Elara’s rec center for children is in need of money and when the money she was promised is taken away and given to Tanner’s charity, she loses it. In the football locker room, in front of his teammates, while he’s wet and wearing a towel. When he shows up a few days later, her kids go crazy and she is forced to face the fact that perhaps she was mad at the wrong person. Because, although she knows better, Tanner appears to be one of the nice guys. But can she trust that what he shows the world is the real him?

Tanner notices Elara while leaving the field after practice. He makes a plan to learn who she is but is shocked when the woman comes barging in while he and the team are changing. He doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about but dang the woman is hot even while spewing all her anger at him. Seeing her in her element at the recreation center shines a light on the strong independent woman that only pulls him to her more. Now he’s finally got a chance and all he has to do is allow her to control her life, including dealing with her past.

I really enjoyed this story although I’m not a big fan of heroines who are ball busters, which Elara most certainly was. However, her character never fit into the mold that those around her tried to put her in, so I tried to understood why she was that way but I still had a hard time connecting with her. On the other hand, I love a hero who goes full throttle into protective mode over his woman, and that was exactly who Tanner was. He was also genuinely sweet and caring and he never thought of himself first but the ones he loved. Totally swoon worthy!

This is a fast paced read with plenty of chemistry and heat as well as some strong support from secondary characters as well as some heart clinching moments in regards to Elara’s “kids”. I would have liked to have had a further into the future epilogue that also covered them as well as the center because I had grown to care about them as much as Elara, but what we were given was okay.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Random House Loveswept. All thoughts and opinions are my own.