Deion McCabe is a veteran basketball player with an adversarial disposition. Following an altercation with a fan during a game, the league orders him to attend anger management. Deion's behavior and subpar gameplay threatens to jeopardize his livelihood. He's courting disaster and must demonstrate to the organization that he's capable of turning his fate around. If not, he could face being traded or worse . . . the end of his basketball career.
Sloane Kaplan is a single mother and cocktail waitress who's known to pack a mean punch. She's earnestly trying to keep her life on the straight and narrow, but people around her seem to push the right buttons, igniting her short fuse. While she's always been taught to go down fighting, her latest brawl lands her in an anger management course. Unbeknownst to her, this mandatory class will introduce her to a towering basketball player with a grumpy temperament and captivating smile.
Love is the only thing worth fighting for, even if that means not playing fair.
Stat caught me off guard in the best way. This wasn’t a loud, over-the-top romance—it was quiet, emotional, and very intentional. The story leaned heavily into timing, grief, and the choices we make when we’re scared to want more, and that’s what really made it work for me. I loved how the connection unfolded naturally instead of being rushed. It felt grown, complicated, and real.
Desmond is one of those characters who looks put together on the outside but is barely holding it together emotionally, and that contrast made him interesting to follow. Yara’s strength and softness balanced him well, and I appreciated how her past shaped her without defining her entire identity. Their chemistry wasn’t just physical—it lived in the pauses, the hesitation, and the moments where they didn’t say everything out loud.
Listening to this on audio elevated the experience. Deja Rion and D’Art did an excellent job bringing the emotions to life. The narration felt smooth and intimate, especially during the more reflective moments, and it was easy to stay fully immersed. This was a NetGalley-approved audiobook for me, and I’m really glad I chose to experience it this way.
Overall, Stat is a thoughtful, emotionally grounded romance that focuses on healing, second chances, and choosing love even when it’s inconvenient. If you enjoy slower-paced stories with depth and strong character development, this one is worth your time.