Only on Gameday by Kristen Callihan (Jan 6, 2026) Thank you, @HTP_Hive for the gifted digital and audio copies! This was my first book by @kristen_callihan but it won’t be the last!
August Luck could be the best NFL rookie in a generation – if he can get out of his own way. He keeps making embarrassing choices off the field that are causing headaches for the front office. And they really want him to pull it together. Penelope is the daughter of his mom’s best friend. She grew up with the Luck siblings, is best friends with his sisters, but for years she always shyly exited the room as soon as he entered. Then he’s home for the weekend and sees her for the first time in a while and Film Studies student Pen has a problem. She inherited her grandparents house but can’t pay the taxes. August decides that they can be the solution to each other’s problems. She’ll be his fake fiancee, he’ll front her the money for the taxes. Thus begins this slow-burn, “it never felt fake” fake engagement sports romance that will keep you grinning!
I was kind of hitting a wall – you know the one where you read 30 pages of 5 different books and just aren’t feeling any of them – so I went to NetGalley and thought “Cute cover! Sports romance!” and grabbed the digital and audio copies (Another reason why HTP_Hive is an amazing program to be a part of). I really enjoyed it. I’m a sucker for close-knit siblings who refuse to stay out of each other’s business and their devoted parents who continue to provide wisdom (think Bergmans by Chloe Liese and the Hastings Family by Kels and Denise Stone). Callihan 100% makes us feel like these two characters have known each other all of their lives, which is very fun. I also love how the characters play against type – she rides a motorcycle, he cooks. There’s a touch of new LA vs old Hollywood, a frog with decorative hats, and lots of hijinks. Finally, the fastest way to my heart in a book is Murder, She Wrote references and this book has them in abundance.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Teddy Hamilton (a forever favorite) and Maxine Mitchell (new to me, I think) are fantastic in this one! (13 hrs and 28 mins)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 