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Game Day #1
Head in the Game
Lilah Stone has never followed football. She grew up in one of the country's biggest college football towns, but she's a painter. She doesn't go all weak-kneed for some jock. Especially not after the sex scandal that tore apart the team and destroyed her world. So when she takes a summer adjunct job at Mountain State University, the last guy she wants to see in class is an arrogant, cocky football player. Then Riley Brulotte walks in. He's everything she's sworn to hate ... and sexy as hell. He's all wrong for Lilah. So why does he feel so right?
Riley "Lotto" Brullote knows one thing: How to play football. As one of the Mountain State Mustang's star players, this tight end has taken some hard hits on the field. But Lilah Stone is the first woman to knock him flat. With her abundant curves and bold nature, she'd draw his attention even if she weren't his summer art teacher. Riley has to play his best this season if he wants any shot at being drafted, but the toughest play of all might be for Lilah's heart.
Riley "Lotto" Brullote knows one thing: How to play football. As one of the Mountain State Mustang's star players, this tight end has taken some hard hits on the field. But Lilah Stone is the first woman to knock him flat. With her abundant curves and bold nature, she'd draw his attention even if she weren't his summer art teacher. Riley has to play his best this season if he wants any shot at being drafted, but the toughest play of all might be for Lilah's heart.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2016
452 people are currently reading
872 people want to read
About the author
Lily Cahill
64 books115 followersYOUR FREE STORY IS WAITING. :)
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If you're looking for steamy romance with hot heroes and refreshing women, Lily Cahill has a gift for you! Award-winning Lily Cahill is a Colorado native who loves sci-fi, fantasy and romance. She writes exciting stories about the greatest adventure of all--falling in love.
Go to www.LILYCAHILL.com to get bonus stories, sexy extras, and more!
Get FREE bonus stories for all our novels at www.LILYCAHILL.com right now!
If you're looking for steamy romance with hot heroes and refreshing women, Lily Cahill has a gift for you! Award-winning Lily Cahill is a Colorado native who loves sci-fi, fantasy and romance. She writes exciting stories about the greatest adventure of all--falling in love.
Go to www.LILYCAHILL.com to get bonus stories, sexy extras, and more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 12, 2019
Head in the Game was the first book in the Game Day series by Lily Cahill. It was my first book by the author.
Riley Brulotte was a star linebacker for the Mountain State University Mustangs with a potential career in the NFL. The Mustangs had a long history of success until scandal and tragedy rocked their world. Riley was helping to rebuild the team.
Lilah Stone was an artist. Her success began at a young age and she was currently supporting her and her grandmother through her paintings. She was also the temporary art teacher for a summer art college course where she met Riley.
Lilah and Riley were immediately attracted but they got off to a rough start. Lilah hated football and especially football players...all football players. They storyline focused on them overcoming her prejudices as well as Riley coming into his own. I enjoyed the storyline and both characters. At times I wanted to strangle Lilah, but thankfully the moments were quick and she ultimately came around. Although the hero and heroine weren’t directly involved, there was a rape incident that could be a trigger for some. Otherwise, it was a fast paced, sweet and sexy read.
Additionally, Cahill set the stage with a colorful cast of characters. The series has promise and I can’t wait to see where she takes us. Reggie is up next in Heart In the Game.
Riley Brulotte was a star linebacker for the Mountain State University Mustangs with a potential career in the NFL. The Mustangs had a long history of success until scandal and tragedy rocked their world. Riley was helping to rebuild the team.
Lilah Stone was an artist. Her success began at a young age and she was currently supporting her and her grandmother through her paintings. She was also the temporary art teacher for a summer art college course where she met Riley.
Lilah and Riley were immediately attracted but they got off to a rough start. Lilah hated football and especially football players...all football players. They storyline focused on them overcoming her prejudices as well as Riley coming into his own. I enjoyed the storyline and both characters. At times I wanted to strangle Lilah, but thankfully the moments were quick and she ultimately came around. Although the hero and heroine weren’t directly involved, there was a rape incident that could be a trigger for some. Otherwise, it was a fast paced, sweet and sexy read.
Additionally, Cahill set the stage with a colorful cast of characters. The series has promise and I can’t wait to see where she takes us. Reggie is up next in Heart In the Game.
December 3, 2016
She was just so unsupportive of his dreams, constantly trying to change him! Really annoying!
February 12, 2020
Lilah and Riley were cute together. After a dreadful sexual scandal destroyed the reputation of the football team, Lilah is reluctant to betray her best friend’s memory by dating a footballer since her best friend was the victim of that assault.
Riley always wanted to attend an art class, meeting Lilah did not live up to expectations. Lilah was substituting for the summer and their first meeting was NOT love at first sight.
Riley is torn in many directions, feeling out of control without a compass, everywhere people are making decisions for him. A father living his glory days vicariously through his son but genuinely wanting the best for him. A girl trying to showcase his carvings to show him there’s more than football when he wants that football career.
There is no cheating, or angry exes.
Riley always wanted to attend an art class, meeting Lilah did not live up to expectations. Lilah was substituting for the summer and their first meeting was NOT love at first sight.
Riley is torn in many directions, feeling out of control without a compass, everywhere people are making decisions for him. A father living his glory days vicariously through his son but genuinely wanting the best for him. A girl trying to showcase his carvings to show him there’s more than football when he wants that football career.
There is no cheating, or angry exes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2016
Absolutely loved reading this. The characters were wonderful. I love how Riley wanted to take the art class, was determined to do his best and land the girl along the way. It had a bit of a slow pick up, but once it was rolling, it was great. I say its a win-win.
October 28, 2017
Sucker for sports romance!
I haven't finished much of Lily's work but I did enjoy this read. it was a freebie thanks to my Red Feather Romance weekly newsletters. Guessed what happened to her friend and I was screaming just as loudly for her to stop being stubborn. Went ahead and bought the box set because I am excited to know what happens for them and the other future couples!
I haven't finished much of Lily's work but I did enjoy this read. it was a freebie thanks to my Red Feather Romance weekly newsletters. Guessed what happened to her friend and I was screaming just as loudly for her to stop being stubborn. Went ahead and bought the box set because I am excited to know what happens for them and the other future couples!
October 3, 2016
I got completely absorbed in this book. I absolutely loved the plat and characters. Lilah was a strong young woman who had been through hell a couple of times. Riley was a wonderful young man who had always dreamed of football. Recent events at MSU has him second-guessing the football stuff. Those same recent events link Lilah to Riley in a different way. Her best friend was Natalie, the girl involved in the scandal that rocked the University. At first, upon meeting Riley in her art class, she judges him based on his being a football player. He doesn't get put off by this, but rather, it resolves him to prove her wrong. Understandably, she resists her attraction to him. Through much time and patience, she realizes her prejudice against Riley is unfounded. He isn't part of the group of football players that hurt her friend. As a matter of fact, he is quite the opposite of them. He is a gentleman. They learn to know each other, through friendship that is really much deeper. Once she embraces how different he is, she realizes she is in love with him. Lotto, as he is called on the football field, is her man. The art connection the two of them have is truly tender. I loved the little hide and seek game he had going with her by leaving his hand-whittled statues throughout her art room. I also loved the symbolism in his final project. Overall, I can't say enough about the character development and story that I read in this book. It was a moving story.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
September 22, 2016
I LOVE this story. It is an amazing story of survival and perseverance. Its all about finding a way to the top after being broken and dropped to the bottom. Riley and Lilah are amazing and relatable characters. Their journey together is one of true love and what it takes to accept someone for who they are and not who you want them to be. The way that Riley supports her and helps her overcome her issues, the way Lilah manages to overcome her fears and doubts, the way she finds it within herself to accept Riley for everything he is and open herself up to the love they share is all truly inspiring. This is an amazing story and I can't wait to read what comes next.
December 13, 2016
This was a cute story. Nothing mind blowing but it was entertaining. The book could use a good editor though as there are some grammar errors.
I liked Riley, he stayed at a school he loved after a scandal destroyed most of the football program. I also liked Lilah to begin with. She is this tough artist who has suffered major loss. Lilah has so much potential as a character, instead she becomes almost whiny while attempting to change Riley into what she believes she needs him to be with no regard for him.
All and all though it is a cute sports love story.
I liked Riley, he stayed at a school he loved after a scandal destroyed most of the football program. I also liked Lilah to begin with. She is this tough artist who has suffered major loss. Lilah has so much potential as a character, instead she becomes almost whiny while attempting to change Riley into what she believes she needs him to be with no regard for him.
All and all though it is a cute sports love story.
November 27, 2016
4"love football " Stars . Me like-y this one. Riley tears his mouth from mine. " Tell me to stop. If I do something you don`t want_" " Don`t stop," I say, dragging his head back. " Do anything you want, except stop." With a groan , he kisses me again_ wilder this time , nipping at my lips until I open them with a gasp. My mind shuts right off. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart: all I can think is YES & PLEASE & MORE & FINALLY. Me too!!!!! This was a great & free book ..
October 18, 2016
Ok sure, this book didnt grab me at first but the more I read the more I didnt want to stop reading. I LIKED these characters, I wanted to know what happend next and where their story would lead. Big picture is that I enjoyed the book as a whole.
September 21, 2017
2.5 stars
Spoiler! (and possible triggering)
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It's not a "sex scandal" it's a rape that involved Lilahs best friend and other football players. The coach at the time was defending the players that committed such a heinous act but, the assault was also recorded so he got fired and the players ended up in jail. Let's not try to glamorize that by calling it a sex scandal...
It was a good storyline but I felt like the author was trying to make things happen with this couple and it didn't come off genuine or natural. The only believable thing for me was the lust they felt for each other. It could've used more depth in some areas, it felt like Lily Cahill was just trying to cram in some backstory for Lilah and Riley each so they would appear to have more depth or issues but it didn't go beyond what we were told, Lilahs mom left her as a kid and Riley assumes his dad is the typical football dad that tries to push his dreams of the NFL onto his son. I did like how they both had artistic abilities that gave them some common ground and the scenes where they shared that between them really brought out a different side to their relationship, showing the readers it wasn't just lust. I guess I'm not much of a fan of shorter stories so I could be bias in my dislikes but I might pick up the second book out of curiosity of Reggie. I am a sucker for sports romance books after all...
Spoiler! (and possible triggering)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It's not a "sex scandal" it's a rape that involved Lilahs best friend and other football players. The coach at the time was defending the players that committed such a heinous act but, the assault was also recorded so he got fired and the players ended up in jail. Let's not try to glamorize that by calling it a sex scandal...
It was a good storyline but I felt like the author was trying to make things happen with this couple and it didn't come off genuine or natural. The only believable thing for me was the lust they felt for each other. It could've used more depth in some areas, it felt like Lily Cahill was just trying to cram in some backstory for Lilah and Riley each so they would appear to have more depth or issues but it didn't go beyond what we were told, Lilahs mom left her as a kid and Riley assumes his dad is the typical football dad that tries to push his dreams of the NFL onto his son. I did like how they both had artistic abilities that gave them some common ground and the scenes where they shared that between them really brought out a different side to their relationship, showing the readers it wasn't just lust. I guess I'm not much of a fan of shorter stories so I could be bias in my dislikes but I might pick up the second book out of curiosity of Reggie. I am a sucker for sports romance books after all...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2025
Lilah is an artist, definitely not a sports fanatic, even before star football players destroyed her best friend's life. So, when two players show up in the summer art class she's teaching, she is less than thrilled. She definitely isn't interested in one. Riley "Lotto" Brullote is a football player who dabbles with whittling. He's always wanted to take an art class, and when he gets the chance, he thinks he's hit the jackpot with his beautiful, talented player. Lilah can't fight the attraction or deny his talent. If only he weren't a football player.
I can't remember the last time I disliked a main character like I did Lilah. Judgmental snob. She spent the entire book trying to change Riley. HORROR OF HORRORS, he was a football player. I'm not discounting the violation against her best friend, but it had nothing to do with Riley. Van Gogh cut his ear off; Picasso shot blanks at people who irritated him; Michelangelo lived purposefully in squalor; Warhol had a major foot fetish, and O'Keeffe painted in her car. I guess Lilah was an imposter artist since she didn't do anything like the great artists. She judged Riley because of others' actions. She discounted his love for the game and dismissed his skill. She tried to make him into her idea of what he should be instead of appreciating who he was. She ruined any relationship between them for me. I preferred his interactions with her feisty Gram over any with her.
Finally, I was NOT a fan of the narration.
I can't remember the last time I disliked a main character like I did Lilah. Judgmental snob. She spent the entire book trying to change Riley. HORROR OF HORRORS, he was a football player. I'm not discounting the violation against her best friend, but it had nothing to do with Riley. Van Gogh cut his ear off; Picasso shot blanks at people who irritated him; Michelangelo lived purposefully in squalor; Warhol had a major foot fetish, and O'Keeffe painted in her car. I guess Lilah was an imposter artist since she didn't do anything like the great artists. She judged Riley because of others' actions. She discounted his love for the game and dismissed his skill. She tried to make him into her idea of what he should be instead of appreciating who he was. She ruined any relationship between them for me. I preferred his interactions with her feisty Gram over any with her.
Finally, I was NOT a fan of the narration.
September 16, 2024
So what I liked - a difficult topic is discussed in this story. Rape on a college campus. It has already occurred when the story starts. This makes the story start very serious and emotional. I read a lot of college romances and honestly the amount of parties and drinking that happen in this story is frequent. Probably not as frequent as in real life from what I remember of my college days. However it is so rare to have an author introduce and talk about this topic. Also the topic of football in particular and the cloud of violence that surrounds many of the players.
Saying that the story did lighted up a little as it went on. I did think there was a little too much of "he is bad just because he plays football". Some of the things the h did were a step too far, however that was acknowledged. I do wish that there had been a complete epilogue knowing if the H played pro football or not. From what I read of the story I would have liked to see he did to be honest.
The romance was sweet and I liked the H from the get go. He was fantastic and romantic. I liked the interaction with his family and teammates. It took me longer to like the h but I finally got there. I enjoyed this story and just felt a couple of items (like the epilogue) were missing. Recommend.
Saying that the story did lighted up a little as it went on. I did think there was a little too much of "he is bad just because he plays football". Some of the things the h did were a step too far, however that was acknowledged. I do wish that there had been a complete epilogue knowing if the H played pro football or not. From what I read of the story I would have liked to see he did to be honest.
The romance was sweet and I liked the H from the get go. He was fantastic and romantic. I liked the interaction with his family and teammates. It took me longer to like the h but I finally got there. I enjoyed this story and just felt a couple of items (like the epilogue) were missing. Recommend.
November 11, 2017
No Cliffhanger
Standalone though part of a larger series
Told from both POVs
No major editing issues
This book was a VERY pleasant surprise. We have all read quite a few books around this premise so I expected it to be very similar to the others I have read but it really wasn't. Don't get me wrong, it had the same overall theme but it dealt with some very hard hitting issues and did it in a way that does them justice. This wasn't just a love story...it also dealt with very real life issues
Lilah is an art student who is helping a mentor by teaching his art class while he deals with a family matter. She is going through a dry spell when it comes to her art, all stemming from when her best friend committed suicide after a brutal attack by some football players.
Riley is a student taking her art class. He is also a football player, though not one of the ones who committed a crime. He is immediately attracted to Lilah and can't quite figure out why she can't stand him from the start.
Their story is a slow burn which I really liked. They do the smart thing and don't really act on their attraction until they are no longer student/teacher. Lilah does all she can to stay away, not willing to see past him as a football player to who he truly is inside.
It is that need for him to be anything but a football player that could cost her the love of her life.
Great story. Definitely worth reading and I am excited to see what the rest of the series brings.
Standalone though part of a larger series
Told from both POVs
No major editing issues
This book was a VERY pleasant surprise. We have all read quite a few books around this premise so I expected it to be very similar to the others I have read but it really wasn't. Don't get me wrong, it had the same overall theme but it dealt with some very hard hitting issues and did it in a way that does them justice. This wasn't just a love story...it also dealt with very real life issues
Lilah is an art student who is helping a mentor by teaching his art class while he deals with a family matter. She is going through a dry spell when it comes to her art, all stemming from when her best friend committed suicide after a brutal attack by some football players.
Riley is a student taking her art class. He is also a football player, though not one of the ones who committed a crime. He is immediately attracted to Lilah and can't quite figure out why she can't stand him from the start.
Their story is a slow burn which I really liked. They do the smart thing and don't really act on their attraction until they are no longer student/teacher. Lilah does all she can to stay away, not willing to see past him as a football player to who he truly is inside.
It is that need for him to be anything but a football player that could cost her the love of her life.
Great story. Definitely worth reading and I am excited to see what the rest of the series brings.
October 17, 2025
One of the worst books I’ve read
This book was incredibly frustrating. The main character takes out her anger on an entire group of men because of something one man did to her friend, which makes her attitude come across as bitter and unfair. Then she develops a romance with a guy she spends most of the book claiming to hate—especially because he’s a football player—and their entire relationship quickly becomes nothing but sex.
There’s almost no meaningful conversation or emotional development; about half the story is her arguing that they shouldn’t date, and the other half is filled with overly explicit, repetitive scenes. It feels shallow and exhausting rather than romantic or healing.
I’m honestly glad I got this one for free on Chirp, because I would have been upset to pay for it.
November 3, 2017
I had a great time reading this. My biggest complaint about it was that she tried to change him more than just a few times. She knew going into the relationship that he was a football player and she never should have tried to change that. While I believe that I do understand why she had such a HUGE animosity towards football players. But I'm so glad that she worked to overcome that animosity and let it turn into a hot loving relationship!
November 30, 2018
Sucked me right in
This book had been sitting on my kindle for awhile now. I have been in a funk and having a hard time getting into anything. This book sucked me in and wouldn't let go. There were definitely times where I was frustrated with the h but the story waa great and I can't wait to finish the series.
This book had been sitting on my kindle for awhile now. I have been in a funk and having a hard time getting into anything. This book sucked me in and wouldn't let go. There were definitely times where I was frustrated with the h but the story waa great and I can't wait to finish the series.
April 24, 2017
Given in exchange for an honest review.
If you are a fan of Sports Romances you need to read this. Lilly writes in a way that makes it feel like you are in the book.
I can't wait for the next book.
If you are a fan of Sports Romances you need to read this. Lilly writes in a way that makes it feel like you are in the book.
I can't wait for the next book.
June 18, 2017
Great story
Great story of letting go. Shed the abandonment, loss, guilt and the expectations others place on you to live you life. The author keeps the story optimistic while addressing serious core issues. Good read.
Great story of letting go. Shed the abandonment, loss, guilt and the expectations others place on you to live you life. The author keeps the story optimistic while addressing serious core issues. Good read.
October 24, 2018
2.5 Stars
I am trying to remember that these are "college" aged people. I liked the story but Lilah was a bit too much of a child; she wasn't at all supportive, she thought she could change him, she held others actions against him...I just thought it was a bit too much.
I am trying to remember that these are "college" aged people. I liked the story but Lilah was a bit too much of a child; she wasn't at all supportive, she thought she could change him, she held others actions against him...I just thought it was a bit too much.
August 13, 2019
Hot Hot Hot
Lily got me hooked from the beginning, her style of writing is fantastic.
This storyline is incredibly, the characters are so believable. I can't wait to read the series.
Lily got me hooked from the beginning, her style of writing is fantastic.
This storyline is incredibly, the characters are so believable. I can't wait to read the series.
June 18, 2017
a 3 1/2...
June 24, 2017
Good very fast read
This was my first football themed romance in a while and it has totally made me fall in love all over again with the genre.
This was my first football themed romance in a while and it has totally made me fall in love all over again with the genre.
September 25, 2017
Annoying main
I guess I have to stop reading these books while searching for character...
It's like looking for the plot line in an adult movie, that's not why they are watched...
I guess I have to stop reading these books while searching for character...
It's like looking for the plot line in an adult movie, that's not why they are watched...
October 1, 2017
Good
I really enjoyed this one. Fun, romantic story that even brought on some tears at the end. Riley is a strong, wonderful character and Lilah is smart and sassy. Loved it.
I really enjoyed this one. Fun, romantic story that even brought on some tears at the end. Riley is a strong, wonderful character and Lilah is smart and sassy. Loved it.
October 4, 2017
I enjoyed this quick read. The characters were multidimensional and I found myself interested in them. I read through this a day and would read more from this author.
October 9, 2017
Good read!
This was a good book, I just had a hard time getting into the story. If you like football romance then you will definitely like this book.
This was a good book, I just had a hard time getting into the story. If you like football romance then you will definitely like this book.
October 18, 2017
Not for me.
October 18, 2017
Kinda lost me around 40%
I finished, but it was a struggle
I finished, but it was a struggle
November 2, 2017
Decent read
It was a decent read. Too story line but you lost something within the characters. I wanted to know more about them and their struggles separated from one another.
It was a decent read. Too story line but you lost something within the characters. I wanted to know more about them and their struggles separated from one another.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews