I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Game Plan by Kristen CallihanSeries: Game On #3
Publication Date: July 29, 2025
Pages: 352
StoryGraph
Goodreads
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Football, Friends to Lovers, New Adult, Romance, Sports, Sports Romance
Rating: ★★★★
A beard-related dare and one hot-as-hell kiss changes everything.
NFL center Ethan Dexter’s focus has always been on playing football and little else. Except when it comes to one particular woman. The lovely Fiona Mackenzie might not care about his fame, but she’s also never looked at him as anything more than one of her brother-in-law’s best friends. That ends now.
Fi doesn’t know what to make of Dex. The bearded, tattooed mountain of man-muscle looks more like a biker than a football player. Rumor has it he’s a virgin, but she finds that hard to believe. Because from the moment he decides to turn his quiet intensity on her, she’s left weak at the knees and aching to see his famous control fully unleashed.
Fi ought to guard her heart and walk away; they live vastly different lives in separate cities. And Dex is looking for a forever girl. But Dex has upped his game and is using all his considerable charm to convince Fi he’s her forever man.
The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan brings the heat, the heart, and a hero who’s impossible not to fall for. This steamy sports romance checks all the right boxes: emotionally satisfying, wildly sexy, and grounded in real character growth.
NFL center Ethan Dexter is a refreshing twist on the usual football star—tattooed, bearded, a little broody, and famously still a virgin. But once he sets his sights on Fiona Mackenzie, all bets are off. Their chemistry is electric right from the start, and once things heat up, the pages practically burn. Dex’s virginity is handled with warmth and care, adding depth to the steamy scenes that follow.
Fiona is smart, ambitious, and wary of anything that might throw her life off balance—including a relationship with her brother-in-law’s best friend. Their dynamic is intense, intimate, and often funny. One of the most memorable moments comes when private photos of the two are leaked to the press—an emotional turning point that’s handled quickly but effectively, with a satisfying resolution that showcases their growth as a couple.
While the middle of the book slowed down my reading pace a bit, the final stretch absolutely made up for it. The ending is everything I wanted—romantic, feel-good, and completely worth the journey.
Final Thoughts:
With unforgettable characters, steamy scenes, and a truly swoon-worthy conclusion, The Game Plan earns a solid four stars. Dex and Fi’s story is sexy, emotional, and sure to satisfy any sports romance fan.
Book Review Links
| Goodreads Review | https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7583488731 |
|---|---|
| StoryGraph Review | https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/132febb8-ab26-464d-b8e3-03a242509006?redirect=true |
| BookBub Review | https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3100281449 |
| Fable Review | |
| LibraryThing Review | https://www.librarything.com/work/16336214/reviews/288608109 |
| Hardcover Review | https://hardcover.app/books/the-game-plan-2015/reviews/@CharlesReads |
About Kristen Callihan
Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a RITA winner and three-time nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.
