There’s something quietly compelling about this story that hooked me early on. The characters aren’t loud or flashy—they’re real, flawed, and their chemistry unfolds in moments that feel lived-in rather than scripted. Watching their relationship grow felt like watching a spark catch flame, slow but steady.

I loved how the story allowed the connection to build naturally instead of rushing into big dramatic moments. When the characters finally crossed that line, it felt earned and deeply satisfying, not forced or overplayed.

While there were parts that didn’t fully resonate with me, those moments were brief and didn’t overshadow the heart of the story. What stayed with me was the genuine emotion and how well the characters’ growth was handled throughout.

This story gave me a quiet kind of joy—the kind that lingers after the last page. I’m eager to see more from these characters or the world they inhabit.

I totally forgot how great Kristen Callihan's books are. I found the balance of banter and spice and longing and romance to be spot on in this book. I read with my eyes but think that this would read well on audio. While I was a little frustrated at times about the third act drama, I thought that Dex and Fiona's romance was just what I needed on a long flight home. He's her brother in law's bestie. She is the younger sister that he's watched for years. Their insta love is not quite so insta as it seems. So much fun.

This is a rerelease of a story that I loved the first time around so I was curious if I it would resonate with where I'm at in my life now. Happy to report it did, just a little differently. I've noticed the older I get, the less I can put up with in books, i.e. miscommunication, blowing things up that can be solved with a simple conversation, etc. Of course I give leeway when the characters are in their early twenties, because we were all dumb in our early twenties. Everything seems so dire and immediate and high stakes. But give me a man like Ethan Dexter. A young man known to be a calm presence. A quiet man that doesn't talk just to hear himself. But we get a view in his head when he is around Fiona, his best friend's sister in law. And it's not quiet. It's loud. He's always wanted her since he first saw her and saw her being herself. So he waited until the time was right and when he has an opportunity to all but dare her into touching his beard, which turns into more touching, public touching in a bar, which turns into kissing, and more kissing and turns into a very, very hot scene. Have i mentioned that he's good with babies? And he's a virgin.
And Fiona, oh Fiona. She doesn't know what she wants. Which is why I identified with her so much when I first read this story. And still. It's hard to live your life when you know you aren't doing what you actually want to do, that you are flailing around trying to find something that fits your personality and actually pays enough to survive in this absolutely messed up capitalist system. But then she kisses Ethan, and he's very clear about what he wants with her...everything. And she realizes that she wants him. One thing she is sure of, is him. And the book is about how they struggle through being in a long distance relationship, and the answer is remote work. Working remotely is the answer to everything. Because it allows you to go where you are needed. It allows you to have an actual life.
I cry a lot when I read books like this. Because it has everything I don't, but want so badly. I want my own Ethan. I want to find work I can do from anywhere that I actually enjoy and that pays me enough money so I don't worry all the fucking time, But I don't have that. I doubt I ever will.

Fi and Dex’s story is my favorite in the entire series. It’s very sweet and tender! Like all Kristen Callahan stories though, there is a lot of dark obstacles in their paths. I can’t ever get through one of her books without crying and this one was not any different. I would recommend this book 100 times over though.

I loved this book! The characters were flawed but they worked through their respective troubles together. The breakup was not really a breakup and I loved that. Too many times there is a breakup for the sake of being one, but Dex and Fiona knew each other too well for that.

I seriously love this series—but Fiona and Dex? They might be my favorite yet. These two are just so damn lovable, and their story had me hooked from the jump. The banter, the chemistry, the tension—ugh, it was everything.

I won’t spoil anything, but this book covers a lot of ground. It’s messy in a real, human way, but also soft and swoony and just so satisfying. I laughed, I got choked up, I highlighted like a maniac.

If you’ve been reading the series, you’re gonna love this one. And if you haven’t started yet—go fix that immediately. I highly recommend it.

The focus was almost entirely on the sexual relationship, and the characters never really developed any depth. It just didn’t work for me.

Talk about a yummy Golden Retriever MMC! I swooned for Dex.
If I *had* to pick a flaw, it's that his body doesn't fit an NFL center, but I know most readers won't recognize that fact (what can I say, I'm a die-hard football girlie).

Some of my favorite tropes in here: he falls first, semi-second chance, golden retriever MMC, only has eyes for her, etc.

The Game Plan is a steamy beach read, great for just lounging around the pool!

I enjoyed Dex's complexity and demeanor, and the way he cared for Fiona.

I would completely read more on Dex and Fi - one of the cutest book couples I've read in a while.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A New York girl meets a football player while they’re both staying with family in San Francisco and the chemistry immediately takes off. This book is spicy from the very beginning, but it’s also packed with the right amount of chaos. They’re together pretty early in the book, but have to fight to be together. Even when the small problems started piling up toward the end, I couldn’t stop reading. I actually stayed up past midnight just to finish it because I had to know how it all ended.

This might be a great read for a person who enjoys sports romance with instant love. This was not really a book I loved but others might sincerely love it

Dex and Fiona's story was my favorite in the series. Dex is a cinnamon roll of a hero, and the way he adores Fiona made me go all melt. What I especially liked about this story was the conflict at the end, and how Fiona took back her power. Dex was finally able to let out his pent up emotions, and the two of them have a beautiful HEA.

I loved this book! It was such a unique take on having the main male character be the "virgin". I wasn't sure if I would like it at first glance, but Dex won me over! The ups and downs and both of the characters were engaging and their flaws are what kept me hooked.

Def and Fiona stole my heart IMMEDIATELY. In this forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, he falls first novel, Dex does everything possible to prove to Fiona that he’s not like every other man who has disappointed her. The way this man grovels and never gives up was so endearing and I loved every minute.

The Game Plan started off a little slow for me. It seemed like insta love for both characters from the beginning. The story progressed further and seemed like it held my interest a little more. The third act "break up" of miscommunication is not my favorite in these books. It's not that hard to make a phone call or text to say what you're about to do! Drives me a little crazy. This book was just ok for me.

I like this series. The characters are engaging and I love the level of spice. Dex and Fi have been my least favorite couple so far. This edition has some bonus content, which includes a couple of extra chapters. It is worth a read maybe you will like them better than I did.

I do want to thank NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for the ability to review. #TheGamePlan

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it didn’t quite capture my interest. While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged. That said, I’m sure it will find its audience with readers who connect more strongly with the writing style or pacing.

The chemistry between FMC and MMC was there, but there were a lot of inconsistencies in their personalities that made certain things feel not believable.

Super spicy, fun read. Good storyline, plot moves fairly quickly without too much in the middle to make you lose the plot. Makes me a believer in love and bearded men! Good quick read. Now want to find the other books in the series.

Very spicy sports romance. I am a big fan of Kristen Callihan, so I am happy to see these get a re-release.
A little light on plot, but the characters are great and I enjoyed the movie references sprinkled throughout.

And the bonus scenes were great.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of traditional romance. Lately, I have started to become a huge fan of “sports romance,” so I was glad to get a chance to read this. I have to admit that I was very nervous reading a book of an existing series. Lucky for me, I was able to read this as a standalone.

Based on some not good experience with reading books from existing series, I was a bit nervous about the side characters in the book. I need not have worried, and now I have plans to go back and read the other books in the series.

While, for the most part, I really liked this book. There are just a few things that bothered me. Not enough to tank my review that much, just enough to prevent it from getting the full five stars.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book!

While I liked both main characters the timing of this book was crazy they fell in love so fast and both had emotionally immature moments. Also a book were you need to read the others for full effect I think.