Off Script

by Deirdre Fallings

After a public breakup and a Hollywood implosion, stand-up comedian Siobhan Walsh flees back to her tiny Massachusetts hometown, Southsea. Fully intent on hiding, healing, and avoiding the boy she once loved.

Too bad Mateo Okilo is impossible to avoid.



Now an AFL quarterback for the Boston Rebels and Southsea’s hometown hero, Mateo has waited seven years for a second chance. Siobhan was his first kiss, first love, and the girl he would’ve followed anywhere. Until fear tore them apart.



Now she’s back, bruised from fame and betrayal, and Mateo is determined to protect her the same way he dominates on the field. With full force, zero hesitation, and his whole heart.



But Siobhan isn’t the same girl who left



She’s armored in humor and grit, fighting to stay in control.



Until her present threatens to collapse around her. Forcing her to face the terrifying truth that she doesn’t have to fight alone. To move forward, she’ll have to decide whether to trust the man she’s avoided for seven years or lose the love that always felt like home.

A heartfelt, steamy, laugh-out-loud second-chance sports romance about safety, healing, and rewriting your own story.

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2026

Reviews

[Kristen Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, one of the funniest romance books I’ve ever read. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. The love tangle between the main characters is amazing and what a teen age girl dreams of. Hands down will be recommending this to many people in the future.

Deirdre, I can’t wait for the next book hopefully telling Caleb’s love story! Thanks for picking me to be an ARC reader for this incredible story.

Note: There are a few grammar errors/ typing errors but does not impact the beauty of this amazing book!

[Miranda Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book an unhinged amount and I’m still not okay knowing this is a debut novel because HOW?? I picked it up, blinked and suddenly I was done because I could not put it down. The MMC and FMC had me fully invested, but the supporting characters?? Absolute scene stealers. I busted out laughing on several occasions, earning myself some very unwanted stares, and honestly? Worth it. They made this story even better and now I’m emotionally attached against my will. I will be aggressively waiting for the next book because I need more of these characters immediately. New favorite author unlocked and I am not calm about it.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️Thank you for the opportunity to arc read this book!

Great quick read on second chance romance between two hysterical characters. I loved the banter between Mateo and Sib, their relationship really grows throughout the novel and I really enjoyed it. Even the supporting side characters added a level to the story that really brought it all together. Definitely cannot wait for the next book in this series!

[Miri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The FMC Siobhan and the MMC have history since the day they were born. In between her being a comedian and him being a professional football player plus meddling parents and grandparents, they are bound to find each other again.

I enjoyed the playful banter and the storyline. I like how real the characters are and even adding in the side characters of friends and family.

Looking forward to reading book number two!

Make sure to read the trigger warnings.

This book was read as an ARC.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book will take you all over the place. You will ache for the FMC, you will feel sorrow, anger, humor, and happiness. Mateo and Siobhan have been together since the day they were born. They went from friends to lovers to enemies. Mateo went off to be a successful quarterback and Siobhan went on to be a successful comedian. But neither were happy. Siobhan’s career was taking a toll on her so she went home. Which is were Mateo is. It’s their story and it’s special.

[Joann Cutler · Rating 4 out of 5]

(ARC) worth the read! I love the soul mates aspect. It’s not often that you get a second chance at the best things in life! The last few chapters had me in slight tears at the happiness the plot brought!

[Cassie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Getting to watch the characters Mateo and Siobhan continue to grow throughout the book was amazing. The confidence and strength just pours out on these pages is inspiring. Who knew a Football jock and a comedian fit so perfectly together. Also let’s not forget the scheming that happens along the way as well. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in less than 24 hours. If that doesn’t tell you something I don’t what does. You get flirty, sassiness, confidence, PTSD, trauma, Truueeee Love, anxiety, OCD, smexy scenes all wrapped in 1
Trope: friends to lovers, second chances, forced proximity, found family, protector, a little bit of enemies to lovers
Read speed: medium to fast

[Tifftatum40 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

Debut novel!!! I loved the fact that mental health is in this book and the other characters did not heal it. Some books you read the MMC "fixes" the FMC's mental health by just being him. I love the fact these characters were still flawed even when happy.

What to expect from Off Script:
🎙️ Second chance
🏈 Childhood friends
🎙️ High school sweethearts
🏈 Professional Quarterback
🎙️ Stand up Comedian
🏈 Smalltown x Big fame
🎙️ Mental health rep
🏈 Yearning and healing

I am not a huge fan of second chance romances because they can be extremely messy and hard to believe. This story did a wonderful job of living in the past and being in present time without it being to hard to follow.

Siobhan is a stand up comedian that left home 7yrs ago to never return. The day Mateo broke her heart she packed her bags and vowed she would never come back to their small town.

Mateo is a professional quarterback that knew the next morning that he made the biggest mistake of his life yrs ago. When he went to talk to Siobhan she was already gone. He told himself once he made himself the best he could he would come back to get her.

Now in the mid 20's they are back in their hometown. Sibsy has no idea that Mateo and her mom has crafted a plan to have them spend time together. Everyone wants the two of them together. Sibsy is carrying a secret that no one knows.

After being exposed do you think the two of them can be together??

Deirdre did a great job and I cannot wait to follow with this series.

Thank you Deirdre Fallings for the early copy. Above are my honest thoughts.

[Meg Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a romance reader, full stop. But this book was very good.

As someone from a city just outside of Boston, I think the author did a great job capturing the atmosphere of a place like Southsea. The settings and minors characters were all well done without being over the top, which a lot of authors and screenwriters tend to do with that geographical area

The main characters had good growth while not completely changing who they are. While I thought maybe Mateo was a little *too* protective and maybe borderline possessive in some spots, he and Siobhan were a good coupling and their personalities gelled nicely.

At one point I was worried Mateo wasn’t calling Siobhan back because the plane had crashed so, thanks for not killing off a main character!!

I would love to see more from some of the minor characters like Logan (how much legal trouble DOES he into?) and Simone, for example. I thought a lot of them were very funny and stole the scene a few times throughout the book.

The ending was cute and wrapped things up nicely, I enjoy not being left wondering what’s next for a character and I hate when authors leave it up to “happy ever after…or are they?”

I cackled at the very last quote of “MY SISTER?” I was waiting for that part to come!!

Overall I really enjoyed this book and it was a nice cleanser from all the dark stuff I usually read.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

MMC/MFC: Mateo and Siobhan

Tropes:
* Small town romance
* Second chance
* Returning home
* Emotional healing
* Childhood best friends
* High school sweethearts

This story sat with me for a while after I finished it.
It was heartbreaking, funny, emotional… and a depiction of the unfortunate reality many celebrities (and everyday people) face… Siobhan, devastated when Mateo breaks up with her, flees to LA and, unfortunately, signs a contract that essentially gives her management ownership of her career.
When her ‘love life’ implodes, she returns home, and Mateo (an AFL QB) is desperate to make amends and win his girl back.

So many times, I was devastated for ‘Sibsy’. The author did a fantastic job portraying her desperation, her devastation and the way that she attempted to mask how she was feeling.
Even though Mateo made a very poor choice, you could feel his regret and his determination. He was all in - an overgrown golden retriever, and green flags all the way.

It wasn’t just The ‘Tay’ and Sibsy show though.
I love the cast of characters. They were supportive, funny and irreverent, yep.. even the ‘cheating ex-boyfriend’…
On that note, so many little side stories that give me ideas of who’s to come (and who I’d like to see again!)

This was my first Deirdre Fallings novel, and certainly won’t be last. I’m so glad I applied to read early!

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off Script ( Boston Rebels Series Book 1 ) First Loves , First Kisses , Heartbreaks and Second Chances !! Mateo and Siobhan!!! . The way their story wrecked me I cannot even put into words. The connection I felt to bot characters was unlike anything I’ve felt in such a long time . The complexities in their journey literally kept me 100 % invested and had me devouring every single word to the point it was absolutely impossible to put it down . These two did not have it easy by any means . They had to overcome so many obstacles and struggles, misunderstandings that had such an emotional impact on both their lives . And oh how their story resonated with me , how it touched my heart in ways I never ever expected and had me smiling, laughing, crying ugly tears and rooting so freaking hard from start to finish. One of the things I loved most was that both Mateo and Siobhan were not perfect people , they had flaws just like we all do ( and that simple fact made them that much more likable and relatable for me . Off Script truly was one of the most beautiful and emotional love stories I’ve read in such a long time ( a story every absolutely should read !!

[Taylor Wodnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deirdre Fallings debut novel, first in the series of The Boston Rebels.

This was a very quick read, fast paced! Some parts felt a little rushed. First half was more YA then turned into some hot and steamy romance 🥵🔥. Second half was a steamy hallmark romance. The story was more in depth the later in the book you got. This helped keep my interest 💙.

Follow Siobhan, a big comedian, as she grows as a person and learns what it means to standup for yourself. She sees Mateo, hometown quarterback, as he tries to get her back.

My favorite part was some of Siobhan’s comebacks, andddd the doggos.

Second chances, steamy romances, childhood abuse.

Nice job on your debut novel!

Thanks for my gifted advanced copy 💙

[Lydia Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this second chance, football romance where the FMC was a stand up comedian. There is representation from PTSD which I thought was good, the FMC has been through a lot. She's been wronged by her team, and she isn't sure who to trust. All Mateo wants is his girl back after 7 years but there is a lot to get through until they make it to this point. She's a feisty short girl who has been to hell and back, while Mateo is a strong football player. I can see a lot of good between them. There is a lot to get through given they had a rough end in high school. How far will Mateo go to get back with his girl Siobhan? Will Siobhan forgive him? What hoops do they need to jump through to get to where they are? read!!

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh I ate this book up in less than 24 hours I could not put it down!

🔥Slow Burn
🏈Football Player - Comedian FMC
🔥Second Chance Romance
🏈It’s only ever been her
🔥Fiesty FMC with a mouth that will have you laughing hardddd
🏈PTSD Rep


This read was emotionallll and I was here for it. Was the perfect cleanse from my dark romance streak.

Mateo was so in love with Sib it warmed my heart and their banter was everything I didn’t know I needed.

This was my first read from this author and it definitely will not be the last! Thank you for sending me an arc and I am patiently waiting for Logan’s book because he awesome!

[Deann Roser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this book from the author as an ARC. This book was not just a great love story, but it was a great reminder that you need to stand up for yourself and remember self love is required to survive and be happy. Also, this book is a great book to make you laugh to the point you face hurts. I was getting all kinds of looks when reading it on my breaks at work and I don't care it, the way Siobhan creatively cursed not only made me laugh, it inspired me to get creative with my choice of words.

[Sarah Baseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC opportunity!

Oh my gosh, this book was exactly what I needed!! The banter from page one had me laughing out loud, the character growth and dynamic, is portrayed beautifully throughout the book.

I loved both the FMC & MC - and you cant help but root for their second chance romance!!

A super easy, fun, fast pace read, thatll make you inpatient for the next in the series! Solid 5 star.

[Alexis Cornwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

The characters and their banter were such a fun part of this book. As a sports girl, I did notice a few inaccurate references, but they didn’t take away too much from my overall enjoyment. This was an easy, romcom read with strong, relatable female characters. And we always love a male lead who supports a woman standing on her own two feet.

I’m really excited to see how the other stories play out especially Ava’s, and maybe Hayes or Logan’s, along with Caleb and Simone’s.

[Jordan Olgin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in less than 5 hours. I was immediately hooked from page 1 and had to see how the story was going to unfold. The second chance trope will always be one of my favorites. The way both families and even the teammates got involved to make sure they worked it and got back together will put this as one of my favorites so far for the year. Thank you for letting me ARC read this. I can't wait to see how Caleb and Simones story goes. Side note how could you end it like that?

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastically charming debut novel by Deirdre Fallings! This is something you should rightfully take an immense amount of pride in!

I absolutely loved Siobhan’s sharp wit and vulnerability. Mateo’s strong, unwavering faith in his love for Siobhan. Loved Logan’s golden retriever energy!

Some great characters and a compelling romance!!

[Korinne Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off Script is an easy read and I truly enjoyed it. I laughed out loud many times and even cried when it was over because it felt so close to home. The way the characters were written was very realistic.

[Marilee Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting because I just wanted to see what happened next, it draws you in and you feel like all of the characters are friends! Lots of laughs, a few tears in all a great read. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Laura Moncrief · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great debut novel by Deirdre Fallings!! Love the relationship between Siobhan & Mateo so much!!! Their journey was not an easy one, but it was so worth it!!! Can’t wait for book 2 in the series!!

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story from the start to the end. It had humor, friendships, attraction, love and family. A really good read!