I was fully invested in Everleigh and Nico’s story from page one. This was my first book by Monica Murphy, but it won’t be my last. I enjoyed the dual POV and her writing style. I also enjoyed all the characters and can’t wait to see whose story we will see in book 2.

Everleigh is new to UC Santa Mira and her housing falls through so she ends up rooming with 3 football players. She doesn’t realize their celebrity status on campus prior to moving in with them. They can have any girl they want especially Nico Valente. He should be off limits but Everleigh can’t help but want him. As much as he tries to resist thinking about her, she is always on his mind. Don’t let Nico fool you. He may come off as an alpha male, grumpy player, but really he is a sweet guy who is scared to express his feelings and doesn’t know how to handle it when he is pushed away by the woman he is falling far.

Troupes in this book:
* Sports romance (MMC plays football)
* Forced proximity (roomates)
* Found Family
* College romance

I really wish there was an epilogue where we get to see the them further into the future but I’m hoping we will get more glimpses of their relationship with future books in this series.

I enjoyed the slow burn and build up of their relationship and I love the found family aspect in this book. Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for voluntarily letting me read this book and giving an honest review. This book will be released on September 17, 2024.

I was in the mood for a fluffy romance and this fit the bill. Aside from a few too many travails piled onto the heroine in the first 10 pages of the book, nothing too earth shattering happens.

The characters are largely likeable and had chemistry. I did have a thought midway through that the dual POV took away from some of the romantic tension, but it didn't kill the story.

Thank you, @netgalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC and,of course, @monicamurphyauthor

When I looked on my shelf and saw End game sat there, I absolutely did a little happy squeal. I was so excited to get stuck in that I had to put my current read to the side and get started straight away. Once I started, I couldn't stop. I was fully invested in this story right from the start. It truly is something special.

Who doesn't love a sports romance? 😍

Nico is a typical alpha male or tries to appear to be. This is very far from the truth. He is a sweetheart. I really loved his character development throughout.

I adore the friendship that grew between the group, especially between Everleigh & Sienna.
There wasn't a single character in this book I didn't love. I have been left wanting more!
I was smiling, kicking my legs, and my heart was melting throughout.

I can't wait for the paper back to be released so I can read it all over again 🥺

It deserves all the stars. If you haven't pre ordered, please go over to Amazon to do so!

I have never read a Monica Murphy book that I have not loved, and I have read most.

I watch out for every new release and it's always an easy 5 stars. This one is not, and that hurts me.

This storyline is fantastic. I adore so many of the characters. I look forward to the rest of the series. Not only to read about how the other characters find love, but to see how the less adorable ones redeem themselves. The pace is perfect. It's good enough that once I started reading it, I did not stop until the last page.

However, I am annoyed by the person who edited this one for Monica. I've never edited a romance novel in my life, but I sure as heck want that job.

I refuse to do this author an injustice by publicly stating the "flaws". Quite honestly, I nearly opted out of giving feedback, but I am settling for not posting it anywhere else. I will say that this version is not publish and release ready.

Should it happen without another edit, please read and recommend. This book is still pure joy and any romance reading lover will enjoy it.

#Tayvis #EndGame

I would call this more of a 3.5 star read for me personally. Fans of Say You Swear and the TV show New Girl will love this book! The premise was interesting and worked well at quickly forming connections between our core characters. If you like storylines that are more on the forbidden romance, forced proximity vibe with a mix of insta-love and heavy on the tension early on then this book is for you! The book is also a nice easy read and definitely works well as a palate cleanser when you want something fun and lighthearted to read. The only reason I could not rate it a 4 was mainly due to the fact that I appreciate more of a slow-burn romance but can see people who don’t want that would love this book.

Fans of college sports romance will absolutely devour this!

It has forbidden love, roommates, forced proximity and found family vibes. I really liked both MCs. I found their relationship was steamy and romantic.

This is a quick read too.