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Winner Takes All #1
The Boyfriend Comeback
Some men are just off-limits. Like, say, all the other football players in the league…
I have to stop replaying the one night I spent with my rival. Trouble is, that white-hot encounter with the other quarterback answered a lot of questions I’ve had about myself, but it also led me into this mess where he hates me.
I never showed up for our second date. Since, well, life happened, and the worst part is he’ll never know how much that night meant to me.
But when I’m traded to his cross-town rivals, that’s not the time to serve up my secrets to him either. My team’s PR department wants to double down on our rivalry. I need to focus on football, not on my interest in men. Except, the more time I spend doing media appearances and charity events with the sexy, generous, popular guy, the hungrier I am to finish what we started.
It’s a bad idea to knock on his door late one night. I could lose everything. He’s probably not even home.
But when the door swings open and I’m face to face with the man I want desperately, I have a choice to make.
A standalone, enemies-to-rivals-to-lovers, second chance sports romance full of secrets, first times and forbidden love…
I have to stop replaying the one night I spent with my rival. Trouble is, that white-hot encounter with the other quarterback answered a lot of questions I’ve had about myself, but it also led me into this mess where he hates me.
I never showed up for our second date. Since, well, life happened, and the worst part is he’ll never know how much that night meant to me.
But when I’m traded to his cross-town rivals, that’s not the time to serve up my secrets to him either. My team’s PR department wants to double down on our rivalry. I need to focus on football, not on my interest in men. Except, the more time I spend doing media appearances and charity events with the sexy, generous, popular guy, the hungrier I am to finish what we started.
It’s a bad idea to knock on his door late one night. I could lose everything. He’s probably not even home.
But when the door swings open and I’m face to face with the man I want desperately, I have a choice to make.
A standalone, enemies-to-rivals-to-lovers, second chance sports romance full of secrets, first times and forbidden love…
466 pages, ebook
First published September 13, 2022
1129 people are currently reading
6703 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Blakely
256 books24.2k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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October 20, 2022
The Boyfriend Comeback is book one in The Boyfriend Zone series by Lauren Blakely. Lauren has done it again with this wonderful MM romance. I smiled so much. I would call it low angst, high swoon. Because swoon I did with these two.
Jason McKay is twenty seven years old and is the starting quarterback for the San Francisco Hawks. San Francisco is the city he grew up in and he has been with the Hawks since the start of his NFL career.
Beck Cafferty is twenty four. He previously played for two years, one on the bench and one as starting quarterback for Los Angeles. But now he’s been traded to the San Francisco Renegades, the cross town rivals to the Hawks.
One year ago, when Beck was still playing for Los Angeles, he and Jason shared one sexy encounter. An encounter that meant more to both of these men than either could have anticipated. They made a plan for a second date but circumstances prevented Beck from showing up. Jason sloughed off Beck’s attempts to explain and that was it. A year went by and now Beck is in San Fran. As soon as these two see each other again, that same electricity, that same connection, is there and it can’t be denied, as much as they try.
Both team owners have Beck and Jason doing media events together to help feed their rivalry, to increase attendance. These two couldn’t avoid each other even if they wanted to. But they don’t.
“The pull toward him is unreal. It’s a storm whipping inside me, and I can’t break away from it.”
Both teams are winning, which feeds the rivalry even more. But nothing is strong enough to keep these two apart. They keep their relationship a secret, because if their bosses found out, if the fans found out, they are convinced it would be the end of their careers.
“Of all the guys in this city, why did I have to fall for my rival?”
I loved these two together so much. The chemistry was crazy HOT! But more than that, I adored watching their feelings for each other grow. At the same time, both are trying to concentrate on leading their teams to win. Both are under tremendous pressure, especially Beck since he is new.
“I wish I could hate him, but I can’t because I like him too much.”
As I said, this book just made my heart happy. I finished it late in the evening and had a huge smile on my face. I think the thing I loved the most was that there was no push away. They were still getting to know each other, might have misunderstood a couple of things, but that bond was still there. Now I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Limited Edition Husband. Lauren Blakely writes the most wonderful MM couples and I have become her forever fan.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Jason McKay is twenty seven years old and is the starting quarterback for the San Francisco Hawks. San Francisco is the city he grew up in and he has been with the Hawks since the start of his NFL career.
Beck Cafferty is twenty four. He previously played for two years, one on the bench and one as starting quarterback for Los Angeles. But now he’s been traded to the San Francisco Renegades, the cross town rivals to the Hawks.
One year ago, when Beck was still playing for Los Angeles, he and Jason shared one sexy encounter. An encounter that meant more to both of these men than either could have anticipated. They made a plan for a second date but circumstances prevented Beck from showing up. Jason sloughed off Beck’s attempts to explain and that was it. A year went by and now Beck is in San Fran. As soon as these two see each other again, that same electricity, that same connection, is there and it can’t be denied, as much as they try.
Both team owners have Beck and Jason doing media events together to help feed their rivalry, to increase attendance. These two couldn’t avoid each other even if they wanted to. But they don’t.
“The pull toward him is unreal. It’s a storm whipping inside me, and I can’t break away from it.”
Both teams are winning, which feeds the rivalry even more. But nothing is strong enough to keep these two apart. They keep their relationship a secret, because if their bosses found out, if the fans found out, they are convinced it would be the end of their careers.
“Of all the guys in this city, why did I have to fall for my rival?”
I loved these two together so much. The chemistry was crazy HOT! But more than that, I adored watching their feelings for each other grow. At the same time, both are trying to concentrate on leading their teams to win. Both are under tremendous pressure, especially Beck since he is new.
“I wish I could hate him, but I can’t because I like him too much.”
As I said, this book just made my heart happy. I finished it late in the evening and had a huge smile on my face. I think the thing I loved the most was that there was no push away. They were still getting to know each other, might have misunderstood a couple of things, but that bond was still there. Now I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Limited Edition Husband. Lauren Blakely writes the most wonderful MM couples and I have become her forever fan.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
May 2, 2025
SMASH, NEXT QUESTION.
It's been 2 days since I finished it and I stalled writing a review because I bought the audible bundle where all of the books were 1 credit so I moved straight into the next ones, and I've already forgotten every single thing about it already. But to reiterate.....
SMASH, NEXT QUESTION.
I needed fun, basic, surface level entertainment, nothing serious, men kissing and touching tips and I got that 🤭 Beck was an anxious bean and Jason was a vivacious gay and I supported their tip touching adventures.
It's been 2 days since I finished it and I stalled writing a review because I bought the audible bundle where all of the books were 1 credit so I moved straight into the next ones, and I've already forgotten every single thing about it already. But to reiterate.....
SMASH, NEXT QUESTION.
I needed fun, basic, surface level entertainment, nothing serious, men kissing and touching tips and I got that 🤭 Beck was an anxious bean and Jason was a vivacious gay and I supported their tip touching adventures.
September 21, 2022
He grips me tighter like my cock is his fantasy come true. It's crazy to think that. But that's how Beck touches me. Like I'm his fantasy.
it was pretty much okay-ish. i obviously didn't loved it but i'm also not here to tear it to shreds. shocking. and i think this because how i made peace with blakely's works that they are either the highly enjoyable kind or the tolerable one. this one's in the latter. the story being one of those that you can easily fly through with little drama yada yada is the definitely the best feature. i simply popped in my airpods, drank some iced coffee, and everything was just alright. it was an okay tolerable reading experience. also, thank god truly because this is a one-shot romance for jason and beck. i thought the succeeding books will be all about them pushing and pulling their romance.
September 21, 2022
Is it steamy?
Yes
Yes
September 27, 2022
I was really hoping to love this book – it is sports romance, rivals to lovers, second chance romance: everything I love. I really loved the prequel at the beginning of the book, it was such a good set up and you could feel the emotions and the pining. I’ve always liked the way this author writes emotions; you can really feel what the characters are feeling. All of this made me really think I would love the book but it had two big problems for me:
1- It was long and it felt longer. It was 400 pages and felt like 800. It dragged on and on and on. I thought it might never end. I got bored of these characters at times because it was just so needlessly long. Between 50-70% I was just ready for the book to be over.
2- I don’t know if there is a name for this trope, its not quite the miscommunication trope but I guess I will call it the interruption trope. “I am finally going to explain something but you won’t let me get a word in” “I’m ready to tell you something huge, but we are interrupted by a fan” “You ask for a chance to explain, but I block your number” “I’m finally going to ask you a huge question, but my boss walks in” “I’m going to text you something serious, but decide not to text” This got so frustrating. Did no one tell these two that after an interruption you can resume your previous conversation? And if something is too heavy for a text, you can facetime? This happened a lot and was so frustrating! Like if you have something to say, just say it! This might be worse than miscommunication.
It really had so much potential! I do like this author’s writing and I loved the set up in the prequel novella! I think if this book was 100 pages shorter and they got interrupted like half as much I would have loved it.
1- It was long and it felt longer. It was 400 pages and felt like 800. It dragged on and on and on. I thought it might never end. I got bored of these characters at times because it was just so needlessly long. Between 50-70% I was just ready for the book to be over.
2- I don’t know if there is a name for this trope, its not quite the miscommunication trope but I guess I will call it the interruption trope. “I am finally going to explain something but you won’t let me get a word in” “I’m ready to tell you something huge, but we are interrupted by a fan” “You ask for a chance to explain, but I block your number” “I’m finally going to ask you a huge question, but my boss walks in” “I’m going to text you something serious, but decide not to text” This got so frustrating. Did no one tell these two that after an interruption you can resume your previous conversation? And if something is too heavy for a text, you can facetime? This happened a lot and was so frustrating! Like if you have something to say, just say it! This might be worse than miscommunication.
It really had so much potential! I do like this author’s writing and I loved the set up in the prequel novella! I think if this book was 100 pages shorter and they got interrupted like half as much I would have loved it.
November 19, 2024
“Yes, baby. I love fucking a Super Bowl winner, but next time, that Super Bowl winner is going to fuck me on our Alaskan king.”
I dont know what it is about Lauren Blakely with mm romance, but it hits for me every time. They may never be 5 star, super emotional, make me cry, rolling on my bed giggling, such amazing romance type of books but they get the job done. They are great little romance books with hot sex and hot dudes, just wanting to fuck and fall in love and you know what? Im here for it, every time. I dont need a outrageous over the top dramatic plot or characters, just give me two dudes who are horny for each other and wanna fall in love and Im here for it and Lauren Blakely literally does that in her book, and this is no different. Beck and Jason are just two quarterbacks fallin in love and fucking on a Alaskan King. Pop off. Good for them. I enjoyed it.
I dont know what it is about Lauren Blakely with mm romance, but it hits for me every time. They may never be 5 star, super emotional, make me cry, rolling on my bed giggling, such amazing romance type of books but they get the job done. They are great little romance books with hot sex and hot dudes, just wanting to fuck and fall in love and you know what? Im here for it, every time. I dont need a outrageous over the top dramatic plot or characters, just give me two dudes who are horny for each other and wanna fall in love and Im here for it and Lauren Blakely literally does that in her book, and this is no different. Beck and Jason are just two quarterbacks fallin in love and fucking on a Alaskan King. Pop off. Good for them. I enjoyed it.
January 18, 2023
2.5 stars
I wanted to DNF about halfway through, but the story started to get better. I wish I had. It was just so bland. There was chemistry between the MCs, but somehow the sex scenes were lackluster. I couldn’t even explain further what I didn’t like I was just so bored.
And explain to me why you need to tell me some random character is a “Black man?!” Like one time for one character. Unless you’re going around telling me the ethnicity/skin color/race of every character it just feels extremely wrong.
I wanted to DNF about halfway through, but the story started to get better. I wish I had. It was just so bland. There was chemistry between the MCs, but somehow the sex scenes were lackluster. I couldn’t even explain further what I didn’t like I was just so bored.
And explain to me why you need to tell me some random character is a “Black man?!” Like one time for one character. Unless you’re going around telling me the ethnicity/skin color/race of every character it just feels extremely wrong.
November 23, 2022
When I saw that Lauren Blakely wrote another m/m sports romance, I got a major case of grabby hands! The subgenre has been a consistent winner for me. Moreover, as someone who is still new to Blakely's work, I find it reliably fun, sweet and sexy; stories that uplift, rather than exhaust. And, as I told a Goodsreads friend in a rant, I was particularly impressed after reading an interview in which Blakely discussed her father's story and her commitment to authenticity, including ensuring that she has gay men as beta readers (something that many other authors should consider, too).
Reminiscent of her Men of Summer baseball romance series, yet still distinct, The Boyfriend Comeback features a secret, forbidden romance between two quarterbacks, rookie Beck and five-year-veteran Jason. Since the men play for two different San Francisco-based teams, a natural rivalry exists, but it didn't feel insurmountable. The steam was on-point, the banter was fun, and the depictions of grief and anxiety rang true and poignant. Major props for once again having a MMC undergo therapy!
A few moments were cheesy, and I wanted a bit more angst (I'm admittedly glad that Blakely doesn't go overboard with angst, but a vengeful ex making a bit of trouble could be fun now and then). Really, my biggest complaint was that I sometimes needed a flowchart to understand the various relationships between main and side characters, and which characters and pairings already had or would be getting their own books. Fortunately, none of these characters' presence felt intrusive. Instead, I was intrigued and wanted to read more. But, as someone who prefers to read in order, I felt somewhat torn.
Overall, a promising start to a new m/m series!
Reminiscent of her Men of Summer baseball romance series, yet still distinct, The Boyfriend Comeback features a secret, forbidden romance between two quarterbacks, rookie Beck and five-year-veteran Jason. Since the men play for two different San Francisco-based teams, a natural rivalry exists, but it didn't feel insurmountable. The steam was on-point, the banter was fun, and the depictions of grief and anxiety rang true and poignant. Major props for once again having a MMC undergo therapy!
A few moments were cheesy, and I wanted a bit more angst (I'm admittedly glad that Blakely doesn't go overboard with angst, but a vengeful ex making a bit of trouble could be fun now and then). Really, my biggest complaint was that I sometimes needed a flowchart to understand the various relationships between main and side characters, and which characters and pairings already had or would be getting their own books. Fortunately, none of these characters' presence felt intrusive. Instead, I was intrigued and wanted to read more. But, as someone who prefers to read in order, I felt somewhat torn.
Overall, a promising start to a new m/m series!
August 31, 2025
3.5 stars
This was way longer than it needed to be. At first I was excited (The Boyfriend Kickoff does a good job of setting the scene) but halfway through this book and I just wanted to GET IT DONE in one piece.
The biggest problem? The constant back and forth between the MCs, and all the time in between. I get it, they want each other but believe (contrary to everything that’s been established about this world) that they can’t have each other. Fine. Sometimes we get in our heads about things. But why all the page time apart?? It made their relationship feel less like an illicit, passionate affair and more like… an everyday romance, instead of “a standalone, enemies-to-rivals-to-lovers, second chance sports romance full of secrets, first times and forbidden love.”
There was lots of spice and lots of sneaking around — which I liked — but I just wasn’t feeling the passion. They would be like “I want you so bad” and I would just sigh and skim through the smut, which is a shame because it was well written (I’m giving it 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 for the characters’ voracity).
anyway
It wasn’t bad and the writing style was clean and easy, but it wasn’t great either.
I did like that most of the cast (including the NFL’s top brass) wasn’t homophobic.
Expect
- One night stand to friends to lovers
- Found family
- Sunshine x shy
- Vers MCs
- Anxiety rep
Other reviews
Book 0.5: The Boyfriend Kickoff
This was way longer than it needed to be. At first I was excited (The Boyfriend Kickoff does a good job of setting the scene) but halfway through this book and I just wanted to GET IT DONE in one piece.
The biggest problem? The constant back and forth between the MCs, and all the time in between. I get it, they want each other but believe (contrary to everything that’s been established about this world) that they can’t have each other. Fine. Sometimes we get in our heads about things. But why all the page time apart?? It made their relationship feel less like an illicit, passionate affair and more like… an everyday romance, instead of “a standalone, enemies-to-rivals-to-lovers, second chance sports romance full of secrets, first times and forbidden love.”
There was lots of spice and lots of sneaking around — which I liked — but I just wasn’t feeling the passion. They would be like “I want you so bad” and I would just sigh and skim through the smut, which is a shame because it was well written (I’m giving it 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 for the characters’ voracity).
anyway
It wasn’t bad and the writing style was clean and easy, but it wasn’t great either.
I did like that most of the cast (including the NFL’s top brass) wasn’t homophobic.
Expect
- One night stand to friends to lovers
- Found family
- Sunshine x shy
- Vers MCs
- Anxiety rep
Other reviews
Book 0.5: The Boyfriend Kickoff
September 16, 2022
I love Beck and Jason's swoony romance
This one is a really lovely 'rivals' romance where said rivalry only exists in other people's minds.
When Jason and Beck meet there's an instant attraction between them and we then get this delicious relationship angst-free story which still includes a depth to it with how Beck deals with anxiety.
That aspect of the narrative is handled sensitively and with consideration, never used to create drama for the sake of it.
There's a couple of very early on scenes of misunderstanding, but very quickly it turns into a mature relationship where they talk to each other about their hopes and fears.
Beck's bisexual but he's never had any experience before Jason, who he's been crushing on for some time.
I loved the scenes where they get down and dirty, there's a perfect mix of vulnerability from Beck, cockiness on the part of Jason as he brags about his abilities and a shared desire to be the best experience for each other.
With a great setting, a fab bunch of secondary characters who are getting their own stories and a believable solution to their interests city rivalry, this book totally delivered for me.
This one is a really lovely 'rivals' romance where said rivalry only exists in other people's minds.
When Jason and Beck meet there's an instant attraction between them and we then get this delicious relationship angst-free story which still includes a depth to it with how Beck deals with anxiety.
That aspect of the narrative is handled sensitively and with consideration, never used to create drama for the sake of it.
There's a couple of very early on scenes of misunderstanding, but very quickly it turns into a mature relationship where they talk to each other about their hopes and fears.
Beck's bisexual but he's never had any experience before Jason, who he's been crushing on for some time.
I loved the scenes where they get down and dirty, there's a perfect mix of vulnerability from Beck, cockiness on the part of Jason as he brags about his abilities and a shared desire to be the best experience for each other.
With a great setting, a fab bunch of secondary characters who are getting their own stories and a believable solution to their interests city rivalry, this book totally delivered for me.
October 27, 2022
I love the Hopelessly Bromantic mini-seris by this author and had high hopes for The Boyfriend Kickoff and The Boyfriend Comeback.
I'm rating The Boyfriend Kickoff and The Boyfriend Comeback together because now they come in one book with two parts and aren't separate books anymore.
I was disappointed...
The chemistry wasn't great, the MC's were not very interesting, the sex scenes were repetitive, not really exciting.
I didn't connect with the characters or the storyline the way I did with the Hopelessly Bromantic books.
There was nothing really wrong with the book, I just didn't feel any of the excitement or happiness or dreaminess I had hoped for (and had felt reading the Hopelessly Bromantic books).
The fact that the setup was similar to Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry didn't help my (lack of) enthusiasm for this book, too. There the plot felt much more genuine, realistic and the chemistry was on another level.
3 stars.
I'm rating The Boyfriend Kickoff and The Boyfriend Comeback together because now they come in one book with two parts and aren't separate books anymore.
I was disappointed...
The chemistry wasn't great, the MC's were not very interesting, the sex scenes were repetitive, not really exciting.
I didn't connect with the characters or the storyline the way I did with the Hopelessly Bromantic books.
There was nothing really wrong with the book, I just didn't feel any of the excitement or happiness or dreaminess I had hoped for (and had felt reading the Hopelessly Bromantic books).
The fact that the setup was similar to Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry didn't help my (lack of) enthusiasm for this book, too. There the plot felt much more genuine, realistic and the chemistry was on another level.
3 stars.
September 13, 2022
Tropes:
- rivals-to-lovers
- forbidden
- first time, kinda
- sports
After hitting it off at a charity event, one hot hook up, and a ghosting later, Jason and Beck are thrown together again one year later. Beck gets traded to the Renegades, Jason’s local rival team AND ends up being a last minute cohost for a football podcast with Jason. The pair are repeatedly forced back together again, and to make things work end up clearly the air.
What ensues is a secret, explosively hot love affair that has these two falling head over heels, but life and being rivals keeps getting in the way and secrets like theirs are so very hard to keep.
The banter, the chemistry, THE SPICE!!!! I loved everything about Beck and Jason—except for the secrecy. I’m so glad these sweeties got the happy ending they deserved, but they took me on such an emotional ride while doing it!
- rivals-to-lovers
- forbidden
- first time, kinda
- sports
After hitting it off at a charity event, one hot hook up, and a ghosting later, Jason and Beck are thrown together again one year later. Beck gets traded to the Renegades, Jason’s local rival team AND ends up being a last minute cohost for a football podcast with Jason. The pair are repeatedly forced back together again, and to make things work end up clearly the air.
What ensues is a secret, explosively hot love affair that has these two falling head over heels, but life and being rivals keeps getting in the way and secrets like theirs are so very hard to keep.
The banter, the chemistry, THE SPICE!!!! I loved everything about Beck and Jason—except for the secrecy. I’m so glad these sweeties got the happy ending they deserved, but they took me on such an emotional ride while doing it!
December 10, 2022
DNF @ 35%
very average, nothing special and I was not too fond of the writing style.
very average, nothing special and I was not too fond of the writing style.
May 14, 2023
Oh my gawwwwd this is boring
September 29, 2022
3.5 stars
December 3, 2022
LISTEN! The story in these pages is one huge #swoonfest with just enough angst to make it interesting. Lauren’s stories have always been a hit-or-miss with me but no matter what, she’s always a #oneclick for me because her stories are happy. Even when the story should, probably, call for deep angst, she doesn’t do that. The worlds that she creates focus mostly on the positive spin of life and tend to leave the dark and shadowed corners far far away. I like that a lot, and it’s something I am guaranteed in whatever story she pens, so she’s a #oneclick author for me because of it.
This story, and many others by her, could have easily gone off the rails #reallife, but she made a choice not to do that and still wrote a very realistic and relatable romance journey between two men in the spotlight of professional sports. Jason and beck’s story made me happy. Don’t get me wrong, there were moments of deep emotion in the story but the overall sense of the story was hope and happiness and I felt it. This was a hit story for me and I can’t wait to read more in this series!
Grab your copy today!
✦ Amazon ➜ http://blkly.pub/AmazonComeback
✦ Apple ➜ http://blkly.pub/AppleComeback
✦ Nook ➜ http://blkly.pub/NookComeback
✦ Kobo ➜ http://blkly.pub/KoboComeback
✦ Google ➜ http://blkly.pub/GoogleComeback
✦ Audible ➜ https://blkly.pub/AudioBoyfriendComeback
This story, and many others by her, could have easily gone off the rails #reallife, but she made a choice not to do that and still wrote a very realistic and relatable romance journey between two men in the spotlight of professional sports. Jason and beck’s story made me happy. Don’t get me wrong, there were moments of deep emotion in the story but the overall sense of the story was hope and happiness and I felt it. This was a hit story for me and I can’t wait to read more in this series!
Grab your copy today!
✦ Amazon ➜ http://blkly.pub/AmazonComeback
✦ Apple ➜ http://blkly.pub/AppleComeback
✦ Nook ➜ http://blkly.pub/NookComeback
✦ Kobo ➜ http://blkly.pub/KoboComeback
✦ Google ➜ http://blkly.pub/GoogleComeback
✦ Audible ➜ https://blkly.pub/AudioBoyfriendComeback
September 6, 2022
The Boyfriend Comeback by Lauren Blakely was a MM forbidden football romance that rivaled for the top spot in my heart. Lauren does what she does best creating emotional, passionate characters that battle various inner conflicting emotions and in return find comfort in each other. I love that Jason and Beck are rival QBs! Plus, they have instant undeniable chemistry that is tension-filled, secretive, and explosive! (Yes, please!)
Teddy Hamilton and J.F. Harding narrate this audiobook, and this is the first time I’ve heard these two paired together. Teddy brought all his admirable, loveable charm to Jason’s considerate, compassionate persona. J.F. was fantastic at conveying Beck’s vulnerabilities and his growing confidence as he discovered his true feelings for Jason. Both narrators were amazing in portraying the push and pull of Jason and Beck’s steamy hot connection.
Overall, I loved this audiobook. If you are a fan of a MM football romance with two hot hunky rival quarterbacks, training at the gym, secret text exchanges, the Monday Morning Quarterback, steamy stairwell kisses, forbidden first dates, spicy first times, a sporty Halloween party, cameos from some past favorite characters, meeting new characters, an advice-giving father, gaining confidence, coming clean, and a HEA that will score a championship winning touchdown in your heart, then you will love Beck and Jason’s story. I always look forward to more from Lauren Blakely.
Teddy Hamilton and J.F. Harding narrate this audiobook, and this is the first time I’ve heard these two paired together. Teddy brought all his admirable, loveable charm to Jason’s considerate, compassionate persona. J.F. was fantastic at conveying Beck’s vulnerabilities and his growing confidence as he discovered his true feelings for Jason. Both narrators were amazing in portraying the push and pull of Jason and Beck’s steamy hot connection.
Overall, I loved this audiobook. If you are a fan of a MM football romance with two hot hunky rival quarterbacks, training at the gym, secret text exchanges, the Monday Morning Quarterback, steamy stairwell kisses, forbidden first dates, spicy first times, a sporty Halloween party, cameos from some past favorite characters, meeting new characters, an advice-giving father, gaining confidence, coming clean, and a HEA that will score a championship winning touchdown in your heart, then you will love Beck and Jason’s story. I always look forward to more from Lauren Blakely.
March 6, 2024
This has got to be one of my favorite rivals to lovers books. I enjoyed everything about it. Beck and Jason are so so good together, I love them both equally and their beautiful journey. The letter is so gooood I was crying!!!!!
April 20, 2023
This book was fine. For the most part I enjoyed it. I thought it went on a little too long but I enjoyed the banter and the two narrators on the audiobook were excellent. Not sure if I will continue the series.
May 1, 2023
Part I of the book is The Boyfriend Kickoff, part II is one year later.
Beck Cafferty, 24, is back as the new QB for the San Francisco Renegades, being traded when the former QB legend retires. Beck has a lot to handle, causing him great anxiety, but the biggest trigger is that he desperatly wants and needs to apologise to Jason. He wants to tell him why he did not show, without letting on that it also is a big anxiety trigger.
Jason McKay, 27, mr. glass-half-full, is ready to face his one-time hookup, who has become his cross-town rival. But when Beck tries to explain, Jason does not give him a chance to talk, instead says he understands and that his gay-secret is safe. But when Beck does not make hide being bi-sexual Jason understands there is more to the missed date.
When both the team owners throw their QB's together for some media events, the spark between Jason and Beck is very much still alive. They start a secret, very hot relationship knowing very well that them being together will cause major issues.
But when they are unable to stay away, choosing each other is a no-brainer.
Told in dual POV, alternating between Jason and Beck, it is clear that while Jason has a great family life, Beck's is lacking. My heart broke for the soft-hearted QB.
Also, I love the cameo of bothTJ & Jude and Asher St. James
While each book in the Winner Takes All Series can be read as a standalone, but to prevent previous plots and storylines to get spoiled, they are best enjoyed when read in order:
June 5, 2025
Look, it’s not you—it’s me. Okay, actually, it’s a little bit you. Technically, you’re not a bad book, but we just didn’t vibe. It’s nothing personal. I’m sure you’ll find your reader someday, it‘s just not going to be me. Sorry!
October 18, 2025
Honestly, this should be classified as fantasy: multiple openly gay and bi players in the NFL, teammates who actually support them, and a team owner who cuts players for domestic abuse and sexual assault. I loved the thoughtful look at one MMC’s struggle with anxiety and the nod to cognitive behavioral therapy. Love the mental health rep for us anxious girlies!
Also, another story where the big obstacle keeping them apart is being quarterbacks on rival teams. As a lifelong Bears fan, I’d personally find it super cute if Caleb Williams and Jordan Love were endgame. I’d read that slash fic, just saying.
Also, another story where the big obstacle keeping them apart is being quarterbacks on rival teams. As a lifelong Bears fan, I’d personally find it super cute if Caleb Williams and Jordan Love were endgame. I’d read that slash fic, just saying.
October 5, 2022
DNF
Welp. It hurts me to write this, but I didn’t make it past 35%. Which is a shame because I really liked the prologue novel.
The reason why I stopped…Jason was a dick!
Beck didn’t show up for his date, so he blocked his number 3 hours after he was supposed to show up.
When they run into each other again a year later Beck tries to explain multiple times and Jason basically gaslit him, didn’t let him speak and accused him of not being out (which he was BTW which Jason would have known had he let Beck SPEAK!!!!).
When you find out what happened you feel even more for Beck and dislike Jason even more.
I feel like Jason was supposed to be this happy nice guy with a great family and great friends, but after how he massively overreacted to Beck standing him up (at his house BTW) and then was a massive condescending dick to him I couldn’t get on board.
Don't even get me started on how Jason was "trying to give him tips on coming out" - the dude was out, but again you never let him speak or tell you anything so you didn't know!!!!
So I had to stop reading. I wanted Beck to get a HEA but Jason could have kept being single for the rest of his life…
Welp. It hurts me to write this, but I didn’t make it past 35%. Which is a shame because I really liked the prologue novel.
The reason why I stopped…Jason was a dick!
Beck didn’t show up for his date, so he blocked his number 3 hours after he was supposed to show up.
When they run into each other again a year later Beck tries to explain multiple times and Jason basically gaslit him, didn’t let him speak and accused him of not being out (which he was BTW which Jason would have known had he let Beck SPEAK!!!!).
When you find out what happened you feel even more for Beck and dislike Jason even more.
I feel like Jason was supposed to be this happy nice guy with a great family and great friends, but after how he massively overreacted to Beck standing him up (at his house BTW) and then was a massive condescending dick to him I couldn’t get on board.
Don't even get me started on how Jason was "trying to give him tips on coming out" - the dude was out, but again you never let him speak or tell you anything so you didn't know!!!!
So I had to stop reading. I wanted Beck to get a HEA but Jason could have kept being single for the rest of his life…
maybe
September 6, 2022It sounds kind of good, but too steamy for me😒😮💨
December 10, 2022
(audiobook) I was so enthusiastic for this book that I ended up disappointed. Not a lot, but enough. All the ingredients were there to seduce me: sports romance, LGBTQ+ positive, some team, a bisexual character. But I found a few problems with this book.
Beck and Jason were both interesting characters. Between the seasoned openly out generally bubbly QB, and his younger more introverted suffering from anxiety rival, there was more than a spark, and they had things to learn from each other. And they did. But it took so long! I get it, their opposite personalities didn’t help with communication, but if misunderstanding was a sports, they’d be gold medal. As their intimate and public interactions were so contradictory, it wasn’t exactly a surprise.
Their relationship was riddled with cliché moments, ultimately lessening the impact it had on me. I mean, there were cute moments, and sexy moments, and some angst too, but I was never surprised neither by the obstacles they met, nor the resolution. I didn’t feel enough tension to keep me on the edge of my seat.
I loved the sports side of the story. We see a lot of Beck and Jason with their respective teammates. They also speak together about what their role is as a QB, and as a celebrity. The radio show was an interesting touch–though I failed to see the interest after a couple of shows if I was to listen to such a show, let alone a whole season. That’s where Beck’s anxiety became important.
As we slowly learn more about him, we can see how it came to be, and why it has such an impact on his professional life. It was interesting to see him coming to term with it and finding ways to cope. Of course, Jason is mostly responsible for that, which make the couple a little tighter in my opinion.
Steamy moments involving a virgin character–any kind of virginity–are always difficult to write. They’re supposed to discover every aspect one after another, which makes it look a bit like a play by play, or a check list. Unfortunately, it’s a lot like that here. I felt it made those sexy times less sexy and more educational.
The narrators were both really good, and perfectly cast, with one cocky and playful, the other more vulnerable and quiet. But–yes, I had a problem even with the narration–the voice each did for the other narrator’s character didn’t fit at all with the other narrator’s voice for them, and I had trouble associating the character with the voice.
It wasn’t a bad book overall, but it didn’t meet my expectations.
Quickie
- Series: Winner takes all #1 (can be read as a standalone but connected to other books by the author)
- Hashtags: #MM romance #sports romance #football #forbidden romance #second chance #rivals #bisexual
- Triggers: anxiety
- Main couple: Beck Cafferty & Jason McKay
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + I loved the way they helped each other in some way
- – so many gay people out in sports? not realistic, unfortunately
Beck and Jason were both interesting characters. Between the seasoned openly out generally bubbly QB, and his younger more introverted suffering from anxiety rival, there was more than a spark, and they had things to learn from each other. And they did. But it took so long! I get it, their opposite personalities didn’t help with communication, but if misunderstanding was a sports, they’d be gold medal. As their intimate and public interactions were so contradictory, it wasn’t exactly a surprise.
Their relationship was riddled with cliché moments, ultimately lessening the impact it had on me. I mean, there were cute moments, and sexy moments, and some angst too, but I was never surprised neither by the obstacles they met, nor the resolution. I didn’t feel enough tension to keep me on the edge of my seat.
I loved the sports side of the story. We see a lot of Beck and Jason with their respective teammates. They also speak together about what their role is as a QB, and as a celebrity. The radio show was an interesting touch–though I failed to see the interest after a couple of shows if I was to listen to such a show, let alone a whole season. That’s where Beck’s anxiety became important.
As we slowly learn more about him, we can see how it came to be, and why it has such an impact on his professional life. It was interesting to see him coming to term with it and finding ways to cope. Of course, Jason is mostly responsible for that, which make the couple a little tighter in my opinion.
Steamy moments involving a virgin character–any kind of virginity–are always difficult to write. They’re supposed to discover every aspect one after another, which makes it look a bit like a play by play, or a check list. Unfortunately, it’s a lot like that here. I felt it made those sexy times less sexy and more educational.
The narrators were both really good, and perfectly cast, with one cocky and playful, the other more vulnerable and quiet. But–yes, I had a problem even with the narration–the voice each did for the other narrator’s character didn’t fit at all with the other narrator’s voice for them, and I had trouble associating the character with the voice.
It wasn’t a bad book overall, but it didn’t meet my expectations.
Quickie
- Series: Winner takes all #1 (can be read as a standalone but connected to other books by the author)
- Hashtags: #MM romance #sports romance #football #forbidden romance #second chance #rivals #bisexual
- Triggers: anxiety
- Main couple: Beck Cafferty & Jason McKay
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + I loved the way they helped each other in some way
- – so many gay people out in sports? not realistic, unfortunately
September 12, 2022
6 stars!
Are you ready for some football?! How about rival NFL quarterbacks?! It's finally Jason McKay's story! We have seen him support his friends and his brother, Nolan, but now this quarterback for the San Francisco Hawks meets his match!
Jason is embracing all the superstitions and rituals hoping to increase his team's luck this season. He feels the pressure to prove himself as part of the team and generally is a people pleaser. So he is charming and outgoing. As an out and gay player he also feels the need to set a good example and have a positive media presence. His love life has not been so positive and the last guy that sparked his interest subsequently stood him up.
Beck Cafferty has just been traded to the best team in San Francisco, The Renegades. He is taking over for a legend that retired and is a last-minute fill-in. He has had a lot going on in his life...some of which caused him to make a move on Jason last year and then disappear. He is more private and reserved and not as adept in handling attention and the media. He is a bit overwhelmed and trying to get his bearings in a new city, with a new team, and with a few regrets.
But now they are rival quarterbacks in the same city and share friends in the football community. They are bound to cross paths. The truth will eventually come out...all of it. They will have to let go of the past to focus on the present. Beck might be the quiet type but he has a stealthy sarcastic sense of humor and is not afraid to ask for what he wants. And Jason is patient and understanding and is a mentor to him in some ways.
Both are under such pressure to be the best quarterback in the city and lead their teams to victory. But they also have the added responsibility of representation in sports. They both need to focus and get their jobs done and avoid distractions...and avoid any media scandals. But they seem to keep finding ways to distract the other...with lips, bodies, or sometimes just witty rapport.
These two have snarky banter, flirty exchanges, and the SF football team rivalry that makes it more forbidden and brings pressure and fear of exposure. They have insane chemistry. Even though it is sometimes in their best interest to team up for career purposes, they know that they should not be engaging in any unsanctioned extra-curricular activities. They try to resist but sometimes they just get carried away. There are times when what you cannot have is the thing you want most but can see no way of keeping it. And when emotions start getting in the mix, it's bound to get complicated.
They are often sidelined by timing, missed opportunities, anxiety, and the forbidden aspect and privacy issues regarding their teams and status. But sometimes it comes down to asking for what you want, giving as good as you get, and living in a bit of denial.
This second-chance romance is full of seriously HOT, raw, powerful physical scenes along with sweet, vulnerable, emotional, and swoony ones. These two are so likable, charming, sexy, sweet, witty, and just so everything! I adored them both! Their personalities and needs offset each other so well. While they strive to be the best in their sport, they also both have issues to tackle that they have to deal with personally and together. It's about finding balance, priorities, acceptance, and having passion in life as well as for the game. The characters have so many growth opportunities and really excel in taking on challenges.
Two guys.
One shared hope.
Interference in their way.
Taking steps to navigate obstacles.
Figuring out the big picture.
Deciding what is a true win in the grand scheme of things.
I came into this one already liking Jason from the other books, but Beck quickly garnered my attention and won me over. He really comes into his own and takes on unexpected challenges along the way. And Jason is his ideal counter-balance. They mesh so perfectly together in their safe bubble, but there is a whole city and legion of fans and others that could keep them from getting to the endgame of their happy-ever-after.
I enjoyed all the cameos from various books and the teammates. I love Jason's relationship with his brother, Nolan, and close friends. There are a lot of people in this one, but they all serve their purpose. I was rooting for somehow both teams could ultimately win in this one. But these two guys definitely won a place in my heart!
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Are you ready for some football?! How about rival NFL quarterbacks?! It's finally Jason McKay's story! We have seen him support his friends and his brother, Nolan, but now this quarterback for the San Francisco Hawks meets his match!
Jason is embracing all the superstitions and rituals hoping to increase his team's luck this season. He feels the pressure to prove himself as part of the team and generally is a people pleaser. So he is charming and outgoing. As an out and gay player he also feels the need to set a good example and have a positive media presence. His love life has not been so positive and the last guy that sparked his interest subsequently stood him up.
Beck Cafferty has just been traded to the best team in San Francisco, The Renegades. He is taking over for a legend that retired and is a last-minute fill-in. He has had a lot going on in his life...some of which caused him to make a move on Jason last year and then disappear. He is more private and reserved and not as adept in handling attention and the media. He is a bit overwhelmed and trying to get his bearings in a new city, with a new team, and with a few regrets.
But now they are rival quarterbacks in the same city and share friends in the football community. They are bound to cross paths. The truth will eventually come out...all of it. They will have to let go of the past to focus on the present. Beck might be the quiet type but he has a stealthy sarcastic sense of humor and is not afraid to ask for what he wants. And Jason is patient and understanding and is a mentor to him in some ways.
Both are under such pressure to be the best quarterback in the city and lead their teams to victory. But they also have the added responsibility of representation in sports. They both need to focus and get their jobs done and avoid distractions...and avoid any media scandals. But they seem to keep finding ways to distract the other...with lips, bodies, or sometimes just witty rapport.
These two have snarky banter, flirty exchanges, and the SF football team rivalry that makes it more forbidden and brings pressure and fear of exposure. They have insane chemistry. Even though it is sometimes in their best interest to team up for career purposes, they know that they should not be engaging in any unsanctioned extra-curricular activities. They try to resist but sometimes they just get carried away. There are times when what you cannot have is the thing you want most but can see no way of keeping it. And when emotions start getting in the mix, it's bound to get complicated.
They are often sidelined by timing, missed opportunities, anxiety, and the forbidden aspect and privacy issues regarding their teams and status. But sometimes it comes down to asking for what you want, giving as good as you get, and living in a bit of denial.
This second-chance romance is full of seriously HOT, raw, powerful physical scenes along with sweet, vulnerable, emotional, and swoony ones. These two are so likable, charming, sexy, sweet, witty, and just so everything! I adored them both! Their personalities and needs offset each other so well. While they strive to be the best in their sport, they also both have issues to tackle that they have to deal with personally and together. It's about finding balance, priorities, acceptance, and having passion in life as well as for the game. The characters have so many growth opportunities and really excel in taking on challenges.
Two guys.
One shared hope.
Interference in their way.
Taking steps to navigate obstacles.
Figuring out the big picture.
Deciding what is a true win in the grand scheme of things.
I came into this one already liking Jason from the other books, but Beck quickly garnered my attention and won me over. He really comes into his own and takes on unexpected challenges along the way. And Jason is his ideal counter-balance. They mesh so perfectly together in their safe bubble, but there is a whole city and legion of fans and others that could keep them from getting to the endgame of their happy-ever-after.
I enjoyed all the cameos from various books and the teammates. I love Jason's relationship with his brother, Nolan, and close friends. There are a lot of people in this one, but they all serve their purpose. I was rooting for somehow both teams could ultimately win in this one. But these two guys definitely won a place in my heart!
September 12, 2022
The Boyfriend Comeback is book 1 of the Boyfriend Zone series by Lauren Blakely. It is a standalone contemporary romance, told from both points of view with a happy ending.
Tropes:
✔️ forbidden
✔️ sports – football
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ MM
Beck Cafferty never expected to be invited to Jason McKay’s home, the starting quarterback of the San Francisco Hawks and his crush. Much less end up binge watching their favorite TV show alone in a date-y scenario and then enjoy a sizzling hot time.
Although that night meant a lot to both, it led to nothing because life got in the way. Beck didn’t show up for their second date, went back to LA in his capacity of starting quarterback there and Jason was too disappointed to listen to justifications.
A year later though, by the powers that be, Beck is traded to the San Francisco Renegades, the Hawks’ rivals. And the owners of both teams want to capitalize on the rivalry between the teams and the energy between the Jason and Beck.
The attraction and connection between both is undeniable. Beck explains what had happened and Jason completely understands and soon they’re trying to figure out how to see each other without anything finding out because it wouldn’t just be scandalous, it would career ending.
Beck and Jason are wonderful together, their chemistry is off the charts hot, but what I loved the most about them is watching their relationship glow. Seeing how they helped each other be the best version of themselves even under such scrutiny and pressure to perform and win.
In general, The Boyfriend Comeback made me smile. It was flirty, it was sexy, it was angsty but mostly it was open and honest.
★ Hero: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Hero: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚
★ Romance: 💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 4.6
★ I received an ARC of this title via Candi Kane PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
Tropes:
✔️ forbidden
✔️ sports – football
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ MM
Beck Cafferty never expected to be invited to Jason McKay’s home, the starting quarterback of the San Francisco Hawks and his crush. Much less end up binge watching their favorite TV show alone in a date-y scenario and then enjoy a sizzling hot time.
Although that night meant a lot to both, it led to nothing because life got in the way. Beck didn’t show up for their second date, went back to LA in his capacity of starting quarterback there and Jason was too disappointed to listen to justifications.
A year later though, by the powers that be, Beck is traded to the San Francisco Renegades, the Hawks’ rivals. And the owners of both teams want to capitalize on the rivalry between the teams and the energy between the Jason and Beck.
The attraction and connection between both is undeniable. Beck explains what had happened and Jason completely understands and soon they’re trying to figure out how to see each other without anything finding out because it wouldn’t just be scandalous, it would career ending.
Beck and Jason are wonderful together, their chemistry is off the charts hot, but what I loved the most about them is watching their relationship glow. Seeing how they helped each other be the best version of themselves even under such scrutiny and pressure to perform and win.
In general, The Boyfriend Comeback made me smile. It was flirty, it was sexy, it was angsty but mostly it was open and honest.
★ Hero: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Hero: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚
★ Romance: 💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 4.6
★ I received an ARC of this title via Candi Kane PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
March 17, 2025
the main couple was.. Not great but good! The secondary characters where okay, i wanted to know more about the lady team owner. And the rabit fan lady with the birds who is a tarot card candles burning football fan. There could have bin more interaction with them and deeper bonds special moments etc. But 🤷♀️ its a romance about 2 horny dudes.. nothing epic nothing super dramatical just 2 people navigating life. Well life of the rice and famous athlete but life none the less. Its okay not sure I'm going to binge read her series and works but i do have book nr 2 bookmarked.
October 14, 2022
Everything feels so good. So right. And I want so much more. I want everything I’ve never had, and I want it with him.
I finished this book a while ago but completely forgot to mark it as read 😂
I absolutely adored this book! I completely devoured it in less than a day, and I was sucked in from the get-go! This is definitely going on the favourites list.
I finished this book a while ago but completely forgot to mark it as read 😂
I absolutely adored this book! I completely devoured it in less than a day, and I was sucked in from the get-go! This is definitely going on the favourites list.
January 26, 2023
I can’t tell who’s who!??!
Vers, have brothers (one’s dead), nice,
QBs, hot, boring.
2.5 rounded up, because it was enjoyable.
Vers, have brothers (one’s dead), nice,
QBs, hot, boring.
2.5 rounded up, because it was enjoyable.
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