Deep Desire

Going Deep #4

by Virna DePaul

Wide receiver Gabe Murphy took his team into the playoffs last season before suffering a shoulder injury that some say he will never recover from. After his former team dumps him and he gets picked up by the Savannah Bootleggers, Gabe is determined to play better than ever, only this time he’s not getting attached—not to his new city, his new team, or his beautiful new athletic trainer, Zoe Reynolds.

Zoe’s newest client is carrying a chip as wide as his broad shoulders, but she sees the kindness and vulnerability hiding behind Gabe’s cocky grin and chiseled body. She’s going to train him, and help him move on. She just has to keep herself from falling in love with the stubborn man—hard to do when they end up living together.

Soon, Gabe learns Zoe’s battling her own demons. Will he be able to let go of the past and open his heart again? And will Zoe cheer Gabe on to victory, both in football and in love?

Genres: Sports

196 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

A former prosecutor, Virna DePaul writes "heat, heart, & HEA" for Harlequin and Random House. She is also a bestselling Indie author, with Bedding The Wrong Brother being a top 100 contemporary romance on Amazon with over 150 5* reviews. www.virnadepaul.com

Reviews

[Jeanne Jabour · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Going Deep Series by Virna DePaul tells the stories of 4 professional football players from the Savannah Bootleggers football team, and each can be read as a standalone novel.
The fourth and final book in this series, Deep Desire is about the relationship between Gabe (a newly traded player with a serious shoulder injury that puts his playing future in question) and Zoe (his new athletic trainer). Gabe does not want a female trainer because he is very serious about recovering so he can show his old team they should never have traded him. Zoe sees right through Gabe and finds a man who is truly compassionate and caring but fearful of being limited by his injury. She knows she must protect her heart from Gabe which becomes extremely challenging because they live together! And just in case you thought this was some fluff piece from Ms. DePaul, you are made well aware of the scars left by Zoe’s father.
The four books in this series are among my favorites. As talented as Ms. DePaul is in really knowing how to heat up a room and steam the windows, she is equally facile at showing true and abiding love, heart-felt emotions, situations so funny that your belly hurts from laughing, and relationships so complex that no one escapes without deep, emotional wounds! The series is the total package – not too much technical football information, or subjects so depressing you can’t find your way out. They have just the right mix of sex, banter, attraction, chemistry, sex (did I already mention that), love and angst to keep you reading late into the night!

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Gabe. I thought he got the short end of the exchange in this story. He has some hard-earned trust issues that result in some painful misjudgements. However, I didn’t think it was fair that even though Zoe has kept a part of herself aloof from him in their relationship, he’s the only one that needs to apologize, the only one that’s done something wrong. I liked that Zoe’s shown as a strong, independent woman, but she’s independent to a fault. She won’t ask for help and she won’t accept it when it’s offered. I probably wasn’t quite the right reader for this one. It’s a lot more heat than sweet compared to the previous books. And, living in the lust-drenched thoughts of both main characters before they finally give in to the inevitable, was a bit more than I was prepared for. Though, once again, the ending had everything that makes me smile about a book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout as part of the box set.

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, of all the other books in this series, this is by far my favorite. Yes, it is most definitely a romance novel, but the story has better writing than in some of the romance novels I've read over the years and the plot is a realistic one. The injured football player and his talented athletic trainer, who has some secrets she won't share, coming together in a really fun way. Zoe is a strong female character, and Gabe is a respectful realistic male lead. For a romance novel, it thrives in the little day to day things, has very little extreme drama, and of course plenty of smut. Overall, I would definitely recommend this read to someone looking for an easygoing romance read with decent writing.

[Janeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite book by Ms. DePaul.

I love everything about Zoe & Gabe. They are both very strong individuals who have endured a great deal of heartache in their past. Once they realize that secrets can destroy everything, they can work towards healing each other and just getting better together.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

After taking his team to the playoffs last season, wide receiver Gabe Murphy, is traded to the Savannah Bootleggers after suffering a shoulder injury. Cast off like a has been, Gabe shuts down. Gabe puts everything he has into rehab, hoping to prove his old team wrong. His sister, who’s also his manager, finds a trainer to work individually with Gabe. What Gabe doesn’t expect is that his trainer is a female...

Zoe’s had a rough couple of years. Her dad, a football icon, is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Zoe and her brother have their dad in a memory care facility, but it’s extremely expensive. The gym that her dad used to run has fallen in disrepair. The equipment of old, it needs new carpet and paint. Zoe’s credit cards are maxed and she’s late on rent when she’s offered the opportunity of a lifetime. Zoe has been tasked to get Gabe’s shoulder back into shape for the upcoming season or the Bootleggers will cut him from their roster.

Zoe and Gabe’s relationship starts off on the wrong foot. Gabe believes Zoe won’t be able to do as good of a job as a male trainer. Challenge accepted! Zoe’s dealt with chauvinists all her life while running the gym. But Zoe needs the job and the money to care for her dad. She just has to prove she’s the right man, woman for the job! In doing so, she finds Gabe to be a caring, family man.

Loved it! Very well written! Alzheimer’s and caring for the elderly is a HUGE issue in our society. The effects of Alzheimer’s on the patient and their family is devastating! Zoe also harbors a little resentment towards her dad as he often chose football over family when she was younger. But family is everything to Zoe and she’ll do whatever she has to in order to care for him...even train an egotistical football player. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! This series is wonderfully sexy. Gabe & Zoe are extremely hot together, they should have a warning that protection required while reading. Though Zoe & Gabe didn’t start out looking to be a couple, they were set up to be one by a likely suspect. After being injured & traded Gabe takes another blow when his agent(sister) finds him a new trainer...a female trainer. Not believing she can handle him Gabe reluctantly gives her a try only to be surprised by Zoe’s level of expertise & then by finding out who her father is....his hero. Secrets always destroy relationships & Zoe & Gabe’s is no different & Zoe has secrets she’s not ready to share. I enjoyed the transformation of Gabe from jaded & angry to compassionate, loving & ready to make his new team his family. Zoe was always strong in this book because of everything she was dealing with but it was nice to finally see her open up to Murph. I loved seeing the other players from previous books & seeing how their lives & families have progressed. This was a great addition to the series & I hope it’s not the last. Definitely recommend. I received this book from the author for an honest review.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a shoulder injury has his NFL team letting him go Gabe Murphy has a chip a mile wide on his shoulders. Now, he is determined to not get attached, not to his new team, and certainly not to his new personal trainer.

Zoe Reynolds's gym may not be top of the line but she is the best trainer there is and she intends to help Gabe get back in shape for his new team. It's obvious he is dealing with some issues and holding himself apart from everyone, his new team mates and her as well. But that's fine because Zoe has enough problems right now and she doesn't need the complication of getting involved with a client, which may be more difficult now that they're living together. Yet, once Gabe breaks through his own demons and is ready to move on, the secrets Zoe is keeping may be more than their relationship can survive.

I received an ARC and voluntarily offer this review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Going Deep series but can totally be read as a stand alone novel. One of the things that I really like about this book and this series, is that while the book is a sports romance, it's not over the top sports. In other words, the story doesn't go into crazy detail about football to where you really need to know football in order to enjoy the story. After Gabe is injured, his team trades him to a new team. So now he really feels the need to prove to his old team just what they missed out on and make an impression with his new team so they keep him. But is injured shoulder up to the task? Enter a new trainer to get him in shape. However, Gabe is anything but pleased to discover his new trainer is, gasp, a woman! This was a fun romance that did touch on some serious issues concerning Zoe's dad. All in all, an enjoyable read.

[Mary Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read and great characters you’ll be cheering for. This is the 4th book in a series, but you can start here with no problems. Gabe is an MVP wide receiver, traded by his old team after a shoulder injury. He moves to Georgia with a chip on his shoulder & and a laser focus on football. His sister, who’s also his agent, has other plans - and finds him a great personal trainer who also happens to be gorgeous. Zoe & Gabe try to keep their relationship purely professional, but it’s obvious they are doomed to failure there. Their road to happily ever after isn’t always smooth, but it’s a great, steamy ride. Now I need to go back & read the other Going Deep Books!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabe and Zoe are a sizzling pair. Coming off an injury and being traded to another team, Gabe finds himself with a new female trainer who, although he is attracted to her, he doesn't feel is the right fit for him. Zoe needs this job for various reasons and is an expert in her field. Watching these 2 come together and dealing with their issues is a delight. Book 4 is standalone in the Going Deep series. The characters are well-formed and you will want to go back and read the other 3. I received this as an ARC and voluntarily give my review.

[Anima · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think we can agree when you read a DePaul book you get sassy, smart women and cocky, sexy guys. Zoe is a fitness trainer with some family issues and Gabe is a football player healing from an injury. There's an element of heat between the two that's pretty much off the charts. Gabe's sister is awesome and very assertive, which most men need. Zoe sounds like a pint sized powerhouse but really smart too with a heart of gold. Great addition to the series of stand-alone football romance books. I was given an early copy, review provided voluntarily.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe And Zoe were perfect. I love sports but sometimes have a hard time really delving into a sports romance and find myself getting lost. This was not the case with this book. Virna has has a way of writing that sucks you in and gets you hooked. I found myself smiling and laughing and crying right along with Gabe and Zoe and high-fiving Murph and could picture myself there. I felt the games and the pain and the struggles but most of all, I felt the loyalty and the dedication and the love.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s official!! “Deep Desire” is one of my favourites of this amazing series “Going Deep”! It delivers Virna characteristic witty, hilarious banter and smouldering chemistry throughout the story. It had me under its spell from the first page. Virna De Paul never ceases to amaze and delight me, and this latest story is the gold standard of Virna books. I will be recommending this book left, right, and any other direction that springs up - one of my favourites of the year! Happy reading!!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Hero doesn’t show himself to be quite the jerk everyone thinks he is. He’s got a lot of internal turmoil that got glossed over my others. I didn’t love the heroine. She keeps everything super close To the vest and never really fessed up or took responsibility for her choices. The man was always the bad guy. Wish this stereotyping would go away.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
Gabe has a shoulder injury and his new trainer is the Georgia Peach, Zoe Reynolds.
They are both great characters.
She’s gonna get him back in football form. She’s a complication he doesn’t need.
Steamy and fun, with fitness thrown in.


Voluntarily reviewed.