Catch

by Kris Bryant

Once the first female quarterback of her high school team, Sutton McCoy has since landed her dream job as the offensive coordinator for the new NFL team the Connecticut Cheetahs. When the team recruits established quarterback Grayson Moats to lead them, Sutton’s heart is crushed. Grayson isn’t the problem. Sutton’s fifteen-year crush on his wife, Parker O’Neal, is.

Parker is living a life full of regrets dating all the way back to high school when her parents made her end her relationship with Sutton because there were too many rumors about her, not all of them good. When Grayson accepts the new quarterback position with the Cheetahs, he consults Parker first, knowing the three of them have history. But it’s not like she can tell him the truth, that Sutton still occupies so much of Parker’s head and heart.

Interfering in the personal life of the star quarterback and convincing Parker to walk away from her family were never in Sutton’s game plan. But standing on the sidelines when a second chance at true love comes their way proves all but impossible.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Lesbian, LGBT, Second Chance, Queer, Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2023

About the author

Podcast with Tara Scott at queerlyrecommended.com

Multi-award winning author Kris Bryant was born in Tacoma, WA but has lived all over the world and now considers Kansas City her home. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Missouri and spends a lot of her time buried in books. She enjoys hiking, photography, spending time with her family, and her dog, Molly (who gets more attention than she does on Facebook).

Her first novel, Jolt, was a Lambda Literary Finalist. Forget Me Not was selected by the American Library Association's 2018 Over the Rainbow book list and was a Golden Crown Finalist for Contemporary Romance. Breakthrough won a 2019 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Listen won a 2020 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Temptation won a 2021 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Not Guilty written under Bryant's pen name - Brit Ryder - won a 2022 Goldie for Erotica. Kris can be reached at krisbryantbooks@gmail or ww.krisbryant.net, @krisbryant14.

Jolt - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Whirlwind Romance - ebook, paperback
Just Say Yes (Novella in the wedding series) - ebook only
Taste - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Forget Me Not - ebook, paperback
Shameless (written as Brit Ryder) - ebook, audiobook
Girl Next Door Anthology - "Dog Day of Summer" - ebook, paperback
Touch - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Breakthrough - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Against All Odds - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Travel Anthology (short by Brit Ryder) - ebook, paperback
Listen - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Falling - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Tinsel - ebook, audiobook
Temptation - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Lucky - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Home - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Scent - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Not Guilty writing as Brit Ryder - ebook, paperback (audiobook in the works)
Always - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Forever - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Stranded Hearts (with Amanda Radley & Emily Smith) - ebook, paperback
Serendipity - ebook, paperback, audiobook

Reviews

[MZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars. A sports-themed second chance romance. With this book you get two stories in one, a YA high school first romance, which is told in flashbacks, and a second chance romance in the present (15y later). The past story is told in chronologically reversed order and each chapter alternates between the past and present. Had I known this book had alternating flashback chapters I might not have selected it, since this is one of my peeves and I’m sorry to say that it indeed had a major effect on my reading experience. The writing was good though and Bryant has done a lot of research on the challenges for women in the male dominated sports world, which was well portrayed.

The book is written in first person from the POV of Sutton who’s the first offensive coordinator of a NFL team. In the past storyline she is the quarterback of a high school football team when she meets Parker, the new cheerleader at their high school. Parker is Sutton’s first love but Parker dumps her under pressure of her extremely religious parents. Parker starts dating the quarterback of another team and ends up marrying the guy. In the present storyline, Parker’s husband is recruited for Sutton’s NFL team and Sutton and Parker meet again.

I really enjoy first person books, they can take you to an emotional level and connection that is higher than third person, but I think this book could have had more impact on me if it was written in third person with an added POV of Parker. She remained somewhat of a mystery to me and especially in the present storyline I would have liked to get a better insight in what she was going through (which was actually a lot, but I never really got to see it).
Despite the flashbacks, I flew through the first half of the book and enjoyed it, but during the second half the balance seemed off. Due to the reverse order of the flashbacks, they were now in the phase before their romance starts and with all the knowledge on what happens after I found it couldn’t keep my attention anymore. I was far more interested what happened in the present, which actually felt too easy on the romance part and even felt rushed near the end, the twist in the storyline was also somewhat predictable. We’re talking about a married woman here, so for those who want to know, there is no cheating involved. I can’t go into too much detail without spoilers, but near then end some decisions are made with major ramifications that they are all very anxious about. However, what actually happens after these decisions (like Parkers relationship with her homophobic parents), is mainly skipped to go straight to the happy ever after.

All in all, the romance in this book was up and down for me, especially in the second part of the book I wanted more depth. That said, I enjoyed Bryant’s writing which flows nicely and I liked the sports elements, how to get a team to perform best and how women have to walk a thin line in order to be respected and still be able to be themselves in the sports world.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a woman in the NFL is no mean feat but Sutton McCoy made it. Not as a quarterback like when she was in high school but as the next best thing: she’s the new offensive coordinator for an NFL expansion team. Little does she know her first hire will be her high school nemesis Grayson Moats, the obnoxious player who married her ex-girlfriend. And that’s only the first surprise…

The story is told with “Present” and “Past” chapters. Kris Bryant made the interesting choice of using the flashbacks backwards. The first of these chapters is Sutton’s team beating Grayson’s (that’s not a spoiler, it’s very early in the book and the chapter title gives it away) and from then on, all the chapters set when the characters were teenagers take the reader further and further back. Knowing what happened after what you’re reading is always an exciting experience, elevating foreshadowing to new heights. Because you know the what but not the how nor the why, not the journey. I enjoyed that for most of the book, even though after a while, when the “Past” chapters got to the very beginning of when Sutton and Parker met, the stakes were so low the foreboding feeling disappeared. That’s, however, when the “Present” chapters picked up, both in pace and tension, and the whole evened out.

I don’t know how she does it but Kris Bryant always writes characters I can’t help loving, whether or not I click with the story itself. It’s true with Sutton and Parker again. I liked the story too, some things I saw coming, some I didn’t, and overall it was a really nice read. But I absolutely loved the longing, the push and pull. It doesn’t matter than American football is a mystery to me, I understand love and pining and I got all that and more.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the cover because how hot is that?

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sutton McCoy is the offensive coach for the newest NFL team, the Connecticut Cheetahs. When she unexpectedly needs to recruit a new quarterback she is left with few options, one being Grayson Moats. Grayson tormented her in high school when she was the first female QB for her school and married her first love, Parker O'Neal. Grayson ends up joining the team but they will all three have to learn to get along to make it work.
I liked this newest book from Kris Bryant a lot. I loved the sports twist, it made for a unique plotline on a familiar second chance trope. The book has alternating chapters in the present and in their past in high school. The past is in reverse chronological order and at first it was a bit distracting but at the end I kind of liked how we ended back at the beginning. I really liked Sutton's best friend Haley, she added a lot of fun to the story. I felt like the MCs had a great connection and it was interesting to see how it developed in the past chapters. I always enjoy Bryant's books and I think this one is no exception and definitely worth a read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love football. Like Kris Bryant, I am a diehard Chiefs fan, as one should be. To say I was excited about this book, would be an understatement and I was not disappointed. Sutton McCoy is a woman who busts through the glass ceiling to become the first offensive coordinator for the expansion team, Connecticut Cheetahs. She lives and breathes football and has since her days as the quarterback on her high school team. Her joy at the new frontier she has conquered is short-lived when the team picks up Grayson Moats, a veteran quarterback and the guy who stole Sutton's girlfriend Parker fifteen years ago. Despite the years, the thought of seeing Parker again brings back memories she has worked years to suppress.
The chapters in the book alternate between the present and the past. The past chapters are told in reverse, which is something I hadn't read before. It was a fascinating way to bring us the story. I don't always love the past/present but in this case I think it added a lot to the story. It helped not only give us a sense of Sutton and Parker's relationship but also the wonderful relationship Sutton had with her father. His support was in direct opposition to what Parker experienced in her family life.
Parker and Sutton are both incredibly likable characters, and I felt a lot of empathy for them and the situations they found themselves, both in the past and presently. Sutton is the point of view character, and I couldn't adore her more. The love she has for football along with her drive to succeed in the male dominated world of the NFL make her such a strong character. She handles herself at all times with class, even when faced with the person who broke her heart. While Sutton drives the story, Parker pulls at the heartstrings for a different reason. I felt for the way she was raised and how that impacted the rest of her life.
Catch is a phenomenal read, but I would expect nothing less from Kris Bryant. It is refreshing to read a book set in the world of football, which has been a love of mine since childhood. I hope this starts a trend of more sapphic writers bringing us stories set in the world of football.

An ARC was received from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

[mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really happy to receive a signed copy by Kris Bryant ! I don't know what it is exactly about sports lesbian novel, but I am totally sold for it. I never read some Kris Bryant before, and although I am reluctant with the use of the first person in books, it was really well written. The book itself is - for me - a fast pace, but the way Bryant commit to her story makes it smooth.

We follow the story of Parker and Sutton where both went to the same high school. I wouldn't say that Parker is a girl-next-door, she is composed, reserved, but also bright - as luminous as she is smart. Coming from a religious christian family never really weigh on her life, until she met Sutton McCoy. Female quarterback (the only), who lives with her dad and is a prodigy at what she does best - football. They fall in love during the summer but it comes to an end as any season comes and goes, and like the planets aligned differently. The reasons of their break up is not about how they fell out of love, but more how about they loved each other so much, and sacrifices were too important to make at this age.

Years later, when Sutton is now the offensive coordinator for the Connecticut team, Cheetahs, she meets Parker's eye looking at her, the same way she did before during high school on the football field. Facing their own grief, their memories, Bryant thread the story between the past and the present.

I love childhood/friends relationship because you get attached to the way each character see the other, evolving through time, falling sometimes deeper in love when they are all grew up. It gives also a beauty to love, being timeless, stronger, even being far apart. What made me really hang on the book is how I kept asking myself how their love story happened, why is it so hard for Sutton to face Parker knowing her personality ? I really enjoyed the book, I think it is a light story, easily readable for a comfy time. The only thing for me is, I wanted to know more and I feel like things came too fast in the story. I am really into slow pace books so maybe it plays in how I appreciate the book. I also wanted to know more about Sutton's friendship with Max and Hayley, which is a critic but also a good thing because the story always made me want more of the contents.

Thank you again to Kris Bryant for this copy <3

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch by Kris Bryant is a heartwarming story of first love given a second chance with the added distinction of being woven into a sports romance. This really appealed to me.

I haven’t followed NFL football in the last several years, but I used to be enough of a fan that I kept up with which teams were winning and losing. I can usually figure out what is happening on the field, so I knew I would enjoy this part of the novel. I found I also really liked the characters and their love story, as complicated as it turned out to be.

We see the story through the eyes of the main character, Sutton McCoy who is the just-hired offensive coordinator for The Connecticut Cheetahs, a new expansion team in the NFL. She is one of the first women to be hired in a coaching position for a national team.

Sutton was also one of the first female high school quarterbacks in the world. In high school she and her team made it to the state championship, so Sutton is used to being in the spotlight. She is in even deeper peril now since she finds herself coaching Grayson Moats, her old rival high school’s quarterback, the one who took her first and only true love away from her in high school…the man who married her former sweetheart, Parker O’Neal. Talk about awkward!

This is quite a complex tale with lots of unexpected twists and turns in the plot. I know my eyebrows were raised often as I read this book. The book is told in both the present and the past, with flashbacks happening in alternate chapters. Both the football/coaching aspect of the narrative as well as the love story will keep you entertained and reading. The characters, especially Sutton will grab your heart, and I know you will be rooting for her happy ending.

This is an excellent reunion, sports romance. If you love either of those tropes, you are going to enjoy this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I generally enjoy Bryant’s writing I had a hard time connecting with this book.

In this second chance sports romance we follow the story of Sutton and Parker for Sutton’s first person POV. We have two storylines in this book, past and present. These storylines are delivered in alternating chapters and the past storyline is also in reverse order. I think this is where the disconnect is for me. Usually I don’t enjoy a flashback, unless it serves a purpose, in this story, particularly in how the pastis told, I see no added value in the flashbacks.the current storyline is a lot more interesting and in my opinion doesn’t get all the attention it deserves and quite possibly needs for it to deliver all the feelings.
Sutton has an exciting, glass ceiling shattering job, but instead of us hearing about that, we get just bits and pieces and her everlasting infatuation with Parker. As the star quarterback in high school Sutton secretly dated closeted Parker. In the present Parker is married to the quarterback that Sutton coaches. He also happens to be her great rival. There is a lot of unresolved feelings, a lot of things are left undiscussed and I think it’s because there needed o be space for the flashback chapters. And I really didn’t care about those. They pulled my interest from the story and didn’t give any deeper insight into any of the characters.

This book sounded pretty awesome to me, but in the end it didn’t quite deliver what I was hoping for. Bryant’s writing is always good, but the way she tells this story just isn’t for me.

*ARC received from the publisher (Bold Stroke Books) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to this story that I really enjoyed - Sutton's career in football and breaking the glass ceiling, the push/pull of the romance, and Sutton's friends and family. However, I will admit that there were aspects to this story that made it difficult to engage with - mainly the interlacing chapters between the past and present. Initially, I enjoyed the flashbacks as it concreted the connection between Parker and Sutton, however there was a point where I became frustrated with the flashbacks as I just wanted to stay in the present and see how it played out. For me, it impacted the pace of the story.

Regardless, I still enjoyed this second chance romance. Plus, what a super sexy cover 🔥🔥

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was an interesting young adult romance, and second chance romance mixed with homophobia and football. What a mix. I found the opening pages very interesting, full of action and grabbed my interest immediately. I liked all the football part of the story even though I don't know that much about football.
I was not comfortable with flipping from present to past, present to past, every other chapter. It broke the thread too much and I didn't think some of the past chapters were relevant plus they seemed to be in reverse chronological?
I must say I had no idea how this second chance romance was going to resolve. I liked the husband and didn't want him to become the bad guy or die or anything negative. So I was surprised and pleased with the ending.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Jo reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a fair few of Kris Byrant's books, and I've enjoyed them all. I'll be honest, football is not normally my ‘cup of tea’ and I initially thought I would have to do lots of googling when it came to the ‘sports talk’ of the story, I really thought I was going to struggle with this. But I didn't. So if you like me, don't normally follow football and/or are a Brit, where we don't have this sport ( apart from rugby which isn't really the same), you'll be fine.

It's got a good storyline, and strong characters and I like how we were flipped back from present to past, I Know some people struggle with this and don't enjoy it, but for me, it ‘made’ the storyline and was important, and it doesn't really bother me. The storyline is interesting, it piqued my interest, and there's little angst, but the only issue I had with the book is that it's very predictable.

Can we take a minute or 2 to acknowledge the front cover tho...

I've given Kris Byrants Catch, a 3 out of 5.

[Anna Avian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable second chance romance with likeable, fleshed out characters. A big part of the book is about American football but it didn't feel overwhelming even to someone who knows very little about the game.
What I didn't really enjoy so much was the constant back and forth between past and present. And in particular the reverse chronological order of the past chapters. I lost interest in them pretty quickly after I read the first ones and found out what happened to Sutton and Parker's relationship. The rest of the flashbacks were pretty uneventful.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
I'm a big sports fan, although American football isn't my #1 sport, I really liked this book. Especially the aspect of women setting foot in a men dominated discipline - and succeeding.
Well written story about winning and losing in sports and life with interesting and lovable characters and a good developed story. I loved it

[Brianna - Four Paws and a Book · Rating 2 out of 5]

The excitement I had for a sapphic football romance... and it was fell as flat as deflate-gate...

First off... the football knowledge in this book is so inaccurate. In what world would a team from LA and a team from Connecticut be in the same division? That's not how that works. And it was such a throwaway line, she could made it make sense...

The flashback scenes really threw you out of the story, and they seemed to be told in backwards order. Like the first flashback scene was the game that they won to go to state, and then a scene later on was the beginning of the season and a character said "I really hope we make it to state!" We already know they did so it just felt so redundant.

I could go on. The character's previous relationships felt like throwaways, there wasn't a compelling reason why especially Lexi was there to begin with. And then it like almost tried to be poly, but failed miserably.

[queer_aussie_reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Football makes absolutely zero sense to me, and I still adored this story! Catch took me into a world involving a non-existent sport in my country but carries similar themes and ideals we all live through and can relate with.

Sutton grew up with football running through her veins. She left her mark as a teenager by being the first female quarterback at her school and earnt the respect of most of her peers. She was openly lesbian and fell in love, only to have her heart ripped out when her girlfriend’s homophobic parents moved their daughter away and forbid them to have contact.

Fifteen years later and she is ecstatic to be the first female offensive coordinator for the Cheetahs, a new NFL team. When her rival quarterback from her high school days is recruited to join her team, she is torn between her past and her present. Grayson was the boy who ended up with the girl she loved, and seeing Parker on his arm threatens to unravel everything she has worked so hard for. The story is told from Sutton’s point of view, with the occasional throwback to her teenage years.  

Catch is written as brilliantly as all of Bryant’s stories; fast-paced, emotionally charged, and low angst because her characters know how to communicate! I’m always going to give extra points for relevance, and women in sports is a topic close to my heart. Catch is a second-chance sports romance with a twist that you won’t want to put down.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't been overly impressed with the Kris Bryant books I've read, so I waited a long time to get to this one. But the lure of second-chance sports romance eventually got to me. I went into this book with very low expectations, but I'm happy to report that I thoroughly enjoyed this. If not for the hours of sleep required for me to function, I would have read this in one sitting.

I have two issue with this book.

The first is that the whole thing is a little underdeveloped. I would have loved to have more. More moments of chemistry. More moments of build up. More moments together. More angst. It just felt a little light-touch.

The second is the narrative structure. The chapters alternate between past and present, which I always struggle with. But in this novel, the "past" chapters go in backwards chronological order. And I do admire experimenting with that as a technique, but as a reader, I just wanted to get on it. It being their romantic buildup. So that didn't help with the sense of it being underdeveloped either.

But I did enjoy it. 3.5 stars

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touchdown!

Having landed a dream job with an NFL team, Sutton who made history as the first female quarterback in her high school team, she comes face to face with her past. When Grayson is signed, his wife Parker finds herself confronting decisions she made in the past to try and make up for lost time with Sutton.

What a fantastic story! Combining snippets of the past to explain the issues Sutton, Parker, and Grayson were facing now made a dynamic that gave depth, insight, and understanding on such an intimate level. The story was very cleverly constructed, with a cast of great characters adding drama, tension, and a lot of self-reflection for all the characters.

Sutton was a complete star and not just in the world of NFL and football. She was kind, caring, considerate, passionate, and all round just a good person. She had no agenda, considered the consequences and effects of hers others actions in everything she did, and she was a good sport. There were loads of great moments in this, both in the present and the past that really endorsed Sutton’s great character and provided background that helped to understand her decisions, and those made by Parker and Grayson too.

I just couldn’t put this down. Every chapter was a revelation of one thing or another and it left me hungry for more. It really was a story about acceptance and never giving up on your dreams. I loved that it wasn’t too heavy on sports, and really focused on everyone’s emotions and feelings. Sutton had hope, and hope was enough. With some patience, hard work, and just a little bit of luck she ended up with everything she wanted but it was no easy ride.

I adored this so much and know I can’t wait to read it again. A real must read!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a second chance. I love football. I love women who break the glass ceiling. This book has it all in a well written story. I wish there were more books out there that feature women in the NFL, if we dream it, it can come true. Kris, first and ten do it again! Maybe Sutton can win a Superbowl and become a head coach! I recommend this book not just for the football but also for the wonderful second chance love. Enjoy all the feels.

[Lesbereading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sapphic and football, my heart. Also, the cover is amazing. Thought it was only fitting to read this before the Super Bowl and am glad I did. I enjoyed the past and present tenses as it gave more insight into the MCs. It was the first time I'd read a book that had it in reverse order which took a bit to get used to but still liked that it was incorporated. Another solid one by Kris Bryant.

[KT · Rating 2 out of 5]

To best summarize my thoughts on this book: the premise does most of the legwork and the actual story and writing couldn’t get me the rest of the way there.

The author made two key choices that almost never work for me:
1. We only get one character’s POV. I really don’t prefer this unless there’s a good reason for it- it always leaves me feeling unbalanced.
2. There were WAY too many flashbacks, and they didn’t add to the story for me. Every other chapter was a flashback and it quickly felt like an annoying interruption from present events.

Grayson was easy to dislike because we are shown how douchey he is as a highschooler. Then, the author makes him kind and mature in the present and I was wondering how the author would settle making his wife fall for another woman and leaving him. With this premise, we are promised a second chance romance and as a reader, I was curious to see how the author would resolve the whole Parker literally being married already issue. While there is a happy ending, I’ll go ahead and be picky and thought that the resolution was a bit too convenient/not compelling enough.

Lastly, I don't think the writing was that great. The sentence structures could've been more varied and the dialogue felt choppy at times.

All in all a pretty short read but what a shame! This sounded like a lot of fun.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryant is an author I can always trust to deliver a great story. Knowing this is a (sort of) sports romance involving football and having a sizzling cover it drew my attention. The author delivers a past and present story alternating the chapters between the two time periods. The past focuses on Sutton McCoy as a female high school quarterback and her unexpected closeted girlfriend Parker O’Neal. Parker’s parents are ultra conservative and religious. They relocate their family to get Parker away from Sutton’s influence and insist on her attending a religious college. In the present Sutton is the first female offensive coach in the NFL for a new expansion team. When their quarterback injures himself they quickly recruit Grayson who is experienced but now a back up on another team. He brings along his wife Payton and their two daughters. They all haven’t seen each other in 15 years.

The past present format is similar to Melissa Brayden’s The Forever Factor (Nov 2022). In hers I was drawn to the younger storyline as it contained more of the drama and emotion. The opposite is true in this book. In the present period of Catch, Sutton has to balance her boundaries she has professionally. She needs Grayson as her quarterback to be successful for her career in the NFL to flourish. Parker’s connection to her is real but conflicting. I guessed correctly Grayson’s issue and how things would eventually work out.

Overall I enjoyed this second chance romance but somehow it didn’t resinate much emotionally for me. The past storyline is told almost going chronologically backwards. Ending with the first meeting is sweet but isn’t a crescendo. The present day was more interesting but I never felt there was angst or risk. I like sweet Payton but her character gets the least attention. How did she feel in her situation? What were these fifteen years for her? I get that until the present she never feels she could be her authentic self but it’s hard to connect to her personally. She’s only ever is what others expect her to be. (3.5 Stars)

Thank you to NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate cheating so I was super on the fence about this book. But Bryant did it again. By the end, I was on the character's side and didn't feel icky. Well done.

[Cathie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll begin by saying that Catch has THE sexiest cover I have ever seen. It certainly did catch my attention. Lame puns aside, you’ll be even more delighted by its contents. We are privy to Sutton’s POV intermixing past memories with the present. It’s an interesting way to build their romance in a non-linear fashion instead of using end of chapter cliff hangers or some other way to link their then and now. It’s cleverly woven together, that built the anticipation of connection of their past selves, their present selves, and their past to their present. It sounds like it could be a jumbled mess but it flowed so well that I didn’t miss a beat. There’s a devious plot twist that blew me away, and it so works. Sorry but no spoilers. Not your typical romance, and that’s just how I like it. Thank you to the author, BSB publisher, and NetGalley for the advance read in exchange for an honest review.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! You'll fall in love with Sutton and feel sorry for Parker! If you love football you'll thoroughly enjoy this book! If you don't, you'll still enjoy it for the story. You get to know the MCs through the past, when they meet in high school. You'll also meet Grayson, Hailey, Max and more great characters! This is definitely a reread!! 5 stars!!

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I can’t put my finger on what was missing to make this a hit for me. I can say the alternating flashback scenes from about midpoint in really didn’t add to the story and took away from the forward momentum of what was happening in the present timeline. The timeline for the present spans around 8-9 months, there’s no real discussion of their past issues, just promises made (despite trust being broken before). A little more of a deep dive into present feelings vs redundant scenes from the past would have made this one work better.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Sutton McCoy who was the quarterback of her high school football team. Parker O’Neal is the new girl in school starting their junior year in high school. Sutton and Parker begin dating secretly due to her parents being very strict and homophobic. And decide to move to a new city and hour away to break up their relationship.

The story is told in flashbacks alternating high school with present day in each chapter.

Sutton in her 30s becomes an NFL offensive coordinator of newly formed football team. The team recruits Grayson Moats as its quarterback. Sutton played against Grayson in high school and he is now married to Parker. Sutton has to find a way to remain professional with both Grayson and Parker.

I liked the football background in this story and enjoyed Sutton’s storyline. I felt really bad for her to have to endure Parker’s parents hatred. Parker was a mystery to me on why she was so strongly influenced by her parents Her parents influence was a big part of the beginning of the book and in the end it seemed to be ignored. I would have liked to see more of Parkers emotional growth in becoming a more self assured person.

I’ve enjoyed Bryant’s other books and this was an enjoyable read too.

ARC received from Net Galley for an honest band voluntary review.

[christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

a second chance romance where forgiveness comes too easily, making the reunion feel unearned. meh

[Natalie C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m ALWAYS ready for a Kris Bryant romance novel and “CATCH” is just as awesome and original as all of her others. Not only is the romance and chemistry extremely satisfying, but there is so much more between the covers (and oh my! - a very steamy one at that) of this romance novel. Just experiencing the proud feelings of a successful woman in a typical “man’s field” made me want to see Sutton continue to succeed and to cheer her on. The story drew me in immediately as I began to experience not only the present-day Sutton and Parker, but their love story history. You don’t even have to love football to understand the dynamics of their journey. It makes for a catchy background especially this time of year with the playoffs right around the corner. If you love Kris Bryant’s books, this will go to the top of your faves by her. Highly recommend!

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Sutton and Parker were each other first love but Parker had to end it because of her parents who are very religious and she starts to date Grayson who was a rival to Sutton on the field in high school. Years later Sutton gets her dream job she lives for football is now working with the new NFL team the Connecticut Cheetahs. When they did need a new quarterback Grayson name comes up and she thrust back into the past. This was a good read I like that it’s wasn’t cheating I also think that the past didn’t really intertwined with the present it’s just felt out of place even though I like the characters of Sutton and Parker I just didn’t felt that they long for each other for all theses years.

[MissAlice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a witty title for this book. Sure, the MC can pass and catch some pig skin. Both MC's are catches and both get caught in a web that only they can unravel together. Moments between them are caught by oppressive and accepting eyes, alike. There's as much as a catch as there is a caveat in their futures. And best of all? A second chance catches them both by surprise and it absolutely thrilled my heart. Catch my drift? A very sweet HEA, a few tumbles between the sheets, and an awesome plot that was fun to get caught up in. Highly recommend this read!

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be Bryant’s best book to date. The book is from Sutton’s POV with flashbacks from 15 years ago. What’s interesting about the flashbacks is that they are not in chronologic order but in the order that’s most suitable for that particular moment. The book is well written as usual but the story line is different and it’s so so captivating. A must read!

Free ARC copy via NetGalley.