Thank you to Forever for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cillian!!!! Cairney!!!! MY guy!!!!! Seriously, I would take 5 more books just about him. Thank you very much.

This was a quick & fun sports romance, the banter between both characters was fun and engaging. The spice was spicing. Overall very enjoyable read - I will absolutely pick up more books by Maren. I think fans of The Deal/The Score by Elle Kennedy may especially like this! Also want to add that if you read sports romance and need the characters to be playing the sport, this one may not be for you.

Also please I'm begging for a book about Fitz.

This is a cute and quick romance between a star rugby player with a difficult past and the coach's daughter. They forge a partnership and friendship that is mutually beneficial - he teaches her how to flirt and out of the "friend zone" with guys and she helps get the team to accept him mid-season when they are overtly antagonistic to his presence. Over time the flirting and "practice dating" seems less fake and they develop real feelings for one another. I really did like their relationship and how Cillian opened up to Rory about how difficult things have been since his mom passed away. There was also some excellent spice and I loved the friendships between Rory and the rugby boys! If you're looking for a lot of rugby in this book, you might be disappointed - the focus is more on the team dynamics and Rory and Cillian's relationship but it was enjoyable overall!

- Rugby player x Coach's daughter
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Dating lessons
- Friends to lovers

In Red Card, Cillian, an English rugby player who recently transferred overseas to join the Prescott college rugby team, pairs up with Rory, the coach's daughter. Rory promises Cillian that she can turn the tide of Cillian's unpopularity with his Prescott teammates, while Cillian offers Rory flirting lessons so that she can get out the friend/bro zone she is permanently allocated to. A romantic relationship ends up blossoming between the two instead.

This was my first venture into college romance (not to mention rugby romance) books. I found the story enjoyable and quick read, albeit predictable at times. Sometimes I felt like it was a cross or Ted Lasso (rugby style) and, as other reviewers have noted, She's the Man.

Maren Moore's writing is a breeze to read. She created two very likeable characters, though I found Rory particularly endearing -- especially in the beginning as she flounders through her attempts at flirting. The author had some laugh out loud banter written in between Cillian and Rory, as well as in between the Prescott teammates.

Overall, this was a solid new adult read, but I did find the spice a little bit much at times and occasionally, I struggled to stay engaged. It seemed that when it came to the intimate scenes, the characters transformed into different people. I totally get that dirty talk happens during intimate scenes, in real life and in romance books. However, it always comes off jarring in a book--particularly when so much of the lead up paints Cillian as a cinnamon roll and Rory as kind of innocent but wanting to learn more. I also recognize that this a personal preference and maybe I was not the target audience, so I might be in the minority here.

This was still an enjoyable 3 star read, and I would be interested in reading more from the author.

This is a cute and quick college sports romance. It follows Cillian who has just been kicked off his rugby team in England and his last shot is at a team in America. Then we have Rory who is the coaches daughter and looked up to by all of the team players. Cillian quickly releases that Rory might be the key to getting all the other players to like him. And Rory releases that Cillian might be the key to learning how to flirt.

Read if you like:
- sports romance
- rugby player x coaches daughter
- good girl x bad boy

3.5⭐️
So this is my ninth book that I’ve read from maren and honestly I just love her and her writing and just how human and relatable and wonderful this woman truly is. This being a traditional published book from her is so inspiring and incredible and I’m so proud of her and all that’s she’s accomplished.. I’ve loved the strawberry hollow series and the orleans university as well as a few others. This one was not my favorite of hers like I really liked it and I thought it was different being in London and like the rugby aspect because I don’t typically see a lot of rugby stories so that was fun and I liked the banter between them. I think I just didn’t love it as much as some of her other work and that’s ok. For me there were parts that just felt a little typical and like I knew it and I’ve seen it before . I think sometimes things can be a little boring especially in like romance novels like there’s a lack of mystery and thrill or like that fantasy fun kind of thing. I think that I would have liked it better if it had been more of her novella style or a little bit more faster in pace but honestly I’m such a mood reader that it could’ve just been me not in the right space for it. The reading mood slump is real . However like I mentioned above I still think it was really good and I recommend this book and her writing cause she’s phenomenal this just wasn’t my favorite and that’s okay .

This was solid read, I just didn’t connect with either character enough. I think there was too much ‘I just don’t know how to talk to boys’ at beginning and the crush at party asking her to meet him at a party to then ask her to be a wing person was a bit too much.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sports romance coming soon from Maren Moore!

Rory lives and breathes rugby; as a coach's daughter, she's been on the sidelines of the sport her whole life, and as equipment manager for her university's rugby team (coached by her dad!), she's adored like a sister by all of the players. Until Cillian transfers; the smoking hot, tattooed bad boy from London arrives under a cloud of suspicion after being expelled from his last university. None of the team wants to give him a chance, and he's not interested in making friends - he only wants to finish out his last two years so he can move back to England to play professionally.

Rory is struggling to get out of the 'friend zone' when it comes to her love life, and she longs to be seen as more than just one of the guys, and Cillian learns that he'll be cut from the team if he doesn't figure out how to bond with his teammates so they can actually start playing together. So, Rory comes up with the brilliant plan for Cillian to teach her how to flirt in exchange for helping Cillian get in with the rest of the team. Everything starts out well, until they each develop feelings that become too hard to ignore.

I really enjoyed this grumpy-sunshine romance, told in dual POV, with two main characters who grew and blossomed over the course of the book. Rory was a strong FMC who was confident in everything else in life EXCEPT for her love life, and I found her super relatable and endearing. Cillian was the strong and silent type with a sad, difficult back story; he had a hard time letting anyone else in.

I loved that the story didn't feature insta-love (or lust); I thought their relationship developed in a natural way, kind of friends-to-lovers-ish, and I enjoyed watching them break down their walls and fall for each other. And the spice!!! 🫠 It was steamy and spicy in all the right ways!

I also loved the other cast of characters, and I hope this will be the first in a Prescott University series; I can't wait for Fitz, Wren and Aisling's stories! Overall, this was a great entry into the sports romance genre and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good new adult, sports romance!!

Thank you to NetGalley & Forever for providing this book for review consideration; all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Did Rory and Cillian’s story finish me or did I finish it? That’s the big question because honestly I’m completely sure. This book gave me everything I wanted and more. First off Cillian is one of the best MMCs I have ever had the pleasure reading about. He’s just so darn sexy and his thighs? Should have their own award cause oh my gosh.

Maren certainly bought her A-game with Rory and Cillian. One of her best books ever and her first trad published book. I feel like a proud mom to be honest. 🥺 Rory and Cillian are sweet, spicy and everything else together. It’s She’s All That meets She’s The Man in a college setting with flirting/spicy lessons. If there’s one thing Maren is a genius at writing then it’s books inspired by early 2000’s romcoms. It slaps SOOOOOO bad, I am so hooked on anything to do with this book.

Cillian Cairney got a permanent red card and was kicked off his rugby team back in London and as a last chance, he’s transferred to the rugby team at Prescott University in New Hampshire. His new teammates are definitely not fans of his and the only person who’s showing any interest is coach’s daughter Rory St. James. Rory is also the team’s equipment manager and she’s got the whole team wrapped around her little finger, so she’s the perfect person to help Cillian out. But Rory also got a problem. She’s always looked at as “one of the boys” and needs Cillian’s help to turn that around. She’s needs flirting lessons so per say.

The mutual pinning was INSANEEEEE with this couple. The sneaking around and them pretending not to be utterly obsessed with each other right from the get go. Rory is a girl’s girl and the sweetest person. And Cillian is so misunderstood because he’s not this hot head that everyone makes him out to be. He’s kind and soooo sweet also.

10/10 book without a doubt. Maren’s best work so far.

Cillian is a very talented rugby player who went off the rails when his Mom died. After using up all of his chances in London, he's given one more option by his coach. So he transfers to America for two years. However, his new team is more hostile than expected. If they want to win the nationals, something has to change.

Enter Rory, equipment manager, daughter of the coach and all around glue that holds this rugby team together. She knows the guys and can help smooth Cillian's way. She's also every guy's best friend. She agrees to help Cillian fit in because she wants the team to gel. In return, Cillian will help her learn to flirt so she can finally have a date instead of being the wingman. But when both of their goals go well, will their partnership end or will it shift to something more permanent?

A fun, sweet romcom for anyone who enjoys the series of college sports romcoms that have been popular recently.

Maren has done it again. She continuously delivers on book boyfriends you can’t stop drooling over and the women that bring them to their knees.

What to Expect:
•Rugby
•Broken Boy
•Sunshine Girl
•Slow Burn
•Found Family
•Dating Lessons
•Coach’s Daughter
•Friends to Lovers
•Bad Boy/Good Girl

“𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘙𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶."

Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I burned through this one in an evening. Loved the MMC. Loved that it featured an unfamiliar sport (Rugby), after years of reading mostly hockey and baseball sports romances. Spicy scenes were great although I do wished they were fully written out through to the end. There was a few scenes that were just getting heated and then suddenly it was the next day, which was a let down.
I would definitely recommend this book. You can’t go wrong with Maren Moore.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

I liked this book, but it was a smidge on the side of basic. I couldn't help but feel that I had read this story before while reading it. I felt that Rory and Cillian's relationship went from "just fun" to "I love you" a little too fast.

It was enjoyable, entertaining, and if you're into college sports romances, this book is definitely for you. The sex scenes in this one were HOT and steamy!

Maren Moore is an auto buy author for me, so I was excited to get my hands on this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

This book was described as She’s All That meets She’s the Man, which was very bang on.

I loved this book right off the bat. A medium-speed romcom where we get to see the friendship build before we get to the romance.

Cillian- kicked out of his school in London after the death of his mom. He’s basically on his last chance and was sent to an American school to play rugby. Finding out about Cillian’s past broke my heart. As someone who lost a parent too soon, his grief and guilt really resonated with me.

Rory-the rugby coach’s daughter, the team's equipment manager. Best friends with most of the guys on the team and always seen as one of them.

Cillian is met with resistance from the team as soon as he arrives. They are very skeptical of him and want nothing to do with him, due to rumors that have been flying around about why he’s there. The coach makes it clear that Cillian needs to make an effort to become a part of the team, or he’s gone.
Rory hasn’t had the typical college experience. Up until recently, she lived with her dad and had kind of closed herself off from dating. After attempting to (horribly) flirt with someone, she decides she needs practice. Cillian witnessed the crash out, Rory makes him a deal. She’ll help him fit in with the rugby guys, and he’ll teach her how to flirt. Obviously, the more time they spend together they grow closer and, despite the “let’s keep casual” convo, they start to fall for each other. These two built a really strong foundation and became a safe space for each other. I loved how thoughtful and mindful they were as partners. Cillian with the praising and allowing Rory the space to be herself and Rory allowing Cillian to open up without judgement. These two just really fit together. Just when I thought we were sailing past the third act break-up or drama. Maren just had to throw a little drama in. I was super glad that it didn’t affect their relationship but brought them closer.

This book was such a quick and easy read, I couldn’t put it down.

I really hope this is a series and that we get Aisling’s book, and I’m kind of hoping it’s her and Fitz.

4/5 stars!⭐️

I really enjoyed this! My first rugby romance🥰 and sports romance too!!

I wasn’t totally sure what to expect going in, but I ended up flying through it. It’s one of those romances that feels equal parts playful and heartfelt, with just enough angst to keep me hooked.

Cillian completely surprised me. At first, I thought he would be your typical brooding athlete, but there’s actually a lot more going on beneath the surface. His softer, protective side made me melt a little, especially in his moments with Rory. Speaking of Rory—I loved her. She felt relatable in the way she second-guessed herself and tried to downplay her feelings. Watching her grow into someone who owns her worth was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.

The romance had that great push-pull tension, and I appreciated that it wasn’t instant love. It built slowly and believably, with banter, frustration, chemistry, and some really sweet moments that made me smile. I also liked that the story didn’t just rely on the romance. Both characters had their own arcs and emotional growth, which made everything feel more real.

If you enjoy sports romances with a bit of spice, a lot of heart, and characters who feel like people you could actually know, I’d definitely recommend picking this up. It gave me everything I wanted in a comfort read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was so fun and so cute! Cillian “Kill” Cairney is the dreamiest tattooed British bad boy. Rory was super cute too and I loved them together. A super fun little sports romance!

For the girls who got lost on #rugbytok, just as I did, and never wanted to be found.
Cillian's thighs are for you.

And I am here for Cillian’s thighs Maren….

What’s my favorite micro trope, you ask? Well dear friends it’s when he falls first and he should know better. Broody bad boy 
British Rugby player and the Coach’s daughter…. I’ll take 10, thanks.

Overall I found Red Card to be a fun, flirty, and heartwarming romance with the perfect amount of hot Rugby boys and banter. If you are a fan of sports romance I totally recommend this read as I think you will enjoy the chemistry, slow-burn tension, and the emotional depth between Rory and Cillian.

Tropes:
🏉Rugby player x Coach’s daughter
🏉Grumpy x Sunshine
🏉Slow burn
🏉Friends to lovers
🏉Dating Lessons

Content warning: Parental Loss (off page) and Grief

This is my first book from Maren Moore and it definitely won't be my last! This was an easy and cute read, which is exactly what I was hoping for.
I've been looking for a rugby romance and this absolutely delivered!

Rating: 3.7 stars (rounded up)
Rory, the rugby coach's daughter and pretty much the team's assistant coach, has always been "one of the guys" and friend-zoned by every boy she's liked. That was until Cillian, a British bad-boy who was Red Carded from his former team, joins the team. Cillian was able to be a walk-on for the team, which made a lot of his teammates dislike him. There was a great disconnect between the team, resulting in poor performance. Immediately upon his arrival, Cillian is struck by Rory's beauty and connects to her so well in conversation. He witnesses her abysmal attempt in flirting and offers to help her be more comfortable talking to boys if she helps him become better connected with his teammates. Neither of them are expecting for what comes next...

This was a spicy rugby friends-to-lovers/forbidden love romance. It was a quick read and pretty good for anyone who likes sports romance novels. I liked the dual-perspective writing and the high emotional intelligence of the MMC. Overall, good read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I was going to write a longer review, but all you need to know is she’s a “not like other girls” girl, and he’s a misunderstood~reformed bad boy. Things pick up, but the first 20% was painful. So many unoriginal ideas are thrown the readers way, and I found it somewhat overwhelming. The romance genre is built on recycle, reuse, repeat- I get it, but the limits were really tested here.

Things did get better! Overall this ended up being a cute college romance. The sex scenes were well written, and not cringy. I do think eating lo mein in bed is a criminal offense. Off to jail.

A very fun college romance! So refreshing getting to read about a sport that’s somewhere underrepresented in romance books. This rugby romance was lighthearted and fun, all while providing great character development arcs.

You could FEEL the tension as you’re reading the interactions between Rory and Cillian.. plus, their banter was hilarious and I LOVED the forbidden aspect of their relationship.