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He wants what he can’t have.

After a one-night stand, the Wranglers star tight end wants me.
I never thought I’d see him, those bedroom eyes, or his enormous hands again.
That was the agreement we made.

I discover who he really is when he lands at my feet after catching a pass during the game.
He’s not just the best one-night stand I’ve had–he’s my RIVAL.
I’m a dancer for the Warriors. He’s a tight end for the Wranglers.
The handbook clearly states I can’t date players. Any players.
I can't risk my job or his. I won't. This is all I have left after an injury ended my ballet career.
Sam is used to getting what he wants, but he’s not used to a good girl who follows the rules.
He’s persistent, a playboy, and determined to have me.
Suddenly, he’s blurring the lines between right and wrong. Clouding my judgment. Making me believe opposites like us have a chance.
Only one of us is going to be right.
What if it’s me?

Sidelined is a full-length standalone in the Wranglers & Warriors Series.
Perfect for fans of:
Spicy football romance
One-night stand
He falls first
Forbidden romance
Rival workplace

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2016

185 people are currently reading
307 people want to read

About the author

Violet Paige

71 books299 followers
USA Today Bestselling author, Violet Paige, lives in North Carolina and would rather be by the water than anywhere else, maybe it’s because she’s from OBX, yes that OBX. Writing full-time, mom’ing full time and taking any stray dog that walks by the porch keep her inspired, busy and mostly exhausted, let’s be honest. She writes hot, edgy and angsty romances with strong heroines and fierce loves.

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5 stars
136 (25%)
4 stars
195 (36%)
3 stars
156 (29%)
2 stars
40 (7%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Erin.
1,853 reviews32 followers
April 27, 2021
Natalia has no clue who Sam is.
So it is a huge surprise for both when they discover they both play for the rival team. He as a sportsman, she on the dancing team.

Of course if this comes out it will give the most problems for her, so they keep it a secret when they meet again after a month and can't stay away from each other.

But keeping it a secret isn't easy of course.

Good sport romance read.
Profile Image for Jennifer Hines.
Author 5 books80 followers
August 2, 2016
*I received this book free from Mark My Words Book Publicity via Instafreebie in exchange for an honest review*

Sam has rules about women during football season, but for the night before the season officially starts all bets are off...or at least they are when Natalia walks into the bar. One night and bam he turns into a lost puppy.

He's strong, sexy, and completely over the top when it comes to getting what he wants. Sam doesn't exactly understand the meaning of patience and he'll do whatever it takes to get Natalia to see he knows what he's doing.

Natalia is an injured ex prima ballerina turned Goddess. She doesn't want to be shaking her body on the sidelines of a football field. Hell, she doesn't even like football. But it's what pays the bills and gets her the physical therapy she needs to get back to becoming a ballerina.

One crazy night with a man leaves her wanting more, but they agreed to no numbers, no future, only one night. Too bad they'll see each other again and oh how the sparks will fly.

"I hadn't thought past tonight or past the few hours together, but I knew this wasn't going to be the fix we promised each other would cure the problem we had. No, this was only feeding a hungry monster. I wanted him more. I wanted him again. I wanted him tomorrow and next week. Tonight wasn't going to be enough. One more time would never be enough."

Sidelined starts off with an inferno that only burns hotter throughout the pages. Sam and Natalia are drawn to each other like no one before and not even the fact that they work for rival teams will stop them from exploring what neither can deny.

The only thing that I didn't particularly care for were the interactions Natalia had outside of Sam. They seemed almost topical. Even when she was with other squad members there didn't seem to be much depth.

My Favorite Moment: I don't think I'll ever look at a mirror filled studio the same way again. All I can say is... Damn!
Profile Image for Yesenia Gonzalez.
539 reviews18 followers
October 10, 2016
Sam is the tight end for the Wanglers, Sam is the rookie who held the dean in the book "dirty play" now that he isn't a rookie he focuses on football which brings him to his rule no sex with girls until the season is over. The night before game he goes out with the team and finds the more beautiful girl Natalia and he ends up taking her home. They both were expecting it to be a one night stand but they knew it was more. The next day at the game they didn't expect to see each other but turns out Natalia dances for the Warriors the Wanglers rivals. She is on the team only to get stronger before she tries to be a ballerina back again. When they see each other again they try to keep quiet because she doesn't want to get fired. They meet halfway, or drive all the way but they make their relationship work. When someone blast their relationship she doesn't know what to do but Sam isn't mad because this gives him a chance for her to move in with him. I liked them together you don't see a football player and a ballerina but fun read hope to read more the team.
Profile Image for Alex.
457 reviews147 followers
October 8, 2016
Boring

This is a hot story but boring and predictable. If your looking for just sex, then this is it but if you want a storyline and something to interest you I'd skip it. Not enough back story or depth for a real connection and it's just plain bland.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
863 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2025
Sidelined is my first Violet Page book and I loved it!

Everything's bigger in Texas. At least that's what Sam Hickson, the famously sexy tight end, wants me to believe. It only takes one night, and a couple drinks, for him to prove he's right.

I never thought I'd see him again, but after joining the Warrior's Dance team I find one HUGE problem with my new job. Sam is on the opposing team and a one-night stand isn't what he had in mind. And if I know anything about Sam, he gets what he wants.


Sam is sexy and cocky. The ultimate athlete. Natalia is beautiful, smart and sensitive. Their chemistry together is H.O.T. I enjoyed their story. The ending was a but abrupt. I had hoped for an epilogue. But that was ok. Hoping to see them and catch up in future books.

Fans of Natasha Madison will love Sidelined. Now onto Dirty Play featuring quarterback Wes Blakefield!!!!
Profile Image for Elsa Gomes (BookishAurora).
2,420 reviews302 followers
August 7, 2017
Rate: 3,5 / 5 stars

This was the typical sports romance, even though the male wasn't your typical man whore. It was sexy and sweet at times. Forbidden inevitable sex escapades that turned into more in little time, discovery comes next, there's a hiccup and then you get your HEA. It was an okay book, nothing special.
Profile Image for Heather Matlock.
329 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2017
Omg loved it!

I am not really one to read sports romance but the synopsis drew me to this book. I loved this story. The twists and curves kept me interested and it was HOT! It’s a must read for sure..
FLOVED!
1,332 reviews4 followers
November 21, 2017
Into Football

Cute romance surrounding the football theme. Cheerleader falls for football player from rival team. Only cheerleader is really a ballerina recouping from an injury. No cliffhanger, proofreading was ok and you get a happy ending.
Profile Image for Kim Pow.
818 reviews7 followers
November 26, 2017
Holy anxiety!

From the beginning this novel had me feeling stressed!! Its a decent romance novel, but I can't say I enjoyed this writers style. I skimmed and I'm definitely going to delete it from my kindle.
97 reviews
November 16, 2017
Sidelined

A good football romance. It centered on the relationship growing, maturing as the characters matured. Do you believe in love at first sight?
213 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2017
Enjoyed this book

The sex was hot. The story was zippy and at times witty.. I enjoyed the football player/dancer aspects. I also like visiting rich people .
Profile Image for Sheila Schwartz.
1,721 reviews5 followers
February 20, 2018
Love and football

Full of romance, football and an exceptional happily ever after. This book will keep you up long past your bedtime!
Profile Image for Christina.
1,452 reviews100 followers
December 31, 2017

Natalia is a former prima ballerina, recovering from a possible career ending injury. She’s lost her job in her troupe, but has taken a job as a dancer (Goddess) for the Austin Warriors, the city’s professional football team. She’s not proud of her job, but she’s determined to get back in her pointe shoes. A trip to a local bar with her fellow Goddesses has her meeting Sam, the star tight end for the San Antonio Wranglers. She knows nothing of football nor its players so when she spends the night with Sam, she has no clue she’s gotten involved with the enemy, a major no-no in the football organization. But with the attraction between the two and Natalia’s desire to reclaim her spot as a prima ballerina, she has to decide if she’s willing to take the chance on Sam, not knowing what her future holds.

I immediately liked the chemistry between the two, it was off the charts hot. There wasn’t anything particularly different about this book from other football/sports books, however I really liked the characters. The book is told in the first person from both Natalia and Sam’s POVs. The story hooked me from the first page and I wanted to devour it in one sitting. It was a great distraction and even though I have read other books by this author with mixed reviews, I really liked this one. It definitely makes me think I should still consider her other work.
82 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2017
Good read

I enjoyed the book..it was a good read. The attraction between Sam and Natalia was real. They both couldn't deny their chemistry. Sam was trying to be successful and super focused on his career as well as Natalia where her focus was becoming a prima ballerina again. I enjoyed watching the relationship grow but saddened when the relationship almost ended because of a conniving,greedy and jealous ex girlfriend. The book was good and an easy read. I would recommend this love story.
86 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2016
Almost perfect

Okay this one I really liked. It was sweet, romantic and HOT! Lol. But really the characters were fairly well developed. I wish there was some more depth and Sam had more interaction with his teammates. But mostly the only characters involved were the two main ones. The creative storyline was refreshing and had a small twist. Not to high on the angst and the duel perspective on the Epilogue was good too.
Profile Image for Haya.
148 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2016
Not bad, not good.
The characters personalties were kind of Likable, yet cheesy at the same time.
I didn't like how Sam starts doing badly on the field because of somethings that happened with Natalie, it's unprofessional and unreal. Same goes to Natalie.

They need to learn to separate their professional life from their personal.

I get it. These two have a connection. They're very attracted to each other. No need to overdue it to convince the readers.
Profile Image for Christy  (CaptainReadsALot.
667 reviews30 followers
May 11, 2017
This book was actually really good. I enjoyed their romance and how they learned from each other and grew as a result. I loved how supportive they were of each other. I liked their conundrum of working around her job (but thought it was silly how it "ended"). Overall, this book was a great 'sports' romance.
128 reviews
September 11, 2016
Too Predictable and Forgettable

The first book was so bad, because it was so predictable. Everything that was said and done in each chapter had no suspense, no surprises and no excitement. There was no chemistry between the two for them to fall in love so quick, it just fell flat for me. The second book was ok, just wished it had more of a build up and more of the story.
668 reviews3 followers
July 19, 2016
This quick and hot read is definitely swoon-worthy. It may have been a short story but the presentation is well-done, the dialogues flow seamlessly, the characters are lovable and the storyline is great!!! Very enjoyable and memorable.
Profile Image for Linda Wimer.
1,195 reviews7 followers
September 19, 2016
This book held me by my arm and drugged me through it. I absolutely loved this book. Incredibly well written, with amazing characters. I would love a follow up with this one. Please say there is more to come from these characters.
Profile Image for Melissa.
159 reviews9 followers
July 11, 2016
Great quick read

I really enjoyed this story. The two main characters, Sam & Natalia, had amazing chemistry and their relationship was sweet and romantic.
223 reviews5 followers
July 22, 2016
Two good stories.

Both the sports romance and the military romance were great reads. I highly recommend this book as a great read. SQ
Profile Image for Morgan Trahan.
24 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2016
True love story

No matter what happens love conquers all, violet Is one amazing author. Can't wait to see if there will be more books about sports romance.
Profile Image for AWB.
843 reviews12 followers
August 7, 2016
Nothing about this book sticks out. It was just okay. Not bad, as I read it in on sitting, but not amazing.
Profile Image for Donna Beaucage.
169 reviews
September 21, 2016
Totally enjoyed this cute story about finding love. When you can really be together. Good read when your trying to find love
755 reviews
September 26, 2016
Super quick and easy!

I read this book in less than a day, it was super quick and easy to read!
I love the slight overlap from Dirty Play!
Now onto Turn Over!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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