Release Blitz: The Player: Felice Stevens
March 5, 2024
Friday night lights hide more than they reveal…
When retired NFL superstar Keller Williams returns to his small town to coach his old high school football team, he’s surprised how much he enjoys being out of the limelight and on the field with the kids. Even more surprising is his immediate attraction to the father of one of his players—single dad Niall Harper.
Problem number one: Niall Harper isn’t gay.
Problem number two: Keller isn’t out to the world.
Problem number three: Niall hates his guts. And Keller has no idea why.
High school librarian Niall Harper has always done the right thing. Except be true to himself. Divorced and raising his teenaged son, Niall is dismayed to discover the new football coach is none other than his long-ago Friday night fantasy and nemesis. Not that it matters—Keller doesn’t remember him. It’s nothing new; Niall has always been easy to forget. Now Keller wants to be friends. And more. Niall can’t deny the annoying man makes him laugh and feel things he’d only dreamed possible. But would a player like Keller be satisfied with a regular guy like him?
Being together is more than complicated, but they are willing to take the risk. Niall reveals he’s dating his son’s coach, and Keller comes out to the team, his fans, the press, and small-town gossips. Neither is prepared for the fallout, but that doesn’t stop them. It’s time to throw the Hail Mary pass of a lifetime and win the game of forever. And they’re ready.
Retired NFL superstar Keller Williams is returning home to Overlook, NY to coach his former high school team. It is the beginning of a new quieter life and possibly a chance to finally live his life on his own terms. He is motivated to be an inspiration to his team and they in turn inspire him.
Niall Harper is the divorced father of one of his players and he does not seem to be a fan of Keller. He is still affected by how the football team treated him when he was in high school and it colors his judgment of Keller now. He is usually an unassuming librarian and substitute teacher and just trying to be the best father he can, but Keller shakes up his safe existence. He is used to putting his own needs on the back burner and has kept his desires secret.
From antagonism, to friends, to secret lovers these guys find a connection they never expected and a reason to be their true selves and feel alive, passionate, accepted, and cared for. But there are others involved and small town and sports mentalities that they will have to face if there is any hope of them having any kind of real relationship together.
I loved Keller and Niall together and how they brought out the best in each other and just wanted to be able to live their lives and be happy. And I enjoyed seeing how they supported the kids and team. But this is not a sweet and easy read and it also has uncomfortable moments and shows that there is still bigotry and discrimination in this world. But it also shows that youth are the hope for the future.
Felice Stevens
Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir.
Keep up with Felice by signing up for her newsletter!
0 comments