"I've always trusted you with the ball in your hands. But can I do the same with my heart?"
As a professional basketball player, Selena "Sharpshooter" Samuels seemingly has everything going in her favor. Playing for her hometown, playoff-bound team, the Nashville Nymphs. Playing under a knowledgeable coach who she adores. Playing for a franchise that's well respected and family-owned. But the potential dynasty she's trying to build comes under threat when a new assistant coach is hired; an assistant coach who she may or may not have had a huge crush on growing up.
DeAndre "Dre" Leonard hasn't had it easy. After being banned from the league as a player for violating the drug policy, his world came crashing down. But now he's back and ready to rebuild his reputation, starting with a coaching opportunity with the sister team of his beloved Trojans that includes one of the best women's players in the game; and arguably the finest woman he's ever seen.
Selena and Dre both want the same thing; to have a successful season. But as they spend more time together chasing a championship, that shared goal slowly begins to change from a title... to each other.
Alexandra Warren is a contemporary romance author with over thirty works to date, all of which intentionally center Black love. She is also the co-founder of Girl, Have You Read…, a digital platform dedicated to Black romance written by Black authors.
When she’s not in front of her computer, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, watching sports, and clearing her DVR. Alexandra is a proud native of Omaha, Nebraska, but she currently calls Houston, Texas home.
One thing I know Alexandra Warren will deliver on is a sports romance. This was so very wholesome. It took me right in. Selena was THE ball player for the WNBA, playing for the Nymphs. Her dream was to win the championship. New assistant coach hired is starting a new season in his life after some pretty dark personal issues. That's all he wanted to do. Make the most of this new opportunity, get things back to normal in his life. Then he met the star player, Selena, who happens to be bad AF. Dre was sweet. He wasn't some hard macho guy. He was a sweetheart. Don't get me wrong, he was still all man, but he was so sweet. He was gentle and kind and his chill demeanor was just sexy…just so damn sweet. I LOVED IT. Selena had always had a crush on Dre, but lots of things happened. Selena had questions and she wanted answers… and she got her answers all right.😉 It was written in the stars for Selena and Dre. The attraction and chemistry was thick. Their banter was even more beautiful. This was love and basketball, but it wasn’t "Love and Basketball", if that makes any sense. I loved this!!
Selena and DeAndre were everything and more! First off Selena having the biggest crush on DeAndre before his troubles and then being pissed at him being her coach was perfect fake enemies to lovers energy that I needed! One Selena got to know the real Dre all bets were off and she was smitten with him and he was also the same with her from jump! With their attraction to each other it didn’t diminish the respect each other had for one another’s craft and I loved that Alexandra highlighted their skills while their love grew. The plot could’ve easily gotten away from Selena going after her first championship and Deandre redeeming himself with this new start. I’m so glad it show cased the love and difficulty of their situation while remaining true to the game! And speaking of that! Alex can write her ass off when it comes to the game time situation and have me on edge like I’m watching a real game and that talent doesn’t go unnoticed. I appreciated the connection’s made to book one and possibly book 3! I also want to apologize to Kat because she had me f’d up in the beginning of the book and I’m glad that was a false alarm! Kage also almost got on my nerves and I’m excited to see how he improves in the next book! I wanted more elaboration on Selena and her dad’s moment during that one game but overall this was a great read and so much fun! That epilogue was very “love & basketball” and i ate it up!! ❤️🥰 I can’t wait to get to the next book in the series!
I'm Team SeAndre, I loved them together. Sports romances are one of my faves and this one was so good.
Selena was the WNBA baller, friend, and neighbor of Jayde from Shots Not Taken. She was at the top of her career, locked in on giving her team their first championship. When they add a new coach, Selena is underwhelmed by the decision as she feels almost disappointed in what became of Dre's life. Dre was once a certified baller himself, earning his team a championship but life spiraled for him afterwards. It took awhile for him to find his way back, but he was ready to prove he deserved a second chance. He didn't realize it would lead to so much more. All that animosity Selena had for him was laced with attraction and the feeling was mutual. Their journey together was sweet, hot, and although it led to some drama overall they were unproblematic. What I liked about them most is you could just feel the love.
I had just a few issues..how did Dre earn the new job and we didn't really experience him coach other players? I feel like just a little bit of that dynamic would've been more believable. Also fully wrapping up the parent issues would've been nice.
Overall I am feeling this love and basketball series.
I Love A Good Sports Romance….Selena & Dre were destined….He was her favorite player while growing up….he fell off with some personal issues…and go a second chance to go to the WNBA as an Assistant Coach….proving his worth and connecting with the franchise player, this couple was determined to have it all….such a great story.
This book was adorable! Selena is a WNBA player for the Nymphs, who is NOT happy when she hears Dre Leonard has been hired as an assistant coach. Dre has his own history with the NBA, going from being a top player, to getting in trouble with the law/drugs. He’s back though, and the Nymphs owners have given him a chance to still make his mark in professional basketball.
I just loved these two together. Their chemistry was authentic. I loved they could be vulnerable with each other about some of their hurts. Dre was truly Selena’s biggest supporter, and he made sure she knew it. As a couple, even when they tried to hide it they were affectionate with each other. From the nicknames to the touches (to the smex), I couldn’t stop cheering them on.
We need more WNBA romances! I loved that the heroine was the main athlete of the story. You could tell the author knew the technical side of basketball, which always makes a sports romance book more fun!
TROPES: black romance/BIPOC/OWN voices; WNBA heroine; former NBA hero turned coach; forced proximity; age gap; vulnerable only with each other
Five adorable stars!!! I thought it would have more drama and angst and honestly I wish there was some but I’m fine with this cute sports romance!!! The ending made me cry but honestly can we have more female protagonists who are athletes please?
I need to read something cheesy now because this book got me all in my feelings!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Alexandra Warren writes an amazing sports romance with very minimal drama and I love that about her. This was the perfect book to bring in The Month of Love. So glad that Dre was able to redeem himself and get his fresh start. I adored Sharpie. I kind of wish I could really see her in action because I feel like I did. I'll definitely continue on with this series.
What can I say about this book other than I loved it? Selena and Dre are just too freaking cute for words. I loved every bit of their journey, that didn’t seem forced, but their natural progression.
ANOTHER GREAT ONE!! This story was just pure fun to read. So much love and support jumping off the pages. And it just shows that we can doooo ANYTHING. You will love reading Selena and Dre’s story. Black love matters. Alexandra has gifted us with another good read! Make sure you check it out for yourself.
This book was so stinking cute. This read will have you smiling from ear to ear the entire time. I loved everything about Selena and Dre, the chemistry was real!! Happy reading 💖
What cuteness overload did I just read? Ahhh not me cheering throughout this whole book, they were too many great moments not even a single low was caught in these chapters. I go back to how different aspects on basketball are highlighted, it's so sport centred but there are so much of life happening around the characters. There are struggles, women athletes face on a constant that we get a glimpse of and omg Selena is a beast wow I love her.
Also the authors make it impossible to have a favourite couple because they are ALL so wholesome.
I love the way Alexandra connects her stories. After reading one you want to go back and reread an earlier one. This collaboration with Nicole Falls is fire. I love characters. Looking for Kage’s story next.
Selena and Dre were a vibe. I really enjoy sports romances and this author is a beast at them. Selena and Dre worked so well and it was a pleasure reading their story. I can’t wait for her next sports themed romance with these two teams. Great read.
I read Book 1 in the series in less than a day and immediately wanted to continue to Book 2. Both the first two books in the series were written by storytellers that have me wanting to read their full catalogs. This series is a sports romance that not enough people are talking about.
This couple was authentic from beginning to end. I was definitely feeling the “Love and Basketball” vibes. I loved how much Dre loved Selena. They both really had a lot of cute moments and I enjoyed their nicknames.
I also liked that this book delved into what it’s like to be a female athlete. It was a joy to see Selena be an alpha in basketball and want that win just as bad. The story also highlighted those key differences between men and women in basketball; which I found important and insightful. What was a bit lacking for me was Dre’s coaching. I wanted to see him really grow as a coach and see him battle a little internally with how he thought it would be to coach women. Throughout the entire book we only see him coach Selena so I am not sure if it was a struggle at all or how he was as a coach; he was given this opportunity but he never did much with it.
Overall this was a good story and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I have been dying to read a book about a female professional athlete and this was the perfect pick. Right out the gate, Selena lived up to her nickname “sharp shooter”. She was on Dre’s neck since day one. She did have moments where I felt she was being to hard on Dre but that’s the beauty of imperfectly perfect character, they get on your nerves sometimes.
The build-up between Dre and Selena’s feelings for one another was very satisfying. The pace was perfect. I love watching their playful banter morph into deep conversations about their past and future.
I loved this book so much. I can’t wait to read more of the author’s work.
I’ve read this book 3 times! I adore Dre and Selena as individual characters. Each of them had interesting backstories and super cool personalities. But then together is fire! Their love story is so good. I’m sure I will be reading this book again. Particularly as new characters are introduced in the series (and btw those stories are also fire), I find myself drifting back to Dre and Selena.
Yasssss he already won, she's was so against him at first, but their love 💘 was so cute 😍 plus working with Trojans go Dre 🙌🏾 loved Selena and Dre relationships not forgetting Kage😂
Excellent read, I loved the storyline and characters. Dre and Selena are good together. This was a sweet romance, with a happy ending. I recommend this book.
First things first we STAN black love ! I enjoyed this book but it also has some negatives. Selena and Dre were great together, their chemistry and easy conversation really made it feel like you knew them. The relationship progressed nicely from a friendship to romantic relationship. I really liked them together. Overall an enjoyable story. The negatives for me was the dialogue/slang and Selena. I am black and I understand the culture and I personally talk with slang but I thought it was too much in this book and it felt forced a lot of times. Like we get it but there were really no real conversations without slang it really wasn’t annoying as it was excessive. Next we have Selena who was needy, pessimistic, and made too many assumptions. Selena did not really annoy me but it was like girl get out of your head with these made up scenarios. The way she approached situations from a pessimist view also received eye rolls. I wish the story added more of Dre coaching or more interactions with the team. But there were plenty of basketball scenes that were good. Overall I would give it a 3.5-4.0 and would recommend.
I was so ready to give this book a 4/4.5 star rating until I got to the last 20%. I know I’m a terrible feminist for saying this but I absolutely did not want to see Selena pregnant & I definitely didn’t want to see her keep the baby. I almost DNF at the 90% marks. They were only together three or four months before getting pregnant. I would have loved the storyline of seeing a woman choose NOT to keep the pregnancy. Ultimately I know the author can’t make everyone happy & that there are others who loved the ending.
I loved the banter between these two but wish we had a more definite timeline of their relationship. I’m not sure how long a basketball season is but I remember Selena said she played in the states for four months so I’m assuming that’s it. Really appreciated seeing Jayde & I hope we get a book for Ari. Wish we would have seem Dre coach more/find his footing as a coach.
Was gonna rate this a four star until I got to the last 80% & wanted to give it a two star. I met in the middle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved the WNBA rep in this book, I loved Dre and Selena's relationship, Selena's drive, all of it--I was really vibing for most of the book. Until my absolute least favorite trope in the world came in AT THE 80% MARK! I was so upset. Also the nickname lil baby was a little cringe for me but I guess if they were into it 🤷♀️
However, that personal opinion doesn't detract from how much I liked the rest of it, and
Overall would definitely recommend this book! Especially to anyone who is looking for a sports romance, specifically with women athletes (like I have been), WNBA fans (there were some excellent easter eggs in this one) and anyone who is looking for a different but really great romance.
Selena was the starting player for the Nymphs, but when her once favorite idol became part of the coaching staff she was not happy. DeAndre was once a champion basketball player, but life got in the way and caused him to fall. With friends taking a chance on him, DeAndre made an impression on Selena they both wasn't expecting. Both being warned to stay away from each other, they didn't listen and they grew into a beautiful couple. They shared, supported and loved each other in a way that are relationship goals. DeAndre and Selena were such a great couple and I loved their story. Alexandra weaved a tell of love and relationships between two people who deserved it!! Great read!!!
Listen, when I tell you that I. LOVED this book and these characters, I MEAN THAT THING! I am not a huge sports fan but while I can tolerate an NBA game, I have never watched a WNBA game. This book gave me a new found appreciation for those women and all that they encounter to do the job they love. The characters, Selena and Dre made me fall in love with them and made me appreciate the dynamic of what this type of relationship would look like in real life. Their playful banter was relationship goals and the end felt complete but still also left room to add to their story of the author sees fit. I would definitely pay my money for more of "Jordan and SeSa".