She’s plotting a romcom. He’s playing without a game plan.
But sometimes the best love stories are the ones that don’t follow the script.
Is it too much to ask for a romcom-level romance?
Fran Fairchild doesn’t think so.
After growing up in a loveless home, she is determined to script her own happily-ever-after.
True love is out there. It’s real. And Fran won’t be leaving without it.
But so far, her romcom remakes have been one epic fail after another.
Until one unexpected kiss from a handsome stranger saves her from public humiliation—
Callum Whitaker–professional soccer player and certified romance skeptic–didn’t plan to kiss Fran. Or to spiral into a six-month goal drought. Let’s just say the universe isn’t playing fair.
After a toxic relationship, Callum has decided that love isn’t part of his agenda… while scoring goals on the field is. Only the more he focuses on his game–the worse it gets.
Until Fran.
Yep, quirky, cute little Fran–who Callum is determined NOT to fall for–just might be his lucky charm. That kiss and her schemes are changing his game.
But Fran’s got more than luck on her side–she’s on a mission: Convince Callum that love is not the enemy. And somehow, it’s working. Bit by bit, he’s realizing he does need love in his life.
Or maybe he just needs Fran.
💛 Tropes
- Romcom‑obsessed heroine
- Love‑skeptic hero
- Opposites attract
- One unexpected kiss
- He falls first (but denies it)
- Athlete hero / professional soccer player
- Healing from a toxic past relationship
- She believes in love; he doesn’t
Enemies to lovers, forbidden romance
She’s not a woman. She’s an official.
At least, that’s what Lucca tells himself every time Maggie hands him another yellow card.
Lucca Cruz—Brazilian, Red Tail soccer star, chronic flirt, and all-around menace to referees—has never gotten along with Maggie, the one official immune to his charm and allergic to his attitude.
Until the day he’s forced to mentor her little league soccer team. He quickly realizes he doesn’t dislike Maggie at all. He just doesn’t know her.
And now that he’s starting to–he’s falling fast.
Maggie McCrae, on the other hand, feels absolutely nothing admirable for Lucca. He’s cocky, dramatic, impossible, and easily her least favorite soccer player in the league.
So when Lucca suddenly starts being… nice, she’s suspicious. When she finds herself enjoying his attention? She’s alarmed.
Because this can’t happen.
Maggie is a referee. Lucca is a player. It’s unethical, forbidden, and a career-ending mistake. She already gave up her dream once—walking away from the U.S. Women’s National Team. She won’t do it again.
But Lucca is persistent. And surprisingly sweet. He’s great with her nephew, sentimental over his grandmother, and swears he only wants to be friends.
Which would be fine… if only Maggie believed him.
A closed door, enemies to lovers, he falls first, forbidden romcom.
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Sophie Toovey 