Waiting for Friday Night is the second novel in the Peachtree Cove series. You don’t have to have read that story to understand this one.

At the age of twenty-one, Halle Parker felt completely alone. Her parents having died before she graduated college, she had no close relatives and decided to fix that by making a new family for herself. Since she didn’t know anyone she wanted a kid with, she used her inheritance to pay to have artificial insemination at a private clinic. When asked about her baby daddy, she simply told everyone the father had no interest in being part of her or her daughter Shania’s life. But at fourteen, Shania has been pushing hard for details about the man, leaving Halle frustrated as to how best explain the context of her conception.

Quinton Evans had been desperate when he sold his sperm. His parents were facing eviction and as a college footballer hoping to go pro, Quinton had few options for raising money. Concerned about having dozens of kids he would never know about, he made sure the clinic understood his donation was for one-time use only. After a successful career in the NFL, he decided to coach high school ball and is now working in Peachtree Cove. Quinton is quietly fighting a crusade in the sleepy community. His childhood/teen experience with the game included an administration that gave playing time based on parental donations rather than skill. More than once, he had been told he would never amount to anything and shouldn’t be on the field. As a result, he is determined to give everyone an opportunity and judge people only on their merits. Which is why he’s championed Shania Parker against heated objections. Shania is talented and deserves a chance to participate.

But when Shania reveals she’s his daughter, the game totally changes. Now, the other coaches, team parents, and school administrators are expressing concerns about nepotism. The fact that he wants to get to know her (and she wishes to know him) complicates the issue. And the fact that Halle is in a relationship with a guy who hoped to take on the role of stepdad makes things just that much more difficult. It doesn’t help that Halle and Quinton hide their desire for each other under a layer of mild antagonism, something they will have to resolve if there is any hope of their intricate parenting situation working out.

On the positive side, this book does several things well. The characters are consistent and written with detail, although not always with depth. The author captures small-town living quite accurately, showing both the negative and positive aspects of these communities. I especially appreciated the look at gossip and judgmentalism and how the denizens have to keep both in mind as they navigate their lives. This is the second book in the series, and Ms. Williams has done a great job of continuity within the narrative arc.

That said, there are more negatives than positives here. One of the things that makes rooting for anyone difficult is the total lack of respect they have for each other. Shania goes behind her mom’s back and against her explicit, clearly stated wishes to obtain a DNA test through a genealogical website. Shania also gives no thought to how she might implode her biological father’s life and simply confronts Quinton in his office without even bothering to close the door. (Yep, they are overheard.) Quinton attends a private event he is asked not to, where he and Shania make their relationship public knowledge despite Halle’s objections. Halle doesn’t respect Shania’s questions regarding her parentage, something that would have resolved the conflict before it started. When Halle and Quinton work through their problems, they decide to get it on, even though Shania had asked that they never date.

Due to the HEA imperative to romance novels, they are often accused of being fantasies. All of us who have read them know they often tackle difficult issues in meaningful ways, but that doesn’t happen here. Serious complications are glossed over or resolved in simple conversations lasting only a page or two.

I also couldn’t figure out why Halle and Quinton fall in love. It’s not like they have history to build on – they are essentially strangers to each other, starting a relationship from scratch. Their relationship is too hot and too strong too quickly, based on nothing but mutual attraction. I found it especially difficult to believe because Halle is dating someone else, someone she is deeply interested in, for the book’s first quarter. I also just found it too serendipitous that with no prior knowledge of or experience with the town, Quinton chose to work in Peachtree Cove, and conveniently, the one child he fathered through donation just happened to be there. And he just happened to love her mom.

The premise of the story doesn’t ring true. Halle’s alleged loneliness seems odd, given that her cousins and best friends constantly traipse in and out of her house.

I’m not going to get into all the additional drama that happens at the end of the book regarding Quinton’s former high school tormentor and his family. Nor do I want to talk about Tracey, the third member of the Get Fresh Crew (the clique of women the series is about) and her marriage drama. Suffice it to say the story covers enough histrionics for any number of additional volumes.

While this story has some cute aspects, Waiting for Friday Night is not the best example of a football romance. I recommend Alexa Martin’s Playbook series or Farrah Rocchon’s New York Sabers instead.

Waiting for Friday Night is a cute small town love story about a high school football coach and a middle school principal, who also happens to be a single mom. After being introduced to the characters in the first book, Secrets to A Southern Wedding, I was ready to head back to Peach Tree Cove. Halle and Quinton are two well rounded adults, who had secured themselves in their own personal lives but get caught off guard when their story suddenly and unexpectedly get wrapped together. I thought it was a cute story, I loved how there wasn't any trauma love between them. The trope of forgiving a man for indiscretions has become so stereotypical and I'm glad more stories are fo9cusing on love without heartbreak. That is not to say that these two have a walk in the park, the obstacles they do have to overcome, test them and allow them to prove that maybe they can become something. This was a lighthearted and fun read with a few twists thrown in to keep things interesting. I do feel that the book ended rather abruptly and that one of the storylines didn't really add anything to the story.

This. Is . What. I'm Talking. About. When. I. Say. We. Need. More. Black. stories. I ate this up. Give me more more more more more more more.

Halle is a single mom and the new principal of her small town’s middle school. She’s also ready to maybe take dating more seriously and perhaps find a spouse and a stepdad for her ninth grade daughter, Shania. Shania is the only girl on the football team, has been bothering her mom trying to find out who her dad is. But Halle’s secret is that she used a donor… and when Shania finds out that that donor is none other than her new football coach (and former NFL player) Quinton Evans, Halle’s life is thrown into chaos. Quinton wants to be in Shania’s life… and in Halle’s if she’ll let him.

I loved Halle’s independence and Quinton’s growth and backstory. His family is precious and I love how his goal is to prove every stereotype about high school football coaches and athletes wrong. There was a bit of a love triangle for the first bit which is my least favorite thing. It ended well, but I still didn’t love it. I also feel like there was some background things with Quinton that were unnecessary and didn’t add anything but instead took away from the central love story. I liked it, and it was fun, but I did almost dnf at one point. But I’ll definitely read the next in this series!!

This was the most unconventional love story. Nonetheless it was cute, entertaining and steamy.

The twist at the end i kinda predicted but it still threw me for a loop because this book was multifaceted. A romance, Womans fiction, family drama.

There are plenty of things I enjoyed about this book, first and foremost being the amazing main character who took matters into her own hands and was inseminated using donor sperm because she decided she wanted a family for herself. I love the non-conventional family structure and the way it worked into the plot of this book. I also love that the daughter played football. Unfortunately there were also a number of things that were missing for me, including any sort of pull towards the male love interest and the desire to actually keep reading to get to the end. I felt like I already knew where the story was going, and I became generally disinterested in making my way through the rest of the book to get there. I eventually did, and I respect the book for what it is and that it did something different within the romance genre, but it wasn't my favorite reading experience overall. I'd definitely read from this author again, but I think it would have to be a storyline that I'm really interested in.

Quick Summary: A Southern soap opera romance

My Review: Waiting for Friday Night by Synithia Williams is book #2 in the Peachtree Cove series.

About the Book: A single mom and her daughter become better acquainted with the new football coach. Little did they know that they would soon uncover a secret connection that bonds them together. Family drama, hidden truths, workplace tension, and school/community gossip threaten them all. What will the next part of their story become?

About the Characters:

Halle Parker - > Principal, strong sense of independence, guarded when it comes to her heart, fiercely protective of those she cares about

Shania Parker -> female football player, only child, desirous of finding her dad, facing challenges in peer relations

Gregory - > Disingenuous, seems to wear a mask, immature

Quinton Evans - > retired pro football player, head coach of school team, loyal and responsible as a son and brother, survivor of bullying and an anti-bullying advocate

Willie and Laura - > Parents of Quinton and Dawn, interesting past, busybodies in a sense, pushy

Tracey - > Business owner, faithful friend, wronged wife

Brian -> Business owner, pretty boy, hyper aware of Tracey

The extended family Peachtree Cove residents - > Nosy busybodies, rally together at times, diverse

My Favorite Scenes: The first kiss, the community business meeting, the post game confrontation

My Final Say: This story had a very interesting premise. It completely captured my attention. What are the odds that two connected strangers would meet in the way that Halle and Quinton did? In the type of situation they found themselves in, I do not believe lines could be crossed in the way theirs was. Still, it was a brilliant notion to entertain.

Just like in the previous book, the parental involvement, particularly regarding Q's parents, was a bit much. These two were so pushy. They needed a time out. Even though they seemed to learn their lesson, I was still left wondering if they really did. Also, the way they judged Halle before they met her and even after was not cool.

Other: This would be fantastic to experience as an audiobook.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 💛
Cover: +
Series: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to review a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.

I loved this ! I read the first book of this series and while I loved the small town vibes , I didn’t vibe with the romance . I lived everything about this book. The small town drama the romance, the family dynamics. I was laughing out loud at times and was even a bit shocked by some for the reveals. There also is no 3rd act break up! This was so much fun and as amazing as I was expecting!

I really enjoyed this small town, dual POV, single mom/ex-pro football player romance with a twist. Holly has been raising her daughter on her own for years but when her daughter takes a DNA test and discovers her new football coach is actually the man whose sperm her mom used for insemination is her biological father, things get complicated. Heartfelt, steamy and full of family drama, this was my new favorite in the series and I look forward to Tracey's story next. Perfect for fans of Friday Night Lights!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars rounded up. Okay at first I was like “this is a very unethical principle!” 😆 Dating not one, but two teachers within her District! Since this is fiction, I’ll let it slide, but even within a district a principal would be hesitant to start a relationship with any teacher, let alone one they just met — ESPECIALLY not in a small town. I’m pretty sure they’d have to run it by HR too? Anyway:

Holly has to grow on you. I didn’t like her at first because of the questionable demands and judgements she makes, but as you get to know her character and how she’s had to figure out life for herself, you begin to understand why she is the way she is. There’s so much character growth in her. I loved it.

Quinton’s backstory was chef’s kiss and he was a believable gem of a man. Not some bare minimum guy or a knight in shining armor, just a patient man who loves his people. I was rooting for him!

Williams incorporates Shania into this book so well. Not a main-main character, but a character who is present and moves the plot along. She’s so feisty!!

I love that the author Synithia Williams did not waste time on the question we were all wondering the answer to! There’s so many layers to this plot and the plot twists are so juicy. The overall concept of this book is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The storyline moves at a good pace and just when you’re about to get comfortable, you learn something new.

I need a book for Tracey now!!! I hope that who book 3 is for. :)

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of book 2 in this series. Definitely a stand alone, but I loved getting to catch up with the characters in book 1.

In "Waiting for Friday Night," we meet Halle Parker, a single mom juggling the challenges of raising her teenage daughter, Shania. Halle's secretive past threatens to unravel, especially when Shania discovers her dad is Quinton Evans, a retired NFL player now coaching the high school football team. The chemistry between Halle and Quinton is tense from the start, and their journey together is filled with surprising twists that kept me hooked.

I loved the small-town feel of Peachtree Cove, where everyone knows everyone's business. The warmth and humor of this close-knit community added so much charm. Quinton’s family embracing Halle was especially touching and brought back the essence of family values. The setup for the next book was intriguing, making me eager for more.

This is the second book in the Peachtree Cove series, but it stands well on its own. Synithia Williams has done a great job building a connected yet independent storyline. I highly recommend this book for its engaging plot, characters, and heartwarming romance. Thank you Synithia Williams and NetGalley for letting me read this book!

I absolutely love Synithia Williams, so when the second Peachtree Cove book came out, I jumped on it! I really enjoyed the first one and the second was great. This storyline was unexpected … I didn’t actually even read the synopsis (auto-buy author and all!), but from the cover alone I knew it had something to do with football and perhaps not unlike the Friday Night Lights (show or movie? Did they make both?). It could be, but I never watched that/those to compare! It definitely includes high school football.

Our main character, Halle (who we met in Secret to a Southern Wedding), is a single mom by choice, who lost her parents young and decided to use an anonymous donor to start her family straight out of college, and remained single. Her daughter has always asked about her father, but there was never an answer to that particular question. Shania is now in high school and the question is more frequently asked… to the point she’s submitted a sample to one of those DNA websites without her mom’s knowledge.

Our hero Quinton is new to the small town of Peachtree Cove. He’s a former football player and the new coach and English teacher. He meets Halle at a school meeting over the summer (she’s the middle school principal), and is intrigued, and he finds out she’s the mom of the only girl on his football team. She has no problem telling him how to treat her daughter as a female player on the team.

When the DNA website results return with some extremely interesting information, everything turns upside down for everyone… and the book gets a whole lot more intriguing - and complicated. I enjoyed it a lot, like all of Williams’ books. I definitely recommend it! You don’t need to read book 1 (or the prequel novella) first, as it can be read as a complete standalone. The former characters only make tiny appearances and in no way affect the plot and no previous info really carries over. You will be very glad you tried out a new author if you haven’t picked up any of her books before, and existing fans will love it! She’s a fantastic writer.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing (Canary Street Press), and this is my honest feedback.

I really enjoy Synithia Williams and this was a great addition to this series! Give me all the Black small-town football romances 'cause I can't get enough of them!
Thank you, NetGalley, Harlequin Trade and Synithia Williams for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The premise of Waiting for Friday Night is a little wild - a straight-laced principal finds out the donor sperm she used to have her child belongs to the town's star football coach. Cue the antics as they figure out how to be a family unit and end up falling for each other in the process. There was so much to like about this book - Peachtree Cove was a fun setting and providing a fun. nosy, small town cast of characters and family members, there was plenty of drama to keep things going, and I liked the tension between Halle and Quinton. That said, I felt like there were some moments where the pacing was either too slow or too quick - we really squeezed a lot of plot into the last 15% of the book and I think there were a couple of b-plot details that we maybe didn't need to spend as much focus on. All together, this was a fun read and made me a little homesick for my own small town Friday night football games!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this read. This was good. I liked it better than the first one and the first was not bad other than the step sibs connecting.... but this is about this book, This was a good sports romance and it was easy to read.

As a southern Latina this was such a refreshing read. Please keep giving me all the sports romance starring Black, Latine, or any BIPOC characters.
Synthia yet again penned a swoony spicy romance!
This is the perfect summer read!

Another great edition to the series with Synthia Williams signature brand of soapiness and some small town lovin!

I enjoyed this book. It was really cute story and while the main characters frustrated me at times, I still had fun with this one. I know this is the follow up to the first book, so I will probably go back and read that one next.

♡𝐞𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
4.5 🌟
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𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•black romance
•football
•secret | hidden child
•small town romance
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Waiting for Friday Night is book two in the Peachtree Cove Series.
𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓 - 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝑨𝒕 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑶𝒘𝒏 𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒌.
This book took you on a small town romance that enjoys football and a semi secret child. I say "semi" because Halle, the female main lead went an inconvenient route on conceiving her daughter at the age of 21. She wanted a family of her own and went to the sperm bank and conceived her daughter that way. No way in the near future did she think her or her daughter would actually meet her daughter's father. Now, this is where the storyline gets interesting. Personally, boundaries get blurred, and romance starts to blossoms 🌸 lol. The football coach for the high school team is Quinton, which is Halle's daughter father. He donated his sperm in college so he could help his parent's keep their home.
This book was great to me. This book made me a giggle a few times, highly recommended.
♡𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 May.14♡
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Harlequin Trade Press for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.

Waiting for Friday Night by Synithia Williams was a sweet small-town romance focused on forgiveness, second chances, and new beginnings.
I enjoyed being in Peachtree Cove with these characters.
I absolutely loved this story. The writing style and flow of the story sucked me in.
This was one of those books that I could not put down until I was done.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!