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Boys of Fall #1

Free Agent

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Tucker had only one aspiration in high school - to get the hell out of town the second that diploma was in his hands. The only way out was his talent as quarterback on the gridiron. And his plan worked. He turned pro his sophomore year of college and never looked back. Never had any regrets.

Except her. Lela and Tucker's romance had been like a force of nature - steamy, unstoppable and tempestuous. He had always turned to her to forget about how bad things were at home, but when things took a turn for the worse, he broke it off and ran. For twelve years he stayed far away, unwilling to deal with his drunken father, his mother’s death, and unable to face the girl he never stopped thinking about.

When Tucker gets a call that his high school coach has suffered a heart attack and needs help, he has to make a decision. Does he return with his teammates to help his beloved coach? Does he take the risk of running into his father? What does he say to Lela about the way he disappeared so completely?

And what if the spark that flared so hot between them still exists?

(cowboy, alpha male, sports, football, small town, second chances, Texas, boys of fall series)

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2015

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About the author

Mari Carr

232 books4,006 followers
Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari’s computer is now jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends.
Mari writes contemporary sexy romance novels. To learn more about her spicy stories, click here.
Join her newsletter so you don't miss new releases and for exclusive subscriber-only content.
Find Mari on the web at
maricarr.com
Email: mari@maricarr.com

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5 stars
306 (38%)
4 stars
288 (36%)
3 stars
148 (18%)
2 stars
32 (4%)
1 star
15 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews491 followers
November 26, 2015
Tucker had one goal for after high school—get out of the small town of Quinn, Texas where he grew up. He’d had a horrible childhood caused by the death of his mother, and his alcoholic father. He wanted to get out and never look back. Football helped Tucker do that—he went pro in college and hadn’t returned to Quinn for twelve years. His only regret was the girl he left behind, his first love, Lela.

Tucker receives a call from his old buddy Joel telling him that his beloved high school coach, Coach Carr has had a heart attack needs help managing his ranch. Tucker needs to decide if he’ll return to Quinn for the first time since he left. How much of himself will he have to reveal?

Tucker’s life isn’t quite so idyllic. Football is taking its toll. And he’s never forgotten Lela and what they had together. When he returns to Quinn, Tucker can’t hide his feelings and neither can Lela.

Tucker and Lela are panty-melting hot together. I loved them together and separately. Tucker trying to be the big, bad quarterback while trying to figure out his future. And Lela is so fun, spunky and feisty.

I love this interwoven Boys of Fall series and can’t wait to read more! ~ Missy, 5 stars

~~~

I am falling so hard for the Boys of Fall. This is only my second experience with the band of former high school football champions from Quinn, Texas, who return home to help their beloved Coach Carr, and I am HOOKED.

Tucker left Quinn, turned pro and never looked back. Until a phone call from his former teammate, Joel, brings him back to his small town—and the girl he’d never really forgotten. Lela, his high school sweetheart, and okay, maybe the one thing he regretted about leaving town. Now he’s headed back to Quinn, but not to stay. So, nothing can happen between them…even if he can convince her to forgive him for leaving all those years ago. Right?

Oh, Tucker. He’s got more on his plate than you’d expect, between his career, his regrets over Lela, his heart-breaking past with his less-than-stellar (that’s being polite) father, and his fear over the health of Coach Carr—the man that helped him as boy, and whose opinion he respects above all else. I ached for this delicious quarterback, and oh, I SO wanted him to make the right decision, because I just loved seeing him with Lela—their chemistry was electric and combustible. And the lake…well, just read it and see what I mean!

Mari Carr knows how to tell a sexy, erotic story with heart, of that there is no doubt (*ahem* did I mention the lake?) While it might have ended a little too soon for my liking—WHY DO GOOD BOOKS HAVE TO END?—I couldn’t help but get sucked into Lela and Tucker’s second chance romance. I devoured this book in one sitting, because I just had to know for sure that this couple would make the right choices for themselves, and each other. And also because I was enjoying the little snippets given of the other relationships brewing in this small town—which are explored in the other Boys of Fall books. And since I am HOOKED on this series, you’d better believe I’m going to be reading them all ASAP. ~ Beth, 4.5 stars
Profile Image for MountainKat.
2,372 reviews110 followers
February 15, 2016
Steamy short(er) story, those are always nice - especially if they are good too! Mari Carr is especially good with those! Another second chance story, I seem to be on a string of those lately. Tucker goes back to his home town and his high school girl. They never stopped loving each and they tried to move on with their lives and dreams, but there was always something missing. So when they saw each other again, things clicked. And got hot! Can't wait to read more of the boys' stories!
Profile Image for Kelly (AndKellyReads).
1,019 reviews60 followers
June 29, 2023
This was nonsense and I enjoyed it. Completely unrealistic, and wacky in a way that made me laugh when I don’t think I was supposed to, but still hella fun, ya know?

I told you, I am a trash panda and I love garbage. Onto the next one, obviously.
Profile Image for Lucinda’s Library.
289 reviews24 followers
January 2, 2023
Very cute and sexy!

I’m a sucker for high school heartbreaks mending after a few years apart. These two were great and the supporting characters really helped bring this story to life.
Profile Image for Heather in FL.
2,063 reviews
June 27, 2015
So this was an entertaining read, though probably not too memorable. We have Tucker, who is an NFL quarterback. He's suffered several concussions, and the last game of last season, he really got hit hard. He's not recovering as quickly, and he's been told one more hard hit could cause permanent brain damage, but he still has the decision whether to go back and play one more season or retire. While he's trying to recover, he gets a call from a friend back home about Coach, who had a heart attack. Coach was more of a father to Tucker than his own father was, so Tucker goes home to help out wherever he can. But he hasn't been home in twelve years, since he walked away from his high school sweetheart, Lena, and didn't look back.

For Lena's part, when we meet her, she's been dating Carl for about a year, but really only because he's "safe". He doesn't really do anything for her, and she's already about to break up with him when Tucker breezes back into town. And it's obvious their attraction hasn't waned a bit over all that time. Plus, Tucker now has certain proclivities that Lena shares, which is a surprise to them both.

As she always did, Lena sort of grounds Tucker, and eventually, he discloses his health issues and his uncertainty about going back to the NFL. And Lena's prepared to support him however he needs her to. It was really sweet to watch them sort of relearn each other and build up the trust again. And .

Like I said, it was an enjoyable story, but I'm probably going to have trouble remembering details after a few more books.
Profile Image for Kim.
378 reviews10 followers
January 22, 2015
4.5 Sizzling Stars

Free Agent is one of three books in the new BOYS OF FALL series about former football players from Quinn, TX.

Tucker Riley blamed his alcoholic father for the tragic death of his mother. So after high school graduation he fled Quinn, all of his friends, and Lela Whitacre, his girlfriend since sophomore year. Working hard, he got his act together to become one of the NFL’s star quarterbacks.

But football is hard on a body. Twelve years later, Tucker is faced with a crucial decision for himself and his team. When he receives a call from a buddy saying his old coach is ill and needs their help, Tucker doesn’t hesitate to return home to Quinn.

At a crossroads in his career, coming face to face with his father, and being around Lela again- the only girl he’d ever loved- makes his return home an extremely emotional one. But Lela is right there for him. They’ve both grown and matured, but their love never died. It still burns strong and scorching hot, the resulting explosion putting you right in its path.

Mari Carr did a fabulous job of creating a hero, heroine, and well-developed secondary characters in a story that will tug at your heartstrings at the same time it speeds up your heart rate. I loved every minute and can’t wait for her next trip back to the quaint town of Quinn.

Don’t miss the other two great books in the BOYS OF FALL series: Out of Bounds by Erin Nicholas and Going Long by Cari Quinn. The books run concurrently so can be read in any order.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
519 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2015
WOW! Where can I find me a Tucker Riley? Tucker is a NFL football player, he has loved the game since he was a little boy. Coach set him straight in high school when he was being stubborn. He was injured in a game and now has a decision to make. He is torn between the decision also. He got a tragic call about Coach and he didn't think twice about going back to Quinn to help. He lost his mom his senior year of school and it killed him, his dad is an alcoholic and is worthless. He has only had two things he loved in his life, football and Lela. Twelve years ago he left one of the most important things in his life. Lela has grown up in Quinn all her life, she is now a teacher there. Carl and Lela were together but something was never just right with them. She was always thinking she was missing something. Lela broke it off with him because she realized she still loved Tucker. She was very surprised when she saw him at the café. Tucker was mesmerized by Lela when he saw her at the bar. He feels at home with Lela but their past has always been in the back of his mind. One day they went for a drive and cleared the air. But will the past reveal its ugly head or will Tucker stick to his plan and stay around Quinn for good?
Profile Image for Book Reading Gals  .
1,062 reviews38 followers
January 22, 2015
Thoughts: I have to say that I fell in love with this whole series – I devoured each book in no time at all. Tucker and Lela’s story was that heart-clenching tale of love lost but never forgotten – that soul clenching, never fully recovered from, constant ache in your heart love. Tucker loved Lela, but he was eager to get the hell out of Dodge….er, Quinn. Lela, on the other hand, loved her hometown and couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Years later, that spark is still between them, perhaps stronger than ever…..but will the same things that tore them apart before rip them apart once again?

I hate to say it, but this was my first experience reading a Mari Carr book. I’m not really sure why – I know other “book friends” that have read her, I just haven’t picked up her books before. However, when this chance presented itself, I was really excited to try her books out, and I was thrilled to discover an amazing new author! Lela and Tuck were perfect additions to the Boys of Fall series, and I can’t wait to read more from this group of authors – as well as from Mari Carr herself!

Rate: A
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Profile Image for J.
3,104 reviews51 followers
January 25, 2015
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. A good, basic romance with a little BDSM Dominance kink thrown in. The H is a NFL star quarterback who is returning home after many years to reassess his career now that he has suffered another debilitating concussion and the next hit could leave him permanently injured. He's also coming back to help his old high school football coach who has had a heart attack and needs help running his ranch.

Our quarterback didn't leave his hometown in a good way. His drunk, abusive father had just killed his mother in a car accident and he couldn't put his dad, the memories of his mother and his hometown in the rear view mirror fast enough. Unfortunately that also meant leaving our h (his high school sweetheart) whose family and life were woven deep into the hometown.

This was a very nice second chance love story with two strong lead characters who had both needed to grow up a little which they did while they were apart.

Profile Image for Ellen Anderson.
1,251 reviews
January 27, 2015
HOT Read!

Tucker and Lela were teenage sweethearts who hadn't seen or spoken to each other since the day Tucker left Quinn to go to college. Now twelve years later he comes back to help Coach after his heart attack, but Tucker has a tough decision of his own to make. The only thing that hasn't seemed to change, are Tucker and Lela's feelings for each other. Really good book, lots of hot sex scenes, which don't bother me, but I know some that like to be warned. This was the third in the Boys of Fall series and I look forward to these authors getting together again and giving us more great romances to read!
Profile Image for Maddy's Reading.
437 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2016
This is a second-chance erotic romance. Tucker is a highly celebrated Quarterback and the Lela is his high-school sweetheart whom he has left behind to pursue his football career. Now Tucker is back in his hometown to help his high-school coach and the attraction sizzles between him and Lela.
The supporting characters were nice and their relationship is nicely written. This had glimpses of bondage and exhibitionism but it was subtle enough to make it interesting. I am personally not a big fan of erotica.
Nice enough story. Short and sweet.
Profile Image for Rejane.
1,366 reviews62 followers
May 1, 2015
Regret for time wasted. And this brings an old question: where are the editors?
8 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2015
A good read

A good story about young love lost and regained. It makes you laugh, smile,cry and add some sex--what more can you ask for!
Profile Image for Stephanie.
124 reviews3 followers
May 12, 2021
This is the first book I have read by Mari Carr and I didn't know what to think or what to expect. The reviews on here and Amazon are all over the place. But I needed a book to read in between a series that had another book coming out the next day and I didn't want to get caught up in another one of my TBRs. So instead, I tried something new. I was pleasantly surprised by this story! As you know from the Synopsis, Tuck left 12 years about after family tragedy leaving behind his high school sweetheart. Coming back home meant having to face that decision. Really, this story was a lovely journey for these two to sort out their feelings with no crazy drama that I have been reading lately in contemporary romance. Yes, drama between the two as they try to find out how to be honest with themselves and each other. I believe the people who didn't like the story were expecting more than this sweet romance. I, personally, thought it was worth the read and I now plan on reading the others to see how they are.
2,783 reviews129 followers
April 30, 2018
Four and a half stars.

Free Agent by Mari Carr is part of the Boys of Fall series created with Erin Nicholas and Cari Quinn. It's a second chance story, featuring Tucker Riley and Lela Whitacre, high school sweethearts. Tucker heads straight outta Dodge after graduation though, and spends the next dozen years never looking back. Lela pulls herself together after that heartbreak and has a life she's satisfied with, though she would be lying if she said she'd completely put Tucker out of her mind.

When Coach Nicholas Carr suffers a major heart attack, Tucker gets a call that changes his life.

Loved this visit to Quinn, Texas, and looking forward to revisiting it with some of Tucker's teammates and friends!
Profile Image for Christina Montminy.
2,185 reviews22 followers
April 17, 2023
Enjoyed this start to the Boys of Fall series. Tucker’s got a tough decision to make concerning his career & life, as heads back home to help his high school football coach as he recuperates from a heart attack. Lela has a decision to make as well, a relationship to end & a long hard look at her life & future. They have a very strong history together & when they meet up again, it’s like they never broke up 12 yrs ago....they’re still in love with each other. The emotions run high as they learn about each other again & as secrets are brought to light & decisions are made. We also get to meet quite a few of the characters in the series & get a small glimpse into their stories to come. Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Chelsea Johnson.
1,223 reviews47 followers
April 3, 2025
2.5 Stars!
This was...the idea was decent but I feel like it suffered in execution.

The story is short in general, so that didn't help things. But it felt like we spent so much time with Tucker and Lela not talking and just having sex and it just kind of lost the plot. I would have liked more on Tucker struggling with whether or not to go back or dealing with his dad. Granted, that did kind of get a resolution but at the same time, it didn't.

Overall, this was just okay. I'll admit that I'm curious about some of the other characters and their stories/relationships, but I don't know if I'm curious enough to get the other books.
Profile Image for AnneMarie Davee.
1,466 reviews
May 13, 2022
You can always go home ❤️🏈📝💙

I like second chance romance but I wasn’t impressed with Tucker’s return to his childhood town.

He leaves Lela without a word or backwards glance, and when his career is all but over, he decides he does want her. After he’s been with all sorts of women. I wish she’d resisted a bit more. Made him work for it.

First love can be your forever love, but women should never settle for more than their worth.
Profile Image for Tami czenkus.
1,551 reviews24 followers
April 28, 2020
Great start to the Boys of Fall series.
Loved that we were introduced to several characters that have stories to come. Great character building as well.
I very much enjoyed the camaraderie between all the characters and the chemistry was off the charts for Tucker and Lela and even being apart for 12 years hasn't dampened the love they have for each other.
Profile Image for Lara.
Author 8 books10 followers
October 26, 2020
While it was a quick and short enough read that I managed to finish, it does not hold up well over time. Especially post-#MeToo. So many of my pet peeves are here, but I'm a completionist and since I'm here for the Erin Nicholas I'll continue to read the other books by the new-to-me authors. For now.
Profile Image for SandyL.
3,758 reviews
May 14, 2022
Meh. Tucker left Quinn years earlier to escape his alcholic father and pursue his football career. He gets called back when his old coach is sick, and knows he'll see his high school sweetheart, Lela. Lela never got over Tucker, which is kinda hard to believe since he walked away without a glance and no word for over 12 years. Sigh.....
1,432 reviews4 followers
November 2, 2023
I liked it . Maybe Tucker little too rough for me . Lela and Tucker had been high school sweethearts but he left his abusive past to play professional football . Only came back because he wanted to help his high school coach recover from heart attack . Got back with Lela but neither one knew if he would stay or leave .
Profile Image for Eli.
283 reviews
January 23, 2025
Small Town Magic

Perfect short and sweet read. Characters are well developed main and side. This second chance romance gives you all the feels. The heartache, feeling the love, found family, reconciliation, and HEA are all perfect! Loved the ending that wrapped it up. Totally recommend.
239 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2025
Second chances

Tucker lost his mother the summer he graduated from high school. He had a football scholarship to Texas A&M and was leaving his hometown and his girlfriend for good.

Now it's 12 years later and he had returned to his hometown to help out his high school coach after the coach had a heart attack. What happens when he runs into his old girlfriend?
Profile Image for Susan Klipp.
478 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2020
Liked this a lot!

This one was good. Touches on some serious topics. I loved that Tuck realized that he hadn't dealt with any of his past issues and recognized how empty his life had been despite fame. And what's not to like about Lela. She feels like one of my gang. Good story.
539 reviews
May 7, 2022
High School romance ended! Years later the love is still there!

Time to work out what happened at end of High School! She wants to teach Kindergarten! He is in Football League! Realizing they still love each other! A sexually explicit romance!
Profile Image for Jamie West.
1,476 reviews5 followers
July 15, 2022
Game Plan for Love

Love this second chance sport romance! Lela and Tucker are high school sweethearts who are faced with each other after twelve years of separation. This sweet and sexy story just proves that love is all you need!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews