Ineligible Receiver

The Package Deal #5

by Rheland Richmond, Emerson Beckett

A sexy and emotional story about two best friends that secretly fall in love, but struggle to keep a heartbreaking secret from tearing them apart.

When I met Greg Foster, the straight tight end for the Portland Pirates, the rookie needed a friend to bring him out of his shell. There was more to the shy twenty-two-year-old bookworm than met the eye, and I was the perfect person for the task. My roommate and best friend, Christian, was involved with the Pirates QB, so a new friend to hang out with was good.

I pushed down my attraction to him and became the best friend he ever had. We bar-hopped all over Portland and played video games in our apartments. We even loved the same indy band from Seattle.

Then we fucked up when we fell in love. And by fucked up, I mean we got married even though we knew our marriage had to remain a secret.

No one knew about us. Not even our closest friends. And every time they asked, we gave them the same line... we're just friends.

And ultimately, the reason for that secret would tear us apart. Now, here I was three years after meeting him, and wasn’t sure how to survive without him. He was the love of my life, and I was his.

Ineligible Receiver is a friends-to-lovers and bi-awakening story and Book 5 in The Package Deal Series .

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Audiobook, Football

470 pages, ebook

First published April 28, 2023

About the author

Writes Omegaverse as Skye R. Richmond.

Rheland is the ultimate bookworm, TV enthusiast, popcorn and ice cream connoisseur (Sweet and Salt is the best), and lover of all things cute and girly! From a young age, Rheland has been entranced by the magic of storytelling, diving headfirst into worlds of romance (before she was allowed to), and mysteries.

When she's not reading the latest romance novel or binge-watching her favorite TV shows (no horror, please!), you can find her writing stories of found families and forevers for her men.

Rheland is a hopeless romantic through and through with dreams of happily ever afters and swoon-worthy moments.

Rheland invites you to join her on a journey of laughter, love, and happily ever afters for her characters. So cozy up with a mug of cocoa or a glass of wine and prepare to fall head over heels for Rheland's men.

Rheland would love to hear from her readers and learn more about you. So if you get a chance... please get in touch.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyeRRichmond/
Twitter: @RhelandRichmond
Instagram: @rhelandrichmondmm
Newsletter: https://www.rhelandrichmond.com/newsl...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rhela...

Reviews

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 1 out of 5]

MM Romance
1 Star ⭐️

DNF @ 60%

*Groannnn* This has my most favorite angsty trope, unrequited love, (the right person but will it ever be the right time kind) and it had allll the backstory to catch me up to present day. I should have loved this but alas this started great and just slowly went to shit. It’s very rare I put new authors on a do not read list after only reading one book but this was sooo cringy that I might have to make an exception. While I usually don’t jump midway into a series I’ve never heard of, the blurb made me feel like I could get away with it especially because there was backstory of their relationship and it overlapped the previous timelines. I learned all about the other couples but I have to say that the names used were super similar and even if I had read this from book 1, I dont know that it would have helped me because it was hard to keep track. There’s a Callum, Christian and a Cooper. There’s an Aiden and an Alex, a Declan, Simon, Jackson etc All those C and A names and then having the rest end in the letter N just made me groan 🙄 I couldn’t tell anyone apart because they were allll so one dimensional but that’s not actually why I DNF’d, just things that bugged me.

I DNF’d this because of the miscommunication, cringy AF sex scenes and because when the reason Greg refused to come out and be with Cooper was revealed at 58%, it made me want to bang my head against the wall. What a stupid fucking reason that could have been overcome with a conversation but for whatever reason Greg tells Cooper they can be together but no one can ever know and won’t even tell him why no one can know so finding out why all this deception happened and it being SO DUMB! made me lose all interest in this book. While I enjoy angsty plot lines, I don’t like angst to be there for no reason like this! Greg had millions of fucking dollars playing for the NFL and his so-called “problem” could have been taken care of with a lawyer and a lump sum of money. 🙄🙄

The sex scenes were either cringy like this example below, sappy and full of tears or mechanical, like I was reading how to put together a table. There were A LOT of sex scenes too, sometimes back to back to back and it really made this book dragggggg.

”“Well, my pogo stick is ready for you.”
I turned my heated gaze onto his body. “So are the basketballs you’re hiding.”
Greg took a deep breath and slid his size fifteen feet up the bed to bend his knees, exposing his balls to me. “You mean these basketballs?”” 🤢

Did I need to know his feet were size 15 during a sex scene? Basketballs 🏀🏀 and a pogo stick 🤦🏻‍♀️ and these weren’t even the worst of but I remember thinking around 26% that maybe I should DNF because of the fact I was already cringing at the imagery but no 🙋🏻‍♀️ masochist here!

Greg is one of the most annoying, selfish characters I’ve had the displeasure of reading lately and Cooper is more of a masochist than I am because no way would I have not confided in at least one of my friends just wtf was going on. For wanting to keep something secret, Greg sure gave the most mixed signals ever and was super touchy feely in public. Like no wonder all your friends keep asking wtf is up with you two? 🤦🏻‍♀️

The blurb for book 6 looks like something I’d love but so did this one so I think I’ll pass. I refuse to get hoodwinked again by these authors so on the DNR list they go. No thank you. Also, this cover on my kindle didn’t look this bad but I think that’s because it was in B&W. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww, I really loved this story. I loved getting to see Greg and Coop instantly connect when they first meet and begin such a wonderful friendship that slowly blossomed into something more. I loved getting to see their love grow and transform into something so powerful that they could not be apart from one another. I enjoyed how this story takes its time and shows how over three years Greg and Coop are devoted to one another and cannot escape their attraction, connection, and primal need for one another.

Overall I loved their story. Greg and Coop are so utterly smitten with one another that I couldn't help, but smile throughout even when things were difficult and challenging for them both. Their HEA is definitely well-earned and I cannot wait for the epic finale of this incredibly fun and sweet series!

*** I received a complementary copy of this story.***

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It hurt to be this close, but it hurt more being apart."

Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, First Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥

"He owned a piece of my heart, even though he never asked for it."

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

Overall Opinion
Ever since I saw Cooper and Greg in the first 4 books, I knew I was going to be a simp for their story, and honestly? Their story ended up becoming one of my all-time favourite books to date! These two authors write like a dream together and created well-rounded characters and a story that I can't stop thinking about. It was so heartbreaking and emotional, these two went through ALOT and I must have gone through 2 boxes of tissues reading them, especially with that prologue! I just wanted to wrap them up and hold them tight and tell them it would all be okay. Greg and Cooper were a match made in heaven but could never be together unless it was in secret, and to say that took a toll would be an understatement. They were so connected and the passion between them was like nothing I've seen before. The story flowed so perfectly and I was completely invested from the first sentence. Overall this was a beautiful heart wrenching story that stole my heart and left me wishing I could reread them for the first time all over again!

Read if you like:
❣️ MM Romance
❣️ Bi Awakening
❣️ Best Friends to Lovers
❣️ Pining Galore
❣️ First Times
❣️ HEA

Trigger and Content Warnings: Homophobia, religious abuse from parents.

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tropes: found family, friends to lovers, secret relationship
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: some toys
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobia, threats of conversion therapy, seeing other people after getting together, break up

2 stars for me story wise

Greg and Cooper meet when they are 23 and 27 respectively. Greg is in the NFL. He's on the same team as Alex's friend's boyfriend. Cooper is outgoing and Greg is very shy and an introvert. Cooper tries to draw Greg out of his shell and they become best friends. Over the next year they both date other people and they just become BFF. Greg's jealousy over one of Cooper's relationships makes him realize that his feelings for Cooper might be more than platonic. Greg always thought he was straight. Cooper is gay. Greg's father is a conservative politician and is outspoken about being anti-lgbtqia rights.

Cooper and Greg share that they have feelings for each other after Coop breaks up with his boyfriend. Greg is not ready to start anything, he doesn't want to risk their friendship when he's not sure of his sexuality. So what does he decide to do? Go on an app and message with other guys. Coop finds out because he recognizes the notification noise, and he's hurt, but he also gives Greg a pass to do whatever he needs to do to learn about himself but he puts a time limit on it and they agreed to meet up on x date and keep away from each other until then. Greg proceeds to date presumably men but definitely also another woman over the next few months, at times in front of Coop which hurts him. Then they instantly get together on that meet up day and jump straight into sex. Not talking.

I got the impression from their encounters that Greg didn't actually do much if anything physically with other guys during those months. They decide to be boyfriends. But Greg insist that they not come out, that they not tell anyone that they are seeing each other. They didn't secret for about a year and then they get married on a whim. They are happy for like 8 months married and then Coop decides that he can't do this anymore in secret. They break up and are about to get divorced. 7 weeks later they're both miserable and they get back together. They out themselves to their friends. This is at about the 62% mark so I'm confused what's going to happen for the rest of the book given they just got over their major conflict. The rest of the book is them wrapping up coming out to all the different people in their lives and dealing with making sure Greg's little brother Brock who is gay and 17 is safe from a threat of going to conversion therapy.

I've liked other books by these authors. They've been a little angst, had good found family, and then warm reads. But this book was a big miss for me.

I didn't like this book. Here's why:
- The first 40 some percent of the book is told through a lot of time jumps and back and forths. The result is it's very choppy and you don't stay in one time to see enough of their perspective to actually get connected to their story and understand who they are as people. That's just too long to spend like that, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people dnf during that 40%.
- I hated Greg experimenting and dating other people for multiple months after they express their feelings for each other. It was just so hurtful to Coop and it was disrespectful, as if Coop was a last resort he'd only go to if he couldn't be attracted to other people. If I was Coop, I wouldn't have given him that free pass.
- I couldn't understand why Greg needed to keep this a secret. Even knowing about Brock. Why the f*** can they be all happily and make out in front of strangers in a gay bar on page 174 and say it's okay because it's gay friendly, but they can't be out as a couple in front of their closest most trusted friends who are also gay and thus gay friendly? This is just a plot hole.
- Page 236 - shortly after they break up Coop tells his/their friends about their secret relationship. I know he was hurting and it's his life too, and Greg was expecting a lot. But keeping it secret was their whole agreement and the reason why they broke up. To all of a sudden let loose that secret just made their entire break up make no sense. And it was also coming off as if as soon as they break up, Coop doesn't respect Greg's privacy anymore, which just isn't kind and majorly disrespected Greg's wishes. Not that Greg deserved Coop's silence.
- aren't marriage is public record? I don't get how they could keep it a secret or expect to be able to divorce and not out themselves.
- well into the book, Greg reveals one of his reasons for keeping the relationship a secret and it's because his father is a senator and conservative. I was like, how does Coop not already know this? Greg is a public figure in the NFL, people know the backgrounds of the players, so this should be public knowledge shouldn't it? And they've interacted for 2 years already at this point and Greg hasn't even privately mentioned his parents to Coop? That's just being a bad friend not to communicate about who your parents are.
- In other books, I would love how the shock reveal of a relationship plays out. But in this book they had like a dozen reveal scenes. And it felt like it's been abused for entertainment value and been overused because there's been so many reveal scenes. It felt manipulative.
- Page 364 - You don't just get a dog for you and your partner without communicating with your partner. He's just presenting him with a car and now a dog and everything's okay. It just feels artificial, like sorry I made you a secret for 2 years, everything's fine now have a dog and a nice car. Me no likey
- They made everybody a best man at their vow renewal. And they did a little speech to each person about how close they were and how they played a role in their relationship and lives. That was just excessively cheesy.

*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should be called How to Recognize a Red Flag MF and Run for Your Life.

Yes. I'm here to complain. Again.

What makes it worse is that Coop had left Greg alone, decided to be okay with friendship, never mentioned his feelings because he knew not to play those games with straight men. And bloody Greg couldn't leave him alone.

AFTER kissing him, saying how he has feelings for Coop, Greg the MF™ THEN decides he needs to be on a dating app, to evaluate his feelings 😂

Honestly Coop is also a joker because as a 27 year old, how are you letting this 23 year old run laps around you like this?

Your 'supposed' bestie who has intense feelings for you is living his best single life while asking you to understand and compromise is wilDDDDD.

Showing up at superbowl parties with a girl? When he's supposed to be figuring out if he's into guys? But he ran off the one boyfriend you had😂

Mr Have His Cake and Eat It.

Cooper, baby. Stand the fuck up.

Honestly the ENTIRE first half of this book is Greg ruining Coop's day to day life, and Coop propping himself up with the mantra, 'I won't ruin this day for Greg.' but like, EVERY. DAY.

For three years.

Fight back, Cooper!

"I want to explore your body and take up residency in your heart. But no one can ever know about us."

Even Shane Hollander did not have the audacity to state it in such stark terms.

Greg.....is the absolute worst. And Coop could do better.

And this is in a world that includes that lame ass cheating MF Frankie from the Fishermen.

And he led him on so much at the start saying he would eventually come out. Until eventually wasn't coming.

Two years in, they're married, nobody knows and he's saying shit like 'Please don't give up on me.'
Lol it's sick 💀NOBODY knows. Not their parents, not their mostly queer friends who would ABSOLUTELY be accepting.

"Two years....I don't see you going balls to the wall and telling your parents about us when you can't stomach telling 8 men who are rooting for us to be together."

Finally. Because that man? Warmly ensconced in the closet. Zero intention of leaving.

And his response?

"I don't know how but I'm going to get you back"

💀Fuck you mean you don't know HOW?

This marriage had one SINGULAR problem sksksksks. There's no equation to solve??? Just keep your fucking promise OMG?!?!

Cooper in the fetal position, crying to his friends about how much it hurts. Nah, I don't know if anything could make me like Greg.

Imagine your closest friends finding out about your relationship THREE FUCKING YEARS IN.

Effectively isolated that man so he had NOWHERE to turn except his sorry self. And that's your best friend? The love of your life?

Bring back the witch trials.

Wizard. Whatever. Death to Greg!

Finally comes to make an apology and two seconds later it's 'I need to get inside you.'

I know what you are, Greg😕

Can't even let the apology marinate. I think I just hate him. Because why is Coop allowing this when all this man has to offer with his apology is MORE PROMISES🚮

"If you'll be patient with me....."

War criminal asks for empathy. 🙄

What a legitimately rubbish situation.

And I'm just going to come right out and say his brother's situation wasn't the insurmountable reason keeping him in the closet that he made it out to be.

Blegh.

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst writing ever.
Tab A into Slot B sex.
Boring, contrived mess.

[Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

NFL
Audio
Hidden relationship from everyone even friends and family
In the closet
Love this series and can't wait till the last one is released in February

[HarriReadsRoMMance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how the story began, right in the middle of the action and a big reveal for the reader. I also enjoyed how we go back and jump in time from the moment they meet and we see all the background stuff that was happening on the same timeline as the other couples. Greg and Cooper do feature as side characters in all the previous books and they all speculate about what exactly is going on between them and we see some of those moments also play out but finally from their POV.

Now when we come to the conflict I am Team Cooper all the way and applaud him putting up boundaries more than once. I do not understand whatsoever how Greg is still keeping secrets from him all this time and telling him “it’s not about trust” when it very clearly is! If he fully trusted him Greg would have told him long before the point he actually does. Cooper has hidden the entire relationship from everyone he knows, which has sadly put a barrier between him and his friends. He deserved the courtesy of knowing exactly why he has been asked to do so.

I have enjoyed this entire series but one of my biggest pet peeves is the lack of a proper grovel! As Simon and Jackson love pointing out, when Jackson made his move he was steadfast and never wavered while all our other football playing men F up quite badly. I want to see them truly understand the error of their ways and have to work to prove themselves as actions really do speak louder than words and they are saying 2 very different things. Being closeted is one thing, going out of the way to do some of what he did is another thing entirely.

I enjoyed that Greg and Cooper’s drama did not drag out the entire book and that they actually sort their relationship out much earlier on. The second portion of the book watching them come back together and grow and deal with the issue that had threatened to tear them apart together was great. This was by far my favourite of the series!

I am super excited for Dominick’s book! I have fallen in love with him from his first appearance zooming around the hospital lol I really really hope Fallen Angel get a spinoff series or something. I need both Cole/Patrick’s story and Adam too!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin? I feel like we've been edged when it comes to Cooper and Greg since forever. All those little tidbits we got to see from the outside looking in. I loved that their book included all those moments and we finally got to see what was really going on behind the scenes so to speak. It was A LOT more than I was expecting. The years leading up to the present were not an easy road for our MCs. There's a lot of heartache. And frustration. I may have wanted to grab Greg and shake some sense into the man on several occasions.


"Loving Cooper, being with him was like breathing for me. I didn't have to think about it. It just was."


I know what you're thinking. How can these two men love each other so much and yet can't seem to make it work? Well...reasons. There are extenuating circumstances, circumstances that can impact more lives than just Cooper and Greg's. Greg's reluctance to live his life openly has nothing to do with his feelings for Cooper. That was never in question for me. The man is head over heels. In fact, besides the secrecy aspect, their relationship was pretty damn close to perfect. These two positively adore each other.

Regardless of how in love Cooper and Greg might be, sometimes in real life love does not, in fact, conquer all. We as humans are fallible and more often than not are prone to making assumptions. There's a reason for the cliché "You know what they say about those who assume..." Greg and Cooper definitely learn that lesson the hard way. But that's real life. It's hard and it's work. Mistakes are made, but thankfully the love these two have is strong enough to overcome all that. And when they finally get their HEA? It was perfect. Just utterly lovely and I cannot wait for Roughing The Kicker next!

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
Absolutely the best book of the series.
We've met Greg and Cooper in The Quarterback Keeper and the authors gave us hints of their story through all the following books.
We know they were best friends and that there was something deep between them, but none of them ever said a word.
In the first chapter of this book finally we know why: they've been together for 2 years, they even got married, but Greg asked Coop to keep their relationship hidden. No one knows about them, not even their closest friends.
I don't even want to say how much I cried during that first chapter: Cooper was sad, broken, hurt, he felt so alone because he couldn't confide in anyone. Greg wasn't better: knowing that he was the reason the love of his life was hurting made him miserable.
I understand the reasons that pressured Greg to stay in the closet, especially with his personal situation and the need to protect his brother; the authors did a great job describing Greg's internal turmoil, he was torn between trying to do the right thing with Brock and loving Cooper at the same time. I appreciated that there never was a doubt for him that Coop was his soulmate, that love was never the problem. But I still resent him a little because by keeping everything a secret, he deprived Cooper of the support of their friends.
And thank God for those friends: they are amazing, understanding, supportive and they never judged. The whole gang was there for Cooper and Greg and it was beautiful (by the way, Marcus is always a blast!).

The structure of the book is very interesting: it starts with the present day (New Year's Eve), when Greg and Coop have been separated for about 6 weeks, then it goes back to the start, when they first met so we can relive some moments of the previous books from their povs (the chapters when they started being friends were wonderful to read, Greg was falling in love for the first time in his life and he wasn't even aware of that). In this way a lot of things that happened in the past appear more clear and it helps the reader to recollect important events.

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions but the HEA was so worth it.
The next book will be Dominik and Jesse's story and from the bonus first chapter at the end of this book it seems it will be very interesting. Cannot wait for it.

Highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books go from strength to strength they are just so well written, you are captivated. The characters are so likeable and believable.
We start the story back to front and then work up to the time it all went wrong. From the first page I knew this was going to be angsty and an emotional read. The agony of the New Year's kiss was so painful. How can two people, who are obviously so in love be in so much pain.
For the majority of the story they are a secret, as tight as a vault. Greg is so scared of his secret getting back to his family that even their best friends don't know how deep their relationship is. This is the ultimate sacrifice and can only prove how much Cooper loves him. By being a secret he is denying Cooper of so much; his validity is not acknowledged. My heart breaks for him. Greg has a less selfish reason for hiding; he is protecting his brother and by being selfless in order to keep him safe he is causing damage inside. The pain that these two go through is absolutely crushing and my heart ached for them. The story gets significantly heavier when Greg's brother needs help and we get all of the past and present characters coming together to help. The story then plateaus back to tranquility where we see peace and love restored and it becomes so romantic and soppy, these guys are just so gorgeous together and deserve all of the love. The epilogue tied everything together, with a very happy ending. We got given a sneaky teaser of book 6 which sounds amazing, and left us with a rather amusing shocker, that I did not see coming. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how authors tease a relationship throughout a series and then finally let them tell their story? That's what Ineligible Receiver is... the story we've been glimpsing hints of from the beginning of the series and that they have hidden from everyone for THREE years!

What I love is the intricate timeline that weaves through the first four books and gets reinforced in this one - the meet ups, parties and events that we now see from a different perspective is so much fun... and the romance is beautiful from start to finish... well, except the bumps in the road... but, it's a romance, where would we be without a few roadblocks and switchbacks...

I am truly excited for the next book too! I can't wait to learn all the sexy secrets that Dom and Jesse have to be uncovered in Roughing the Kicker!

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I was really looking forward to the story of Greg and Cooper, especially as there are hints all over the other books.
But 5this was not what I expected .... I couldn't understand why there was so much secrecy.
The reason was poor and not reason reason why they could not tell their friends. I think that was what bothered me most: that I could not understand why they would hide from their friends. Especially Marcus would have understood ... hell, all of them would have.

So only 3 stars for this one. I think I will read it again and maybe then I can appreciate the deep love these two feel for each other

[Roxanna Mascarenas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I need to say this before this review because I say this in every review for this series
But OMG This couple has just become my new favorite ❤️
Best friends to lovers. Secret Wedding. Secret Breakup!! Too horrible family secrets POLITICS!!! To being your true self.
This is one of the few in the series I had not already read before I got to listen to the audiobook but WOW total swoon worthy on this one.
I am a complete fan of the found family and this series has it in the best way. And it just keeps growing.
Greg and Cooper feature so much in previous books that you feel as if you know them, but when you finally get their story, I was blown away and in love.

[DLB2572 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper Finally Gets His HEA

I've loved Cooper's character since book one. He's always been a great friend to everyone. He deserved a HEA and he & Greg fought hard for one in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'm now looking forward to Dom and Jesse's story.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Lizva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steamy and fast-paced

It kind-of held my interest since it's very soap opera-y but I skimmed large segments. Much of the secret-keeping did not make sense to me. It's not really a standalone. Characters from other books appeared with no explanation (Parker).

[camms.bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coop and Greg

What a journey these guys took! Look, this book will take you on a roller coaster of a ride with the love these two share. If I could, it would be more than five stars. Love these guys!

[Melissa Heeres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me bawl, which means I cared for the characters as what happened broke my heart. We have had 4 books to get to know Cooper and a bit of Greg, so we have been waiting for their story. It broke my heart and then pieced it back together.

[Canadian Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩, 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙬. 𝙄'𝙢 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙚, 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.⁣
Cᴏᴏᴘᴇʀ • Gʀᴇɢ⁣
⁣
Greg and Cooper have been best friends since Cooper forced himself into Greg's life to make him feel welcome during his rookie year in Portland. The past three years have been crazy but Greg is ready to prove to Cooper that they are meant to be together.⁣
⁣
OMG!!!! Greg and Cooper are my favourite Package Deal couple. These two had me smiling, laughing, and crying. This is an emotional rollercoaster ride of a love story that you need to buckle yourself in for and take the ride along with them.⁣
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Although this series can be read as standalones, I highly recommend it be read in order so that everyone can be celebrated. ⁣
⁣
Alexander Cendese and J.F. Harding gave this story so much more feeling and emotion than when I read the book. ⁣
⁣
If you enjoy…⁣
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💙 MM • 🏈 Football • 💙 Best Friends • 🏈 Secret Relationship • 💙 Hurt•Comfort • 🏈 Found Family⁣
⁣
… this may be for you!⁣
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🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 • ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 • 🛑 Check Content

[WycEd Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out our full post for INELIGIBLE RECEIVER on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆☆☆
INELIGIBLE RECEIVER is the fifth installment in The Package Deal series. It technically can be read as a standalone because the authors take you back to the beginning of this friendship to the current day, BUT I wouldn't be a good reviewer just saying that. I personally feel you MUST start at the beginning of this series and read in the order that is intended. The stories before just build the intensity of this one.

Cooper Evans has spent time around the Pirates with some of his best friends involved (mostly married now) to players. He considers some of these players his best friends. When he sees number 88, Greg Foster, he knows that even though Greg is straight, they will be best friends. So, when he slightly bullies himself into Greg's life and brings him out of his shell, he just has to deal with the soul crushing attraction to Greg. He'd rather have him has a best friend than nothing at all.

Greg never expected to love having Cooper in his life as much as he does. When Cooper starts dating someone, Greg misses him more than he thought possible. At some point Greg realizes the feelings he has for Cooper are no longer just friendly. But Greg has to worry about his younger brother, who just came out to him and lives with his very political, homophobic father. So Greg coming to terms with his sexuality, and kissing the one man who makes him weak in the knees, needs to be kept a secret, which Cooper knowingly goes along with until he can't.

I loved finally getting this story. I loved everything about Greg and Cooper and pulled for them from the beginning. It really was an emotional read. Greg living his life for his parents and hiding what he loved most about him was so heartbreaking. Greg and Cooper went through hell to be together, but it was such a beautiful journey.

And can we just discuss Dom and Jessie? I am so here for this story because it looks AMAZING! And it breaks my heart that this will be the final installment in this series.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
Ohhhh boy! This one did a number on me! I was crying like a baby at times. This book drew me in and kept my attention. It gave me all the feels, I felt every emotion reading this book. I felt like I was right there living the story with Cooper and Greg. These two went through a lot and worked so very hard for that happy ending. Highly recommend.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fifth book in the series... and it is a winner. It does a fabulous job of giving us a reminder of the last few years and the relationships that formed whilst Greg and Cooper were keeping their growing closeness secret.

It is fascinating thinking back on how they seemed at the time to the rest of the guys, and also heart breaking when we get to understand why Greg was so determined to keep them secret. It was beautifully written, from how Cooper does not push his desires in any way, nor when he accepts how important it is for Greg to be private about his newly found sexual preferences.

If you enjoy football romances with plenty of camaraderie in the team, and plenty of success in the sport, this should be on your to reading list for sure. It is a good mix of sport, passion, and friendship. And there is a great set up for the next installment!

Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

[Heather Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me say that I highly recommend reading the first four books in the Package Deal series by Rheland Richmond and Emerson Beckett before reading Cooper and Greg's story. The characters of each of the first four books are intertwined and will only truly make sense by reading the series in order. Through the first four books, not only did we see the relationships of the friends of Greg and Cooper come together, we see glimpses and teasers into what will become of Cooper and Greg's relationship. Questions of how they met and the times they spent together are finally answered and the depths of their feelings are finally revealed in the Ineligible Receiver.

This book is a bi-awakening story between Greg, the new receiver for the Portland Pirates, and Cooper the man that everyone loves. Cooper decides from the moment he meets Greg they will be best friends, even if he is attracted to him, he wants Greg to be a part of their friend group and show him a real Portland welcome. Yes, Greg is "straight" and Cooper is gay, but the longer they spend together the more Greg starts to realize his feelings are more than just friendship. His feelings for Cooper begin to grow into love and the feelings are definitely reciprocated. Once things change between them, they know they can't go back, they can only move forward even if they have to hide their relationship and secrets along the way.

They aren't just hiding from their friends, they're hiding from everyone. Greg is holding on to a secret that he's had for years that not even Cooper knows. Cooper doesn't want them to hide anymore. Cooper wants to be out to their friends so they can enjoy their time together and love each other freely. What Cooper doesn't know is the repercussions of them coming out. He doesn't know that not only is Greg hiding a secret, but so is Greg's brother (they're both gay). When Cooper does finally leave Greg, Cooper's friends are there to pick him up and try to put him back together. The thought of losing Cooper finally makes Greg take his head out of his behind and decides he has to open up and tell Cooper everything and why he's kept himself hidden for so long and when he does it all makes sense.

Greg has been living with the secret of his sexuality for so long because of his parents' political views on being gay and gay relationships. His main focus has been on protecting himself against their bigotry as well as now keeping his brother safe. When everything starts to unravel and secrets start to come out, what happens isn't what we expect. Cooper and Greg come together in so many ways in order to keep themselves safe as well as get Greg's brother out from under their parent's roof. The strength of Cooper and Greg's relationship will shine through and give the reader a real understanding of how much true love and friendship can pull you through anything.

I am blown away by the character development we have seen with these characters from the first book until now. A lot of thought went into not only developing these two men, but the friends that surround them. This story left me feeling so many different emotions. I laughed, I cried and felt heartbroken as well as a little annoyed at times, but overall I am so happy and delighted at the way this story wrapped up. The way these authors played on the reader's emotions is what makes a great book. I cannot recommend this book enough. It was a bittersweet ending to this part of the series. There's one book left and I look forward to reading it, but thank you Rheland and Emerson for finally giving us this story. It was well worth the wait.

I received this ARC for my honest review from Gay Romance Reviews.

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to this story and while I loved finally getting Cooper & Greg’s side of things there were a few parts that bothered me enough that I’m regrettably going to have to give this one 3.5 or maybe 3.75 *s. I personally don’t like stories told as flashbacks. It’s disconcerting and stops me from being able to fall completely into the story but I kinda understand why it was done here since we are getting their side of stories that were already told during the previous books (and as such you probably need to have read the rest of them to really enjoy this one). It’s awkward, though, and I think it really doesn’t give them the time their story needs so the idea of them hiding things for so long doesn’t resonate as much. And because of the staccato pacing I didn’t feel for Cooper’s situation as much as I did for Greg’s and so when trouble came I wasn’t on his side like I probably should have been. I think if I had really felt the time passing maybe it would have been different.

Now saying that, while it is a ding it’s not an unforgiveable one and I loved seeing these two fall in love – there are all sorts of feels and heartbreak going on as they make their way to a HEA. Like all of the books up to this point, it takes a little help from their friends for them to get there and it’s a beautiful thing to witness. The support and encouragement that these guys show each other is amazing and exemplifies their closeness as a family. You wish that Greg truly understood that earlier but once his past comes out you can understand why he feels the way he does. It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t trust Cooper and the guys more but on the other hand Cooper does enable that a bit as they go along. And they do show Greg that they are there for him when it truly matters.

A rollercoaster ride of emotions, Ineligible Receiver gives readers, especially those that have been there from the start, a satisfying resolution for two of our favorite people. There may be tears and frustration and even a little anger, but there is also humor and silliness and a whole lotta love. The authors know how to give their readers characters to get behind and keep them coming back for more. (Speaking of, I’m definitely going to be there for Roughing the Kicker! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for Jesse and Dominick :) )

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[S.M. Harshell · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**

Ineligible Receiver is the 5th installment in The Package Deal series. It technically can be read as a stand alone because the authors take you back to the beginning of this friendship to the current day BUT I wouldn't be a good reviewer just saying that. I personally feel you MUST start at the beginning of this series and read in the order that is intended. The stories before just build the intensity of this one.

Cooper Evans has spent time around the Pirates with someone of his best friends involved (mostly married now) to players. He considers some of these players his best friends. When he sees number 88 Greg Foster he knows that even though Greg is straight they will be best friends. So when he slightly bullies himself into Greg's life and brings him out of his shell he just has to deal with the soul crushing attraction to Greg. He'd rather have him has a best friend than nothing at all.

Greg never expected to love having Cooper in his life as much as he does. When Cooper starts dating someone Greg misses him more than he thought possible. At some point Greg realizes the feelings he has for Cooper are no longer just friendly. But Greg has to worry about his younger brother who just came out to him and lives with his very political homophobic father. So Greg coming to terms with his sexuality and kissing the one man who makes him weak in the knees needs to be kept a secret which Cooper knowingly goes along with until he can't.

I loved finally getting this story. I loved everything about Greg and Cooper and pulled for them from the beginning. It really was an emotional read. Greg living his life for his parents and hiding what he loved most about him was so heartbreaking. Greg and Cooper went through hell to be together but it was such a beautiful journey.

And can we just discuss Dom and Jessie? I am so here for this story because it looks AMAZING! And it breaks my heart that this will be the final installment in this series.

*Wicked Reads Review Team*

[Woodatsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

We finally get Greg and Coopers story and my oh my did they have to fight for their happy ending. And it was a glorious happy ending!

We met both MC's in the previous books but here we get to know them even better and we get their story in flashbacks to the past and in the present. We start in the present right at the New Year's Eve party and then go back in time to see how they met and how everything evolved from there.

From the moment Greg and Cooper met, they knew they were destined to be together. Their relationship grew from friendship into a deep love. So deep that they couldn't live without each other anymore and married. But still they couldn't show their feelings out in the open due to something Greg has to protect. They didn't even tell their best friends even though all of them just thought they were a couple.

It broke my heart to see how both MC's suffered with their feelings for one another. It was never a question of love but the fact that they had to hide what they ment to each other. There was so much at stake for Greg, he had his reasons but never fully opened up to Cooper about why they had to hide their relationship. When Cooper finally can't take it anymore, he breaks of his relationship and tells Greg he wants a divorce. Greg is devastated and wants to do everything he can to save his marriage. He has no other choice but to tell Cooper this reasons. From that moment on everything changes and both men fight for their love and marriage.

I loved everything about this book, it had fun, banter and most of all an enormous love between the MC's that just splattered of the pages. It was great seeing how all their friends jumped in to help out when things got rough.

They finally got their well deserved happy ending and now I can't wait for Dominik and Jesse's story who will be next.

*I kindly received a copy of this book by Gay Romance Reviews. This is my honest opinion.*

[Dinoh (Akari) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book Omg I really feel an indescribable relief to be able to say that, because after reading Pass Interference and the disappointment it caused me (story that in general I liked although I can't say the same about Marcus, to this day I really, really don't like him nor his actions and therefore the review I wrote was full of complaints, but also I need to say that I did love all the other books in this series), Cooper and Greg's story was a pleasure, painful in parts, but pleasure nonetheless.

Although it begins in the present and with them separated, it jumps back and tells us how they met, how a deep connection between them was forged from the beginning that resulted in a beautiful friendship, how they fell in love, and finally the pain of the separation.

Separation that was painful because it was not due to lack of love but for reasons that Greg did not know how to handle, he felt divided between Cooper and his relationship and his brother and how this could affect him. And that keeping this secret became too hard and it ended up hurting them but especially Cooper, who came to feel isolated from his friends by having to lie to them.

It's a complete story, with all its ups and downs, with all the necessary ingredients to make it incredible. Love, drama, anguish, banter, the unconditional support of friends, the hot, steamy moments, the tenderness that Cooper provoked in Greg, a Cooper who with his joy for living taught Greg to open up and enjoy all the little things that life gives us as well as the freedom to be oneself.

I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

We finally get Cooper and Greg's story!

Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and this one is great. I also love bi-awakening and learning how Greg fell for Cooper was a very emotional story. My eyes leaked more than once while I read this book (that means I loved it).

I loved how the authors presented this story. They gave us several chapters that recapped and expanded on things that we learned about this couple in other books in the series. I was a bit critical of the previous book, Illegal Motion, because it seemed unnecessarily long. Ineligible Receiver wasn’t like that at all and it was 106,000 words long!

We’ve been teased about Greg and Cooper since the very first book in this series and there was a great teaser at the end of Illegal Motion where Greg admits he’s in love with Cooper. The authors totally did their story justice in this book. We learned why Greg and Cooper have kept their relationship a secret as well as many other things about them.

Greg and Cooper make such a great couple but Greg has secrets that are tearing them apart. I loved the descriptive writing in this book and I feel like the authors got everything right in this story. I loved that we got a lot of time with the characters from the previous books. This group of men have truly formed a family and they show their willingness to help each other over and over again.

The teaser for the next book now has me really wanting to read Dominick’s story – Roughing the Kicker.

A copy of this book was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cooper met Greg Foster, the straight tight end for the Portland Pirates, the rookie needed a friend to bring him out of his shell. There was more to the shy twenty-two-year-old bookworm than met the eye, and he was the perfect person for the task. His roommate and best friend, Christian, was involved with the Pirates QB, so a new friend to hang out with was good. He pushed down his attraction to him and became the best friend he ever had. We bar-hopped all over Portland and played video games in our apartments. We even loved the same indy band from Seattle. Then they fucked up when they fell in love. And by fucked up, I mean they got married even though they knew their marriage had to remain a secret. No one knew about us. Not even our closest friends. And every time they asked, we gave them the same line - we're just friends. And ultimately, the reason for that secret would tear them apart. Now, here Cooper was three years after meeting him, and wasn’t sure how to survive without him. He was the love of his life, and he was his.

OMG this story was so emotional and you will cry a lot reading this. I was torn between hugging them or knocking their heads together. There was so much love and passion between these two men. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Jenn ReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the extreme pleasure of being part of this book from the very first prologue. I watched Greg and Cooper grow from new acquaintances, to best friends and estranged spouses. I've enjoyed every book of this series so far, but Coop and Greg own my heart. I cried for them as I read their heartbreaking 'falling apart' chapters as I got them in emails every day or so. I cried again as I read them from beginning to end - each chapter twice, to make sure that Rheland & Emerson's boys weren't being too grammatically incorrect. However, there's something about holding a physical book in your hands, especially one as well-done and emotional as this one, and reading it again as though it was the first time.

Ineligible Receiver is my new favourite of the Package Deal books and I am eagerly looking forward to Jesse and Dom's story.
Ineligible Receiver
Rheland Richmond
Emerson Beckett

[Manon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is up to being the best book of the series.

I was apprehensive in the beginning, too many hints happened during the other books and at the end of the last one it became too much of second chance novel for me, something I am not that keen on.

But, I was wrong. It was right to go back to the absolute beginning for these two and have their story unfold right from the start. There was so much more to Cooper and Greg than I thought and despite the hiding and secrets, they are so right for each other.

This book has more angst and drama than the others but I loved that the solution came around the 60% mark and the rest of the book felt more uplifting and while there was additional issues coming, both guys came out strong and secure.

The book is very much focused on found family and being there for each other. Both Greg and Coop have the others in their corner without taking sides and the couples are supporting to get these two their HEA.

The star deduction is about Greg keeping secrets for so long, by the time they run into deep trouble they were together for so long, I would have hoped Greg realised the trust Cooper has in him to tell him everything.

The next couple is a bit of a surprise but it looks very promising. Can't wait for it.

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper and Greg ❤️
5 Stars ⭐️

Yay Finally, we get Cooper and Greg's story and it was epic!!!!! I can't even begin to describe the depth of emotion going on in this story and just how heartfelt this read is. I have to say that this is one of the best friends to lovers stories that I've ever had the pleasure of reading, so much so that I refuse to spoil so I'm going to be very vague with my review. Throughout this series we have see tidbits of this relationship unfolding but never enough to get answers and their story gave all the answers and so much more. These two, they broke me, I may have shed a tear or two....for 3 years...they hurt and they hurt hard! They loved and they loved more!! They were everything and I absolutely enjoyed this emotional and satisfying rocky road to their Forever!! I have to say this as well: this series is freaking fantastic, these character, their friend group, I love them all. Every book that I read gets better and better, I am like a kid waiting for Christmas knowing Dom's story is next, I love that "fast f*cker". I absolutely 100% recommend this book and this series, it will be one that I always go back to.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *