Going for Two [Queen of the League #2] by Laura Chapman
Published: January 27, 2016
Publisher: Marching Ink
Format: via publisher
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis
Harper Duquaine is back for another season of fantasy football! This time she’s a year wiser and prepared to dominate the league. But while she finally seems to have her fantasy life in order, reality proves more challenging. Her plans to peacefully play house with her boyfriend come to a halt when the high school suddenly names Brook its head football coach. The promotion comes with more responsibility on the field and less time at home. It also unexpectedly means more work for Harper, who already has her hands full helping a friend pull off the perfect proposal (while dodging questions about when she and Brook are going to get hitched already). Plus, a new development at work could leave her—and half of the fantasy league—jobless.
With the complications of her career and being “Mrs. Coach” adding up, Harper wonders if she’s committed to the life she’s already building or if there is something else out there.
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About the Author
Laura Chapman is the author of Going for Two, First & Goal, The Marrying Type, and Hard Hats and Doormats. Her work also appears in Merry & Bright, A Kind of Mad Courage, and the holiday collection All I Want For Christmas from Marching Ink. She loves Huskers and Packers football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Laura makes her home in Nebraska, where she is penning her next novel. Be sure to check her out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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My Thoughts
Going for Two is the second book in The Queen of the League series and Harper is back with a whole new set of adventures and mishaps that makes for a fun and interesting read. In this read we find Harper and her fantasy football buddies back and ready for a new season. She and her boyfriend Brook have moved in together when Brook is offered a chance to coach the high school football team putting stress and pressure on him and their relationship. I love seeing their relationship grow and seeing how they interact with each other and deal with the issues at hand. Although I feel Harper was a bit hard on Brook when it came to understanding this commit to the team versus when it came to their relationship I saw over time she learned to see what all his job entailed and was more understanding.
However what I love the most is the funny aspect of the series. I love the storylines of the fantasy football and how each of the friends is so devoted to the game. As a player myself I love this because I so see myself and my fellow players doing the same thing granted it’s all in fun but we do take fantasy football very serious. This year Harper knew what she was doing and was really into it.
This is a series so it’s best to read them both to get the full story but I promise if you give it a chance you will enjoy it. You don’t have to get football to fully enjoy this read, it’s funny and the relationships are what truly makes this read. No matter if it’s the relationship between Harper and Brook or that of the ones between friends this is a story that has something for everyone.
Excerpt
Despite my best attempts at shaking off the pre-draft jitters, they’re in full effect with
only fifteen minutes to go before the draft begins. I’m not even worried about the draft. I’m
concerned that I haven’t heard from Brook. What if he has to pick his team on auto-draft? That
wouldn’t be the most terrible thing for the first few rounds. He’s drafting eighth, which should
get him a decent running back, and a good wide receiver in the first two rounds.
But after that, who knows what he’ll end up with? He might not get a quarterback or end
up with three kickers or four defenses.
I could text him to find out what’s going on, but . . . no. I’ve already sent one check-in
message today. I’m not going to play the role of desperate, annoying girlfriend. Not this early in
the season.
J.J. doesn’t bother hiding his glee at the prospect of Brook ending up on auto-draft.
Despite considering Brook one of his best friends, he’s obnoxiously competitive. About fantasy
football and everything.
Until last season, Brook had finished in first or second place every year in the league’s
history. But now that J.J. is the defending league champion, he’s determined to finish on top.
J.J. corners me in the kitchen after he finishes his self-guided tour of our apartment. “So
this is it.”
“Yep.” I don’t bother to tear my eyes away from the spinach and artichoke dip in the
Crock-Pot .
“It’s not very big.”
“It works for us.”
“Right.” Leaning a hip against the counter, J.J. spoons some of the dip onto his plate.
“I’m still surprised you guys got a place together, because, well . . .”
I wish I was strong enough not to take the bait, but I have to ask. “Why?”
“Mr. Perfect never really struck me as the living in sin type. I always assumed he was
saving himself for marriage. You on the other hand . . .” J.J. takes a bite of the dip and wrinkles
his nose, then takes another bite. “It seems a little hypocritical for a Bible-thumper like him to be
shacking up with his girlfriend. But Brook is a changed man since he started penetrating your
line on a regular basis.”
Dozens of thoughts flood my head, each wanting to be said. But if I say, ‘Brook isn’t a
Bible-thumper,’ it sounds like I’m saying it’s bad he goes to church with his family every week.
And then there is J.J.’s obsession with our sex life. He constantly finds new euphemisms
disguised as sports metaphors to shock me. He once asked if Brook has ever eaten up my
secondary. I’m not even entirely sure what that means, but I don’t want to know.
Through my teeth, I hiss, “You’re amazing.”
“Oh yeah?” He leans forward, invading my personal bubble to the point it could nearly
pop. “Tell me more.”
“After last year, I was fairly certain there wasn’t a way you or any person could be a
bigger dick. You keep proving me wrong.” I slam the crock pot lid. “Enjoy the freaking dip.”
I leave him gaping—a chip frozen midway to his mouth—and head toward the bedroom.
I should’ve known better than to talk with him this close to the draft. I shouldn’t have let him get
me riled up, but seriously. How can he say Brook is one of his best friends when he’s always
slamming him?
And what’s wrong with me for continuing to hang out with him? And what about Brook?
Are we secretly drama addicts? That can be the only explanation.
Laura Chapman is the author of Going for Two, First & Goal, The Marrying Type, and Hard Hats and Doormats. Her work also appears in Merry & Bright, A Kind of Mad Courage, and the holiday collection All I Want For Christmas from Marching Ink. She loves Huskers and Packers football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Laura makes her home in Nebraska, where she is penning her next novel. Be sure to check her out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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