Books have always been my “happy place.” For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of traditional romance. Lately, I also become a huge fan of “sports romance,” so I was glad to get a chance to read this.

This was a book that I got into almost immediately. After reading the book description, I was a bit confused about their backstory. As bits and pieces were revealed, it made me love the story more and more. There were definitely some twists that I did not see coming at all.

Another thing that I really liked about this book is the side characters. As this is the first book in a series, I cannot wait to see who will be in the next books. All in all, I really liked this book. About the only thing that prevented me from giving this five stars is that I felt that the book ended a bit abruptly. I would have loved for this book to have an epilogue or something. Also (and this is a slight spoiler), I’m not a fan of the NFL team names AT ALL!

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

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a good sports romance. I would definitely read more books in the series. Maybe if it’s the brother’s books. And I’m pretty sure this is her debut and it’s a really good debut. It gives me the rulebook vibes.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of Score to Settle by Bella North. The sports books are all over the place recently. I have read so many hockey, baseball, ,and football books recently. This one did not disappoint! Football player and notorious bad boy Jake needs to clean up his reputation. So his mom invites sports reporter Harper to come and follow him for a few months and write a personal piece on him. Harper is ready to write the real story and roast this bad boy for the jerk she thinks he is. There is a bit of a past between them and Harper is ready to make things right. But hanging out with Jake on and off the field changes her point of view. This rom com is sweet and funny. Great side characters with the brothers and also Mia. I really enjoyed this book a lot.

Sports Romance? YEP
Sports Romance with actual Football game action? YEP
Dual POV? YEP!! Thank goodness
"Enemies" to Lovers? YEP
Supportive BFF? YEP

Jake and Harper's story is one of my favorites because it has all the great things about a sports romance. Harper--the journalist--is tasked with following Jake--the NFL start--around in order to write a feature to restore his reputation so he can maintain his position on his professional football team. This alone drew me in because the misunderstood reputation of athletes is my new favorite in this genre. Bella North was able to make me start to really think about all the stories and images of famous people that are pervasive today. I often find myself judging them for those stories, but this book (and others like it) always reminds me that there is so much more to people than is apparent on a quick photo or a clickbait story. Getting to see Jake's reactions to seeing photos of him taken out of context was just heartbreaking. Also, slowly reading about Harper realizing that she, too, has misjudged Jake was such an amazing part of this book. I am so glad the choice to include both points of view was made because getting into Jake's head was crucial to really grasp how difficult his situation is.
I only hoped for a detailed epilogue at the end because I am a sucker for an "in the future" type of epilogue.
And don't even get me started on how much I love Mama and Mia. I am really hoping the series continues and Mia gets her own HEA. Maybe with Chase????? (Please let it be with Chase)

Thanks kindly to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! I had a feeling the plot was inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and this was seemingly confirmed after reading the author's note at the end.

It 100% centred the female perspective and had the classic enemies to lovers trope, with some nice history from high school thrown in for a little extra backstory and spice. I couldn't quite put it down in my first sitting, it was surprisingly good.

Seems like this might be the first in a series - looking forward to the rest.

3.5/5 stars for me. ( I wish there is a Half Star option so this wont look like 3.)

I would like to thank Bookouture for approval of my request! Also NetGalley!

The story is a very easy read. My request was accepted and within the same day (less than 24hrs) I finished the whole b0ok.

This is the type of story "One more chapter then I'll stop." But then you didn't put it down and continue to reading it till you reach the end. The story flow is very easy to understand and there is no need for those complicated timeline PowerPoint.

Though some of the plot were usually used like a formula for a sport romance, the author still put twist and make it her own version, which is I love. There are some unexpected scenes and revelations which is really threw me off the loop.

As much as I love the main characters, my favorite is Buck! omg love that doggo and now that I finished the story I think I knew why Buck loves Harper more than Jake (most of the times) hahaha. The main characters were not just superficial, they had those " WALLS" as they describe it and as misunderstanding arises, the more details entail on where are these walls came from? Are they carrying those for the longest time?


Thank you Bella North for this wonderful story. <3

I really enjoyed this as a enemy to lovers romance, I really enjoyed the football element in this and how that was used in this universe. I was engaged from start to finish and enjoyed how the characters were used in this. The characters were so well written and enjoyed the overall charm and realism of the characters and this. Bella North was able to weave a strong story in the romance genre.

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC*

I simply adored this book. Right from the start, it fell cozy & homey; I was hooked.

Jake and Harper are stuck with each other for the next 5 weeks and both are convinced it will be a pain in their ass. They both have something on the line: Harper's job and Jake's reputation.. Will they be able to work together? Can Harper get over the past?

Things begin to shift, truths come to light, mistakes are made and caracters experience personal growth.

Even though I could not personally relate to the caracter's situations, the author made me feel everything- Hapiness, family love, sadnest & even rage. I really connected with the caracters emotionally.

I personally liked how the author wrote Jake. Altough he broke Harpers heart in highschool, I knew right away from the first lines that he is a sweet man. I deffinitely need more of him and the ranch!

Side caracter Mia - I have my eyes on her! Shes funny. I would love for a book in the series with her as the main caracter. I need to know what happens next!

4/5 stars. Read it. 🫶🏼

A Sweet, Trope-Lover’s Sports Romance

Score to Settle by Bella North is a charming romance between a determined journalist and an NFL tight end who once attended the same high school—though they didn’t know each other back then due to a slight age gap. Harper did, however, know Jake’s brother, who was in her grade.

Harper is struggling to make a name for herself as the daughter of a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, trying to step out from her father’s shadow and prove her worth. After a series of challenging jobs, she finally lands an opportunity to write a profile on Jake—the very guy she secretly crushed on in high school. It’s a chance she can’t pass up.

Jake may have a reputation as a playboy, but as Harper gets to know him, she realizes not everything is as it seems. And being in such close proximity stirs up old feelings that never fully disappeared.

This is a sweet, well-paced romance with all the classic tropes that romance lovers enjoy—and they’re done well. A feel-good, heartwarming story that’s easy to fall into.

Thank you to Bella North, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the ARC!

You cannot write a fluffy sports romance and expect me not to love every second of it.

If you love:
🏈 Grumpy x sunshine
🛏️ One bed trope
🏡 Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn
💬 Heated banter
💞 Found family
...then Score to Settle is exactly what you’re craving.

An NFL star with a bad rep. A fiery journalist he doesn’t even remember. Five weeks together on his family ranch, and suddenly it’s all sparks, tension, and secret pasts. But Jake Sullivan isn’t the cocky player the world thinks he is—and as his walls start to fall, will Cassidy be able to see the real him before it’s too late?

Let me tell you, Score to Settle was ridiculously edible. Harper and Sullivan? ICONIC. You don’t understand the chokehold surname nicknames have on me. Cassidy loathes Jake with a fiery passion, but as they say… there’s a fine line between love and hate, and Cassidy better jump ship!!

This book has my heart. The banter? Sharp. The pining? Gut-wrenching. The trust issues? Delicious. The way they slowly seek comfort in each other? I'm unwell. The absolute HATE for Scott? Valid. Also, Jake’s Mama is the MVP—sweet, fierce, and Molly Weasley-coded. And Mia (Cassidy’s bestie)? Pure sunshine.

The side characters (Jake’s brothers? More please!) are full of life, and I cannot wait to see where the next Oakwood Ranch books go.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 — Fluffy, spicy, and addicting. Score to Settle is a sports romance you won’t be able to put down.

Score to settle (Oakwood Rance #1)

Jake Sullivan is a high flying NFL player.

Harper Cassidy is a sports journalist / budding author.

Summary: Their worlds collide when Harper is assigned to get to know Jake, so that she can write a feature on him to try and save his reputation. Harper already knows Jake, she has done since high school and thinks this is the perfect chance for her to show everyone the real Jake Sullivan,the one who humiliated her, destroyed her confidence and broke her heart.

My thoughts: I ADORED this story from start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of Harper and Jake getting to know each other and how it moved from standoffish to ‘I can’t stop thinking about you’. I honestly couldn’t stop reading.

Oakwood Ranch should just be a place that everyone can go to and it felt really special how Much Mama made Harper feel at home. You could feel the family love embedded in the ranch and honestly if I could sign myself up to be part of the Sullivan family I would! I also adored the strong female friendship between Mia and Harper within the book.

The story flows well between the two character POV’s and is written seamlessly so that different stages of the book fit together like a puzzle. The romance is sweet and has real swoon-worthy moments to it! There were some times where I wanted to bang Harper and Jake’s heads together, these moments were short lived and eventually made me laugh but I guess that is romance for you!

There was a little surprise in the plot at the end which I was not expecting at all! It was confusing at first, but when it all unravelled it felt like everything had come together in the most perfect way and I felt really happy for the characters and also I was glad it ended how it did.

Although this is a romance, the book also touches upon elements of how both characters manage their grief over the loss of a family member. This resonated with me so much and made me feel quite emotional. Family and friends is a key theme throughout the book, there are a variety of relationships between characters and the book is written in a way that doesn’t overlap them too much. However, gives them enough spotlight to be recognised how they should be. I genuinely adored the relationship that Jake has with his siblings and his Mum. It was a stark contrast to the family experience that Harper had, which I think made me appreciate the way in which Bella highlighted the differences between the two characters.

I cannot wait for the next instalment of Oakwood Ranch (fingers crossed it’s Dylan first). 🙊

Favourite Tropes:
* Forced Proximity
* Enemy to lovers

“A Score to Settle” is a charming romance that captures the fun and heartfelt moments between its main characters, Harper and Jake. The story focuses on their forbidden love as Harper, a journalist, must hide her emotions while covering a story. Jake, a football player trying to improve his image, faces challenges of his own.

Their chemistry is strong as they try to keep their feelings a secret, creating tension that makes the story exciting to read. Bella North’s writing makes this sports romance enjoyable and relatable, especially for readers who might not know much about football. Overall, "A Score to Settle" is a sweet and entertaining book that will leave romance fans feeling happy.

This book got me hooked from the first page! It had all my favorite tropes: forced proximity, banter, grumpy x sunshine and the best one- he falls first!

This was well written and all the characters were great and definitely contributed to the story.
I liked Harper & Jake’s dynamic and chemistry and I think there was some nice plot twists to the end.

I definitely recommend this book if you love sports romance 💖

I really enjoyed this book — it’s easily one of the best sports romances I’ve read in a while. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The tension between the two main characters was absolutely electric; I genuinely felt it radiating off the page. This was a true slow burn in all the best ways — the enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done so well, with just the right amount of banter, buildup, and emotional payoff. It wasn’t just the romance that kept me turning the pages, but the intensity and chemistry that made their connection feel so real. If you’re looking for a gripping, emotionally charged sports romance, this one delivers.

I am such a fan of this book! I love the NFL aspects of it and the storyline in general! Honestly the ease of reading was so good. I read it so quick because of how easy it was to read. The characters were amazing as well! I love the growth of the FMC and MMC and how they grew together while they were learning about each other. I think that everyone needs to read this and that it is the best NFL romance that I have read in a while!

I loved this book, it was fun spice and so easy to read.
Harper had a huge crush on Jake at high school, and ten years later is commissioned to write a profile on him for a sports magazine. Initially they're both frosty with each other, neither seemingly happy to be there. But forced proximity makes them both realise theres more to the other than meets the eye.
I loved the way the MC saw past each other's exterior and to the heart of who each of them are. Their connection was absolute fire and the story flowed beautifully. Im shocked that this is a debut novel, but I definitely want to read the next books in the series.

With thanks to Netgalley & Bookouture for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest opinions.

If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, this is a must read.

Score to Settle follows journalist Harper Cassidy, who’s assigned to write an in-depth profile on NFL tight end Jake Sullivan, a player known more for his bad boy reputation than his time on the football field. Cue the sparks, tension, and emotional baggage.

Harper and Jake were so much fun to read. The pining, the push and pull, the trust issues, and the way their pasts creep into the present made for a really entertaining dynamic. Their chemistry felt natural and engaging.

I did find the first 30 percent of the book a little slow, and it took me a while to get into the story. But once the pace picked up, I couldn’t put it down.

One thing I loved was how vivid the writing was, especially the descriptions of the setting. The author really brings the scenery to life. Some of my favorite lines:

“Nothing compares to the skyline in Denver in November when the sky is bright blue, the sun pale yellow. Fall leaves in burnt orange cling to the trees, waiting for one more gust of wind before they drop. I can almost feel the crisp mountain air on my skin and hear the far-off calls of the golden eagles.”

“The peaks come into view. Low at first. Craggy dark ridges pushing up from the land, glowing orange in the setting sun.”

“Ahead of me, the spruce trees stretch toward the sky, casting long shadows over the untouched snow. Tiny mountains of white sit on the branches and I turn my gaze to the horizon and the real snowcapped peaks of the Rockies, painted shades of orange and pink by the rising sun. The view is breathtaking.”

The ending was a great surprise and added depth to Jake’s character. It showed that he’s not at all the guy the public thinks he is, and that was a satisfying turn.

I do wish we’d gotten more closure on Harper and her novel. Maybe that will come up in the next book?

Overall, 3.5 stars from me. A fun, easy-to-read sports romance with strong characters and some beautifully written moments.

Whilst I did enjoy this for so many reasons, I really struggle with the miscommunication trope.

I did love the NFL aspect which makes a change from most other sports romances and the fact that when it was game time the game was actually described and explained so well!

The romance, angst, tension and spice was really well written and I would definitely read more in this series from the author and see the character growth and development from the side characters!

3.5/5

Thanks to Net Gallery, Bookouture and Bella North for the ARC.

Harper is a junior journalist in a sports publication that has been tasked with writing a feature about the NFLs playboy Jake Sullivan, but little does Harpers boss or Jake know, Harper has already written an article on Jake in high school and how he broke her heart.

I love sports romance books and this was a nice easy read for me over a couple of days. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop from hating each other to giving into the tension. Their relationship, once the boundary was crossed, felt like it was very fast but I didn't mind it.
The book briefly touches on the grief of losing a parent and how it affects children into their adulthood. I would have liked their background expanded a little bit, especially with Harper losing her mum and her dad being virtually non existent.

I liked the main characters. The side characters were a mixed bag for me. Mama was brilliant but I found Dylan a little bit insufferable and there was something about Mia (and her blabbing all of Harpers secrets to Jake) that I couldn't get on board with.

Overall a good read and I'll read any future instalments of the series

I absolutely loved this book! It had some of my favorite tropes and the characters were so relatable. Harper has held onto a grudge from high school and let it interfere with her personal and professional life. Jake has let the world see him as a playboy who doesn't care for anything other than women and football.

These two characters are forced to spend time together as Harper is writing an in depth look at the man beneath the helmet. Jake unknowingly broke her heart in high school so she sees this assignment as the perfect revenge. As they get to know each other, they see that the past has shaped who they are now and it may not be for the better. They have to learn to trust each other with their vulnerabilities and hope that they don't get burned again. The growth these characters go through did not feel rushed or fake in any way.

This was such a quick and easy read for me. As a huge football fan who hasn't read enough football romance, I was excited to read this book. I fell in love with these characters and cannot wait to see what happens next on the ranch.