Delay of Game by Maggie Rawdon

Steamy, emotional, and tension filled, this college sports romance is exactly the kind of book I’ve been in the mood for. It begins with Liam and Liv as just friends that share a complex backstory, and while they’re firmly in the friendzone they both feel more. After her current relationship goes south because of one little Freudian slip, she convinces Liam to help her out in a way that only he could in hopes that they become more than just best friends. But will Liv’s plan work, or will they be forever doomed to be only friends?

I adore college romances, especially college sports romances, and this one delivers all the drama and tenderness that I was hoping it would. Liam and Liv’s story is plagued by someone from the past and all the what-ifs if something between them were to change. It’s that trauma and stress that propels this story, and the way their relationship evolves is compelling. Liam and Liv’s romance isn’t easy, and I love that the tension rolls off the pages in waves. It’s what makes this such an interesting storyline.

Also, I enjoyed seeing both Liam and Liv’s individual growth. Liam is definitely pigheaded where Liv is concerned and about as grumpy as they get, but the glimpses we get of him being what I think of as his real self make him so endearing. And then there’s Liv. Her transformation is utterly delightful. At the start of the book, she’s sweet and caring and likeable, but as we get more into the story she changes from cute and almost mom-like to someone more vixenish. The progression of her character is well done, and I like that it feels very organic.

Maggie Rawdon is a new-to-me author, and I’m so very happy that I picked up one of her books. I’ll be reading the first book in this series next, and I’m already looking forward to the next one, too.