The Game Plan, by Kristen Callihan, is a spicy, fast-paced, fun-to-read book. I'm not sure how I missed reading this book before now. Although it is the third in the series, I do not remember reading the first two, but this book was good as a stand-alone. Now, to go back and read the first ones... I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC ebook that I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️

I quite enjoyed this! Fiona, our FMC, is somewhat of a wild child, a bit of a party girl, and likes to float around in life. She has known our MMC, Ethan/Dex, for quite a few years now (I think we would see this all in prior books in the series but I read this as a stand-alone with no issues!) It’s always so fun to read like an MMC yearning and pining for a girl he thinks he can’t have. This was no different. Poor Ethan was infatuated and was fully a man obsessed.

This romance is quite fast paced imo. They do kiss and sleep together pretty quick into the book! The 3rd act conflict is resolved in a pretty decent way! Dex is such a protective and supporting MMC, it was nice to see their dynamics switched up a bit when he needed to be supported. I really enjoyed this one.

🏈 Football player MMC
🏈 Virgin MMC / experienced FMC
🏈 Protective MCs
🏈 “it’s always been you”
🏈 fast paced

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I originally read this years ago and remembered loving it so much (it want Grey and his future wife’s hot pink car but still a blast). And mostly? That memory held up. Callihan is great at what she does and has never failed to give me characters that feel messy and human and very real. But I didn’t have as great of a time this go around because I sort of forgot the revenge porny aspect of this (from outside sources and not either MC!) and I just don’t think it was handled super well. Obviously this book was written ten years ago and the way we discuss things has changed but I would have liked to see a little editing done there!

4.5⭐️

The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan is a deeply satisfying sports romance filled with heart, heat, and a hero who will steal your breath and then your heart. Ethan Dexter, the quiet, bearded NFL player with a soft soul and a long-time crush, finally makes his move on Fiona Mackenzie, his best friend’s sister-in-law. And once Dex decides Fi is his, nothing stands in his way.
“You’re my kind of perfect.”
Ethan is not your typical alpha. He is thoughtful, loyal, emotionally intelligent, and patient. “I’ve been waiting two years for you to see me.” What makes him unforgettable is not just his tattoos, man bun, or piercings (though those help), it’s the way he loves Fiona. He is steady and sincere, and when things heat up, he is absolutely electric. “Once I start, I won’t be able to stop. You’d better be sure, Cherry.”
Fiona is a bold, flawed heroine afraid of serious relationships, but Ethan sees through her walls. “Didn’t seem to want anyone else. It had to be you.” Watching her grow into someone who finally believes she is worth loving is just as satisfying as Dex’s swoon-worthy moments.
This opposites attract, long-distance romance has spice, heart, humor, and maturity. The emotional connection is just as powerful as the physical one, and Kristen Callihan nails the balance perfectly.
An absolute must-read for anyone who loves quiet men who fall hard and love harder.

This is the third in the Game On series - I haven't read the first two books and found this an easy stand alone read. I would like to go back and read the rest of the series, too.

Ohhh spicy! But a fun story! Fiona and Dex are awesome characters and it was fun following their romance. It's a little taboo romance because Dex is her brother-in-laws best friend and teammate, so it takes them a bit to give in. Their banter was fun and there is some seriousness in this story, too.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a honest review. I promise my review is 100% accurate to me.

A fun rom con that stays interesting throughout the book. Normally there seems to be a lull, but The Game Plan kept me interested. The characters are fun and well thought out..

I originally read this as an indie publication, and it was fun to revisit the characters. It does remain probably my least favorite in the series, but don't let that come across as if it isn't still a great read - I think the tropes are just less to my taste compared to the others. But the trademark sexual tension and he-falls-first longing remain top notch (I don't think Kristen Callahan is even capable of writing luke warm sexual tension), and this might have the series' deepest emotional trauma the characters need to help each other heal.

Rating: 4.25
Spice: 2.5/5

Tropes:
- Sports romance (NFL)
- Tattooed and pierced MMC
- Brother's best friend
- Virgin MMC
- He falls first
- Dual POV

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the advanced look at the trad version!

I really like this series and it is so much fun! I love that we get to learn more and more about the characters we met in the first two books and will keep getting to know them! The writing is fun and easy to get into.

Love a good sports romance! Ethan and Fiona were great. I didn’t realize this wasn’t the first in the series so I will have to back and start from the beginning!

Ethan’s secret crush on Fiona was the most wholesome thing about this
Ethan the most football player with a secret crush on his best friend’s sister in law, he just watches her from afar while he slowly falls in love with her. Fiona doesn’t do relationships he doesn’t need the heartache that comes with them. But one thing leads to another and both Fiona and Ethan become inseparable.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

I’m always down for a sport romance. Then mix in boy falls first and he’s a cinnamon roll, that’s a yes please for me. I liked that the conflict in this book was not between the MCs characters per se, but outside forces causing them to really strengthen their relationship. This is part of the Game On series, but can be read as a standalone but MCs overlap between stories.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Ethan has had a crush on his best friend’s sister in law for a long time. So when his bi-week from football aligned he took the opportunity to go visit his bestie in San Francisco it just “happened” Fiona would also be staying at the house. He could go meet the new baby, support his bestie and get a chance to convince Fiona to date him.

Fiona has sworn off football players, she can’t be in a relationship with a guy that travels that much. So when Ethan Dexter aka Dex collides into her world while she’s visiting her sister and new nephew, she doesn’t know how to respond. She lives in NYC he lives in New Orleans, even though there is chemistry between them this can’t go anywhere.

But Fiona is tempted to change her mind, Dex isn’t like normal football players he’s in it for the long game and he’s set his eyes on her! Can these two make long distance work and defy the odds or will they both end up with broken hearts. How can a girl even resist Dex, he’s a baby whispering, bearded, man-bun rocking, hunk of a man.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“Are you saying you liked watching me strip, Ethan Dexter?” His chuckle is a gentle rumble. “I’m saying it was memorable.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Best Friend’s Sister-in-Law
* NFL Center & Painter
* She Doesn’t Do Athletes
* Man Bun Bearded Baby Whisperer MMC
* Long Distance Relationship
* He Calls Her Cherry
* Sexy & Bantering Texts
* Forced Proximity- Both Staying with Friends
* Dual POV w/ Spice

🏈💜❤️🖤🏈💜❤️🖤🏈

I devoured Fiona's and Ethan's story! I think I was a little bit in love with Ethan by the end of chapter 1. I loved the team dynamic he had with his friends, and all the banter is definitely something I would picture in my head for professional football players. Then we have the spitfire that is Fiona Mackenzie. She is so full of life, joy, knows her own mind, and gives the snark as good as she gets. It was nail biting being witness to their immediate attraction, and their determination to stay away from each other, just waiting for their control to snap. Boy was the wait worth it.

The writing was phenomenal. My heart soared with Fi's, and also broke and plummeted with hers. Their conflict had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the resolution, and I just could not put it down. Perfect read if you love when he falls first, witty banter, feisty FMC who takes no crap from anyone, found family, and of course HEA.

4.5 stars ⭐️ I absolutely love this series and I was
so excited to read Fi’s story!! It was sweet and spicy! Lots of character development which I loved.

The Game Plan is Book 3 of an interconnected series but can be read as a standalone! But highly recommend reading The Friend Zone to meet her sister Ivy.

What to expect:
✨ virgin MMC
✨ football romance
✨ opposites attract

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

The Game Plan is book #3 in the Game On series by Kristen Callihan. I started the series with this book and it was fine to read as a standalone. However, now that I’ve been introduced to the football world of Kristen Callihan, I think I’m going back to read the first two. It’s so exciting that all three of these books are available on Kindle Unlimited.


To summarize, I loved this book. It’s a football romance, heavier on romance than sports. What I really enjoyed is the personalities of each character and the complexity of the relationship between the two main characters, Dex and Fiona. The author writes steamy scenes masterfully, and the chemistry between these two characters is off the charts from their first meeting.


Dex falls first for Fiona when she is in college, and waits several years to make his first move. Their relationship had a depth not often present in sports romances, since they had known each other for years. From the start, they shared intimacy and a high level of emotional honesty, not just a physical relationship. They go through several conflicts in the book, which kept the plot moving quickly, and ultimately added up to the strength of their relationship.


This book is the perfect beach read. Lots of steam, not depressing or too serious, and ultimately very heartwarming. I really love these two characters, who are so different, but came together perfectly. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance, not just football romance lovers.


Thank you to Kristen Callihan, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The plot here had some good promise, but unfortunately I am not a fan of the writing style for this one. It also is weird to me that someone’s ‘virgin status’ would be such a big deal and be known.

A virgin hero football player who suddenly finds himself unable to resist his friends sister...who doesn't date athletes.

This opposites attract story tackles work issues, the fear of being left behind, and finding a way to trust.

If you are looking for a sports romance that tackles the nuances of dating an athlete while navigating your work-life balance this book is for you.

This is a classic, upbeat romcom with an added dose of spice (or several added doses). The story is easy to follow, albeit slightly relatable. It has elements of seriousness and humor, while maintaining the promising safety that comes with the predictability of a sports romance. The story did fall a little shallow for me at times, but the plot and intention were still there. And the spice?? Yes. I'd recommend.

I did like this friends-to-lovers sports related romance between Ethan Dexter and Fiona MacKenzie. He's very likable, solid in spirit and body, and he's always had a thing for Fiona. I liked that part of the story.

The virgin plot had a few weak spots for me, but it wasn't a total show stopper. There's a sweet romance going on here, and for that reason, this is still a 4 star read for me. I'd definitely read more in this series.

There was some new content with this 2025 release and it's all very hot and steamy in this easy-to-read, entertaining sports romance.

I love when a MMC is pining secretly for the FMC... and this story had that. This is a sports romance, football. MMC who wants to make her his. Mix in virgin hero and many other tropes I love, it's no wonder why I gravitated towards this book and really enjoyed it.

I believe this is also a rerelease, I didn't read this originally when it was out, but now I need to catch up on the past characters too.

Honestly not for me, but I know a ton of people who would eat this up!!! Been trying to get into contemporary romance/chick lit for a while and while some of it I can deal with, a lot of it is just a bit too intense for me. This falls into the latter category, unfortunately.