The Real Ones - J Rose Black

Second chances don't usually come wrapped in shoulder pads on Valentine's Day...

Ten months ago, All-American shortstop Briella Reddington fell hard for grumpy, battle-scarred quarterback Maddox "Mick" McBride.

And then he walked away-right when she was finally ready to let him in.

Now Ella's done being vulnerable, done being blindsided, and definitely done with emotionally unavailable athletes. But losing a bet lands her at a Valentine's charity flag-football event...face-to-face with the man who broke her heart.

Maddox never stopped wanting Ella-but teammates loyal to her golden-boy ex, a rival gunning for his spot, and a coach who made Ella the price of peace forced his hand. Choosing her once cost him everything. His season tanked, his starting job is on the line, and seeing Ella again is the one hit he isn't prepared to take.

When a chaotic Valentine's "cupid" pushes them together, sparks ignite, truths surface, and Maddox realizes he's been fighting the wrong battles all year.

This time, he's not walking away.

He's fighting for the girl who was always worth the risk.

READ THIS IF YOU LIKE...
- Grumpy/protective hero
- Sunshine-with-boundaries heroine
- Second-chance romance
- College sports + rival athletes
- Forced proximity
- Emotional scars & healing arcs
- Charity-event chaos
- A hero who finally fights for his girl

TW: mild hazing, alcohol abuse, domestic abuse; mentions of combat scars.