This book = touchdown!

I adored this sexy and sweet football romance! INTERCEPTED really takes readers into the background of what happens to the significant others of famous football players, of which the author was one herself. I thought that this was a refreshing football romance that isn’t usually explored in romance books. Marlee is such an empathetic heroine that you can’t help but root for, and Gavin is the absolute sweetest! My favorite part of this book is that although it’s a romance, it’s also a self-discovery journey for Marlee as well.

So the blurb gives away a good part of the beginning of the book. Told from the first person POV of Marlee, INTERCEPTED follows her life after catching her long-time football player boyfriend cheating on her. Right after that relationship tanks, she has an old one-night stand, Gavin, hitting her up! Gavin recently got traded into her ex-boyfriend’s team and now that she’s single, what’s a player gotta do but go after the girl he wants?

“‘I know you don’t need me to fight your battles for you. Now that I know you need to, I’ll step back. You don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m not Chris and I never will be.’”

I thought Gavin was so adorable and supportive! Although he displays an alpha personality, he’s super soft towards his loved ones, friends and family alike. I also really appreciated the humor of his agent, Donny, lol. Gavin was sweet, but I think Marlee and her journey really took the cake for this book. In the beginning, we see her acting along with the wives of the other football players. She’s easily discriminated against, if not because she’s biracial, then because she’s just a girlfriend, and not a wife. Throughout the story though, Marlee finds her footing and creates an environment where people appreciates her because of her own talents and skills - not for the athlete boyfriend that she’s dating.

Marlee recent got her Master’s in marketing and is currently looking for a stable job. I loved seeing her personal growth and successes, as well as her going above the other catty women around her. She’s mouthy and sometimes rash, but ultimately caring and independent. I also adored her best friend, Naomi, who was so supportive and clever. My biggest enjoyment in this book was seeing Marlee stand up for herself and find the confidence in both her personal and work life to become a woman she was proud of - a woman who didn’t need a man to control her life.

“So angry mob and pitchforks be damned. The outside world is no longer so much as a memory in my head. Because Gavin Pope loves me and I love him right back.”

INTERCEPTED was both sweet and spicy! There’s a great deal of lovely romance, but also conflict between Marlee and superficial women, and Marlee’s own personal growth. Social media, marketing, and the sports life were welcome additions to add to this book, creating a realistic depth to the main conflicts. Marlee was an amazing protagonist, and her characterization was just plain lovely. I loved seeing her friendships, romantic relationship, and familial relationships. There was a beautiful balance to all three of them, creating an extremely enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this for contemporary fans - especially if you’re a fan of sports romance! Also the important message that sometimes, self love is the best love.

Content Warning: sexy times

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the review copy!

Other than a one night stand while they were on a break, Marlee Harper has been with her NFL receiver boyfriend since high school. Unfortunately for her (but fortunately for us readers) that one night stand ended up being Gavin Pope, the newest QB for her boyfriend's team and my new book boyfriend. When Marlee's relationship falls apart she has to start all over and a new man isn't in her plans. Good think Gavin Pope is used to getting what he wants.

Author Alexa Martin used her life experience as the wife of a formal NFL player to inform her debut novel and I am grateful. The dynamics between the wives and girlfriends of the NFL players was fascinating. The pressure of the media and fans was terrifying. But her way of describing how Gavin looks in his football pants could only be the result of a woman with experience and taste.

You're going to like this one.