Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 412 pages
Author: Cathryn Carter
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Parker Montgomery was once America’s sweetheart. She took her first steps in the Capitol when her father was a congressman, and starred in his senatorial campaign ads. But in high school, during his first bid for the White House, she disappeared from the political limelight, leaving her home and best friend, Fitz, behind.

Known for his grit and unwavering determination, Fitzgerald Rhodes is a seasoned quarterback who has just led his team to the Super Bowl. But the bigger win is a chance reunion with his childhood partner in crime, the now sitting-President’s daughter, and–unknowingly to Parker–Fitz’s greatest love.

Reunited, Parker turns to Fitz when a question of inheritance involves not only a wedding, but a return to the spotlight she had been banished from. Seeing this as an opportunity to come clean about his feelings, Fitz agrees to help. But their mutually beneficial relationship grows less convenient as he begins to do just that.

In prime election season, Parker’s revenge on the political dynasty that harmed her unearths not just unrequited love, but secrets and scandal leaving Fitz and his career as collateral damage.

——

The Americana Playbook does include information some readers might find sensitive including: struggles with OCD, highlighting the troubled-teen industry, emotional abuse, details (though not graphic) of physical and emotional abuse as well as sexual harassment.

OH THIS HAD ME.

The things I get for not reading the summary and getting to enjoy all of the tropes and turns this book took (!!). It had me in a chokehold from the first chapter and I haven’t binge read an ebook like this in a long time. IT WAS GLORIOUS.

Fitz and Parker represented my favorite version of childhood friends to lovers. I LOVED that Fitz has been down bad for years and the angst was ramped up every time they were on page together. This was heated and tense and a bit on the heavy side but it worked really well. This was my first book by this author and I highly doubt it will be my last. There’s even football content?? BLESS.

Parker was a tad too oblivious about Fitz for me (and now that I’m thinking about it, the same goes for Fitz about a few other things). I spent most of my time wanting to shake her and I wish that had been resolved sooner. I was at least obsessed with the protective and control vibes that Fitz continually presented. It’s an easy book to fall head over heels for. I could not get enough.

Overall audience notes:

• Contemporary Sports Romance
• Language: moderate
• Romance: 3-4ish open door
• Violence: moderate – high
• Content warnings: child abuse, false imprisonment in an institution, sexual assault, loss of life, abusive coach (verbal/emotional), abusive parents

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