The Swoon List

The Love List #1

by Ellie Hall

That gig as a Disney princess didn’t do me any favors in the popularity department, but my BGF made sure I kept the tiara. According to him, I'm practically royalty. Pshaw.

Maggie
I failed at living the life of a fairytale princess after falling in a fountain and going viral on social media. I need a new job fast, preferably far away.

Desperate, I say yes to becoming an etiquette coach for rich and famous adults in need of refinement in a distant and widely unknown country. It’s personal relations rehab and comes with a heaping scoop of anonymity.

My first client got in trouble for a prank gone wrong that turned into a scandal. Hashtag relatable, minus the prank part. That joke was on me. I get tasked with the hotshot, over-the-top football star...who also happens to be my BGF, best guy friend.

Declan
We’ve stayed in touch since high school via text, but upon seeing her again after all these years, she’s no longer just the girl next door. Something sparks between us. Or that could be the firecrackers I lit in the hallway.

I’m the first to admit that I’m quick-witted and cocky, on and off the field, forcing her to channel her cheery princess personality to teach me how to be a gentleman. Turns out I rather like these lessons.

When tragedy strikes, she gets a glimpse into my past that I’d kept hidden. Instead of driving her away, she doesn’t leave my side. Can’t say I mind. Unfortunately, if I get romantically involved, especially with someone as smart, funny, and cute as my best friend, I’m off the team.

Will we keep things in the friend zone or fall in love and wind up in the (happily ever after) end zone?

USA Today bestselling author Ellie Hall presents a romantic comedy with sweet and swoony sizzle in this closed door romcom. If you like faith-friendly, heartwarming, Hallmark style romance, you’ll love this feel-good series. Each book stands alone but reading them in order provides a deeper, richer experience.

Genres: Contemporary, Clean Romance, Rom Com, Romance, Sports, Fiction, Sports Romance

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2023

About the author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

♥

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/elliehallauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elliehallauthor

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Series and suggested reading order:

The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
•these billionaires have everything, but will they find love...?•

1. Only a Date with a Billionaire
2. Only a Kiss with a Billionaire
3. Only a Night with a Billionaire
4. Only Forever with a Billionaire
5. Only Love with a Billionaire
6. Only Christmas with the Billionaire
7. Only New Year with the Billionaire

♥

The Hawkins Family Clean Romance Series

•five brothers, torn apart and the women who help put them back together...•

1. Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

2. Finding Forever in Hawk Ridge Hollow

3. Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard

4. Going Home to Hawk Ridge Hollow

5. Christmas in Hawk Ridge Hollow

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The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series

•a small-town restaurant, a dating dare, and happily ever afters...•

1. Summer with the Marine

2. Summer with the Rock Star

3. Summer with the Billionaire

4. Summer with the Cowboy

5. Summer with the Carpenter

6. Summer with the Doctor

♥

Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series

•Cowboy hats & kisses with small-town charm•

1. Rustling the Cowboy’s Heart

2. Lassoing the Cowboy’s Heart

3. Trusting the Cowboy’s Heart

4. Kissing the Christmas Cowboy

5. Loving the Cowboy’s Heart

6. Charming the Cowboy’s Heart

7. Saving the Cowboy’s Heart

8. Wrangling the Cowboy’s Heart

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Falling into Happily Ever After Rom Com

• Sweet, heartwarming & uplifting romantic comedy

1. An Unwanted Love Story

2. An Unexpected Love Story

3. An Unlikely Love Story

4. An Accidental Love Story

5. An Impossible Love Story

6. An Unconventional Christmas Love Story

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Forever Marriage Match

• Five friends have to find true love or else...romcom

1. Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

2. Dare to Love the Guy Next Door

3. Dare to Love My Fake Husband

4. Dare to Love the Guy I Hate

5. Dare to Love My Best Friend

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Home Sweet Home Small Town Romantic Comedy Series

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Designing Happily Ever After

The DIY Kissing Project

The True Romance Renovation

Extreme Heart Makeover

Building What's Meant to Be

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The Costa Brothers Cozy Christmas Comfort Romance Series

Tommy & Merry and the 12 Days of Christmas

Bruno & Gloria and the 5 Golden Rings

Luca & Ivy and the 4 Calling Birds

Gio & Joy and the 3 French Hens

Paulo & Noella and the 2 Turtle Doves

Nico & Hope and the Partridge in the Pear Tree

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The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

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Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

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On the Hunt for Love

The Grump and the Girl Next Door

The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The Secret Son and the Sweetheart

The Ex Best Friend and the Fake Fiancé

The Best Friend’s Brother and the Brain

Select titles are available in audiobook, paperback, hardcover, and large print formats. Happy reading!♥

Reviews

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie and Declan met in high school and became insta-friends who were inseparable. They were both dealing with difficult pasts which they kept secret from one another, preferring to keep things light and fun.

After graduation they drifted apart, keeping in touch now and then through texts.

Years later Maggie works as a theme park princess, but after an embarrassing mishap goes viral, she resigns from her job and then is hired to become an etiquette coach. She’s stunned when she finds out that her first client is her best friend Declan.

Declan has become a football superstar with a bad boy reputation and is a real prankster. After one of his pranks backfires, his coach decides he and some of the other players need some etiquette training for adults in need of some culture and refinement.

This is such a sweet and fun romance! I loved seeing Maggie and Declan get to know each other again and resume their powerful connection. There are many swoony moments as they realize they both feel a lot more than friendship for each other. I really liked how they grew closer and completely supported each other as those secrets from the past were finally revealed.

The Swoon List is the newly expanded first book in The Love List series and was originally published as “Swooning Over The Football Billionaire.” I’m looking forward to more stories about some of the other teammates.

Many thanks to @elliehallauthor for an eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who right and royally fails at being a Disney Princess ? Cinderella no less ! No not THE Cinderella,she is still just a fairytale but this gal ? Epic fail thanks to a snotty nose kid who is good at aiming as he not only pushes her in a fountain but manages to take a photo of the bare faced shaming.

Notoriety is not what Maggie’s about or aiming for ,she’d rather be in the background, demure ,not scream and shout.
But this has her sprawled out on the front pages and she’s frightened of her past catching up with her that goes back ages.

Shes had her fill of men too as a rotter did her wrong and she’s not about to do as Cinderella does do and burst into joyous song. She has good friends and one does her a favour and before you know it she’s off to teach etiquette in Concordia ,this might just save her.

Maggie who has dressed as Cinderella had her fella all along . It only became apparent when he did something wrong .

Declan an Irish blue eyed footballer and a few pals for The Boston Bruisers thought it a good idea to have a laugh at a newbie teammates expense but what transpired they could’ve got fired his pals and he ,except there was a reform bargaining recompense .

A proposal to set them free . If they all conform and perform their duty . Off to Concordia for a month they will dwell. They don’t think it’s swell.

Like Cinderella she’s got bluebirds fluttering a sigh only in her belly and she wonders why. Why now ,why here and him uttering words in her waterlogged ear .

She can’t think straight ,this is her best mate she has here . But she’s remembering who just threw water on who here in this minute. There’s got to be something more in it.

The reason why she can’t keep a guy . Now it’s her best friend ,she thinks with a sigh. Who now do you have to depend on Maggie hon?

Her ears are clogged and eyes are misty ,but she and Declan have history that spans before her fame ( well the recent debacle)and his football game , his eyes do sparkle it’s a shame….

Well this book by Ellie Hall is the best fairytale I’ve read in a while ,it sure made me smile and swoon in the right places . A wonderfully imagines series starter that sets my heart racing for book two.. It even has a big bad Wolf but I’m not sure about Red Riding Hood…

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swoon List is definitely a sweet and swoony read! This is such a fun combo of friends to more and forced proximity with a “bad boy” football player. Declan is hilarious (and reminds me of my hubs) and I just love Maggie and Declan’s friendship so much.

Things I Loved:
-Malarky
-“Cake is comforting, people!”
-Frosting and chips
-Maggie nicknames
-Water pistols
-Phone swap
-Midnight snack
-Rock paper scissors
-The Swoon List
-Aunt Maureen
-Carrot cake
-“‘Best friends don’t swoon or crush or kiss or...’
‘I say best friends should kiss. Often.’”
-Second phone swap
-Maggie Cakes
-The Epilogue—SO perfect!

I am loving finding more and more sweet reads with Christian characters—it’s not Christian fiction, but rather, you have realistic and relatable dialogue sprinkled in from characters whose faith is a part of their lives. Maggie and Declan both had some growth to figure out from past hurts and I love how they helped each other by being a safe space and a friend when it counted the most. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for this sweet series, it’s off to a great start!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story as it was a little different than the usual. I appreciate that the author came up with little twists to make the usual billionaire guy falls in love with the broke girl trope interesting. However, the epilogue bugged me. Who waits that long to tell their husband? That’s a long time to keep a secret. I know it’s fiction and you’re supposed to have a suspension of disbelief but this was a little too much for me.
Update: reread over 2 years later. Enjoyed it again but still bugged about the epilogue.

[Kathy Mayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This couple had a lot of baggage to work through!

Best friends in a private school their senior year Declan & Maggie had a fun time with pranks. They decided early on not to talk about their pasts. Both had skeletons in their closets they didn't want anyone knowing about. Maggie grew up a rich kid who was a child star on a tv show. Yet her parents used her for the money she provided them. She didn't get any of it. They took the money & created a media company that made money by setting people up & making them rich. They even set their own daughter up & posted the results. I was horrified reading what they did to her for a surprise birthday party. They didn't deserve her. The fact that she turned out so good is from the various nannies she had. That and she had found God.

Declan is from Ireland. He loves pulling pranks and making people laugh. Declan had a rough life! He never knew his father. His mother died when he was 16. He often times went to bed hungry. He ran with other street kids. He and his friends were known for stealing & other crimes. That all changed when he got to know his Aunt Maureen. She took him in & taught him about God. Taught him how to be a gentleman. Got him into MMA somewhere he could channel his anger at what his past was. Then she brought him to America and showed him football. He was hooked. And he was very good at it. He was so good he got picked up by an NFL team. I purposely haven't told you all his past because it would ruin the story.

After high school these two kept in touch. It got harder the more famous h.e he'd and to see each other. They always texted though. That never stopped. Declan would invite her to stuff and then never show up eventually. If anyone understood that it was Maggie. Declan just never knew it. As with all football games they always had to prank the new guys. One such prank goes horribly wrong. And it involved the 4 star players of the team. To top it off there were a lot of people from the team management/ownership that were present. There was no way this wasn't going to have serious consequences! But a reform school on an island abroad?

Maggie kept finding herself with bad press. Then she'd have to move & start over. Personally I think that was a bit much until the fountain incident. And when you learn how horrible her family is. She quit her job as Cinderella at a theme park & has no idea what to do next. When a friend mentions that her cousin needs help at a reform school. You see where this is going right? Yep, she gets assigned to her best friend. Who not knowing it's her gets shot by water guns when she goes to meet her "student". On top of that there are some serious rules they both have to follow or more than their jobs will be lost. Declan teammates are not allowed to do anything with a woman while there or they will all be kicked off the team. Unless the guys get married. Farthest thing on those playboys minds. Naturally Declan tries to get Maggie to just let him skate through everything. However, if Maggie can't get through a month with Declan as a best friend she has no job to return to.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

-this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

-this is told from Maggie & Declan’s points of view

-Maggie deals with her money grubbing parents being very self centered & not caring about her unless it’ll make them more money (since childhood)

-it is mentioned that people important to someone’s childhood were addicted to drugs & passed away

Review:

This is my (current) new favorite book by Ellie Hall! I loved this best friends to more love story and the shenanigans that managed to bring them together! I loved both Maggie & Declan’s sets of friends and how they’d rib each other and support one another! I loved it when Maggie stood up for Declan & when he stood up for her. Some of my favorite scenes/moments included: meeting Declan’s aunt, eating cake, when the guys see Maggie for the first time, their text conversations, getting a glimpse into the future books when we meet the other coaches, and the epilogue.

Summary:

Maggie has lived her life in the spotlight and now wants nothing to do with it. When her most recent job of being a Disney princess ends with giving her minor fame, Maggie needs a new job or she won’t be able to afford to live in Florida any longer. When a friend suggests applying to be an etiquette coach for the rich and famous in another country, she is quick to apply in her desperation. Now she’s got the position and has to refine a football star who was involved in a prank that went wrong. And he happens to be her best friend she hasn’t seen in years…

Declan is known for being a jokester, but he may have taken it too far when the wrong people end up on the end of his most recent prank. With all the bad press the prank is bringing the team, the coach has to send Declan and a few of his other teammates (who were also involved in the prank) to reform school. They need to prove that the lessons made them better. To do that they are forbidden from dating during their month away and if one of them fails at anything, all of them will be kicked from the team. But Declan finds it difficult to fulfill all the requirements when he realizes his etiquette coach is none other than his best friend. And she is much more beautiful and alluring to him than when they were in high school…

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After years of working as a child actress, Maggie Prucell decided that she was tired of being her parents' meal ticket and turned her back on a successful career in Hollywood. Caught up in their own pursuit of fame and fortune, her parents shipped her off to boarding school in Boston to finish high school, where she met her best friend, future football star Declan Printz. Years later, Maggie is working as a princess at a major theme park in Florida when a disastrous photo session spawns a viral video, forcing her to quit her job in order to keep her past under wraps. In need of a new job, Maggie decides to accept an offer from her neighbor's cousin to become an etiquette coach at a public relations "finishing school" for the rich, famous, and badly behaved.

Upon her arrival in Concordia, a small island nation north of England, Maggie is stunned to discover that her first client is none other than her best friend Declan. The league commissioner sent him and several of his teammates to the school to clean up their acts after they pulled a prank that went horribly wrong. If even one of them fails to complete the program, they'll all be off the team. To avoid putting either of their jobs at risk, Maggie and Declan will have to keep their friendship a secret, but that proves to be easier said than done - especially when they realize that their feelings for each other might be more than just friendly.

I enjoyed the fairy tale feel to this story, which fit perfectly with its setting in a European castle. Even though Maggie and Declan hadn't seen each other in years before their arrival in Concordia, the connection between them remained strong and sparks began to fly almost immediately. I particularly loved their playful dynamic and Declan's creative efforts to bring a smile to Maggie's face. As their relationship grew and they each began to open up about their pasts, I appreciated how supportive they were of each other. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, they seemed to understand each other in a way most others couldn't.

Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and highly recommend it for fans of contemporary/sweet romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to the next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[The Squeaky Clean Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Plot:
Maggie and Declan have been best friends since their senior year of High school. But after college when Declan made it to the NFL for the Bruisers their relationship became strictly over text.
When Declan ends up being a part of a prank gone wrong for a new teammate, he and his buddies are sent to etiquette school.
Maggie meanwhile just was utterly humiliated at her job and a video of her went viral. Thus she quit and when her roommate offers her an opportunity to go to Concordia (fictional European country) to work as an etiquette coach Maggie accepts.
Turns out Maggie is Declan's coach! As they work reconnect sparks start flying, but there are a few hiccups before this happily ever after happens. Can they both overcome and work through the ghosts from their past and the mistakes that they've made to make this work?

The Writing: I read the original version of this book back when Ellie released it in 2020. It wasn't my favorite she ever wrote but it was still cute.
Flash forward to reading this today! It was even better than before. I love the added depth and backstory of the characters. It helped smooth transitions and make their relationship even more realistic.
I also love the fact that they're best friends who still have more to learn about each other. Great dynamic and Declan is definitely hilarious.

The Romance: there are a few kisses in here and definitely lots of butterflies and romantic tension. I love that this is a sweet and clean RomCom!

Age Recommendation: I think any high schooler could read this book, so 13/14+ age recommendation.

Trigger warnings:
⚠️ Declan grew up and became an orphan. He was eventually raised by his Aunt. His Aunt helped him get out of some bad situations with some friends who were doing drugs and were a part of gangs. Declan met Maggie when he relocated to the States and went to school.
⚠️Maggie was a precious child star and had a really bad relationship with her parents who used her to make more money. She has a lot of emotional scars when it comes to being in the spotlight and money.

[Manee Contreras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance level: kissing.

Ellie has me hooked in every. Single. One of her books. I just love her writing so much!

These two were so cute! I loved how easy their friendship fell back into what it was. I loved how playful he is with her. He just brings the side of her long forgotten by life🏈. I also love how she grounds him, makes him focus on what's important🧁.

Their re meeting was so funny! Declan was portraying someone so careless, but he was so much more than the immaturity he was letting everyone believe it was truly him..And the story sure delivers just how hard he tried to escape his past.

Their rock🪨, paper📄, scissors✂️ games were so cute. I love their playful banter.

I loved their first kiss! 🔥 It had a long time coming! Also, knuckle kisses? Add that to the list! That was so sweet.

✨
“Remember who holds the lantern lighting your path, Declan. Trust Him. It’s going to be okay.”
✨

Although it is not the main focus of the story, Ellie brings just the right amount of faith into the book. It's always so uplifting! I love how it's shown when the characters fail, make mistakes, had a different/difficult past... but they still find redemption & Salvation. God is so good!

The dynamic between Declan & Maggie was so complex but sweet. The tried to communicate, even if some things were omitted due to past hurt. It just shows how despite their fear, they were so trusting of each other.

The Carrot cake scene was the best! 🍰🔥. The final bits moved a little fast paced but it was so fitting to the story. The epilogue was fun & sweet🧁! I can't wait for book 2!

⚠️TW: death of a loved one; neglecting parents; substance abuse in the past (only mentioned)

🏈
* I was kindly gifted an ARC from the author. This doesn't influence in any form my review/opinion of the book*

[Kaci Bonar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started with not one but two “oh my goodness” moments, each of our protagonists had life flip upside down rather quickly!  Ellie seamlessly interweaved two unrelated incidents into one flawless story!

Maggie, formerly seen as Cinderella at Walt Disney World, was having an exhausting day at the park when a guest got a little too carried away!  When you hit rock bottom all you can go from there is up!  Thanks to a helpful friend, Maggie gets a job as a life coach in a remote European country and that’s where things start to jump off the page!

Declan is an Irish import to the American football scene and is known to be quite the prankster!  His latest prank blows up in his and three other teammates’ faces as they consequences with their careers hanging in the balance!  Upon arriving at the “adult finishing school,” he greets his life coach with a barrage of squirts from a water gun only to realize his new coach is his high school best friend!  This excites him but she realizes that her new job hangs in the balance, if Declan can’t keep their friendship a secret and his decorum under control!

Over the course of this story, despite the two protagonists keeping their little secret, they’ve come to terms that they have changed a lot over the time they have been apart!  They also realize there is an undeniable chemistry that shouldn’t dare be acted on!  As the refining process goes forward, their bond becomes stronger than any connection that they have ever made with another person!  Highs and lows happen, including some accidental phone swaps allow them to see into their pasts that they had kept under wraps for so long!  I love the chemistry that Ellie Hall laid out for them and knowing that the other football players get stories too makes me know what are likely to be upcoming reads!  The Boston Bruiser books have definitely moved their way higher on my TBR! 

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the original version of this book but my understanding is that this version doubled the length of the story or something like that. Not having read the first I don't know what was original or added.

I like a friendship to love trope story. Declan and Maggie have an interesting friendship. They text but haven't seen each other for years. They know nothing about each other from before they met and both are glad not to share their pasts. I think over time most people would drift away from a friendship like that but these two don't. There is something that pulls them toward each other even without other contact aside from texting.

I didn't love Declan initially because I don't find cocky or obnoxious trickster attractive. I liked him better later on when we started to see a more sensitive side. I felt bad for both of these people having gone through the childhood traumas they did. And really it was ongoing for Maggie. What crappy parents.....

This is Christian lit or faith friendly, which ever you choose to call it but it felt unbalanced to me. The first half had little in it to convince me that either character was really into their faith and then in the second half there was a big push of it. So when it hit, it felt a bit preachy to me.

The story in general really could be a Hallmark movie plot. It has its feel good moments and a sweet happily-ever-after ending that one would expect. Although I'm not sure that Moon-gate would make the cut on Hallmark. Haha.

Christian Lit
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: reference to past experience
*I received a complimentary ARC through Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. At first, I was a little skeptical of reading a sports themed romance, since I'm not a huge sports fan, particularly football. I'm really glad I ended up giving this book a chance, because I ended up absolutely loving Declan and the rest of the Boston Bruisers football team. Declan is wide receiver on the Boston Bruisers football team, and lands himself in hot water with the football commissioner after a locker room prank goes horribly awry. His high school best friend, Maggie, is a former child actress who is down on her luck and goes viral after taking a spill into a fountain at Disney World where she is working as Cinderella. A friend of hers offers her a new job as an etiquette coach at the Blancbourg Academy d'Etiquette in the fictional European kingdom of Concordia, where celebrities and dignitaries go to be reformed. As luck would have it, that is exactly where the Bruisers are sent to polish their images after the scandal, and Maggie and Declan are reunited as coach and student after several years of maintaining their friendship solely via text. This one lives up to the title and is certainly swoon worthy, with Declan's long list of nick names for Maggie. There is a strong thread of Christian elements weaved into the story, which is not necessarily something I seek out, but want to point it out so you can determine if this is the right fit for you. Personally I didn't find it to overshadow the story in this case. I love how between all the teammates and friends there is plenty of opportunities for sequels and I'm excited to see what hijinks the Boston Bruisers get up to next.

💕 Thank you so much to Ellie Hall for sending me a copy of The Swoon List to review!

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both are running from their childhoods unknowingly towards each other
A wonderful story of a woman with a background of wealth and notoriety trying to make it on her own especially without her parents and her best high school friend, a man with a past as a castoff on the streets of Dublin now a famous football star. Maggie was a famous child star and her parents milked that fame for all it was worth, too absorbed in themselves to notice her. Sent off to boarding school she meets and becomes best friends with Declan. As soon as she could she sets off to make it on her own, not mentioning her childhood to anyone, but life is never as easy as we expect it to be and hers was no exception. Now she finds herself taking a job as a tutor in a charm school for famous people who need to hone their social skills. Declan grew up basically alone on the streets of Dublin until he was rescued by his aunt who brought him to the States and introduced him to football. Now he has everything anyone could want and more but has trouble with his behavior. Now Declan is being sent to the same charm school and is assigned to Maggie. Tutors are not to become personally involved with their students, but what if they already are? And what if things start to go beyond best friends? And what happens when the pasts they try to hide from everyone are revealed? An excellent read. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with so many different layers to it. This is a book that has been revised and there is so much more in this remake of the story. I really enjoyed the main characters Maggie and Declan who had been best friends since they both entered a private high school. After graduating they didn't get to see each other very often but they kept in touch by email and texting. When Declan goes too far in one of his pranks with his fellow football buddies, they are all sent to a special school to receive training from an etiquette coach. Declan is surprised when he discovers that his best friend Maggie will be his coach for a month.
As the two reconnect- they both realize there are some stronger than friendship feelings growing between them. But Declan has made a pact with his buddies and his head coach has forbidden any relationships with women during their time at the school. Maggie needs this new job and she doesn't want anyone to know that she has been best friends with Declan.

Even though Maggie and Declan have been friends for many years, both of them have kept secrets from their pasts from one another. Situations they will go through in this story will open the door for lots of those secret to be revealed.

Can Maggie and Declan have a real relationship after they finish their month of etiquette lessons? Will the revealed secrets drive their friendship apart?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carmela Agatha Enriquez (agathafeelingg.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @elliehallauthor for an early copy of The Swoon List. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

The Swoon List is a friends-to-lovers romance about Maggie and Declan. They’ve been best friends ever since they were young, but have only kept in touch via text since high school. Present-day Maggie resigns from her job after an embarrassing scandal goes live on social media and has been hired to become an etiquette coach for the rich and famous. Her first client – Declan. He’s a football superstar whose coach seems to think he needs some grooming after pulling supposedly a prank on one of his teammates. Both Declan and Maggie are not allowed to be romantically involved or all else fails. Are they bound to remain friends or will they fall in love?

It’s amazing to see how two best friends, who’ve known each other quite well, are still getting to know each other’s quirks. Yes, both Declan and Maggie have not seen each other quite often for a couple of years, and it’s fun how they rehash their past experiences and reminisce. It was delightful to also see them pretend not to have known each other prior to etiquette school and Declan pushes Maggie’s buttons. The pacing of their relationship from friends to lovers felt quite slow for me though, but I guess during the first half of the novel, it was still establishing the best friend relationship between the two.

The only thing I wasn’t a fan of in this novel was Declan’s nicknames for Maggie, maybe it’s just me, but every time he says a different nickname for her, I cringe 😅 could be just a preference though.

This is an overall heartwarming and enjoyable romance. Rating The Swoon List ⭐⭐⭐⭐️/5. Releases March 15th, 2023!

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remake and expanded edition of my favorite series from this author! Who wouldn’t like Disney Princess training and football players sentenced to etiquette classes with all of the humor and delight that comes along with that? I’ll admit I wasn’t sure whether to be excited to “reread” this series or worried. Honestly, I expected it to feel like a reread. However, Hall took the amazing core of this delicious story and added all the frills and bells and whistles. I was sucked in and couldn’t stop reading it! I’m elated for this redone series and cannot wait for the rest of the books to be released!

I originally read this book under the title “Swooning Over the Football Billionaire," and I stand by my original review: A very unique blend of elements in this book - past pains and their effect on the present, football, and etiquette classes. It was very well blended together and put into a great story with wonderful characters and life lessons to be learned. The first of a series that I predict will be most addicting.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to Lovers stories are my second favorite trope behind Enemies to Lovers but if Ellie keeps writing books like this one, they might just become a tie for first. I loved this sweetheart of a story with its excellent characters, snappy wit and swoon love journey. Declan has a super ego when it comes to football but it's more a facade to cover his past. I loved that Maggie was the perfect foil for him, keeping him grounded and teaching him that he could decide how his last defined him - for good or bad. Together they were the best kind of couple - wicked smart banter, compassionate in the important moments and all the swoony kisses. Plus their real faith that gives them both the most important grounding possible and allowed them to be brave and fight for the truth. Definitely get this one on your reading list because you won't want to miss out on this new series that promises to be most wonderful to experience.

I received an ARC of this book from the author via BookFunnel. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swoon List is not your typical sports story. Yes it has the cocky jocks who are playboys and don't take things to seriously, but it also has those moments that make you stop and see what is really under the mask.


This is the story of Declan who is forced to take etiquette lessons to prove they can act properly. In this story we get to see the true Declan who he has been hiding behind the loud, joking player. He is hurting and trying to fill the void.

Maggie is smart, young and intelligent but can't seem to catch a break, even from her parents. Down on her luck she takes a job teaching etiquette to a rich. What she did not realize is that her client is her best friend and soon they both learn the past they kept from each other.

This is a great story that focus on the characters and their heart. It has a way of moving you that can't be explained. I look forward to reading they other guys story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan is one of four football players that are in hot water for a prank gone wrong. Now he, along with his teammates, are being ordered to attend etiquette school to learn some manners. I could not help but giggle as I envisioned this big, brawny man attending etiquette school. The alpha male in all of his swagger that usually makes women swoon is about to meet his worthy opponent in Maggie, who will teach him how to be gentleman. He is shocked when he realizes his best friend will be his coach for the next month. She is going to teach him how to be a gentleman.

There was just something about this story that that tugged on my heart. It was serious, but it had plenty of funny scenes as well. The light faith thread woven throughout the story added another touch that I appreciated and enjoyed. Suffice it say there was never a dull moment with these two.
This is book 1 in a series. You will want to read the other three books after reading this one. This phenomenal book grabbed my heart and mind from the beginning pages and did not let go until I read the final page.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Maggie and Declan’s friends-to-love story. This book had some funny moments, but also a lot of serious issues. Both main characters had a lot of baggage from their pasts to overcome and they were both pretty resistant to being completely honest with each other, despite their long standing, if distant, friendship. There are some elements to the story that are a little over the top, but that happens in a lot of romances where a main character is rich or a professional athlete. The main characters were engaging and I couldn’t help but root for them as they dealt with their issues. The major plot point of the football team, their scandal, and the etiquette training is fun and I’m hooked…I need to know what happens with the rest of the players.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wren Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends to more - almost a fairytale

There’s so much going on around the main story line. I loved the main premise of four very large pro football stars having to take their cocky selves to an etiquette/finishing school for a month to repair their images after a prank went very wrong. Declan grew up on the dark side of Dublin after his mom died and was going downhill fast before his great aunt pulled him literally from the gutters. Maggie had her parents-kind of-but they used her for their own selfish reasons and gain until she cut herself off. I loved all the different iterations of Maggie’s name that Declan used. They both were so hurt from their childhoods that it totally stained the vision of self and a chance for a relationship together. This has some Christian themes and it is clean.

[Meg (thyme.for.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie quits her job as a theme park princess after an embarrassing video of her falling in a fountain in full costume goes viral. She quickly finds new employment as an etiquette coach for adults in need of a little refinement. Little did she know that her first troublesome client would be none other than the football star and her childhood friend Declan. A prank gone wrong has left Declan in hot water and now only Maggie and her tutoring can get him back on the right track.

The Swoon List is the newly expanded first book in The Love List series. This is a sweet, friends to more romcom. There are some scenes with kissing but nothing spicy. The religious undertones of this book are a little heavier than some of the other books that I have read from this author. I would categorize this a Christian romance.

What a fun start to a new series! I did not read this when it was just a novella so I am unsure as to how much of it is part of the original novella. The storyline is well paced and I couldn’t spot any inconsistencies. The previously established friendship between the MCs compensate for the speed of their relationship. I did find Declan’s nicknames for Maggie a little silly but it fits with them having known each other for so long. I don’t think he calls her the same thing twice.

I look forward to reading the rest of this series and hope to see more of Maggie and Declan in future books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie resigns from her job after an embarrassing scandal goes live on social media and has been hired to become an etiquette coach. Who happens to be Maggie’s first client? None other than her best friend Declan, whom she hasn’t seen since high school but who have stayed in touch since via text message.

Declan is a football superstar whose coach seems to think he needs some grooming after pulling a prank on one of his teammates. It was so much fun to see Maggie and Declan get to know each other again after years apart and try to resist their connection. I enjoyed reading about these two and how the finally get their HEA at the end. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aelin Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cinderella and Printz charming are featured in this easy to read romcom. Childhood best friends are forced back together when a prank causes Declan Printz to attend an etiquette school in the isolated country of Concordia. Down on her luck Maggie Byrne takes on the position as Declan’s coach and attempts to corral his wayward behaviour. Secrets and a difficult past play a key role in this friends to lovers tale . This is a closed door romance with a Disney happy ever after . A quick easy read with bold characters and some trigger warnings. This book is part of series and American football is an important aspect of the tale . A book that highlights finding people who are your family by choice , friendship, hope and not letting your past define you .

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan and Maggie are forever friends who keep in touch via text. He's a football player with a bad boy reputation. She's the etiquette coach who's going to straighten him out. It was fun to see these two reconnect and reestablish their friendship, and then move on to a very sweet romance. Maggie is just as delightful as she seems, and I loved seeing her find happiness with Declan. He's a real mess in the beginning, but there's a sensitive and tender guy behind that facade. It's a heartwarming story, and I really enjoyed reading it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian]

Wow, wow, wow! If you're nervous to leave the #Ladybosses in Ellie's Home Sweet Home series, you will not be disappointed to travel along with the new #BruiserButts. Yes, it's prank gone wrong for the Boston Bruiser football team ... but it leads to so many great things! Read it, friends! I can't wait to read the next book - The NOT Love List.

Bookish Things ...
- Sports book that's more than a sports book
- Romantic Comedy with great depth
- Best Friends to Lovers
- Overcoming the Past
- Forgiveness and Faith
- nicknames, so many nicknames
- all the sweet treats

Reviewed from an eArc. Thank you, Ellie!
All opinions are my own.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the idea behind this series, a prank goes wrong that affect a group of football players needing to go to an etiquette coach in order to wash their image. There are five books in total with different tropes from Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, second chance/ old Crush...
This first book in the series is so funny and I love how Ellie has described the characters, the emotiond and the relationship between them. I also love that this one and the rest are dual POV. I also love football players! Cant wait for the 2nd book that caught my attention a lot while reading the blurb

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan and Maggie

Maggie has some childhood trauma and finds it difficult to feel lovable. Declan has had a lot of problems in his life and now tries to stay grounded and give back. I love The Swoon List. I love Declan and Maggie and their relationship. I love as they try to be honest with themselves and each other. I love as they try to resolve their issues. I love so many things about this book. And I love Maggie‘s nicknames. She’s Mag-mazing. This friends to more romantic comedy made me laugh out loud and even cry.

[Shirley Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan and Maggie have been best friends since high school, but life and past trauma have separated them until fate seems to step in. This was an interesting take on friends to more as their friendship has revolved around not talking about their pasts. They both started as blank slates with each other, but that isn't how life works, and it ultimately holds them back. And it is written so believable. I also appreciated it was a HEA but not a perfectly ever after. Some people are never going to change.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swoon List

Best friends Maggie and Declan meet at a private school. Neither of them have a very good childhood. He is a football player and a prankster. When a prank goes wrong, he is sent to a etiquette school. Maggie has just gotten a job there. They are both surprised to see each other. This story made me smile and laugh. It was hard to see how her parents treated her but I loved how sweet Declan was with her and how supportive and understanding she was with him. Fantastic book and I am excited to read the next one in this series.