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Nolan U Football #1
The Forever Play
He's the golden quarterback of Nolan U Football. His life is perfect. His future is set… until he finds out his high school sweetheart secretly had a baby girl…
his
baby girl.
I'm a father. Holy f**k, I'm a father. How could she not tell me this? Over three years ago, she vanished from my life. I came back for her, ready to patch things up between us and she ghosted me. Now she's standing there gaping at me and all I can do is stare at the little girl on her hip—the one who looks exactly like my sister did at that age. The one who's so obviously mine.
"Sienna." I breathe her name. She still looks amazing and I'm flooded by memories of our time together—every kiss, every smile, every touch, laugh and taste comes back to me with crystal clarity.
"Nope." She shakes her head, spinning on her heel and running away.
I'm frozen, watching her take off with my daughter and still trying to wrap my head around all this. For a second, I wonder if I was just seeing things but—
Sh*t, I'm losing her all over again.
I start running, trying to track her down, but she's vanished once more.
But not forever.
This time I won't stop looking.
This time I'm going to find her and tell her that breaking us up is my biggest regret.
This time I'm going to win her back for keeps...
The Forever Play is a stand alone, sweet and spicy, second-chance NA football romance with no cheating and a guaranteed happy ending. Perfect for fans of Kelsie Rae, Hannah Gray and Rebecca Jenshak.
I'm a father. Holy f**k, I'm a father. How could she not tell me this? Over three years ago, she vanished from my life. I came back for her, ready to patch things up between us and she ghosted me. Now she's standing there gaping at me and all I can do is stare at the little girl on her hip—the one who looks exactly like my sister did at that age. The one who's so obviously mine.
"Sienna." I breathe her name. She still looks amazing and I'm flooded by memories of our time together—every kiss, every smile, every touch, laugh and taste comes back to me with crystal clarity.
"Nope." She shakes her head, spinning on her heel and running away.
I'm frozen, watching her take off with my daughter and still trying to wrap my head around all this. For a second, I wonder if I was just seeing things but—
Sh*t, I'm losing her all over again.
I start running, trying to track her down, but she's vanished once more.
But not forever.
This time I won't stop looking.
This time I'm going to find her and tell her that breaking us up is my biggest regret.
This time I'm going to win her back for keeps...
The Forever Play is a stand alone, sweet and spicy, second-chance NA football romance with no cheating and a guaranteed happy ending. Perfect for fans of Kelsie Rae, Hannah Gray and Rebecca Jenshak.
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2025
1574 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
About the author
Katy Archer
35 books284 followersKaty Archer is the author of sweet and spicy college sports romance. Her debut novel, The Forbidden Freshman, released in February 2024 and is for fans of slow burn hockey romance, forbidden love, and found families.
In her novels you're guaranteed to find happy endings, protective book boyfriends and sassy heroines. Welcome to the world of Nolan U, where love is a game changer…
You can find out more on her website and sign up for a sneak peek of The Forbidden Freshman!
In her novels you're guaranteed to find happy endings, protective book boyfriends and sassy heroines. Welcome to the world of Nolan U, where love is a game changer…
You can find out more on her website and sign up for a sneak peek of The Forbidden Freshman!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
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May 14, 2025DNF at 40% in, so no rating.
This is a secret baby book - many people hate that trope, but I actually do like the angst of it, when it's done well. But this book is exactly how NOT to do it. The hero and heroine were together in high school, then he dumped her to become a football star in college. He spiraled and did drugs and hooked up a lot, trying to forget her. When she discovered that she was pregnant, she showed up at his school to tell him, but she saw him hooking up with 2 girls at the same time.
THIS was her reason to keep him from his child, and to deprive her child from her father. That's not a valid reason! Yes, it's angsty and hurtful that she saw him hooking up with 2 girls, but that doesn't have anything to do with his ability to be a father. He wasn't even cheating, since they were broken up at the time -- and even if he was cheating, that still wouldn't be a good reason for her to keep the baby from him. A man can be a bad partner, and still be a fine dad.
In order for the "secret baby" trope to work, the heroine needs to feel like the dad would be a danger to her kid - like in Condemned to Love, she learns he's in the Mafia and sees him killing someone. That's a good reason! Or, if the heroine tries to tell the hero she's pregnant, and there's some kind of misunderstanding where he literally doesn't get the message, or an evil side character sabotages him getting the message, like in Ruin. That's also a good reason! But "he hurt her feelings" is not a valid reason for her to keep a baby a secret! Hurting the heroine's feelings is angsty, but it doesn't mean he's a danger to her kid!
This book tried to act like he was despicable for doing that, but really, she was the despicable one. The weird thing is, it's implied the hero was on drugs at the time - but she didn't see him doing drugs. If she had, that could have worked as a valid reason for her to decide to keep the baby from him. But she just saw him having a threesome -- which yes, is angsty, but it doesn't make him dangerous -- and she decided that makes him evil enough that she can't tell him they have a baby. That makes no sense, and makes her unlikeable, and impossible to sympathize with.
It's like, this book takes place in a bizarre alternate universe where having a threesome is the most evil thing that a man can do. Nobody in the heroine's life is rational about this and offers her a normal perspective - her parents and friends are all like, "He doesn't deserve to be your kid's father, he's the worst person on the planet!" Nobody is like, "yeah, it sucks that you saw him with other women, but you deserve a co-parent and your kid deserves a dad, so just tell him and see what happens."
If this wasn't a secret baby book, I'd cut her more slack - if it was just a "second chance" book with no baby involved, then "she saw him having a threesome" would be a totally valid reason to push him away. But it's not a valid reason to deprive her daughter of having a dad, or deprive him of being a dad.
This is a secret baby book - many people hate that trope, but I actually do like the angst of it, when it's done well. But this book is exactly how NOT to do it. The hero and heroine were together in high school, then he dumped her to become a football star in college. He spiraled and did drugs and hooked up a lot, trying to forget her. When she discovered that she was pregnant, she showed up at his school to tell him, but she saw him hooking up with 2 girls at the same time.
THIS was her reason to keep him from his child, and to deprive her child from her father. That's not a valid reason! Yes, it's angsty and hurtful that she saw him hooking up with 2 girls, but that doesn't have anything to do with his ability to be a father. He wasn't even cheating, since they were broken up at the time -- and even if he was cheating, that still wouldn't be a good reason for her to keep the baby from him. A man can be a bad partner, and still be a fine dad.
In order for the "secret baby" trope to work, the heroine needs to feel like the dad would be a danger to her kid - like in Condemned to Love, she learns he's in the Mafia and sees him killing someone. That's a good reason! Or, if the heroine tries to tell the hero she's pregnant, and there's some kind of misunderstanding where he literally doesn't get the message, or an evil side character sabotages him getting the message, like in Ruin. That's also a good reason! But "he hurt her feelings" is not a valid reason for her to keep a baby a secret! Hurting the heroine's feelings is angsty, but it doesn't mean he's a danger to her kid!
This book tried to act like he was despicable for doing that, but really, she was the despicable one. The weird thing is, it's implied the hero was on drugs at the time - but she didn't see him doing drugs. If she had, that could have worked as a valid reason for her to decide to keep the baby from him. But she just saw him having a threesome -- which yes, is angsty, but it doesn't make him dangerous -- and she decided that makes him evil enough that she can't tell him they have a baby. That makes no sense, and makes her unlikeable, and impossible to sympathize with.
It's like, this book takes place in a bizarre alternate universe where having a threesome is the most evil thing that a man can do. Nobody in the heroine's life is rational about this and offers her a normal perspective - her parents and friends are all like, "He doesn't deserve to be your kid's father, he's the worst person on the planet!" Nobody is like, "yeah, it sucks that you saw him with other women, but you deserve a co-parent and your kid deserves a dad, so just tell him and see what happens."
If this wasn't a secret baby book, I'd cut her more slack - if it was just a "second chance" book with no baby involved, then "she saw him having a threesome" would be a totally valid reason to push him away. But it's not a valid reason to deprive her daughter of having a dad, or deprive him of being a dad.
August 24, 2025
I got really close to dnfing this
I always hate when the FMC is celibate for years while the MMC hooks up with everything that moves.
Then there is no grovel. She caught him a couple of months after they broke up with two women. Then he has the audacity to be mad that two months later when he decides he wants her back she isn’t there waiting on him. He keeps telling her I came back for you and SHE apologizes to HIM! He went off and slept with tons of girls and was partying. When he got his fill he decided to go back to her because “he never stopped loving her” and it “broke his heart” that she left him.
His parents pushed him to break up with her before college so he could focus on football. Then they’re mad at her for “breaking his heart” by disappearing months after he shattered her. We need to normalize women satisfying their own needs and men being good dads but that not meaning the women fall back into bed with them.
I always hate when the FMC is celibate for years while the MMC hooks up with everything that moves.
Then there is no grovel. She caught him a couple of months after they broke up with two women. Then he has the audacity to be mad that two months later when he decides he wants her back she isn’t there waiting on him. He keeps telling her I came back for you and SHE apologizes to HIM! He went off and slept with tons of girls and was partying. When he got his fill he decided to go back to her because “he never stopped loving her” and it “broke his heart” that she left him.
His parents pushed him to break up with her before college so he could focus on football. Then they’re mad at her for “breaking his heart” by disappearing months after he shattered her. We need to normalize women satisfying their own needs and men being good dads but that not meaning the women fall back into bed with them.
April 17, 2025
3.5. (possible spoilers ahead)
I was not a fan of H. There was nothing about him that I cared for. I know I was supposed to feel sympathy for his situation, but I just didn't. The fact was that he had a good woman whom he supposedly loved. He broke up with her so he could have fun at college. The very night he first got to college (which was the day after he had smex with h and they broke up), he was already getting drunk enough that he woke up naked in a room with a lot of other naked people- and he had a naked woman lying on him. So it defitnely sounds like he was involved with an orgy. Within 2 weeks, he was already having threesomes.
I didn't like h either, knowing she didn't tell him about the pregnancy until it's revealed later on in the book that she did go to his dorm to tell him. His door was open, and he was having a very detailed threesome. (There is absolutely nothing about H that screams out he wants to be Father of the Year.)
They were back together at 48% in this book.
I never really felt the chemistry between these two characters. Maybe it's because I still had the yuck about H and all his manwh*re ways.
The creepy roommate was a walking red flag. I could see that coming from a mile away, and I couldn't understand how h didn't see it. The creep was telling the little girl to call him Dada. Ohhh heck naw. The kidnapping at the end was bizarre. Good thing the whole football and hockey team came to rescue the little girl *eye roll for OTT*
So the big secret H spent most of the book afraid of h finding out- the previous college he was in (the one h came to that night he was having the threesome) and the reason he transferred out to go to Nolan U was because the whole football team was nothing but a bunch of guys who liked to drug women then have smex with them. Naturally, H didn't know of it happening until he caught them one time. He beat up the captain and broke his jaw. He got arrested. The school covered it up.
I guess H's reasoning behind his playboy way was because the football team was a bad influence on him. They were causing him to drink, do drugs, and have lots and lots of smex with women. (insert my screaming face here for being so annoyed by this plot)
I was not a fan of H. There was nothing about him that I cared for. I know I was supposed to feel sympathy for his situation, but I just didn't. The fact was that he had a good woman whom he supposedly loved. He broke up with her so he could have fun at college. The very night he first got to college (which was the day after he had smex with h and they broke up), he was already getting drunk enough that he woke up naked in a room with a lot of other naked people- and he had a naked woman lying on him. So it defitnely sounds like he was involved with an orgy. Within 2 weeks, he was already having threesomes.
I didn't like h either, knowing she didn't tell him about the pregnancy until it's revealed later on in the book that she did go to his dorm to tell him. His door was open, and he was having a very detailed threesome. (There is absolutely nothing about H that screams out he wants to be Father of the Year.)
They were back together at 48% in this book.
I never really felt the chemistry between these two characters. Maybe it's because I still had the yuck about H and all his manwh*re ways.
The creepy roommate was a walking red flag. I could see that coming from a mile away, and I couldn't understand how h didn't see it. The creep was telling the little girl to call him Dada. Ohhh heck naw. The kidnapping at the end was bizarre. Good thing the whole football and hockey team came to rescue the little girl *eye roll for OTT*
So the big secret H spent most of the book afraid of h finding out- the previous college he was in (the one h came to that night he was having the threesome) and the reason he transferred out to go to Nolan U was because the whole football team was nothing but a bunch of guys who liked to drug women then have smex with them. Naturally, H didn't know of it happening until he caught them one time. He beat up the captain and broke his jaw. He got arrested. The school covered it up.
I guess H's reasoning behind his playboy way was because the football team was a bad influence on him. They were causing him to drink, do drugs, and have lots and lots of smex with women. (insert my screaming face here for being so annoyed by this plot)
May 15, 2025
Sienna and Zander
I was so hopeful that this was the start of another great sports romance series like this author’s Hockey House series that I absolutely loved. But nope. This isn’t like that series at all.
First Zander’s backstory, his Big Secret that he’s so ashamed of, just gave me the ick. I couldn’t get past that ick and it tainted him to the point that I can’t see him as a sexy and romantic partner for Sienna. Or anybody. Yes, this story is about redemption and forgiveness but some things are hard to unhear, unknow, and unsee. It’s always going to be there in the back of my mind. That’s what happened with Zander’s backstory.
Also their first breakup was because he wanted to “focus” on football and college life and Sienna distracted him. Well when they got back together, he still couldn’t focus and she still distracted him when he played a game and then later with his homework, except now there’s a toddler that requires his attention as well. So nothing changed. It just felt like these two should’ve just stayed broken up.
And then there’s Sienna. She’s a young single mom in a college town but she doesn’t go to college, and she’s jobless. She doesn’t have any ambition to do more. Her parents are on a world cruise and she just moved in with a guy who she thinks of as a brother. But he obviously wants more. Did she naively expect that he’d support her without getting anything in return? She wanders around all day going to parks and mommy-and-me events but who’s funding her life? Diapers and baby food are expensive! She shows up uninvited and unannounced at Zander’s frat house and stays as long as she wants. She was clingy and insecure in high school and she’s still clingy and insecure 3 years later, except she has a toddler now. It’s not a good look. Her whole storyline is just ridiculous. I had to roll my eyes at all of it. In the Hockey House series, every one of the FMCs had something going on to improve their lives - ambition, drive, jobs, independence, future plans. Sienna was written to be completely dependent on Zander.
I’m also not a fan of a 2nd chance romance that has a 3rd act breakup giving them another chance to get back together. Seriously, that’s just too many breakups and makeups to make this a feel good story. I really question their HEA and how long that’s going to last in light of Zander’s plans to play in the NFL. I see Sienna as more of a burden than a potential life partner. There’s a bonus episode that I don’t care to read. I really hope Carson’s story is better.
I was so hopeful that this was the start of another great sports romance series like this author’s Hockey House series that I absolutely loved. But nope. This isn’t like that series at all.
First Zander’s backstory, his Big Secret that he’s so ashamed of, just gave me the ick. I couldn’t get past that ick and it tainted him to the point that I can’t see him as a sexy and romantic partner for Sienna. Or anybody. Yes, this story is about redemption and forgiveness but some things are hard to unhear, unknow, and unsee. It’s always going to be there in the back of my mind. That’s what happened with Zander’s backstory.
Also their first breakup was because he wanted to “focus” on football and college life and Sienna distracted him. Well when they got back together, he still couldn’t focus and she still distracted him when he played a game and then later with his homework, except now there’s a toddler that requires his attention as well. So nothing changed. It just felt like these two should’ve just stayed broken up.
And then there’s Sienna. She’s a young single mom in a college town but she doesn’t go to college, and she’s jobless. She doesn’t have any ambition to do more. Her parents are on a world cruise and she just moved in with a guy who she thinks of as a brother. But he obviously wants more. Did she naively expect that he’d support her without getting anything in return? She wanders around all day going to parks and mommy-and-me events but who’s funding her life? Diapers and baby food are expensive! She shows up uninvited and unannounced at Zander’s frat house and stays as long as she wants. She was clingy and insecure in high school and she’s still clingy and insecure 3 years later, except she has a toddler now. It’s not a good look. Her whole storyline is just ridiculous. I had to roll my eyes at all of it. In the Hockey House series, every one of the FMCs had something going on to improve their lives - ambition, drive, jobs, independence, future plans. Sienna was written to be completely dependent on Zander.
I’m also not a fan of a 2nd chance romance that has a 3rd act breakup giving them another chance to get back together. Seriously, that’s just too many breakups and makeups to make this a feel good story. I really question their HEA and how long that’s going to last in light of Zander’s plans to play in the NFL. I see Sienna as more of a burden than a potential life partner. There’s a bonus episode that I don’t care to read. I really hope Carson’s story is better.
May 19, 2025
Nope! Should have Dnf'd. It was juvenile. Had double standards. Pathetic herione with a bad case of BBS. A weak beta hero. The decent guy in this story was turned rotten of course to make way for the H Zander. The h was just using the family friend Russell. Seriously her thoughts were that she didn't want to have to pay for anything and that he was eww. Eww showed up a lot. Everything about the writing was immature and the angsty parts didn't even matter. I couldn't have cared less. Oh, and the h is a complete free loader without a job who pushes her way into the frat house then complains about the living conditions. She was an awful h.
April 4, 2025
3.75/4 ⭐️
The Forever Play is the first full length novel from Katy Archer’s newest sports series Nolan U Football.
The story of Zander ‘Zan’ Donahue and Sienna ‘Sparks/Sparky’ Beth Erling is set three years after their Prequel story The First Play. And follows through their dual POV in this Secret Baby, Second Chance, College Football Romance.
Although the Prequel story The First Play does not need to be read in order to read The Forever Play.
It does however give you the backstory of Zander and Sienna, making you understand how they came to be in the positions they are in now with the time jump.
Their journey individually and of coming back together again was quite an emotional one.
Filled with ups and downs of the many highs and lows they went navigated through, it never stopped having you feeling every which way alongside them. In all that they endured, faced and sometimes suffered through. Especially when all was revealed after the secrets and lies came to light.
Yet despite that, it needs to be said that Zander truly handled it quite well. The way he attempted to push his own personal feelings aside, by putting his newly discovered daughter Zoey and her feelings ahead of himself.
He truly deserved to be commended for that, since it wasn't easy. Considering how everything unfolded for him in the discovery.
Zander and Sienna getting their Second Chance Romance was quite the rollercoaster ride, given how they were put through their paces with the battles they fought along the way.
Then again, from all the situations and events that seemed to come about, it was to be expected.
IMO it’s what played the part in testing them to truly and really see whether having a Second Chance Romance was in the cards for them. Which made for an interesting read.
The hoops they jumped through, the struggles they overcame, all on top of the drama that came from outsiders adding more to their difficult journey.
One thing that made the story an even more enjoyable read IMO was seeing the camaraderie between the friends. Just like in Nolan U Hockey series, we were able to see the close knit friendship between Zander and his friends, who also happened to be his football teammates.
The fact that they were willing to help him and be there for him when needed was sweet to see. And sometimes even made for some entertaining moments too.
One thing that could not be ignored and had to be pointed out was Zander and Sienna’s selfishness in only thinking of themselves and not others in regards to their living situation.
This not only annoyed me, but also had me disliking them in those moments too.
Even when they would start to realise the situation, taking into consideration the effects to others it had and would continue to have. It never seemed to last long enough for them to actually do something about it.
Instead their minds just seemed to flip and erase the thoughts away, once again going back to only thinking of themselves and not the others around them and how it would make the team feel, having to adjust for the couple.
In the end, The Forever Play ended up being a filling read that gave a nice mix of elements from the drama, to suspense, to a whirlwind of emotions. Whilst also delivering entertainment that paved way for comedic moments to be had.
Author Katy Archer did a good job in not only writing but also concluding Zander and Sienna’s love story.
And with the tidbit she included at the end, I look forward to reading the next book in Nolan U Football series that is Carson’s story.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Forever Play is the first full length novel from Katy Archer’s newest sports series Nolan U Football.
The story of Zander ‘Zan’ Donahue and Sienna ‘Sparks/Sparky’ Beth Erling is set three years after their Prequel story The First Play. And follows through their dual POV in this Secret Baby, Second Chance, College Football Romance.
Although the Prequel story The First Play does not need to be read in order to read The Forever Play.
It does however give you the backstory of Zander and Sienna, making you understand how they came to be in the positions they are in now with the time jump.
Their journey individually and of coming back together again was quite an emotional one.
Filled with ups and downs of the many highs and lows they went navigated through, it never stopped having you feeling every which way alongside them. In all that they endured, faced and sometimes suffered through. Especially when all was revealed after the secrets and lies came to light.
Yet despite that, it needs to be said that Zander truly handled it quite well. The way he attempted to push his own personal feelings aside, by putting his newly discovered daughter Zoey and her feelings ahead of himself.
He truly deserved to be commended for that, since it wasn't easy. Considering how everything unfolded for him in the discovery.
Zander and Sienna getting their Second Chance Romance was quite the rollercoaster ride, given how they were put through their paces with the battles they fought along the way.
Then again, from all the situations and events that seemed to come about, it was to be expected.
IMO it’s what played the part in testing them to truly and really see whether having a Second Chance Romance was in the cards for them. Which made for an interesting read.
The hoops they jumped through, the struggles they overcame, all on top of the drama that came from outsiders adding more to their difficult journey.
One thing that made the story an even more enjoyable read IMO was seeing the camaraderie between the friends. Just like in Nolan U Hockey series, we were able to see the close knit friendship between Zander and his friends, who also happened to be his football teammates.
The fact that they were willing to help him and be there for him when needed was sweet to see. And sometimes even made for some entertaining moments too.
One thing that could not be ignored and had to be pointed out was Zander and Sienna’s selfishness in only thinking of themselves and not others in regards to their living situation.
This not only annoyed me, but also had me disliking them in those moments too.
Even when they would start to realise the situation, taking into consideration the effects to others it had and would continue to have. It never seemed to last long enough for them to actually do something about it.
Instead their minds just seemed to flip and erase the thoughts away, once again going back to only thinking of themselves and not the others around them and how it would make the team feel, having to adjust for the couple.
In the end, The Forever Play ended up being a filling read that gave a nice mix of elements from the drama, to suspense, to a whirlwind of emotions. Whilst also delivering entertainment that paved way for comedic moments to be had.
Author Katy Archer did a good job in not only writing but also concluding Zander and Sienna’s love story.
And with the tidbit she included at the end, I look forward to reading the next book in Nolan U Football series that is Carson’s story.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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April 4, 2025wow when Zander said "if we are meant to be we will find a way back to each other"....I was not expecting it to be that kind of reunion.
This book had so much going on, a crappy first year in college for Zander and then moving to Nolan U.
Finding the one that got away only for her to literally run away from you the moment she sees you. Revealing old hurts and skeletons, to freaking KIDNAPPING.. I am telling you i was on edge the entire time.
It was so good and I am sad that I have to wait until June to continue the series.
This book had so much going on, a crappy first year in college for Zander and then moving to Nolan U.
Finding the one that got away only for her to literally run away from you the moment she sees you. Revealing old hurts and skeletons, to freaking KIDNAPPING.. I am telling you i was on edge the entire time.
It was so good and I am sad that I have to wait until June to continue the series.
August 9, 2025
Great story!!
This is the first book in a new series and this is Sienna and Zander's story.
This is a well written story which has family, friendships, emotions, challenges, secrets, intrigue, heartbreak, angst, humour, witty banter, second chances, forgiveness, communication, undeniable chemistry, and love which leads to an entertaining, and heartwzrming, addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work have highly recommend.
This is the first book in a new series and this is Sienna and Zander's story.
This is a well written story which has family, friendships, emotions, challenges, secrets, intrigue, heartbreak, angst, humour, witty banter, second chances, forgiveness, communication, undeniable chemistry, and love which leads to an entertaining, and heartwzrming, addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work have highly recommend.
April 26, 2025
Not just sports romance bad, this book was objectively bad
May 7, 2025
I don’t think I’ve ever disliked two main characters as much as I have in this book. There was no character growth and they both whined about the same things throughout the whole book. This could have easily been cut in half and been a better read.
April 8, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
We’re back in the Nolan U universe and I’m so excited for this series. This first book was amazing and I can’t wait for Carson’s.
To get a better understanding of Zander and Sienna’s relationship, I suggest reading The First Play first, it definitely helps things make more sense along the way.
We start off with Zander playing in the park with his football buddies only to meet a little girl in the sand pit who looks just like his sister when she was younger. When he sees who her mother is, he realizes that he’s got a kid out there and from there he tries to make things work with Sienna to get back into her life as well as being the father to the daughter he didn’t know about.
Every scene with Zoey, melted my heart, she’s so adorable and watching these big, tough, football guys turn into the biggest softies just to get this little girl to giggle and smile was definitely the best part of this whole book. There’s just something so wholesome about all the interactions between Zoey and the football guys and I would read a book of that alone if there were one.
Zander and Sienna, what a rocky, emotional, and fun roller coaster. Zander’s got his demons, and learning about what he went through breaks your heart. Sienna’s trying to do the best she can as a mom and raise her daughter. They’ve both got their issues but they work them out. They still have that high school love and chemistry after everything’s been discussed and hashed out. Although it does feel a bit juvenile at times, they’re still a great couple together and even better parents to that wonderful little girl.
We got cameos of the Hockey House guys and I hope we get to catch more glimpses of them throughout this series and watch them interact with the football guys.
Also, I knew Russell was sus from the start, I saw that shit from a fucking mile away and he deserves hell on fucking earth for what he did. I said what I said.
Tropes:
🩵Second Chance
🏈Secret Baby
🩵Single Mom
🏈Emotional Angst
🩵Found Family
🏈Protective Players
I received this ARC in return for an honest review.
~ARC
We’re back in the Nolan U universe and I’m so excited for this series. This first book was amazing and I can’t wait for Carson’s.
To get a better understanding of Zander and Sienna’s relationship, I suggest reading The First Play first, it definitely helps things make more sense along the way.
We start off with Zander playing in the park with his football buddies only to meet a little girl in the sand pit who looks just like his sister when she was younger. When he sees who her mother is, he realizes that he’s got a kid out there and from there he tries to make things work with Sienna to get back into her life as well as being the father to the daughter he didn’t know about.
Every scene with Zoey, melted my heart, she’s so adorable and watching these big, tough, football guys turn into the biggest softies just to get this little girl to giggle and smile was definitely the best part of this whole book. There’s just something so wholesome about all the interactions between Zoey and the football guys and I would read a book of that alone if there were one.
Zander and Sienna, what a rocky, emotional, and fun roller coaster. Zander’s got his demons, and learning about what he went through breaks your heart. Sienna’s trying to do the best she can as a mom and raise her daughter. They’ve both got their issues but they work them out. They still have that high school love and chemistry after everything’s been discussed and hashed out. Although it does feel a bit juvenile at times, they’re still a great couple together and even better parents to that wonderful little girl.
We got cameos of the Hockey House guys and I hope we get to catch more glimpses of them throughout this series and watch them interact with the football guys.
Also, I knew Russell was sus from the start, I saw that shit from a fucking mile away and he deserves hell on fucking earth for what he did. I said what I said.
Tropes:
🩵Second Chance
🏈Secret Baby
🩵Single Mom
🏈Emotional Angst
🩵Found Family
🏈Protective Players
I received this ARC in return for an honest review.
~ARC
March 24, 2025
Safe to say the cliff hanger at the end of the mini novella to start this series off paid off! I don’t even know how to describe the emotions this book put me through.
I didn’t think after reading Nolan U Hockey I would be able to love a series as much but now I’m not sure which series I’m going to enjoy more😄
The cliffhanger left in the short novella to prepare us for this book was so intriguing and a literal masterpiece made by the author. It really set the book up for success by fully engaging the reader and leaving them on the edge of their seat waiting for this book to come out i.e me💅🏼
The main characters in this were all so interesting to read about due to their own little quirks and traits that I fell in love specifically the female main character Sienna and the male main character Zander. This book was a second chance romance and probably the best one I’ve read due to the way the two main characters rekindled and the many things that got in their way that never faulted their love for each other leading them back together. The bumpy road before Sienna and Zander rekindled created a sense of reality which I always love in a romance book as I struggle to get invested in unrealistic love stories even though all of the romance books I read are fiction🥰
Another amazing thing about this book is the inclusion of the Nolan U hockey characters, I loved reading little glimpses about how the couples are getting on from the first series!
The author also included a Nolan U Sports Digest (Football Edition) which interviewed all of the football team and the main characters of each book in the future books of the series which I thought was a great edition to the book<3
If you’re looking for a tense second chance romance with loads of loveable characters then this one is for you!!!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻⭐️
I didn’t think after reading Nolan U Hockey I would be able to love a series as much but now I’m not sure which series I’m going to enjoy more😄
The cliffhanger left in the short novella to prepare us for this book was so intriguing and a literal masterpiece made by the author. It really set the book up for success by fully engaging the reader and leaving them on the edge of their seat waiting for this book to come out i.e me💅🏼
The main characters in this were all so interesting to read about due to their own little quirks and traits that I fell in love specifically the female main character Sienna and the male main character Zander. This book was a second chance romance and probably the best one I’ve read due to the way the two main characters rekindled and the many things that got in their way that never faulted their love for each other leading them back together. The bumpy road before Sienna and Zander rekindled created a sense of reality which I always love in a romance book as I struggle to get invested in unrealistic love stories even though all of the romance books I read are fiction🥰
Another amazing thing about this book is the inclusion of the Nolan U hockey characters, I loved reading little glimpses about how the couples are getting on from the first series!
The author also included a Nolan U Sports Digest (Football Edition) which interviewed all of the football team and the main characters of each book in the future books of the series which I thought was a great edition to the book<3
If you’re looking for a tense second chance romance with loads of loveable characters then this one is for you!!!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻⭐️
May 14, 2025
The Forever Play is the first book in the college football Nolan U series. This book picks back up where The First Play ends and its continuation is about second chances and finding out your a Daddy. The Daddy with his baby girl moments melts your heart. We are introduced to his teammates who become a found family for both MCs.
Zander is now the star quarterback of Nolan University. He loves his teammates, his coaches and has plans of going to the NFL but something is missing. He can't stop thinking of Sienna and knowing that he will never see her again. She broke his heart and he still hasn't recovered. Zander has secrets though from his freshman year and if they ever got out, his life would be over.
Sienna has moved in with her close family friend while her parents are cruising around the world. Her dreams fell apart when Zander chose football over her but she wouldn't change anything because she loves being a Mommy to Zoey.
Both of their worlds are turned on its side when they come face to face with each other in a park and Zander is staring at a toddler on her hip who is no doubt his. Why? Why would she keep his daughter from him?
Zander is determined to find her and get answers. But this time he plans on keeping them both!
Zander is now the star quarterback of Nolan University. He loves his teammates, his coaches and has plans of going to the NFL but something is missing. He can't stop thinking of Sienna and knowing that he will never see her again. She broke his heart and he still hasn't recovered. Zander has secrets though from his freshman year and if they ever got out, his life would be over.
Sienna has moved in with her close family friend while her parents are cruising around the world. Her dreams fell apart when Zander chose football over her but she wouldn't change anything because she loves being a Mommy to Zoey.
Both of their worlds are turned on its side when they come face to face with each other in a park and Zander is staring at a toddler on her hip who is no doubt his. Why? Why would she keep his daughter from him?
Zander is determined to find her and get answers. But this time he plans on keeping them both!
April 15, 2025
O.M.G
There’s no other words for this book this has been my best read in so long !! If your worried about tropes and OW I promise you on my kindles life this was worth it !! The way they lose each other breaks you but the reuniting is like glue for the heart where you just need more you physically feel the need for them to be happy and together and that’s not even getting you ready for the plot twists !! But follow along to the other characters cause the clip at the end for her next book i feel maybe just as good as this I swear Zander is going to live rent free in my head for MONTHS !!
There’s not much spice not in-depth but there is love and plot twists you NEVER expect !! I’d love to see them a year later or something how far they have come !! And Zander’s sister is a girls girl 10/10 for the in we love her!!❤️ I can’t wait for my pre order of the next book !!
There’s no other words for this book this has been my best read in so long !! If your worried about tropes and OW I promise you on my kindles life this was worth it !! The way they lose each other breaks you but the reuniting is like glue for the heart where you just need more you physically feel the need for them to be happy and together and that’s not even getting you ready for the plot twists !! But follow along to the other characters cause the clip at the end for her next book i feel maybe just as good as this I swear Zander is going to live rent free in my head for MONTHS !!
There’s not much spice not in-depth but there is love and plot twists you NEVER expect !! I’d love to see them a year later or something how far they have come !! And Zander’s sister is a girls girl 10/10 for the in we love her!!❤️ I can’t wait for my pre order of the next book !!
March 25, 2025
Spice: 2.5/5
Zander and Sienna’s second-chance romance is everything I hoped for after reading The First Play! Their journey back to each other was full of emotional highs and lows, and while I wish they had been most honest upfront, watching them navigate their way through their struggles was both heart-wrenching and rewarding. I thought I loved Zander in the prequel, but here, he won me over even more, especially with his adorable interactions with baby Zoey. While you don’t have to read the prequel to enjoy this story, the character development and backstory definitely enhance the experience. I’m already looking forward to grumpy Carson’s romance (can’t wait to meet the assuredly strong-spirited FMC that pairs with him) and Wiley’s story; I just know they’ll be just as captivating!
Tropes Include:
First Love
Second Chance
Secret Baby
College QB MMC
Zander and Sienna’s second-chance romance is everything I hoped for after reading The First Play! Their journey back to each other was full of emotional highs and lows, and while I wish they had been most honest upfront, watching them navigate their way through their struggles was both heart-wrenching and rewarding. I thought I loved Zander in the prequel, but here, he won me over even more, especially with his adorable interactions with baby Zoey. While you don’t have to read the prequel to enjoy this story, the character development and backstory definitely enhance the experience. I’m already looking forward to grumpy Carson’s romance (can’t wait to meet the assuredly strong-spirited FMC that pairs with him) and Wiley’s story; I just know they’ll be just as captivating!
Tropes Include:
First Love
Second Chance
Secret Baby
College QB MMC
April 8, 2025
Oh my goodness! The addiction continues into this book as it carries on from where the prequel left off. It was such a ride! The character development across the pages, the plot unfolding as I progressed through the book-ahh! It was a great ode to this saying I found from Bonnie Taylor- “They say that your first love never dies. You can put out the flames, but not the fire.” This was SO true with Zander and Sienna, but they go on to show that with some dedication and willingness to let go and enjoy the ride, those flames can ignite into that fire all over! Loved these two and all that they represent!
May 6, 2025
Zander - pure golden retriever
Young love. Young dumb and stupid lol. Sigh. Okay so you saw him with two girls and you decided he shouldn’t be a father. And your parents went along with. The FMC was hella cringey to me. Okay so you had a kid- but what are you doing with your actual life. Living off a trust fund in your best friends house free of charge.
Now was Russell wrong for the way he handled the situation- hell yes. But girl you knew he had feelings for you and then brought another guy into his home and f*cked him. I understand the anger in that.
Smh. Yes young dumb and stupid.
⭐️⭐️⭐️- okay nothing to write home about
Young love. Young dumb and stupid lol. Sigh. Okay so you saw him with two girls and you decided he shouldn’t be a father. And your parents went along with. The FMC was hella cringey to me. Okay so you had a kid- but what are you doing with your actual life. Living off a trust fund in your best friends house free of charge.
Now was Russell wrong for the way he handled the situation- hell yes. But girl you knew he had feelings for you and then brought another guy into his home and f*cked him. I understand the anger in that.
Smh. Yes young dumb and stupid.
⭐️⭐️⭐️- okay nothing to write home about
March 17, 2025
Here we are Football series of Nolan U! Zander and Sienna were a perfect couple to start this series! There is a prequel of these two and I highly recommend so you get more insight on them. It’s a great second chance college romance and Zoey stole the show in most parts of this and I loved it! What I loved about the first series was the found family, friendship and this series had all of that as well! We see some familiar faces later in the story. I really enjoyed this and I’m really excited for the next one!!
April 10, 2025
Katy Archer is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. I read this book start to finish in one whole sitting?? I was eating this up. The only thing I wish we got more of was Zander’s relationship with his dad and Zoey meeting his parents. I was really thinking that there was going to be either a big blow up with his dad or a really wholesome apology/make up moment but there wasn’t either :(. Sienna was so good I loved her and the way the football Frat boys (especially Wily pls give me a wily book I beg you) protected both her and Zoey was so sweet
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
This was a really beautiful read. Sienna and Zander's second chance romance is lush with emotions and feels. Angsty, achy, sweet, spicy, dramatic, emotional, funny and heartstring tugging, this story captivates and has you awash in an ocean of feels. These characters made me fall in love with them and I simply cannot wait to continue reading this irresistible new series.
April 10, 2025
4.2 stars⭐️
Great start to a new series. I fee like there was slight miscommunication revolving the situation, and it was like that since the start, then Zander went and didn’t tell Sienna the truth about his first college days, he just shut down.
I knew this Russell guy was a problem since the start, he was crazy.
Overall, I’m excited for this group of guys and their stories!
Great start to a new series. I fee like there was slight miscommunication revolving the situation, and it was like that since the start, then Zander went and didn’t tell Sienna the truth about his first college days, he just shut down.
I knew this Russell guy was a problem since the start, he was crazy.
Overall, I’m excited for this group of guys and their stories!
April 20, 2025
Great first book in the football series by Katy Archer. A high school romance that went by side-ways went Zander left for college develops a new life. Like all Katy sports romances there are surprises along with for crazy stuff. This book is a pager turner with great characters including a little girl that steals your heart.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
April 25, 2025
angsty sports romance
This was a great angsty college sports romance 🤍
The background between Zander and Sienna was honest; I can’t imagine making the choice you think is the right one just to feel like your whole world has crumbled because of it.
A true second chance story with twists and turns and some mild running from our FMC. The trauma they both incurred at a pivotal time absolutely sets the tone for their communication and problem solving in their relationship.
I love how they came together and how Katy kept us guessing every turn. The hint of suspense at the end was the cherry on top for me!
I do wish we had more interactions with each of their parents so there was also resolution with their families but that could just be because I’m a reader in my 30’s and like to see the full circle HEA.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was a great angsty college sports romance 🤍
The background between Zander and Sienna was honest; I can’t imagine making the choice you think is the right one just to feel like your whole world has crumbled because of it.
A true second chance story with twists and turns and some mild running from our FMC. The trauma they both incurred at a pivotal time absolutely sets the tone for their communication and problem solving in their relationship.
I love how they came together and how Katy kept us guessing every turn. The hint of suspense at the end was the cherry on top for me!
I do wish we had more interactions with each of their parents so there was also resolution with their families but that could just be because I’m a reader in my 30’s and like to see the full circle HEA.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 30, 2025
Great book that came out of no where
Love, love this story. Read it once, then read the prequel. And then I read it again! Great books! Hoping the next continues Zander and Sparky’s story too!
Love, love this story. Read it once, then read the prequel. And then I read it again! Great books! Hoping the next continues Zander and Sparky’s story too!
April 1, 2025
Katy has another hit on her hands. Don’t miss this new football series. A story about love lost and found.
Couldn’t put it down.
Couldn’t put it down.
April 17, 2025
So freaking good!
April 25, 2025
OMG!! I love everything about Zander and Sienna!! So much emotions in their story, the angst, the heartbreak, and the forgiveness. I love reading their reconnection and seeing the way Zander is with Sienna and Zoe. It definitely a second chance story with surprise baby. They both been through so much and seeing them together really pulls my heartstrings. Also, that little unexpected twist at the end really hand me at the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed their story and can’t wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily leave an honest review of this gifted advance readers copy.
I voluntarily leave an honest review of this gifted advance readers copy.
April 29, 2025
I love Katy!
I loved Nolan U hockey, and I loved the first football book too! I can't wait to read the rest of the series! The character personalities really come out in Katy's writing and you feel like they're your friends.
I loved Nolan U hockey, and I loved the first football book too! I can't wait to read the rest of the series! The character personalities really come out in Katy's writing and you feel like they're your friends.
April 18, 2025
Oof. That was so heartbreaking! But also beautiful and fun and reminiscent and emotional. I liked Zander's and Sienna's characters in The First Play (and highly recommend reading that first of you haven't already), but the maturity level was definitely more for me in this book.
April 18, 2025
Ughhh so freaking good. Cried many times. 🥹
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