Review: First & Goal [Queen of the League #1] by Laura Chapman

First & Goal [Queen of the League #1] by Laura Chapman

Published: September 9, 2015

Format: Kindle purchase

Publisher: Marching Ink

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

When Harper Duquaine’s no-nonsense approach to work unintentionally ruffles the wrong feathers at her new job, she joins her co-workers’ fantasy football league to prove she can hang with the guys. Only problem: she doesn’t know a sleeper from a keeper (or any of the other lingo thrown her way).

Embroiled in a world of lineups, stats, and trades, Harper’s quest to make nice topples when her competitive streak emerges. And her promise to herself that she’ll be a strong, independent woman and leave the drama and heartache behind is seriously tested when she catches the attention of her two biggest competitors: J.J., a local celebrity determined to win a fantasy championship, and Brook, the mild-mannered coach who seems too good to be true. Both threaten her resolve to remain single… and, more importantly, her chances at winning the prize pool.

With a slew of conflicting advice in her real and fantasy worlds, Harper must figure out how to play the game and come out a winner.

My Thoughts

When we met Harper she has recently moved due to some “personal issues” which we find out has to do with her ex. In her new job she is closer to home and is living with her brothers but her social skills at work aren’t helping her at all. So what is a girl to do? Well she joins her coworkers in their fantasy football league. She didn’t really want to but she figures if it helps her socially why not but once she starts she finds herself all caught up in it and not only that she might get some friendships and maybe even a little romance thrown in for good measure.

While she finds some good friends along the way she finds herself in the sights of JJ who is a ladies man and thinks every woman wants him but when Harper isn’t taken by his slick ways he makes it a mission to beat her not only at fantasy football but also unmask her secrets and reveal her past and let everyone know she isn’t so innocent as they all think she is. All the while Harper has eyes for Brook who is everything she would want in a man. He is kind, he coaches the local high school football team and looks after his sister and loves his nieces to no end. However she doesn’t know how he feels about her, he keeps his feelings close to his chest so Harper doesn’t know if what she thinks is real or if she’s getting mixed signals. As time goes by and the more they spend time together they both admit there is something there but they can’t tell anyone because if they do the other people in the league will think this was all a plan to up their chances in winning.

For those of you who don’t get football much less fantasy football it’s all about taking chances. You never know what can happen because things can change in a blink of an eye. That’s how I see life and love also. You never know what is possible if you don’t just dive in and take that chance. It’s all about the thrill of the game and cheering for that underdog or sleeper to get that win. Harper is that sleeper. She had a bad time in the past with her personal life but you never know what’s out there for you if you don’t take that chance and luckily she did.

This is one book that I fully enjoyed not just because I LOVE all things football and I’m a fantasy football junkie [what can I say I won my league last year!] but this book is funny, romantic and definitely has you cheering for Harper when things get stacked against her. Bottom line: never sleep on a sleeper you have to watch out sometimes because they are the ones you didn’t think had a chance  but are usually the ones who will surprise you and win it all in the end.