I have absolutely loved this book. Ate it up in less than 24 hours. Killian and Rory's slow burn was so so well written. The only thing I wish is when Rory talks in Killian's chapters, is that it should be the Rory narrator speaking. I kind of lost interest when it was the Killian narrator speaking as if he were a woman. Other than that, the story itself was 4⭐️.

Red Card is a cute sports romcom by Maren Moore. I haven’t read very many Rugby romances, but I really enjoyed her take on it. Rory and Cillian had great chemistry. I enjoyed Cillian working to fit in with the rest of the team. The audiobook performers did a really wonderful job.

absolutely loved this one! another Maren Moore banger!! Maren does the teach me trope so so well!!! I loved dipping my toes in the Rugby world!! My only wish was that there was actually rugby game scenes! Can’t wait for book 2!!!

Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for giving me the ability to listen and review this book! All I can say is YES! I loved the narrators for this book and the story as a whole. From start to finish I was laughing, crying, grinning like an idiot and falling in love with Cillian and Rory (I am even obsessed with both of their names) as characters and as a couple! I was angry for Cillian and the scandal at the end of the book but justice was served!! I seriously have no bad things to say about this book or the narrators, 5/5 stars!

Something about Maren Moore's books always hooks me pretty quickly. I think it's the flow of her writing. She does a great job at the pacing of her books. I also enjoy how well rounded her main characters are. Cillian comes in and right away there is a bit of a drawback from the team since this rugby team is already pretty close and they already work well together so adding a new team member makes sense that they would have some hesitations. I liked how Rory was also part of the team as the coaches daughter but that they all respected her no matter what. It was fun that Rory and Cillian had the back and forth with working together to help each other out, but their chemistry was undeniable since they became such good friends so quickly. It was cute that once they decided they were attracted to each other that they went with it! The only thing I really wanted from this was to have a scene with Rory and her dad when she told him about her relationship with Cillian. It does get brought up, but I was really hoping for a heart to heart. I still really enjoyed this book and I think a lot of people are really going to like it when it comes out! The audiobook was also so perfect because of the duo narrators! The male narrator who voiced Cillian had the accent and everything. I actually think Cillian would sound exactly how the narrator did. Actually they both sounded exactly like I pictured both main characters to sound.

***Five Sports Romance Loving Stars***

YES! This was everything I had hoped it would be! I really do hope that we get more rugby action in future books. 

I love Rory so much! She just wants a man to look at her as a woman and not one of the guys or just another friend. Enter Cillian Cairney, fresh from England and on his last chance to keep up his rugby career. He needs to be accepted by the team who worships Rory, and she needs to learn to make a man see her as a woman. 

Matt Sykes and Stella Hunter did an amazing job at narrating this book. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

I cannot wait to have my own physical copy of this book. I really do enjoy Maren Moore's writing. Her books always leave me smiling.

Thanks to Hachette Audio, Forever, Maren Moore and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC of Red Card before it's released. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Matt Sykes's voice when the audiobook started - it's not every day you get to hear an authentic Brit narrate a British MMC on audio. Stella Hunter is, of course, no stranger to romance audiobook listeners, and between the two of them, they brought Cillian and Rory to life perfectly. I'm adding Matt Sykes to my auto-listen narrators list for audiobooks now. I could happily listen to him reel off his shopping list all day, any day!

I loved that Rugby got its moment in the book, and that will likely continue as the Prescott College series continues. I've read a few of Maren's other books, and I enjoyed this more than some of those that I've previously read. I'm crossing my fingers that Aisling + Fitz are next, because I need them in my life!

Red Card is out on 12th August 2025!

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the advanced listener copy of Red Card by Maren Moore! 

Matt Sykes and Stella Hunter are great choices for narrators for this story! I always have enjoyed Stella Hunter. This may be the first book I've listened to with Matt Sykes and what a lovely voice! Both did such an incredible job. This is my second time through this story and the narrators made my second read so enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed how Matt and Stella performed the portion of the story where the two main characters had yet to acknowledge their mutual attraction to the other.

Cillian is an excellent rugby player from London that is forced to start over on a team in America. Cillian has difficulty connecting with the members of his new team which is a problem when that team connection could make or break Cillian being able to remain there. Rory, also the coach's daughter, is a on-going presence on the rugby team. Rory, lacking confidence in her ability to improve her love life, offers a proposition to Cillian to help teach her and she’ll help him gain rapport with the rest of the team. 

This is so far my favorite story that I’ve read by Maren Moore! Cillian and Rory were super adorable together. I thought the development of their dating lessons arrangement was done really well. In addition to the main pair, there are multiple side characters that were lovely additions to the story. 

If you enjoy a coach’s daughter, dating lessons, sports romance, this is one to check out!

4.25⭐️ Between the e-book and audiobook I devoured this in a weekend and I have zero regrets. I am a complete simp for rugby thighs and English accent. The audio was so easy to binge. The narrators did a great job brining this book to life.

Rory & Cillian were the best. I love the bond between these two and how it slowly built into more. I love and how maturely they communicated as well. How Rory brought the team together, I am happy this is book 1 in a series, I want more in this world.

It’s about me and you Cillian, not them.” “As long as you’re mine, the rest doesn’t matter.” 💕

Thank You to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio and the author Maren Moore for the advanced copies, all my opinions are my own.

4⭐(future post on bookstagram to come)

Thank you to @ReadForeverPub for the ALC of this book.

W O W! I'm going to be completely transparent, I just finished the e-ARC of this book a couple of days before I started this ALC. I wholeheartedly believe that if I listened to the ALC while reading the e-ARC, I would've enjoyed this book way more. And I think it was because I loved the voice actors so much, ESPECIALLY for Cillian! His accent was everything I thought it would be and this time around, I felt like I resonated a lot more with Rory this time around.

The effect that the narrators had on me white re-listening to this book was insane. The spicy scenes were MUCH spicier after listening to these narrations. If possible, I would highly recommend immersive reading to my audience (e-ARC and ALC) if they were able to also get both copies as well.

Rory + Cillian

-sports romance(rugby)
-college romance
-coach’s daughter
-british bad boy
-she’s the man meets she’s all that

ahhhhh omgawddd yesss!! marennnn came in & did it again!! & we got my hottie little kill sooooo DOWN BAD OMGGG hahaha & his sluttly thighs that got rory all hung up on him!! its so so so good!! man the tension build up was everything & i was NOTTTT expecting that plot twist AT ALL!! like i knew something was gonna happen but not THAT!!! damn mare you went HARDDD girl!! & it paid off cause literally i love them so much!!!

The one where flirting lessons backfire and Killian catches feeling for Rory. Squeals in excitement. It has been a minute since I’ve read a book with no third act break up or miscommunication and it feels good. Rugby thick thighs and tattoos what more do I need to say. Oh, and she is the coach’s daughter!!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Red Card was a fun and emotional sports romance with great chemistry and just the right amount of drama. The audiobook narration was strong and really brought the characters to life. A few parts felt a bit predictable, but overall, it was an engaging and steamy listen. I’d definitely check out more from Meren Moore!

5 🌟
Spice: open door
Format: ALC

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this book. I've read this author in the past and didn't enjoy the books. So happy that I tried again because I love these two. I was fully invested from the start, I.never got bored. I love a good practice with me moment 🤭 when the faking starts tk feel real, perfection 👌
The bonding with the team and how they rallied around Cillian at the end was so touching. I was worried we were headed into a 3rd act breakup, but loved how it played out instead.

I will always advocate for an immersive/tandem read when possible. So I thank Forever and Hachette Audio for providing me an eARC and ALC of Red Card!!

This book was a fun time overall. I really enjoyed the narrators, especially Matt Sykes. I think he nailed Cillian and his broody type of character very well! Like him as Cillian makes me swoon so easily.
Now, Rory is kind of (very) cringe of a character but I think that was on the writing part and not the narrator's part. Stella Hunter definitely played into Rory's awkwardness around guys super well, and that helped make the whole premise of the flirting lessons more believable.

1.5 stars. I am so sorry for the following review, but the anger this book gave me! Are we writing characters in an early 90s sitcom or are we writing real women?? I have truly never read a book with a more obnoxious “pick me” girl. Her constant “no one cares about rugby more than me” when she doesn’t play women’s rugby, yet backseat coaches the players solely because she’s ThE cOACheS dAUgHtER …is deeply WILD and unhinged. I get that the author watched Remember the Titans one time and based an adult character on a 9 year old girl, but it only worked BECAUSE she was 9…and it was the 70s. So, As the adult daughter of a coach, I can tell you very clearly….absolutely the FK NOT to that behavior. Also, note to authors who care about writing solid female characters who care about other females….saying you only have guy friends is the absolute worst thing you can give your characters. ABSOLUTE. WORST. We want girl's girls not try hards who “can’t stop talking about sports”. No one is this one dimensional and delusional, and the standard is not to “only get along with guys”. Nothing is a bigger red flag of someone’s personality.

I understand that I will likely be banned from receiving any arcs from this author or publisher, but you can’t hang your hat on meaty thighs alone. I said what I said.

Well, having read this ebook already I knew this book was an absolute banger. No one it can get better right? Excuse meeeeee, but it sure can. The audio provided so much more depth to the characters, and um, swoon. 1000000/10. Will now be devouring all audios from these narrators, and listening again for good measure.

I’m fully obsessed! Red Card might just be my favorite Maren Moore book yet! This one had me hooked from page one with the hot and broody, British rugby bad boy! Cillian is a little broken, yet surprisingly sweet once you crack the surface, and Rory is a total queen! She’s passionate and not afraid to go after what she wants. Their dynamic is pure fire…the tension, banter, and chemistry! If you love a good sports romance with heat and heart, read this because Maren Moore absolutely nailed it! Also, the audiobook narrated by Matt Sykes and Stella Hunter was fantastic! Both narrators did a great job bringing the characters and emotions to life.

The narration was perfect, the story? Absolutely obsessed. I’ve never read a rugby book before and this one was the perfect place to start

MAREN STINKIN MOORE. OH. MY. WORD.

This was my first rugby romance, and let me tell you! I cannot wait for more books in this series! Every word and person and scene was just so good!

**premise**
Rory St. James was raised by only her dad who is also a rugby coach. Spending her whole life on the pitch got her comfortable with the game and around the guys. A while Rory can hang with the team with the best of them, she's found that her personal romantic life is severely lacking and she can't talk to guys without word vomiting about sports and rugby.

Cillian Cairney has a dark past in London that he would like to leave there, especially given that he didn't have any other option but to leave and start school at Prescott University in New Hampshire. With the rugby season well underway, the team knowing that favors were pulled so Cillian could be on the team, he is largely less than desirable to the guys and they're not shy about making it known.

Rory and Cillian both need help and the other is the perfect candidate to help. Cillian agrees to help Rory talk to other men in exchange for Rory getting the guys to warm up and accept Cillian.

----------

Y'all, this story was SOOOO GOOD. Maybe even 6 stars. It definitely hit and the timing was right for reading this!

What I loved:
- the CHEMISTRY WAS COOKING. I felt it between Rory and Cillian right away! It might even be considered "insta-love" but actions it was a sloooow burn.
- the drama was....sheesh. Like I knew Cillian was broken and some bad stuff happened in London, but poor boy just kept breaking and breaking and never got a break
- Rory is adorable and hilarious! She is seriously someone I want to be friends with and she has precious, granny hobbies!
- The pacing. I was sold from the first chapter. This is a "kept me up late" book because I never would notice how much time or percentage past on my kindle. All of a sudden I had read 30% in the blink of an eye
- secondary characters were sooo vital and good but didn't steal the show! And they had unique and interesting personalities!

I ADORE Rory and Cillian's story and they're definitely a new favorite couple for me!

And A HUGE moment for the narrators! If Maren is the one who made this decision, she absolutely knocked it out of the park! Both narrators had perfect inflection and their voices somehow matched their characters personalities perfectly! And big thanks for the continuity between Cillain being British and using a narrator with a British accent. We deeply thank you! The audiobook quality was so good and it’s such a fun and easy read!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Maren Moore for this advanced reader copy!