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Being a champion ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Neither is being the youngest of eight raised on a Texas ranch.

It’s senior year of college and the scouts want me to go pro, but that means leaving the ranch behind.

Then someone makes me think that football might be the better choice.

She’s a cheerleader, but she’s also a law school student with hidden depths.

She’s destined for a big career in Dallas, and I just got an offer to play for the team there.

But she’s not the only girl with her eyes on an up-and-coming superstar.

I’ve got to make a decision.

I just hope I don’t lose the game.

Or her.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2022

113 people are currently reading
68 people want to read

About the author

Jessica Mills

29 books136 followers
Jessica Mills loves the HEA found in a Hallmark movie, must have coffee first thing in the morning, and a homebody that loves living in the country. She’s definitely family-oriented and an animal lover at heart except for snakes….nope!
She recently relocated back to East Tennessee with her husband and daughter to be closer to family, she has a son that lives in Florida, and three furbabies that complete her everyday life. She’s always wanted to be a writer and put the stories from her head to paper.
She never thought that would come to fruition until she met Ali Parker.

Find her on FB at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessic...
Never miss a new release. Join my insider's group! http://eepurl.com/bwx8NL

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5 stars
142 (70%)
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46 (22%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for BP34.
6,290 reviews46 followers
April 30, 2022
This is the seventh book in the MacAllen Boys Series and is a great addition to the series. This is Mark's story and you can't help but fall in love with the baby of the MacAllen family. He's gorgeous, a talented football player and a serious student. He loves the family ranch and is studying accounting to be able to take care of their books. His crush on gorgeous Piper increases when they're assigned as partners on a class project. She's not only a gorgeous cheerleader but also a serious law student. Some drama with a jealous cheerleader squad member and a secret country project that might prevent the MacAllen's from getting the adjacent land. The series just gets better and the MacAllen family is so interesting. The characters are well developed and likable. The story line will grab your attention right at the beginning. A good read that I read as an advance reader copy and voluntarily chose to review it.
Profile Image for Denise .
931 reviews9 followers
May 2, 2022
It’s time to meet up with the MacAllen Family again, one of my all-time favorite book families! “Rum Romance” is the 7th book in ‘The Macallan Boys’ series by Ali Parker and Jessica Mills. This particular story features the youngest son in the family, hometown football star Mark MacAllen.
Mark is handsome, a talented athlete, and a serious college student in his senior year. He loves the family ranch and is diligently studying accounting with the goal of someday taking care of the financial books for the family business. He has a major crush on Piper, a smart, beautiful member of the cheerleading squad. In addition to being a lovely distraction on the football field, she’s a serious student with an eye on a legal career. When they're assigned to be partners on a big class project, he’s simultaneously thrilled and nervous.

This story contains some ‘mean girl’ drama caused by a jealous member of the cheerleading squad who wants Mark for herself. There’s also something suspicious going on with a secret county project that may prevent the MacAllen's from being able to acquire the land immediately adjacent to their own. In the midst of all that, Mark is faced with the decision of whether he wants to play Pro Football or stay home on the ranch. When he gets an offer to check out a legendary pro team in the same big city where Piper may be pursuing her legal dreams, Mark’s decisions become much more complicated.

The characters in this story (and throughout this series) are interesting and multidimensional. Various challenges facing the characters feel authentic, as do their interpersonal relationships and insecurities. There are smart choices made and not-so-smart ones, too. I think the dilemmas about following one’s heart versus meeting people’s expectations is something universally understood. I really enjoyed this story and I’m truly looking forward to the next one. I just wish this big family was a little bit bigger so there would be more books to look forward to … after the next brother, maybe the authors could find some cousins or something?
1,576 reviews10 followers
May 3, 2022
This is the seventh book in the MacAllen Clan by the fabulous best selling authors Ali Parker and Jessica Mills and, having read the rest of the series, was excited to read the latest book. Mark is the youngest of the Clan and is in college doing business and accounting whilst playing football. He is very skilled and his family is almost always there to cheer him and his team to victory. Now everyone seems to think that he will be going to be a professional sportsman but he has other ideas! Meanwhile, one of the cheerleaders, Piper, is studying to become a tax lawyer and ends up being partner with Mark on a project for their degrees. They are both quite shy and reserved with secret crushes on each other! As they get to know one another better it is very obvious that they are very well suited and the passion between them is palpable. But the head cheerleader, Amber, is determined to bag Mark for herself, no matter what anyone else thinks. Turmoil abounds with will they or won't they get together? Mark wants to stay on the ranch but everyone expects him to be a pro Dallas for the football team? Piper thinks that she wants to go to work in Dallas as a tax lawyer but her father wants her to work at the law firm where he is partner in Lubbeck. Also, what is happening to the land that Jameson wants to purchase for the expansion of the MacAllen ranch? This was a really fun book to read and I loved the two main characters and keeping 'up to date' with the rest of the Clan. Is the next book going to be the last in the series or will Gavin get his HEA also? Looking forward to finding out. I received a reader's copy of the book and voluntarily leave my honest opinion of it here. Most definitely recommended!!!!
85 reviews
May 3, 2022
This is the second last MacAllen book, and I am going to miss them.

Mark is the youngest of the all (8 in total) and he is going places. He is the star football player on his college team and there are scoots out looking at him already. But is that what he wants? Does he want to go to the big leagues and leave his family farm behind? So much to think about.

Piper has her eyes set on being a lawyer and working in Dallas. There is nothing that is going to stand in her way or change her mind.

Or is there???

Mark has noticed Piper, who couldn't, she is on the cheerleading squad and she is amazing.
Piper would have to be living under a rock (which she has not..HAHA) not to know who Mark MacAllen is. But is he just like all the other guys out there?

These two end up partners on a big project that just may make them see each other in different lights and may put a BIG curve in their future plans.

But sorry, you will have to read this book to find out what happens. And you will NOT be disappointed.

Ciao
Profile Image for Patricia Charlton.
962 reviews9 followers
May 11, 2022
Good Book

This is youngest sibling Mark and his crush Piper and how they both have liked each other for a while.
Mark could be headed for the big time to play football with Dallas and Piper wants to become a lawyer and move to Dallas.
My only gripe with this is Mark needed a backbone he pretty much let his family constantly call him the baby even though he hated it, he let Amber fawn all over him and take her to a party when he just wanted Piper and then let the Dallas team take him somewhere he wasn’t comfortable and by doing g that risked everything with Piper.
He eventually stood up to his family and Amber but just took too long to do it and then her forgiveness just seems too quick really.
Other than that I did love Mark & Piper characters and they were so good together and it was lovely to see the other family members.
I have a feeling Jameson is getting his book next as he is the last of the 8 siblings who isn’t in a relationship or married and that prison information wasn’t resolved so I’m thinking his story with focus around the land, prison and his arch nemesis.
Profile Image for Anna-Marie Buchner.
932 reviews7 followers
May 31, 2022
I hope this isn't the end

I swear those MacAllen men get themselves into so much mischief and the sad thing is they make it worse by not knowing when to stop over thinking or second guessing. They are a little naive I think.

Mark the youngest of the MacAllen's has some major decisions to make. Partly due to falling hard for Piper. Mark is a hotshot football player being sought after by a Dallas team and Piper is studying to be a lawyer pass the bar and move to Dallas. Yeah never make plans set in stone. Hahaha sometimes this story give me whiplash, as much as I disposed the tart Amber she did keep things interesting.

In the end all ended perfectly. NOW I hope we get a book for Jameson and Gavin. I will be super disappointed if the Authors don't wrap this series up with a huge bow. Does Gavin end up with Roselyn? Does Jameson end up with his nemesis Ms. Everhart? We need these questions answered. Do the MacAllen's get that parcel of land? UGH to many loose ends.
Profile Image for Ally Doby (Schleicher).
1,123 reviews12 followers
April 29, 2022
I am voluntarily leaving this review. This was a great addition to this series. It was well written, you could relate to the characters, the drama wasn’t over the top, the characters and supporting characters were just perfect!

Mark is the baby of his family, but also a talented college football star who everyone expected for him to go pro, but no one asked what his dreams were. Piper was a cheerleader on the squad who supported Mark’s team. She had ambitions of her own and also felt like she couldn’t express her own dreams. Everyone had a crush on the non-traditional football star, including Piper. She never thought she would have the chance to get to truly know her crush. That is until they are paired up on a class project. Now they have to work together and finally they both get the chance to get to know their crush in a different way.

I love this series and I can’t wait to see what else Jessica Mills & Ali Parker have in store for us.
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
April 29, 2022
This was not the MacAllen that I expected to be up next, but after learning what we do in this book, it makes perfect sense. Mark is the youngest sibling: a talented athlete and a closet numbers nerd. It might be a little expected for the football star to fall for a cheerleader, but it’s not the head cheerleader and Piper isn’t quite as shy as Mark about proclaiming her academic goals. When they pair up on a class assignment, the sparks fly. For the most part, I really enjoyed watching these two together. I was a little disappointed at how little trust Piper has in Mark’s honesty, but… Some of it was justified by his poor choices. I loved the book’s messages about expectations and being true to your heart. Having seen the seeds that have been planted for what looks like will be coming up, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
2,365 reviews12 followers
April 30, 2022
5 Stars

I received a free copy of the steamy Whiskey Rivers, Texas set novel Rum Romance: The MacAllen Boys, book 7: Mark and Piper by Jessica Mills, and this review was given freely.

A realistic family saga with lots of drama, close family relationships, the arrival of another MacAllen baby, hints at a county secret project, the continued adversarial thread between Jameson and municipal official Miranda Everheart, and two twenty-somethings struggling with change.

As Texas Tech’s Red Raider football team’s star running back and accounting major Mark MacAllen and law student/ senior cheerleader Piper Hallworth prepare for their senior year, misconceptions, over-exuberant MacAllen siblings, a vindictive and self-entitled head cheerleader, a persistent Dallas Cowboys scout, family expectations, a strong attraction, and their poor communication skills complicate their newfound relationship as class project partners with the potential of more.

Best if read in series order.
Profile Image for Terri Eaches.
571 reviews8 followers
April 30, 2022
Making the Right Decision

The MacAllen's are a wholesome family that stick together and support each other. Mark is the youngest of eight and is the star player of the college football team on his way to the pros. Will Mark choose the life of the big time over ranch life?? Pipper is a cheerleader studying to be a lawyer. The cliche is real...the star football player and cheerleader. There is more to these young adults than the lime light and they'll get a chance to explore what the other has to offer while being paired up for a class project. That class project uncovers county secret plans and brings out the mean girl squad to split up Mark and Pipper. Will dreams be filled or crushed beyond repair?? Real to life characters, his/her POV and a family you'll want to make your own. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. Looking forward to James one's story.
Profile Image for Donita Jones.
1,313 reviews12 followers
May 5, 2022
RUM ROMANCE (MacAllen Boys Book 7) by Jessica Mills & Ali Parker

This is Mark's story. He is the baby of the MacAllen family and a football star whose career is such that he is being recruited to go pro. Piper is a law student who is focused on her future. She is also a cheerleader for Mark's team. He has had a crush on her for a while and it gets more intense when they team up for a big class project. Mark has decided he wants to stay home and do the accounting for the ranch instead of going pro. Piper is an only child who has been raised by her father and he is expecting her to go to work with him in his law office and she is dreaming of a career in Dallas. This is a well written story that is filled with the witty banter of the MacAllen family, and the heat between Mark & Piper. This is a 5 star read.
615 reviews3 followers
May 2, 2022
The youngest MacAllen falls in love. Mark is the youngest of the MacAllens, headed for pro football, falls for a cheerleader, Piper, and their lives both change forever. Every woman on campus is after Mark. He is gorgeous, nice, funny, considerate, and a hunk of a man. But all Mark is concerned about is getting his accounting degree so he can help out at the family farm. Their family ties bind them together like invisible rope. Everyone thinks he’s going to go pro, but is that what Mark wants? And what about Piper? What does she want and how will she fit into his life. All he knows is that he wants Piper, forever. A heart warming, heart wrenching, romantic, emotional, dramatic book that will have your heart soaring. Love those MacAllens.
Profile Image for Gerry.
1,974 reviews4 followers
July 13, 2022
Baby brother! Mark is the youngest of the MacAllen brothers and is a bit tired being treated as such. He is the star of his college football team and everyone expects him to be drafted and play professional football. He's not sure that's what he wants to do with his life. He loves the ranch and hates to leave. Piper is a cheerleader and is partnered with Mark for a class project. They become closer much to the dismay of the head cheerleader Amber. There are several problems to overcome including a possible acquisition to the ranch. Mark is such a sweet guy, protected by his family and truly a good guy, but an innocent in many ways. Piper is spirited and devoted to her studies and the goal of becoming a lawyer. Another excellent book in the series!
Profile Image for Kristy Dean-Veen.
1,203 reviews15 followers
July 21, 2022
good read HEA ending

This was book 7 in the series. You don’t need to read them in order, but it does help with the storyline and the characters. This story was just like the others, Each of the McAllen’s finding love of their family, their land, and their number 1 partners. Plus a few good laughs.
Overview: Mark is the baby in the family of 5 boys and 1 girl. Mark is a college football star with a chance to play Proball with Dallas. His family is pushy but always encouraging him to my his own decisions. In the process, Mark has only eyes for 1 girl. The 1 girl that doesn’t see him and is also a popular Cheerleader. But will college drama and life altering decisions help them or hurt them.?
Profile Image for Ramona.
855 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2022
Mark McAllan comes from a huge supportive family. He can always see them supporting them in the stands when there is game at his College Games. When he sets eyes on Cheerleader Piper Hallworth in an Accounting Class. So they realized stereotyping was not always truth.
The Pro scouts were looking at Mark and he could write his ticket to the future but he was struggling with what he wanted with his life.

Piper new what she wanted do with her life but she was warring with herself over what she wanted and what her Father wanted of her.

With in all this chaos Mark and Piper are not sure the relationship they are trying to foster will even happen.
Such a wonderful book.
1,791 reviews6 followers
May 1, 2022
This a brilliant read and Mark and Piper's story.
Mark is the youngest of the MacAllen clan but is also a football player who has scouts watching him so he could turn pro very soon.
He has watched Piper at a distance as she is on the cheerleading squad at his college and start to get closer when they are assigned as partners in the class they share.
The chemistry is off the charts between and they are great together but can she trust that she is enough for him when he keeps things from her.
So much drama and plenty of emotion but can they get their HEA. A brilliant ending.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Jenn Allen.
3,250 reviews46 followers
May 2, 2022
This is an enjoyable read and one I was looking forward to reading! The MacAllen family has been fun and interesting, a family that has kept me entertained and loving every bit of them. The story of Mark, the youngest in the family, did not disappoint. I liked his heart, the pull he had to Piper, that friendship that was there between them added to their story. My heart went out to her at times and yet she's strong and sweet. There's great back and forth, ups and downs and everything in between. This is a great read!

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Stephanie  Dazzo.
410 reviews8 followers
May 2, 2022
The MacAllen clan is at it again. Although I wasn’t expecting this book to be Mark’s story I was pleasantly surprised. Mark is the baby of the MacAllen kids. He’s a star football player and student studying accounting to help the family business. Mark has a serious crush on the gorgeous Piper, cheerleader, academic star student studying law. When a jealous cheerleader stirs the pot and Mark puts his foot in his mouth he’s at risk for losing his chance with Piper. This is a sweet romance. The MacAllen’s with all of their crazy antics and banter. Jessica and Ali have done it again with this serious and it was one I couldn’t put down.
Profile Image for Mindy Lopez.
2,292 reviews13 followers
May 23, 2022
This is Book 7 in the MacAllen Boys Series by these authors, and can be read as a standalone. It is a sweet romance between football player Mark and cheerleader Piper. These characters are likable, the connection strong, the chemistry combustible, and the unique plot makes for an entertaining read. What starts out as a class project assignment turns into something more. It is a bumpy ride with some steam, drama, humor, family dynamic, twists and turns, and engaging secondary characters to keep the reader interested. A solid read with heart and heat.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
13.2k reviews154 followers
July 5, 2022
Mark and Piper are trying to figure out their lives. He is the youngest who was raised on a ranch with a future as a professional football player. Piper is a cheerleader who is studying to become a lawyer. Neither is sure of their futures but there is a connection between them. Piper thinks she doesn't have a chance with Mark because of his popularity but when they are teamed up together in class will it give them the chance to get to know each other outside of sports? This story was a great read. I loved the characters and found myself connecting with them. I am volunteering to leave review for an ARC of this book.
1,328 reviews4 followers
April 30, 2022
What a team!
This relates to both the authors and Piper and Mark. He’s not only a numbers nerd but also the star of his football team. Although she’s a cheerleader their relationship starts when they team up for a class assignment. Although he’s made some poor choices she still trusts him to be honest with her. Their lack of ability to communicate how they really feel complicate their relationship in the beginning.
Great characters, story, and writing make this a must read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
2,891 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2022

This was a story of Mark and Piper. He’s a star football player with the NFL in his future. He’s the baby of his family and lives on a ranch. Piper is a cheerleader and is wanting to become a lawyer. They know of each other but get to know more when they are partners in a class project. He has girls falling at his feet but he seeing Piper and would like to know her better. As they two get to know each other they don’t communicate very well which leads to some problems. Will they overcome this and see where it leads? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
126 reviews
May 2, 2022
As he approaches his college graduation Mark has to make a decision whether to pursue a professional football career or return home to help out with the family ranch.

Piper is reaching a crossroads in her life as she works towards becoming a lawyer, but she is also a cheerleader as well. When she and Mark find themselves teaming up for a school project the sparks fly but not everyone is happy they are together.

There is no denying the feelings between Mark and Piper but the obstacles that they create and that are created by others adds a little turmoil to their journey.
Profile Image for Gloria.
156 reviews3 followers
May 7, 2022
I enjoyed reading about the MacAllen brothers. Such a close net family. Mark the youngest of the brothers is in college, a football star and somewhat a nerd.. He meets Piper in his advance accounting class. Pipers a cheerleader and also somewhat a need and is on the lawyer track. Both Mark and Piper were ambitious about their careers and each other. Their relationship was starting off well until Amber, head cheerleader wanted Mark. However, Mark shuts her down and stated he only wanted Piper. Love makes people do crazy things. I truly recommend this book. This is my ARC review.
9,375 reviews140 followers
April 29, 2022
This is a well written book with a strong cast of characters, centering on Mark and Piper. The author does a great job building the story and pulled me in watching them come together. There's misunderstandings, drama and a sizzling hot chemistry. The story moves fluidly with descriptive scenes and is an entertaining read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Pat.
1,076 reviews35 followers
May 1, 2022
I love the MacAllen family! This seventh book is about youngest son and another must read! Talk about trying to make others happy your priority as you navigate college and career. He’s the star football player who has chance to pro and she’s the head cheerleader headed for law school. Love the characters and their thinking how realistic for age. Also live the close families. *I was given a copy and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
Profile Image for LeMiliere.
2,889 reviews20 followers
May 2, 2022
I'm sorry to see the MacAllen boys series come to an end, I've loved all of them and this one about Mark and Piper's story was no exception. Their journey to their happy ever after may not have been all smooth sailing but that's what made it so enjoyable. I loved the connection they shared and how their relationship developed.

I'm sorry to see this series come to an end I loved reading about this family and their ranch.
Profile Image for Linda Corbin.
164 reviews4 followers
April 30, 2022
This was a wonderful book. I just loved Mark and Piper together. So well written and entertaining. Can't wait to see if there is another book in this series. This was just as awesome as the ones before it and I highly recommend you read them all.

I recieved an ARC copy of this book, and bought it because it was that good.
3,065 reviews19 followers
April 30, 2022
Theses two authors know how to draw you into their books.
This one is Mark and Piper story and not everything seems
to run smoothly between them all the time which makes it
a very believable read.
Great plot with depth and the chemistry and interaction between
the characters is what brings the book alive.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
2,592 reviews8 followers
April 30, 2022
The youngest MacAllen brother is in for a surprise. Mark is a football player with eyes on going pro. He is paired up with Piper a class assignment. They are the cliche football star and cheerleader, but they get along. Mark and Piper have to overcome obstacles to stay together. Will Mark choose a football career over ranch life? How will Piper fit in to the plans Mark has for his future?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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