Loose End

Nashville Aces #0.5

by Melissa Ivers

A one night stand with a sexy stranger? No names, no strings? It sure isn't how I thought I’d be spending my wedding night.

Today was an epic disaster. I was supposed to be walking down the aisle in front of all my friends and family, getting married to a man I thought I was supposed to be spending the rest of my life with, not drowning my sorrows in a vodka soda.

But after finding my fiancé intimately getting to know his best man, I was out of options…and a groom. So I hiked up my wedding dress and walked to the nearest bar.

In my defense, I wasn’t looking for a one night stand, but then he came in with his irresistible dimples, his gigantic muscles, and a smirk that knocked the tiara straight off my head. He was arrogant, charming, and offered me more orgasms in one night than I’ve had in my entire life.

I’m not ready for a relationship, but maybe one night with my Prince Charming is exactly what I need to put this day behind me.

Especially if he can make Good on all of his promises.

Genres: Sports, Novella, Sports Romance, Football, Romance

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishandbrewsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all Melissa, how dare you.

A runaway bride, drinking her sorrows away at a dive bar gets approached by an incredibly attractive man. Who for whatever reason offers to do very dirty things to her. I mean what else does she have to lose? So she says yes. And what can it hurt? She’s only in town for 1 night??

He’s not looking for a relationship anyways. He needs to focus on his game. Football first, everything else second. That is until he meets her. And he doesn’t even know her name.

This was so freaking good. The backstory, the chemistry.. ugh. Perfect.

The spice 🥵🥵🥵

I’m obsessed. I need book 1 tomorrow pls.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want something
SUPER quick and fluffy, this is it. I read it in under an hour and I need more. I was nervous because i normally don't love novellas. BUT.!! This felt like the first novella from Pucking Around (which yall know I love).
It's just there for the spice and to set up for the next book, so I'm not mad at it for what it's supposed to be. But it did do its job in making me excited to see what happens from here. I need to know immediately.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little novella that definitely left me wanting more. I can’t wait to read their full story soon!

(Yes, there’s a cliffy!)

[Sharon🔮👽 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot wait to see how this series goes!

[Sara J [saras kindle era] · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC Review**

I definitely love a jilted/runaway bride trope, & this one was so fun! It was short, sweet, & spicy! It hooked me from page 1! It had me gasping & laughing & sweating all within the 60 pages!

It’s a great intro to June & Ryan, & I can’t wait for their full length story coming in Sept! That cliffy left me wanting more😮‍💨

[Boots & Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 2🌶️

Some Tropes:
🏈 Sports Romance
👰🏼 Runaway Bride
🏈 One Night Stand
👰🏼 Cinderella Vibes

My Opinion:

Excuse. The. Fuck. Out. Of. Me. ….respectfully

Had I known Tight End wouldn’t release until September, I may not have opened this prequel yet 😩 I am just going to suffer, impatiently, until then.

This prequel novella was a level of wild I wasn’t expecting, wrapped up in about 50 pages, and I cannot WAIT to read more. This story is going to be phenomenal, I can already tell. I AM HERE for it! Beginning to end, this was a story that just kept on giving.

The spice, the drama, and the ending? Yeah. I’m hooked. 🖤

[Tammy - · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and fun novella that kicks off Ryan and June's story.

After finding her fiance in a compromising position minutes before their wedding, June finds herself walking into a bar instead of walking down the aisle. She was only looking to drown her sorrows, not looking for a one night stand, but then Ryan sat down next to her with his muscles and dimple and charm. Ryan just wants to burn off some frustrations and he can't offer more than a night, but lucky for him, that's all June wants too.

This is a great kick off to the Nashville Aces series. It's a quick read with plenty of steam, but it ends on a cliffhanger that will definitely leave you wanting more.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kickoff to the new Nashville Aces series, Loose End is a must read for fans of sports romcoms! A struggling professional football player meets a snarky run away bride leading to an anonymous one night stand. Princess and Charming, I’m smitten!

June and Ryan are engaging characters that pulled me in immediately. I’m curious about Ryan’s relationship history and what June decides to do following her abandoned wedding and a future that now looks nothing like she had planned. I can’t wait to see what is in store for June and Ryan in Tight End, the first full length novel in this series.

[Clairsreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this series since I absolutely devoured Melissa Ivers’ hockey series last year. I know the NFL spin off was coming and boy did this lil novella turn up the heatttttt 🔥

June is in for the shock of a lifetime on her wedding day which leads her not down the aisle, but to a dingy bar where she meets Ryan. They decide to exchange little to no personal information and instead just have one night of lower inhibitions as strangers.

While this novella was short, the chemistry was believable and the banter was HOT. I flew through these pages and although I knew it was a cliffhanger I was still throwing my kindle when I realized just where on the cliff Melissa was leaving us hanging!!!

Short, sweet, spicy + to the point! I absolutely cannot WAITTTT for June and Ryan’s full story, Tight End, coming soon! In the meantime get acquainted with these two in this novella thats available now!!!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick but very cute and steamy novella! I love all Melissa’s books so I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed this.

June is due to get married but moments before she catches her fiancé in a compromising position and flees the church.

Ryan is NFL star just looking to let off some steam with a random stranger, when he see’s the girl sitting at the bar in wedding dress he finds himself drawn to her.

With an agreement of “one night” and no personal information exchanged, charming and his spend some quality time together.

I can’t wait to read more from these two in Tight End coming in September

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sports Romance ✔️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Great Banter ✔️
This prequel left me wanting so much more! I simply cannot wait to read more of this series!! This was the perfect little quick read! And can we talk about the chemistry of June & Ryan?!? So good! Melissa I both love and hate you. I need the next book ASAP!

[Katie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting a prequel novella to pack the heat but oh my lord did it pack some heat😮‍💨

I cannot wait to dig into tight end on release day because I desperately want to continue with this story👀

Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Runaway Bride
- Cinderella
- One Night Stand

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super fast but really spicy novella that is a prequel for the next book. There is so much chemistry Between June and Ryan right from the start. I can’t wait for Tight End to see them get to know each other more. This ends on a cliffhanger so prepare for that.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loose End is a fun, spicy novella that delivers exactly what you’d want in a quick, feel-good romance. The story follows a runaway bride who, after discovering her fiancé’s betrayal, drowns her sorrows at a bar and ends up having an unforgettable one-night stand with a charming, dimpled football player.

The chemistry between the characters is electric from the start, with the football player’s mix of arrogance and charm making for some seriously steamy moments. If you’re looking for a short, escapist read that balances humor, spice, and a bit of heart, this one’s perfect.

Overall Rating: 4 stars, 2 chili peppers

[Marlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little gem of a teaser was everything I needed. I was so excited for Tight End but now I’m even more so.

I can’t wait to see what happens next between Ryan and June!

[Kim Says It's Time To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooooo good. Can't wait for more!!!

[Donna McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great prequel...can't wait to read the full novel to see what happened to Ryan...and how June moves on.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

kickoff to my football era

(more recs appreciated though i have a LOT on my tbr)

[Hailey Siedel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun novella! I wanted to read it so I can read their full story and not miss anything!

[Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review:

Was a good short read, and looking forward to book 1!
Just felt pretty similar to the novella before Pucking around.

[Jenna M Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC REVIEW***

Oh lordy, where to begin? We'll start at the beginning. Chapter 1 was jaw-dropping. I swear I could have swallowed a few flies. My jaw was on the floor for that long. You know this series is going to be good when your first taste of Ryan gives you a quote that is now written in your "quotes" that make my knees weak notebook." Also June is such a lovable character and she deserves so much!! Incredibly well written intro to this story and series. Mouth-watering good spice!! I am so excited to read Tight End on release day!!!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great prequel, excited for more!

June & Ryan
Runaway Bride
Cheating ex Fiancé
One night stand

This prequel novella is super short but leaves you wanting more of June & Ryan!

I'm excited for the rest of their story!

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y’all, I felt so bad for this man. Clearly, he went through something traumatic in the and has a hard time opening up, and for the first time in a while, he decides he wants to take this further with this girl, he finds her gone. Which only establishes that he shouldn’t have gotten distracted and he won’t allow himself to be distracted again 😩. Like I get why girly decided to leave because she literally just had a shitshow of a day before that, and can’t start something new yet, but damn, at least a proper goodbye would’ve been nice. Sheesh. But thank goodness, this was just a prequel novella (like one night stand by Emily rath) and Ryan and June will have their story continued in tight end.

On the day of her wedding, moments before she is supposed to walk down the aisle, she finds her fiance cheating on her with his best man. Then after realizing she wasted the last four years of her life with this man, she finds herself at a bar in which she garners the attention of a football player (unbeknownst to her) looking for a good time. For Ryan, this was supposed to be a purely transactional night and showing June a good time, but surprisingly awoke something in him, something he didn’t think he would ever have again.

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“The only thing that resembled a tight end on that field was my ass in these pants.”

“If I give you an invitation to sit on my face, the question won’t be if I can bring you to orgasm, Princess. It’ll be how many times.”

“And I’m not a princess.”
“Could have fooled me with that getup. You look like you should be entertaining small children at a birthday party.”
“I was blowing up balloon animals earlier. You must have just missed it.”
“Shame. I bet you look real pretty blowing something up.”
“Wouldn’t you like to find out.”
“I might like that.”

“Now, Princess, I’m only going to say this once so listen up. It’s not the dress that makes you beautiful. It’s the curves I want to grab. The plush lips I want all over my body.”
And those eyes…That damn dress is doing nothing but hiding up all the parts of you I’m aching to see.”

“You’re more than I expected. You make me think about more.”

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella about June and Ryan.

June Morgan was all set to get married in front of four hundred guests. In a Catholic church, no less. All because her fiancee’s parents wanted it that way. However, at the last minute her sister Poppy said Kinsley and the rest of the bridal party were out looking for the groom and best man. Poppy tells her, and they start the search. When they pass a clothes closet and hear grunts, June wants to think it's guests getting their freak on, and she passes it up. But not Poppy, nope she throws it open and----

Let's just say June is not getting married. Even after he told June the affair had been going on with his best man for two years of the four they were together. He seriously thought she was still going to marry him after cheating on her. Cheating is still cheating no matter what, people! She leaves the mess at the church for her ex to clean up, and handle after all it's his mess, and her sister wrangles their family while June just walks out on it all.

June walked to the nearest bar, and because the Nashville Aces’ game was just ending, a ride would be impossible to get. That's why she ends up at a bar to drown her woes. She meets Ryan Devlin, however, no names are exchanged. This is the time of her life when she allowed others to influence her decisions. Hence, she‘s in an overly fluffy dress with a crown on her head, and Ryan calls her Princess, and she calls him Prince Charming. Spending one amazing night together all to his normal M.O.

Although she offered, HE declined. Yet when he emerged from the shower, and she had disappeared like the genie in the bottle he was slighted, sounding like a jilted lover or boyfriend. You will want to continue with June and Ryan’s story you get a great HEA. I wish there were Gunner and Dean's story. And Heath's story sooner.

[Ria Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but spicy prelude

Melissa Ivers picked the perfect way to introduce her new football series, Nashville Aces. LOOSE END had some wonderful humour, delightful sassiness, a touch of heartbreak, and some definite anger. It was a quick easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

June Jones was meant to be celebrating the happiest day of her life, Ryan Devlin had just played his worst ever game of football, now they're sitting in a bar ready to drown their sorrows. The moment Ryan enters the bar he spots the woman sitting on 'his' stool, not only that she was wearing a wedding dress. Striking up a conversation with her, Ryan learns that June has just run away from her wedding after catching her groom in a compromising position, and he's surprised that she has no idea who he is. The conversation continues and one thing leads to another, and what ensues is a steamy night of passion, with both couples experiencing something they've never felt before. One thing I can say is that they definitely know how to steam up the sheets.

I really enjoyed LOOSE END and I can't wait to see where Melissa takes Ryan and June's story in Tight End, because these two had amazing chemistry.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE SPICY STARS ✨✨✨✨✨

[Frida · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 because I can see the potential but not enough for 4 stars)

This novella kicks off with a wedding gone spectacularly wrong, which is exactly the kind of chaos I live for. June, our runaway almost-bride, crashes a bar in a wedding dress so massive it probably deserves its own zip code. And Ryan? He’s just trying to have a quiet drink when the human embodiment of “hot mess express” plops down next to him. Naturally, sparks fly—and so does the steamy tension.

June is a whirlwind of bad decisions wrapped in lace and heartbreak, and Ryan is the grumpy bartender with a secret soft spot. Their chemistry? Sizzling. Their banter? Chef’s kiss, even if too short. Their one-night stand? Let’s just say it deserves a slow clap.

That said, Loose End isn’t without its hiccups. There’s angst and depth here, but it just skimmed the surface so that the very final passage felt extremely detached. I know it's supposed to make you curious about Ryan's background story, but his reaction felt a bit too forced and OTT for the fact that this was clearly framed as an ONS by both sides.

Still, Melissa Ivers writes with wit, heart, and just enough snark to keep you hooked. Tight End, here I come.

If you’re in the mood for a short, spicy, and surprising novella, Loose End delivers. And, honestly, who doesn't love a story that starts with heartbreak and ends with just a glimmer of hope (and a whole lot of heat).

[Astrid Whispers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot decide whether I love prequels because it gets us ready or whether I hate them because now I have to wait for the main story. Either way, I cannot wait for the full story between Ryan and June.

June is a runaway bride. Her almost husband was caught red handed, with his very own best man. Scandalous indeed. Despite the shock, June is more mad at herself for not seeing the signs and feels sad that her almost husband has been hiding himself for so long, but that’s no longer her problem. June has no ties to him anymore and is looking to put herself first for once, even if it means spending the night with the mysterious flirty guy at the bar.

Ryan is Nashville Aces Football Star who has been losing himself in women every night since he went pro. He doesn’t do love and he doesn’t do relationship. He’s married to football. When he enters his usual bar, there’s a woman sitting in his seat in a wedding dress and he can’t seem to take his eyes off her. He offers the princess one night only and she accepts his offer.

They have a night of passion but when Ryan returns from his shower, the princess has fled, leaving her wedding dress behind and a thank you note. He wants to go after her, but clearly he believes that the one night they spent together meant something more to him than it did to her, which never happens to Ryan, he’s always only ever been about the one night, for now.

[Andrea M · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a great start

Before I jump into the review, can we talk about this cover for a second. The illustration, him in uniform, her dress, their expressions and the colours… I absolutely LOVE it.

Melissa is entering her football era and I’m here for it! She has teased us with a couple characters and now with this novella.. I can’t wait for the full length book.

“I hate to break it to you, Princess, but there’s nothing charming about me.”

When we meet June, she is getting ready to say ‘I Do’ to the man she sees a future with and has pursuing that dream for over 4 years. That is until she gets word that he can’t be found so she joins the search and finds him in quite the compromising position, with his best man.

“But then who takes care of you?”
“I guess no one really has.”
“That ends tonight, Princess.”

Broken hearted and embarrassed, June flees the scene with one thought in mind… getting an alcoholic drink or 5. So that is where Ryan first sees her. Standing in an Irish pub named ‘Bangers’ with her wedding dress still on.

“My inner caveman is thumping his chest and he couldn’t be happier.”

The banter was there, that sizzling chemistry and the part flow that lead them to a one night stand that changed the game for both of them. The cliffy was tough but I can’t wait for their full length story!

[Taylor Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:
🚪 Left at the alter.. Broom closet actually
🌶️One night only
🏈NFL player
👀She doesn’t know who he is
🥵He’s got more experience

This novella was sweet and spicy! 🌶️
June finds her fiancé in quite the predicament with the best man when it’s time to say “I do”.
Tip: Always check the broom closet
Like any jilted bride would do she takes off.
Junes holes up in a local Nashville dive bar to lick her wounds and get more than she bargained for.
Ryan is plays for The Nashville Aces and is a self proclaimed bachelor.
To June he’s just the sexy stranger who can’t keep his eyes off the woman in a full Cinderella get up.
The connection is instant and the banter is perfection.
They agree to one night only, filled with passion and fun.
No personal information to find the other is exchanged.
The next morning while showering Ryan thinks maybe, just maybe he wants more with his her, despite the hurt from his past.
That is till he walks out and she’s gone. He’s determined more than ever to keep his heart surrounded by a fortress.
This is a prequel to Tight End that releases on September 20, 2024.

[Menthie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this Novella in advanced and it was a super easy read. There is not much depth or involvement, which is great for a Novella.

Our FMC's wedding day does not pan out the way that she planned. She ends up in a bar & meets a sexy stranger. One night of fun is just fine for this leading lady.

Our MMC is an NFL superstar who only does casual. He is committed to football and has zero space in his life for a relationship.

I liked June a lot. She was done so dirty on her wedding day that I don't blame her for running. I liked that she took control of that shitty day & made something positively memorable out of it. I also like how this evening/morning came to an end.
No spoiler, but YES QUEEN.

I dug Ryan, too. He was exactly what you would expect from an athlete playboy. Endearing. Cocky. Charismatic.
Could probably impregnate you with a slow wink. You know...
I liked his final realizations while he was in his post hook up shower. I'm excited to see that playout.

I'm pretty excited to read the next book; it should be a full novel for June & Ryan. I need more!!!

This was just a Novella. Under 100 pages
Short read. Little palette cleanser. Setting us up for what's next