Eyeful

Grissom’s second Gladiators of the Gridiron romance (after Mouthful) offers an angsty but heartfelt love story between two college students. After Phoebe Makenna Sharpe’s mother is convicted of perpetrating a real-estate scam targeting seniors, Phoebe leaves her hometown of Las Vegas, moves in with her feisty grandmother in the San José retirement community of Willow Glen, and makes a fresh start at Fortis University. She soon hits it off with the gorgeous and sensitive Tiago Joaquim Trindade. But unbeknownst to Phoebe, Tiago knows exactly who she is. His grandmother, who has Alzheimers, lost her house in Phoebe’s mother’s scam, and Tiago initially gets close to Phoebe to see if she is complicit. Soon their undeniable chemistry takes over—but their relationship will have to weather secrets, lies, and family drama to survive. Phoebe and Tiago are endearing protagonists and the engaging supporting cast—especially free-spirited senior citizen Agnes Marlowe, and Phoebe’s supportive friend Faith—add delightful depth to the taut narrative. Fans of new adult romance will be swept away. (Mar.)