Not My Romeo

A case of mistaken identities enlivens this spicy first sports romance in the Game Changers series from Madden-Mills (Dear Ava). Librarian Elena Riley’s roommate sets her up on a blind date, giving her no information other than what outfit her date will wear to meet her. She arrives at the Nashville restaurant, spots a man wearing the expected blue shirt, plops down next to him and starts talking. Pro-baller Jack Hawke is a star on the football field, but painfully shy off it, due partly to an unearned, bad boy reputation that has the press forever assuming the worst about him. He’s so delighted Elena doesn’t seem to register his fame that he allows her to think he is her date, leading to a night of wild passion that blurs the lines of consent as it happens under false pretenses. When Elena discovers Jack’s deception, she storms out, hoping to never see him again. Then Jack agrees to play Romeo in a community theater production of Shakespeare’s classic to improve his public image. The production will take place in Elena’s home town of Daisy, Tenn., and guess who’s playing Juliet? Rehearsal makes for a fun backdrop as Elena and Jack’s intense chemistry reignites. Rife with uproarious moments and banter that sings, this scorching contemporary will captivate Madden-Mills’s fans. (Aug.)