Book Review: Best Friends, Backups & Something More by Ranee S. Clark

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 180 pages
Author: Ranee S. Clark
Publisher: Sweetly Us Press
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A sweet sports romance inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility .

If “best friends at first sight” were really a thing, Eli Dash would say that’s how his friendship with the new private school teacher, Court Edwards, began. She’s the only person who understands his determination to prove himself as the new L.A. Rays quarterback. She, and nobody else, completely relates to his drive to make everyone forget about last year’s disastrous season with his old team. She’s also stolen his heart and run off with it, faster than any running back he’s ever met.

The problem is, she’s secretly dating another teacher who also happens to be her department head. She’s completely clueless about Eli’s feelings and seems content to keep him in the friend zone forever.

For those reasons alone, Eli should take a sideline bench. Speaking up may risk their friendship, and then he could lose her altogether. But Eli Dash isn’t the sidelines type. It’s the most critical season of his life, and he refuses to let others call the shots this time—not with their happily-ever-after barely within reach. Can the new QB take them from friend zone to the end zone? Or is it game over for them both?

NEEDED DEPTH.

This was much shorter than I expected and it showed. While a cute and sweet story, I wish it would have been a regular novel length to really feel the connection between Eli and Court.

And a lot of it was filled with adults handling issues like high school drama. A bit he said/she said, not being forthright with feelings and such. Just not what I was hoping for. Eli bugged me the most as is CONTINUALLY put himself down and argued that he was a terrible football player. I get it, but also, where’s the character growth?

It’s dual POV and friends to lovers, and he falls first which were my favorites aspects. And if you are looking for something short, maybe this is for you?

I will continue my quest for sweet/closed door football romances that I would love to recommend. This one just didn’t click for me.

Overall audience notes: