Loved loved loved this football romance from NetGalley!
Dani is a black queen working in football data analysis (we love the representation!!) and is determined based on stats to draft an Ohio undrafted kid, named Austin.
she has so much faith in this kid that she bets her CAR, on him winning their first 6 games. After their starter goes down with a severe injury. She and Austin begin working together, with his athletic skills and her brain, they just might pull it off. Austin is sweet and kind, patient and a very down to earth character. Dani is incredibly concerned that because her father is the GM, and that since she’s a woman everyone will assume she sleptd with Austin to make her name known. I think it’s really interesting to see her try to combat the typical stereotypes of women in sports. I really enjoyed their story and I think you will too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. I adored this book. It was really lighthearted and cute. I love how sweet, patient, and respectful the MMC was with the FMC. I also love how they could be each other support system on and off the field. I do wish there were more interactions with them regarding the buildup of their relationship.

This was fun, easy read with serious moments at times. I really enjoyed iit.

I really enjoyed Off the Bench! Tiffany Noelle Chacon delivers a feel-good football romance between Dani (a sports analysist) and Austin (an undrafted QB just bumped up to starter of the Tampa Bay Bucs). Seeing how Dani and Austin develop their relationship (even though Dani is very adamant for the longest that she cannot and will not give into her attraction. Having Dani be the grumpy one was quite enjoyable.

I am always down for an interracial relationship, and this was nothing short of amazing! The only reason I would take off .5 stars is because it lagged a bit in the middle. Other than that, it was a perfect story and an easy read.

I first stumbled across this book on NetGalley, but I had just missed the window before it was archived. So when I saw it on Kindle Unlimited, I jumped at the chance to read it—and I’m so glad I did. This was my first time reading this author, and it left a fantastic first impression.

Plot Overview (Without Spoilers)

Austin never expected to get his shot in the NFL. As an undrafted QB, he was ready to move on from football—until Danielle (Dani) scouted him and fought for him to get signed as a backup. When a turn of events suddenly puts him in the spotlight, all eyes are on Austin, but the one that matters most? Dani’s.

Dani has spent years building her reputation in the male-dominated world of professional football. She’s careful about how she’s perceived, wary of blurring the lines between professional and personal. But Austin isn’t just another athlete—he’s the one person who truly sees her.

What Made This a 5-Star Read

A sports romance that actually focuses on sports – A lot of sports romances barely include sports, but this one had way more actual football content, and I loved it. It helped that Dani was actively involved in the franchise as a stats analyst, rather than just being a love interest watching from the sidelines. She actually reminded me of an adult version of Sheryl Yoast from Remember the Titans—serious, analytical, and deeply passionate about the game.

The writing felt natural and real – The book doesn’t tell me Austin and Dani are in love—it shows me through their interactions, trust, and the way they genuinely impact each other’s lives. There’s no excessive “I love her so much” monologuing, just organic character growth and a romance that unfolds naturally.

Not your typical grumpy/sunshine – The book gets labeled as grumpy/sunshine, but it doesn’t fit neatly into that box. Dani isn’t grumpy—she’s guarded, serious, and highly aware of how she’s perceived in a male-dominated field. Austin isn’t sunshine—he’s just less guarded than Dani, but he has his own self-doubt and insecurities after being overlooked. Instead of a tropey dynamic, they’re just two well-developed people with their own struggles, slowly learning to trust each other.

A slow burn done right – The pacing was perfect. The romance wasn’t rushed, but it also didn’t drag things out just to stretch the tension. Every step of their relationship felt earned, and nothing was forced or repetitive.

A grand gesture that actually meant something – Austin’s big moment wasn’t about flashy words or public declarations—it was deeply personal and sentimental, tying together everything Dani had done to shape his journey. It wasn’t about proving love just for the sake of it—it was about showing her how much she mattered.

Completely closed-door, no spice – If you’re looking for a fully closed-door romance with zero spice, this one fits the bill. While The Wall of Winnipeg and Me had similar vibes for me in terms of character development and slow-burn payoff, it’s not a good comparison for closed-door romance readers since TWoWaM is open-door. If spice-free books are important to you, this one delivers.


Final Thoughts

This book is easily one of the best sports romances I’ve read, right up there with The Wall of Winnipeg and Me (but without the open-door scenes). If you love slow-burn romance with real emotional depth, well-developed characters, and a heartfelt grand gesture, this one is absolutely worth reading.

One last point: This is a BWWM interracial romance written by a non-Black author, and she did such a good job with the representation that I didn’t realize it until I checked her socials (not that she was trying to trick anyone). She clearly did her homework and due diligence, and if I’m honest, I only got suspicious because Dani was only concerned about being a woman in a male-dominated space, rather than also addressing the additional layer of being Black as well.

This book was not really interesting to me. Things just seemed to work out and people were just a bit too perfect. Just a average read that didn't make me feel one was or another.

This book is a delightful and heartwarming read, perfect for those who love a lighthearted and emotional journey filled with romance and excitement. Sports enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by the thrilling world of competitive play, while those who simply enjoy a heartwarming love story will be swept away by the swoon-worthy romance and charming humor. With a clean and wholesome tone, this book is a feel-good escape that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and a sense of warmth in their hearts. If you're looking for a captivating and uplifting read that combines the excitement of sports with the tenderness of love, this book is sure to become a cherished favorite.

If you like sport romance with actual football knowledge and realistic sports scenes included, run and get this book. I loved it! Let me get into my review.

Dani is a Jr. Analyst for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She is rare in her field, a woman with advanced football knowledge. She is nervous during her first season and first draft with the Buccaneers and advocates hard to draft a quarterback that her stats tell her has great potential. She is overruled in the room but she is given permission to go make him an offer as their 3rd string QB. Austin, is not expecting to be drafted let alone exception someone to show up to his hometown to sign him and he takes Dani and the Bucs up on their offer. He sees very little practice time but when the newly drafted Second String QB gets suspended and the Starting QB has a season ending injury, Austin gets is shot.

There is so much more to this book than football, (although I do love a good sports romance that actually incorporates sports scenes in a real and realistic way and this book does that well). Dani is a woman in a male dominated position, she is also dealing with some self esteem issues from a past bad relationship with a football player and some unresolved issues around her mother’s death and her father’s remarriage and new family. Austin also has some self esteem issues around his talent as a football player and whether or not he deserves to be in the NFL at all. What I loved about this book is that Dani’s unwavering faith in Austin’s abilities pulls them both out of their comfort zones. This is a slow burn read but in the very best of ways. I loved the growth of both Dani and Austin throughout this book. This the first book I have read by this author but it definitely won’t be my last. Loved everything about this book it including the realistic mentions of black hair and issues from not just a female but also a black female perspective a realistic way that enhancing the story. Great read!!

NFL may not be my favourite sport, but sports romances are my favourite type of contemporary romance. Off The Bench was a sports romance with tons of wonderful qualities: a smart, non-irritating FMC, lots of pining, lots of sports talk, and found family dynamics. The chemistry between Dani and Austin flowed off the page. And for those like me who don’t know much about the NFL, the little descriptor note at the beginning of each chapter was a nice bonus.

I enjoy a good sports read and this one did not disappoint.
I loved how the author started each chapter with football definitions or knowledge. While an avid football fan, it was cool to see her imparting this knowledge to give better background in the chapter to come.

I really enjoyed Dani's character and her dominating in a sports analyst role. Her relationship with Austin was addicting.

Overall a great read for any football fan or someone wanting to learn more about football!

Thank you, Netgellay, and White Horse Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

This was a lot of fun. As we are nearing the end of the actual NFL season/ football season, this was such a fun book to read in between games and filled my heart .

Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
4 ☆
Austin Taylor, once an undrafted free agent and a third-string quarterback, was never supposed to be the starting QB for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Except now, he is. Dani Marshall, the Buccaneers' data analyst whiz, is all in—betting her career.

I actually enjoyed this story! The romance was super cute, and sometimes you just want a clean romance, and this is definitely that!

Thank you, Netgellay, and White Horse Publishing for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a cute book! If you are looking for a cute sports romance than this book is for you. The banter was so fun and I absolutely loved the side characters they added so much to the story.

This was the slowest slow burn I have ever read and I ATE it up!

There was a lot of football talk which I couldn’t understand but obviously it’s a book about football, so you win some and you lose some.

If you are looking for a no spice, sweet romance then this is the book for you. Dani and Austin were adorable and the way their story bloomed was perfect.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Write Horse Publishing for this Earc 🫶

This wasn’t my favourite sports romance unfortunately, but I can definitely see why others would like it. This is definitely more of a me problem than a book problem, but I feel there needs to be a balance when it comes to the romance and the sport, and for me personally it leans way heavier to romance than it does the sport. This is very sport heavy which is great for the right reader, but a lot of it went over my head.

I did enjoy the author’s writing style so if you’re a sports lover, rather than enjoying the sport as more of a backdrop, then this is for you!

Off the Bench by Tiffany Noelle Chacon is an inspiring and heartwarming romance that explores themes of resilience, second chances, and the power of love. The story follows a protagonist who is struggling to overcome personal challenges and setbacks, but through determination and support, she finds strength and healing, especially in a newfound romance. Chacon’s writing is both emotional and uplifting, capturing the journey of self-discovery and the courage to take risks in love. The characters are relatable and their growth throughout the story makes for an engaging and satisfying read. Off the Bench is a perfect pick for readers looking for a story that combines emotional depth with a sweet, transformative romance.

🌟4.5🌟

"As of 2023, women hold less than 2% of data analyst positions in the NFL."

That is one of the facts TIffany Noelle Chacon included in the book. It puts it into perspective, the book also does briefly speak about the horrible treatment women are shown in male-dominant work fields.

I love a smart woman, especially one that is a woman of colour. Our main woman, Dani is so beautifully written - she is so good at what she does, she's incredibly smart and passionate about her career as a data analyst. But she's also mature and loving, I found myself falling in love with her character. She embraces her femininity despite the judgement she may receive.

Our main man, Austin had an amazing journey through his own career - he worked on becoming part of the team, it wasn't just handed to him. I loved how his relationship developed with the other team members throughout the story. I love his relationship with his family as well. His character development was compelling to witness, as he gradually overcame his insecurities and transformed into a true leader.

As for the actual book itself, I left more about American Football in the couple of hours it took to read this book, than I've learnt in my entire life. I'm from the UK, our football is different here (what Americans call soccer). I loved the way the author managed to add in all the facts and shows just how it works in the NFL, I learnt so much about this sport through this book. It was rather informative.

I loved all the side characters as well; especially Claire. I can't wait for her book, I think it's the one coming out next? So excited for it. I need to read Tiffany's book "Jump"! That'll be on my list for sometime soon.

Another part I loved was Ethan's and Dani's slow forming friendship, wasn't sure on Ethan at the start but he grew on me.

This was an incredible book, I really enjoyed reading it (I haven't stood up in like three hours, send help.) and I'm looking forward to what comes next from Tiffany.

Thank you to Netgalley, Write Horse publishing and of course our lovely author, Tiffany Noelle Chacon for this ARC. Everything written was my honest opinion.

In my lover girl era read this in one sitting. Another book I didn't know it was part of a series because of how the story is told. I love when a woman makes herself a force in a male dominant industry.

This was a cute easy read and flowed well.
I loved the whole grumpy x sunshine reversed also.

Dani and Austin are super cute, Austin is like a puppy and so eager to please and that makes it so nice.

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Legit finished this in one day! Such a fun read!

Dani and Austin’s story had the perfect amount of pining and longing.
Although Dani was hesitant to start anything or admit her feelings for Austin. She wasn’t written in an annoying way ( WE THANK GOD).
Their relationship actually seemed to progress naturally.
The only negative was how the series of circumstances that allowed Austin to become the ‘leading’ quarterback from third string. I know it’s a book and not meant to be SUPER realistic. But that lowkey irked me, not enough to quit the book because I loved it.
Would deffo recommend this book to others and love how it doesn’t have smut 😂😂