First Down (Beyond the Play #1)
The setup here is irresistible: James Callahan, football star with NFL dreams, desperately needs to pass a writing class to keep his professional aspirations alive. Enter Beckett Wood, a fellow senior who becomes his academic lifeline—but at the cost of pretending to be his girlfriend to ward off her persistent ex. What begins as mutual convenience quickly evolves into something neither expected.
James captivated me with his combination of outward confidence and hidden vulnerabilities. His journey isn't just about passing a class; it's about discovering there's more to life than football.
Bex's wariness around athletes, academic focus, and the weight of past relationship trauma all felt authentic rather than performative. Her resistance to falling for James creates tension because we understand exactly why she's fighting those feelings.
Their chemistry leaps off the page, with banter that made me literally laugh out loud at times. The progression from antagonism to connection feels earned rather than rushed, which is something I always look for in fake dating stories.
"First Down" scores big with its combination of sizzling chemistry, authentic character development, and a college setting that feels genuinely lived-in rather than merely decorative. The fake relationship evolves with satisfying complexity, and the yearning creates tension that had me turning pages well past my bedtime.
If you enjoy college sports romances with depth beyond the locker room, characters with genuine emotional stakes, and fake dating that evolves into something beautifully real, "First Down" should absolutely be your next read. Just be prepared for some seriously steamy scenes that might have you fanning yourself between chapters!
Rating: 4/5 Locker Room Looks✨
