attraction beyond their control that leads people to betray their partners is kind of toxic.
I get how people can see things that way, especially if they have been cheated on, but that’s not really a reality for the FMC. Overlay, this is less of a criticism of the existence of that way of thinking, and more so that I don’t think that way so content that revolves around this idea makes me want to disengage a bit.
Anyway, besides that I definitely enjoyed this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this book! I kept giving myself reading time limits so I could get some cleaning done and catch up on the other ARCs waiting on my TBR, but this story had me hooked from the very first chapter. Every time I told myself, “Just one more chapter,” I couldn’t stop until I finished with a huge smile on my face.
As someone whose all-time favorite movie is You’ve Got Mail, this book was right up my alley. The cast of characters completely melted my heart—giraffes and all!
Ava is determined to stay out of the spotlight after growing up with two famous parents and spending her childhood in the public eye. She’s happy living a quiet life until she meets Hudson. Once she discovers he’s the star quarterback recently traded to her boss’s team, she refuses to pursue the connection. But when she’s accidentally added to a football team group chat because her phone number is one digit off, she can’t resist the hilarious banter with these larger-than-life players. She especially connects with one member, “Boss,” through private messages. Watching these tough football players show their funny, genuine sides was one of my favorite parts of the book. As Ava gets to know both Hudson and his alter ego, she realizes some risks are absolutely worth taking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As someone whose all-time favorite movie is You’ve Got Mail, this book was right up my alley. The cast of characters completely melted my heart—giraffes and all!
Ava is determined to stay out of the spotlight after growing up with two famous parents and spending her childhood in the public eye. She’s happy living a quiet life until she meets Hudson. Once she discovers he’s the star quarterback recently traded to her boss’s team, she refuses to pursue the connection. But when she’s accidentally added to a football team group chat because her phone number is one digit off, she can’t resist the hilarious banter with these larger-than-life players. She especially connects with one member, “Boss,” through private messages. Watching these tough football players show their funny, genuine sides was one of my favorite parts of the book. As Ava gets to know both Hudson and his alter ego, she realizes some risks are absolutely worth taking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 30, 2026
A Sweet Romance with a Satisfying Finish
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
Ava Enters the Group Chat is a sweet, clean romance with a fun and unusual premise. I especially enjoyed the group chat banter and the camaraderie between Hudson and his teammates. The football setting was another highlight for me, and I appreciated that Hudson’s reasons for keeping his identity hidden felt understandable rather than intentionally hurtful.
This was a slow-building story, and it took me a little while to become fully invested in the romance. However, I enjoyed the second half much more as the relationships deepened and the truth moved closer to being revealed. The letters added an old-fashioned twist that we do not often see in contemporary romance, while the mistaken group chat kept the story feeling playful and current.
The reveal was handled especially well, and I loved the way everything came together in the final portion of the book. The characters were given room to communicate, grow, and move forward, which made the ending feel warm and satisfying.
With its playful group chat, football setting, hidden identities, sweet romance, and strong finish, this is a charming choice for readers who enjoy clean romantic comedies with plenty of heart. Emma St. Clair continues to deliver stories that celebrate friendship, connection, and romance without relying on spice.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
Ava Enters the Group Chat is a sweet, clean romance with a fun and unusual premise. I especially enjoyed the group chat banter and the camaraderie between Hudson and his teammates. The football setting was another highlight for me, and I appreciated that Hudson’s reasons for keeping his identity hidden felt understandable rather than intentionally hurtful.
This was a slow-building story, and it took me a little while to become fully invested in the romance. However, I enjoyed the second half much more as the relationships deepened and the truth moved closer to being revealed. The letters added an old-fashioned twist that we do not often see in contemporary romance, while the mistaken group chat kept the story feeling playful and current.
The reveal was handled especially well, and I loved the way everything came together in the final portion of the book. The characters were given room to communicate, grow, and move forward, which made the ending feel warm and satisfying.
With its playful group chat, football setting, hidden identities, sweet romance, and strong finish, this is a charming choice for readers who enjoy clean romantic comedies with plenty of heart. Emma St. Clair continues to deliver stories that celebrate friendship, connection, and romance without relying on spice.
August 2, 2026
This book immediately sucked me in. Their meet cute may be a new favorite. It was so sweet and I was smiling so big. How can I love two characters so quickly?
Alright, it’s another Emma book win. I mean Ava and Hudson were so wonderful but you know the football guys STOLE the show. (I just needed to be like Marco for a minute.) There were so many laughs and sweet moments. There’s football, there are giraffes, there are (kind of) secret identities, and through it all there is just the loveliest story.
The girl friendships were also so wonderful and I just loved how they thrived throughout.
I’m just going to throw a few of my notes down here that I had while reading!
-Oh my gosh…the four guys. Gold. They are just SO much fun. The group chat is hilarious. The way they all volunteered together.
-I didn’t know a pretend, not actual kiss could be so hot.
-there’s some “you’ve got mail” vibes and obviously I’m a fan of that.
-oh my gosh! The letters!
-the growth of Ava and Presley’s relationship made me so happy!
CW: closed door (make outs only), divorce.
Thank you so much to netgalley, Thomas Nelson fiction and Emma St. Clair for allowing to me to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Alright, it’s another Emma book win. I mean Ava and Hudson were so wonderful but you know the football guys STOLE the show. (I just needed to be like Marco for a minute.) There were so many laughs and sweet moments. There’s football, there are giraffes, there are (kind of) secret identities, and through it all there is just the loveliest story.
The girl friendships were also so wonderful and I just loved how they thrived throughout.
I’m just going to throw a few of my notes down here that I had while reading!
-Oh my gosh…the four guys. Gold. They are just SO much fun. The group chat is hilarious. The way they all volunteered together.
-I didn’t know a pretend, not actual kiss could be so hot.
-there’s some “you’ve got mail” vibes and obviously I’m a fan of that.
-oh my gosh! The letters!
-the growth of Ava and Presley’s relationship made me so happy!
CW: closed door (make outs only), divorce.
Thank you so much to netgalley, Thomas Nelson fiction and Emma St. Clair for allowing to me to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Does the premise for this rom-com feature a few too many unlikely coincidences to remain entirely believable? Maybe. Do I care? No, not really! Because these characters are just so lovable and their romance is so sweet that all I wanted was to spend more time with them and their group chat bantering.
A lot of the relationship is developed over texting, phone calls and letters. It's mainly focused on Hudson trying to win Ava over, despite her rule against ever dating anyone famous. So it's very low on steam/spice, which was a plus for me. I prefer swoony over steamy in my romances. (But this might not be a plus for everyone.)
Aside from the romance, I also loved the friendships in this, and I'm totally hoping for companion books for all the guys from the group chat. I also loved the You've Got Mail commentary! And I loved that there was no unnecessary third act break-up drama.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A lot of the relationship is developed over texting, phone calls and letters. It's mainly focused on Hudson trying to win Ava over, despite her rule against ever dating anyone famous. So it's very low on steam/spice, which was a plus for me. I prefer swoony over steamy in my romances. (But this might not be a plus for everyone.)
Aside from the romance, I also loved the friendships in this, and I'm totally hoping for companion books for all the guys from the group chat. I also loved the You've Got Mail commentary! And I loved that there was no unnecessary third act break-up drama.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*arc review* This was a very cute sweet romcom! Not meaning this in a negative way at all but genuinely how do authors come up with premises like this? A giraffe handler (non)nepo baby and a football player acting as two people. If you told that to someone who doesn’t regularly read romance books they’d think you’re crazy.
Hudson and Ava were adorable characters. The Hudson / Boss being the same person thing is something I would hate in real life but was oddly fine with in this book. I was expecting there to be third act drama once Ava found out, but there really wasn’t which was much appreciated!
I will say there was a LOT going on around the main characters, so much so it felt like some of the storylines didn’t get wrapped up (the documentary). But the side characters added a lot to this story.
Overall an enjoyable lighthearted read! 3.75 rounded up to be 4.
Thank you to Emma and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the arc! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Hudson and Ava were adorable characters. The Hudson / Boss being the same person thing is something I would hate in real life but was oddly fine with in this book. I was expecting there to be third act drama once Ava found out, but there really wasn’t which was much appreciated!
I will say there was a LOT going on around the main characters, so much so it felt like some of the storylines didn’t get wrapped up (the documentary). But the side characters added a lot to this story.
Overall an enjoyable lighthearted read! 3.75 rounded up to be 4.
Thank you to Emma and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the arc! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked the premise of this book. The FMC is accidentally added to a group text, and the messages are often genuinely funny. She begins a private conversation with one of the participants, and their relationship slowly grows. At the same time, she meets a football player at a party and starts developing feelings for him as well, leaving her torn between the two.
Since this was an ARC, I tried not to judge the formatting too harshly, but it made the book frustrating and difficult to read. I really needed the text conversations to appear in a different font or format so they would flow more clearly. The book is also written in alternating POV, and because the speaker was not always obvious, stopping in the middle of a chapter made it difficult to remember whose perspective I was reading when I returned.
There were some very funny conversations, and the overall premise was good, but the story moved much too slowly for me.
3.5 stars
Since this was an ARC, I tried not to judge the formatting too harshly, but it made the book frustrating and difficult to read. I really needed the text conversations to appear in a different font or format so they would flow more clearly. The book is also written in alternating POV, and because the speaker was not always obvious, stopping in the middle of a chapter made it difficult to remember whose perspective I was reading when I returned.
There were some very funny conversations, and the overall premise was good, but the story moved much too slowly for me.
3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Be prepared to laugh!
You will laugh a lot reading when you read Ava Enters the Group Chat because you will be entertained (the best part of a romance) when Ava McDonough is accidently added to some random group chat. But instead of removing herself from the chat she outs herself them leading to some really funny text conversation between everybody without knowing who she was texting.
I never thought that a romance between a giraffe keeper and a professional football quarterback would be on my romance bingo card but I loved how they get to know each other though text conversations before they ever meet in person. So add Ava Enters the Group Chat to your list of books to buy when it is released!
Now I want to read books about Polo, Gunny and Sherlock AKA Hudson’s teammates!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
You will laugh a lot reading when you read Ava Enters the Group Chat because you will be entertained (the best part of a romance) when Ava McDonough is accidently added to some random group chat. But instead of removing herself from the chat she outs herself them leading to some really funny text conversation between everybody without knowing who she was texting.
I never thought that a romance between a giraffe keeper and a professional football quarterback would be on my romance bingo card but I loved how they get to know each other though text conversations before they ever meet in person. So add Ava Enters the Group Chat to your list of books to buy when it is released!
Now I want to read books about Polo, Gunny and Sherlock AKA Hudson’s teammates!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 3, 2026
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ava Enters the Group Chat was a cute, easy read with plenty of laughs and a fun premise. The group chat banter was definitely the highlight for me, and I loved the friendships between the team. It gave the story a lot of personality.
Hudson was a sweet MMC, and I liked that there was more to him than just being the famous quarterback. Ava was also easy to root for, but I would have loved a stronger connection between the two of them. Their relationship felt a little rushed at times and gave me minor insta-love vibes, which isn't usually my favourite trope.
There were also a few sections that felt a bit drawn out, and I found myself wanting the story to move along a little quicker. That said, it was still an enjoyable romance with a unique concept, plenty of humour, and a cast of characters that made me smile.
Overall, a solid three-star read that fans of closed-door romance and sports romance will enjoy.
Ava Enters the Group Chat was a cute, easy read with plenty of laughs and a fun premise. The group chat banter was definitely the highlight for me, and I loved the friendships between the team. It gave the story a lot of personality.
Hudson was a sweet MMC, and I liked that there was more to him than just being the famous quarterback. Ava was also easy to root for, but I would have loved a stronger connection between the two of them. Their relationship felt a little rushed at times and gave me minor insta-love vibes, which isn't usually my favourite trope.
There were also a few sections that felt a bit drawn out, and I found myself wanting the story to move along a little quicker. That said, it was still an enjoyable romance with a unique concept, plenty of humour, and a cast of characters that made me smile.
Overall, a solid three-star read that fans of closed-door romance and sports romance will enjoy.
July 27, 2026
I absolutely devoured this book for so many reasons; it reads like a modern-day Pride & Prejudice, without a brooding Mr, Darcy, but instead a fun love triangle that makes you root for both guys! By using texting and old-fashioned letters, characters in the book really get to know one another the “old fashioned way” in a modern world, and I loved the growth and connections shown through that. Then, add in giraffes, a wealthy female entrepreneur with a giant heart, and a football team filled with witty banter, and I was all in. This is a great beach read filled with wit, zero spice, heart, and a reminder that our prejudice or prior notions might all go out the door when we realize love trumps it all! I’m really hoping this becomes a series for all four guys we got to know in this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I love sports romcoms so having an oddball group of football player bros in the cast often made me cackle. I'm not often a fan of the big secret trope but this one played out ok without causing me too much anxiety. I think having a character in the story (Gunny) who kept representing the reader, continually advocating to just come clean definitely helped. I really liked the zookeeper and football player combo in this one. I though the various emotional threads in the story were interesting and added depth. I hope to see this become a series and follow other characters as it was a fun and quirky cast.
I love sports romcoms so having an oddball group of football player bros in the cast often made me cackle. I'm not often a fan of the big secret trope but this one played out ok without causing me too much anxiety. I think having a character in the story (Gunny) who kept representing the reader, continually advocating to just come clean definitely helped. I really liked the zookeeper and football player combo in this one. I though the various emotional threads in the story were interesting and added depth. I hope to see this become a series and follow other characters as it was a fun and quirky cast.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Main reason to love this book giraffe I love it. The group chat it was just hilarious, Ava end up been added by accident and she enjoys the distraction of her life. She is the main giraffe caretaker working for Max the football team owner, animal lover with tons of animal and loves trowing parties for charities. That is how Ava ends up in a walk in with football player Hudson he is trying to escape been set up with a gold digger. Been in a new team Hudson is truing to get along with his teammates and their feelings are hurst because he is not responding to their text massages, here comes the mistake that is not his number, they have an intruder in their group chat who stayed silent. One thing leads to another oooo there are giraffe babies too so you have to read this book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ava está acostumbrada a pasar sus días rodeada de jirafas y lejos de los reflectores. Tabaja para una excéntrica empresaria que posee un equipo profesional y una colección de animales exóticos, así que asistir a una elegante fiesta forma parte de sus obligaciones, aunque sea el último lugar donde quiere estar. Mientras intenta escapar del bullicio, Ava termina escondida junto a Hudson, el nuevo mariscal de campo del equipo y terminan teniendo una noche inolvidable. Solo hay un problema y es que ella no sale con famosos.
___
Estaba preocupada por la reacción de Ava al enterarse sobre los mensajes, pero olvide que la autora era Emma y no tenía de que preocuparme.
___
Estaba preocupada por la reacción de Ava al enterarse sobre los mensajes, pero olvide que la autora era Emma y no tenía de que preocuparme.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one is super fun and delightful. Very cute with lots of great banter and likeable characters. ARC is a bit rough to read with some formatting, but easily forgivable. Both Ava and Hudson are fun characters, and they definitely have good chemistry. Falls into the category of "is this a real job" for the FMC but also forgivable because the giraffes bring something extra to the story. Zero spice in this one but you don't miss it.
Definitely biased for this book as it mentions my favorite band, which was an unexpected treat. Would definitely recommend.
Definitely biased for this book as it mentions my favorite band, which was an unexpected treat. Would definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It took me a minute to get into this one, but once it hooked me, I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in a day!
It’s cute, funny, and full of witty banter. I was smiling through at least half the book. The characters completely won me over, and now I desperately need books about Tyson, Marco, and Gunny.
If you’re looking for a book that’s light, heartfelt, hilarious, and guaranteed to leave you smiling, do yourself a favour and pick this one up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s cute, funny, and full of witty banter. I was smiling through at least half the book. The characters completely won me over, and now I desperately need books about Tyson, Marco, and Gunny.
If you’re looking for a book that’s light, heartfelt, hilarious, and guaranteed to leave you smiling, do yourself a favour and pick this one up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Read this book!
-Learn how giraffes eat, sleep and give birth!
-How football players really act off field!
-Advantages to using fake names on a group chat!
What a clever, highly improbable scenario romcom!
I laughed out loud several times which was what I needed. How fun to find clean yet enthralling story The guys were so entertaining, I loved their back and forth quips and their advice. And I learned way more than I’d ever known about giraffes.
Plus Ava and Hudson- lots of chemistry!
Escapism at its best!
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read
this book. The opinions are entirely my own.
-Learn how giraffes eat, sleep and give birth!
-How football players really act off field!
-Advantages to using fake names on a group chat!
What a clever, highly improbable scenario romcom!
I laughed out loud several times which was what I needed. How fun to find clean yet enthralling story The guys were so entertaining, I loved their back and forth quips and their advice. And I learned way more than I’d ever known about giraffes.
Plus Ava and Hudson- lots of chemistry!
Escapism at its best!
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read
this book. The opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm not a fan of group chats but I would gladly join this group chat. The four guys are so funny and enjoy some good natured ribbing with each other. My favorite part is that they are football players! When Ava enters the chat, everything goes topsy turvy but in a good way.
My favorite character had to be Hazel. I know she is a supporting character but I loved her parts in it and the joy that she showed despite her circumstances.
I also enjoyed how generous Hudson was but he did it so humbly!
I was given a copy of the book. The opinions are my own.
My favorite character had to be Hazel. I know she is a supporting character but I loved her parts in it and the joy that she showed despite her circumstances.
I also enjoyed how generous Hudson was but he did it so humbly!
I was given a copy of the book. The opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You've Got Mail is one of my favorite movies but Ava and Hudson are even better! This book took all of my favorite parts from the movie and left behind the cheating elements. These two are so good together. Emma St. Clair has written another beautiful story that makes you laugh and cry and connect with the characters like only she can. This book is an absolute delight and if you love a good rom-com with plenty of banter, hilarious side characters, and wacky animal moments, this is it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love the premise, the setup, the giraffes, the wrestling with tough family relationships, the sweetheart Hudson trying to prove to Ava that he's worth the risk. I love it all! So many laughs, a few tears, and smiling the whole way through. Loved this book so very very much. I read an early version through NetGalley, all thoughts are my own. Check this one out as soon as you can!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book! I laughed out loud so many times while reading it. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time. The guys in the group chat were awesome. I wanted to be in that chat with them and be part of that friend group. I hope there are more books to come about the other guys because I could not get enough of them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC.
While the romance was a little slow to start, the story picked up and snagged my interest. This is a clean romance that was reminiscent of early Sarah Adams. That is to say, a good, quick read.
While the romance was a little slow to start, the story picked up and snagged my interest. This is a clean romance that was reminiscent of early Sarah Adams. That is to say, a good, quick read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh this was fun, the start / meet cute was perfect, hilarious. I enjoyed every single moment in this book. Emma St Clair books are just something so special. It's always so fun to read one of her books and the characters always leave a lasting impression!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was so fun! I loved the camaraderie between all the men! The group chats were hilarious. I do wish we had gotten more of Gunny’s background- it kept seeming like they would explain his reasonings for his strong feelings but they never did. Hudson was great! 4.5 ⭐️
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