Under Pressure: A Steamy Forced Proximity Sports Romance

by Alia Turin

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 2, 2026

About the author

Alia Turin is a Texas author who writes steamy sports romance about big hearts, bigger grovels, and the found families that build themselves when nobody's watching. Her stories deliver enemies-to-lovers tension, heroes who fall first — and hard — and happily-ever-afters you can bet the season on.
Intentional Grounding, the first book in her San Antonio Outlaws series, is her debut.

Reviews

[Maria]

Grant, an Outlaws player, gets seriously injured during a game and ends up needing surgery and months of rehab. The problem? He has a very different plan for his recovery. He knows exactly how much a bad injury can mess with his career, but he's determined to stick to his own timeline.
Quinn is an intern trainer for the Outlaws and the one in charge of Grant's rehab. She's spent the last seven years working really hard to reach her dream. But whatever is happening between her and Grant keeps escalating, and she knows exactly how risky that relationship could be.

I absolutely loved Grant in the first book, but in this one, there were definitely moments when I wanted to throw a chair at him. And then, five minutes later, I'd be completely gone for him again.
As for Quinn, I loved her just as much as I loved Callie. She's such a great, strong character.
Their relationship has so many highs and lows that I was completely hooked, especially when things went messy. There were so many moments when I was just thinking, "okay, but what is going to happen now?" and immediately reading another chapter because I needed to know.
And that ending, plus the second epilogue, was just so sweet. I loved it.

I still liked the first book more, but this was such a sweet story with strong characters and a romance that definitely kept me invested. I'm already looking forward to the next one!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[k. a. moran]

Under Pressure, the second standalone installment in the Outlaw series, delivers a masterclass in slow-burn romance with a refreshing emphasis on character maturity. Following Grant and his trainer, Quinn, this book proves that a story doesn't need forced misunderstandings to maintain high-stakes tension.

Grant is undeniably charming, but Quinn is completely unfazed by his charisma. Focused entirely on doing her job, she keeps her distance until she comes to a realization that changes everything: Grant’s love is unconditional and comes with zero strings attached. Watching their dynamic shift from professional boundaries to deep, genuine affection is deeply rewarding.

What stands out most is how grounded and mature both Grant and Quinn are. They actually talk to each other, using clear communication to navigate their evolving relationship rather than falling into classic romance tropes built on secret-keeping or petty misunderstandings. The drama in the plot stems naturally from the overarching storyline rather than frustrating, foolish character decisions, which makes the narrative so much more satisfying to read.

It was also a treat to see familiar faces from Book 1 integrated seamlessly into the plot, adding great continuity to the series without bogging down the main story.

With a thoroughly satisfying ending that hits all the right emotional notes, Under Pressure is a stellar addition to the series. I can't wait to see what comes next in Book 3!

[Ivy Olivia]

✨ ARC Review ✨

It’s a slow-burn yet comforting athlete x trainer workplace romance!

I love how Grant and Quinn complement each other in so many ways, and they’re also such a mature couple! There’s no miscommunication or silly misunderstandings between them! I likeee it! 🥹

I also love how Grant doesn’t expect anything in return from Quinn. His love comes with no conditions because he’s aware from the start that Quinn has a lot to lose if they’re together. I also really like that Grant doesn’t treat Quinn the way her ex did. And when a misunderstanding happens, Grant comes clean, apologizes, and patiently waits for Quinn’s decision. 🖤

Thank you for the ARC, Alia & DS Book Promo! 🖤

[Ivy]

4.5/5 ⭐️s

THANK YOU Alia Turin for the ARC Read.

If you’re a sports romance reader, RUN to add this book to your TBR. Release date is 10/2/2026.

Grant Hale is the starting running back for the San Antonio Outlaws, until he isn’t. In the snap of foot (literally), he is UNDER PRESSURE. Grant is all smiles and confidence. 10 years in the league brings the best media training. Everything is great and he’ll be back in action in no time.

🎵Turn up the lights in here, baby. Extra bright I want y’all to the see everything.🎵 What’s that you ask? QUINN ABBOTT’S ENTRY MUSIC. Intern Physical Trainer sees right through your facade Grant. She makes the assessment and says, “It’s a no from me, dawg.” You sweet, sweet boy. Your pretty looks and possible career ending injury ain’t got nothing on my girl. She crosses those /t/s, dots those /i/s, and follows the programming to a T.

NEWS FLASH. Forced Proximity X Same Intensity Level = the slowest burn of a romance novel you can get. These two have the cutesy moments that have you SCREAMING for them to get together already. Quinn has a shitty ex and Grant has a moment of weakness. Go read the book to find out how these two end up!

Lots of metaphorical opening and closing of doors. Supporting characters are incredible. Danny Alvarez - you a real one, sir. Family (found and actual) are supportive. The FMC actually gets treated how women should in society.

[Michelle Thomas]

Under Pressure absolutely blew me away!
I genuinely loved this book from beginning to end. There was never a moment where I felt bored. I was completely invested the entire time and honestly, I didn’t want it to end. I absolutely loved the female main character and watching her navigate everything while trying to grow as a person, follow her heart, and figure out what she truly wanted. Her journey felt so real and made it incredibly easy to root for her. And Grant Hale… perfection. I absolutely adored him and everything about his character. I’m already wishing I could have more of him! I’m now kicking myself for not having read the first book yet because I cannot wait to go back and experience that story. I’m incredibly grateful that I was chosen as an ARC reader for Under Pressure. Getting the opportunity to read this book early was such a treat, and I truly loved every minute of it. If you love romance, slow burn, forced proximity and characters you can get invested in, and a story that keeps you turning the pages, this book is for you.
I cannot wait for the next one!

[Katina Sites]

I received this book as an ARC and I am writing this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed the story of Grant and Quinn in this football sports romance.  It has forbidden love, found family and a strong FMC that I found myself routing for.  The MMC had some growing to do.  I enjoyed reading about his evolution from an individual with a "fake" emotional demeanor who diverted attention with an uncaring attitude to one of honesty and self-respect.   He is a lovable man who would literally give someone the shirt off his back but has built a jokester facade around himself that is so well-built that even he struggles to find a way around it.  

One of my favorite of many conversations, "Say no, and I'm calling your mom."   😂 I enjoyed the banter, the spice, the team commraderie, the personal growth and the glimpses of Nate and Callie from Book 1.

I find myself wondering who the next book will be about? 🤔 A true indicator that I am invested in this series and the characters within. ❤️

[Michelle Houghton]

I thoroughly enjoyed Under Pressure. It is a fun football romance with football action from the sidelines since our MMC is injured early on. I loved how the team focus, and support is still there, still central to the MMC and his decisions. I loved the banter between our two leads and in particular how both read each other so completely even early on. They are both people that read people well, but have often been overlooked by others and seen only at a surface level. Under Pressure is the second book in a series, but is easily read as a standalone.
This is a fun, easy to read, open door spicy scenes, sport romance.

[tahnoogey]

(3.75) Yessss this was so cute! It pairs so nicely with the first book (the article Callie writes) and I really love Quinn as a character. Grant's development also was great, the arc he goes on with his identity and injury. Nearly gave it 3 stars though because Quinn doesn't have ANY FRIENDS?!!!! We can do better, no woman is living without at least one close friend (the MMC does NOT count).

Thanks to the author & BookSirens for the ARC ✨

[Morgan Stewart]

I received an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Dare I say it… I think Book 2 is even better than Book 1! I was hooked immediately. The angst was perfectly done, but what really got me was the vulnerability of the characters and the way it added so much depth to their story. Alia balanced the emotion, tension, and romance beautifully. I’m officially invested in this series and already can’t wait to see what she does with Book 3!

[Lori Hammons]

Quinn becomes Grant's therapist trainer when he suffers a sports injury. He makes an ethical mistake and loses her care and budding relationship. I enjoyed how the athletes are portrayed and Quinn standing her ground, at any cost. Very fun story.

[Heather Edwards]

Grant and Quinn were so great! I loved their romance! The push and the pull! And their chemistry! Whew!

Full review coming soon!

[Pranav Bhatnagar]

Under Pressure surprised me because I went in expecting a sports romance and ended up getting a story about two people learning that being strong does not mean carrying everything alone. Grant caught my attention right away. He has spent his whole life being the guy who jokes when things hurt and keeps moving when everyone else would stop, so watching his football career suddenly become uncertain hit harder than I expected. Quinn is almost the opposite. She believes in doing things properly, protecting her patients and never letting her personal feelings get in the way. Of course, that becomes very difficult when the patient is Grant. Their relationship takes its time, and I appreciated that. There is attraction between them, but there is also a real struggle over what is right, what they want and what each of them is willing to risk. Some of their conversations made me smile, while others made me want to shake both of them and tell them to just talk to each other. What really stayed with me was Grant's recovery. The physical pain is only one part of it. He has to face the fear that football might not be waiting for him anymore, and that forces him to figure out who he is when he cannot hide behind being an athlete. Quinn has her own choices to make too, especially when her career and her feelings collide. I also loved the people around them. The Outlaws feel like a real group of friends who tease each other, show up when it matters and quietly notice when someone is falling apart. By the end, I was not just rooting for Grant to get back on the field. I was rooting for him to build a life worth coming home to. That made the ending feel much bigger than a simple happily ever after...

[Kris]

San Antonio Outlaws: Grant & Quinn

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have to be careful when reading series because I often find that, while the sequels are enjoyable, they just never quite match the feeling I got from the first book.
And honestly… that was the case with this one.

Grant is very likeable, but he’s also very deluded, and I struggled to take him seriously at times. It felt like quite a turnaround from the character I saw in the first story.
Quinn, on the other hand, was a character I really liked. She was attracted to Grant, professional when she needed to be, but also wonderfully human.

There was plenty of push-and-pull between them, with the tension steadily building while you’re just waiting for them to finally reach that point of no return.

The story did become a little more serious towards the end, and I found myself much more engaged once Grant stopped pushing quite so hard. Those moments gave me a better glimpse of the character underneath all the charm and confidence.

Overall, a solid second entry into the series. It just didn’t quite give me the same feeling as the first book.
And I was really hoping Holden would be up next… because watching him fall is going to be so much fun. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Grainne McQueen]

Read this book! Quinn and Grant are such strong characters. The push and pull between them is palpable and delicious. Their story feels real and careful. I loved being on this ARC team and can’t wait for the next book in December!!