Just a Football Star by Deb Goodman: Book Review

 *Book received for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

He’s a competitive ex-athlete. Which is code for “He’s gonna break my heart.”

When I started my career as a sports trainer for professional football players, I didn’t understand the dangers involved. I thought my knowledge and next-level love for the game would be all I needed to treat and motivate the guys.

Now? It’s all gone. I’m unemployed, unboyfriended, and I’ve rage-booked a week’s stay at a fancy, remote resort to try to heal from the havoc.

Enter Alec. Not only did he used to play for the exact team I’ve gone running and screaming from, but the frustratingly handsome man is harboring a jumbo-sized chip on his shoulder from his career-ending injury.

He’s so broken, I can’t not help him with his knee while I’m here. I’ve always loved a good project.

Except, after awhile, I find myself in irresponsibly close quarters with him. I’m getting glimpses of his goodness and suddenly, I want to know all about him. What makes him tick?

There is one thing I know.

When I finally figure him out, everything will change.

Just a Football Star is a sweet, small-town, closed-door romantic comedy with all of the sizzle and none of the spice! It lightly touches on the death of a significant other in the past and an addiction in a former relationship. However, there’s also an adorable puppy named Jerry, the meddlesome antics of Aunt Stella, and no one cheats on anyone. Plus, mysteries surrounding those intriguing Tate Brothers will begin to unravel.

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https://debgoodmanwrites.com

Deb Goodman’s obsession with the written word started at age three, when she realized the old-timey newsprint wallpaper in her family’s bathroom had actual words on it. The only problem? By the time she learned to read a couple of years later, the wallpaper had been replaced with something else—boring, non-worded wallpaper—and to this day, she still doesn’t know what it said.

Now, she and her husband and four children live in Utah. They love sports, music, and doing slightly insulting, pretend voices for their little shorkie, Mavis.

Deb writes funny, small-town romance that you won’t need to shield your kids’ eyes from. Billionaires, friends-to-more, enemies-to-more, cowboys, fake relationships…there’s something for everyone here!

Writing lovey dovey books comes naturally to Deb since, to her, there’s nothing better than reading and writing about how two people fall in love.

Just a Football Star is the second book in the Tate Brothers series. While the couple from book one does make an appearance in this one, this could definitely be read as a standalone. I had personally not yet read book one prior to this, and found I was able to enjoy it with feeling as though I was missing anything. 

This was such a good read with just the right blend of sweet romantic moments, moments that made me laugh, and so much heart and healing too. Oakley and Alec both had their share of hurt in the past--- both in life and in relationships. As such, neither of them were really looking for a relationship. Of course, as romance readers we know that that's usually when it shows up, right? From the start their chemistry was apparent, and I enjoyed getting to watch them work through those past hurts and start to heal from them as they grew closer together. 

Just a Football Star is a sweet, closed-door romance, with great chemistry but nothing beyond kissing. It does take on the 'only one bed' trope, but it's perfectly innocent. This is a super clean read, with no language. 

If you're looking for your next sweet, romantic comedy with a lot of heart, this is a great one to check out! 

Check out the series here: https://amzn.to/44mV10L