Beauty and the Baller

In this un-put-downable romance, Madden-Mills (Not My Romeo) pairs to explosive effect a former pro baller who is gun-shy about relationships with a former beauty queen seeking to rebuild her life. Nova Morgan crashes an NFL party in hopes of capturing the attention of former quarterback Ronan Smith. Since his fiancée’s death in the same car accident that ended his career, Ronan’s had no interest in relationships, but when security attempts to throw Nova out, Ronan comes to her rescue, leading to a one-night stand that ends in disaster. Two years later, Nova returns to her hometown of Blue Belle, Tex., to raise her teenage sister after their mother’s death—and Ronan, now a high school football coach, is her new neighbor. Nova and Ronan instantly clash—and emotions heighten when the only job Nova can find is as Ronan’s PA. The job forces them closer, and, as Ronan is tired of being set up with the women in town and Nova fears run-ins with her ex, they decide to fake a relationship. The feelings that emerge rival the intensity of their lingering sexual chemistry, but they’ve both got baggage to work through before they can move forward. Madden-Mills skillfully balances the emotional with the physical to produce a love story that’s equal parts scorching and sweet. (Mar.)