Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK + One More Chapter for this copy to enjoy!

I devoured this in a single sitting. Cassie Connor did not disappoint as this was my second book of hers and it was again, an enjoyable time.

Loved the plot, the action, the romance, the banter, the tension and the spice.

It was paced appropriately and I felt that the yearning and second chance romance aspect was well done. I loved reading about these characters falling in love again and rebuilding their connection - the climax of the story really had my heart pounding and aching for these two. I also especially adored the FMC and how competent she was. Though I did wish there was more grovelling lol but that's just a personal preference.

Cassie Connors truly delivered on the Miss Congeniality premise of the book. It was definitely a page turner and kept me hooked on the plot. And so many cute and sweet moments that made me swoon.

Highly recommend if you wanted a quick and easy read full of action and romance - low stakes but high stakes in some aspects; but just overall a great read.

Would definitely read again, as well as anything else Cassie Connor writes!

Overall rating: 4.5/5

When I saw cover of this book I immediately thought this was going to be about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce but after reading the synopsis it's more of a "Miss Congeniality" vibe. (I totally would have read it either way.) This was a fun, flirty, steamy read but there are several threats and attempts to take Tate's life and it's not all fun and games (pun intended). This is a great palate cleanser book and I had a great time reading it but if you are looking for something deep and emotional, this one may not be what you are looking for. The spicy scenes were delicious and Tate sure does like thinking about pizza. Don't take this one too seriously an you will likely have a good time reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨ The Big Game by Cassie Connor ✨

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you're looking for a light, spicy, sports rom com that feels like Miss Congeniality meets the Super Bowl, this one delivers exactly that! With a fun mix of forced proximity, fake dating, and a second chance romance, it’s a touchdown for trope lovers. The premise is super cute! NFL security guard and a star quarterback forced together under high-stakes pressure? Sign me up! The spice is undeniably there, and if you’re into swoony athletes and sassy heroines, you’ll find some fun banter and chemistry to enjoy. However, the connection between Lily and Tate felt shallow, leaning heavily on physical attraction rather than emotional depth. Their back and forth dynamic was more immature squabble than tension filled banter, which made them a little annoying at times. I wanted more heart in their second chance story. The emotional stakes felt low when they could’ve been so much higher. Overall, The Big Game is a spicy and entertaining read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. While it won’t top my sports romance list, it’s a fun pick for a quick, tropey escape with a side of NFL drama. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Tessa Bailey who don’t mind characters that fumble a bit before finding their footing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cassie Connor, and One More Chapter for the eARC of this book.

THE BIG GAME caught my eye because I love second chance romances like this that involve a long, misunderstood separation that neither of the characters really wanted.

The story is entertaining from the first page with brief dips into the Tate and Lily’s past, and suspense, danger and intrigue surrounding the Super Bowl and threats to Tate’s life. The pacing is swift. The romance takes the usual stumbles until they finally get out of their own way.

I find this to be an entertaining sports and suspense romance and thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy.

"The Big Game" is a fun and spicy sports romance, at times a bit chaotic and dramatic, but overall, a great palate cleanser! I love that it's the fmc who is the bodyguard, rather than the mmc, as is common in so many other books. This book features many popular tropes such as forced proximity, second chance, opposites attract, and enemies to lovers. I had a great time reading it! If you're looking for a sports romance with spice and Miss Congeniality vibes, read this book! Even if you don't know anything about american football or the super bowl (like me), you'll still be able to follow the plot perfectly.

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

Tate Donaghue has it all - his football team is going to the Super Bowl, the team is as close as family and he's a rich and famous quarterback. Except someone is trying to kill him. So when his team hires a bodyguard, he is not thrilled to see his college girlfriend, Lily, to protect him. Especially as she's the one who got away.

I love a sports romance, and so was really excited to review this book, and I loved how it put fresh spins on some of the tropes that you might expect. I've read so many books with a British (or at the moment, Australian. Australians are very in) love interest, and plenty with a male bodyguard. I loved that Lily, our FMC, was the British one, and since the author is British as well, she was able to make that perspective really authentic. I enjoyed that she was the former spy, and the bodyguard. It really kept the book fresh to mix up the plot line and roles a bit.

This book was a really fun, spicy read (well, except for when they mention Tate's dream team is the Giants. Boo. Although I guess they do need a good quarterback.). I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys Elle Kennedy or Grace Reilly books.

Definitely hot with an interesting storyline. Good to see a very strong female lead. A bit predictable at times but good enough to keep pulling you along. A decent read.

I connected with the characters almost immediately, this was so fun to read! The book is fast-paced, and the second chance + enemies to lovers romance happened in a really satisfactory way ❤️

TWs - attempted murder, stalking, bomb threat in a highly crowded area

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

An entertaining read.

Misunderstandings, a lack of communication, pride and hurt feelings contributed to the demise of state and Lily’s relationship 8 years ago. Their stubbornness has kept them apart until she’s hired by his team owner to provide close protection for him against death threats.

Tate lives for football and is completely resistant to the idea of a bodyguard, even more so when he learns it’s going to be Lily guarding him. Watching him struggle between being frustrated and upset with her and then equally turned on by her warrior-princess mode is so entertaining. He’s turned on by her take charge and competent attitude and frustrated by his attraction. When he realizes someone truly is trying to harm him, he gets bit more serious.

Lily has her own frustrations with attraction. She has been raised to be self dependent and not let anyone knock her off her stride, but watching her struggle to tamp down her attraction and then her feelings of love toward Tate was endearing.

These two had a bumpy journey to a HEA, but it was a fun and entertaining read about.

I received a free ARC from the author; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

This did give off some Katherine Center vibes with the female bodyguard for a male, etc. but dammit was I entertained! I couldn't flip the pages fast enough and really did enjoy the enemies to lovers 2nd chance aspect, and I love seeing a FIERCE female in action!

4 🌟

I was SO pleasantly surprised by this. Tate and Lily were college sweethearts. After not speaking for 8 years, Tate is a successful NFL player, and Lily has just been assigned as his security detail. Queue drama, tension and chaos.

This book had me gripped from the prologue, it was such a unique take on a sports romance, with some added mystery and danger. I was not expecting it to take the dramatic turn it did, but I loved it. It was such a fun read, I read the whole thing in one sitting!

I love this new take on the fake relationship trope!

The Big Game is a second chance romance between a football player and his new bodyguard. They have to fake an engagement to keep him safe from threats. Of course there's so much tension and angst as they work through their feelings, both old and new.

I flew through this book; it's just that good. I really love the characters and all of their relationships. Fingers crossed we get a sequel with a side character! If you're looking for a quick, fun read, this is it!

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. It was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. The characters were so perfect. The story was fantastic and exciting. Also the spicy scenes were hot!
I will definitely be reading more from this author.