ABANDONED. Good guy goliath size chubby hero who helps the heroine when they first meet at a sports bar...adult romantic read

[A]

I've been trying to remember the name of an adult romantic read where the hero is described as being goliath in size...and a little on the chubby side (meaning not sporting 6 pack abs/had a little bit of minor love handles). He was pretty much a handsome lumberjack size loner who worked hard during the day (construction??) then went to the same sports bar at night to watch SportsCentral TV (I think because he didn't have cable) and drink a beer or two. Not to meet women. In fact, he wanted to be left alone so he could just watch TV. He came across as surly and unapproachable to most people, but since he was a regular there some people briefly would chat with him.

The heroine went to the bar one night and was awestruck with not just his rugged looks but his massive size...and how even his barstool would creak when he moved, which seemed to embarrass him when he heard it. He came to her aid (maybe a bad date at the bar or someone was hitting on her. I vaguely remember she was upset about something) and that's how they struck up a conversation. She was likely crying. I'm thinking he might have given her a ride home..?? He was even somewhat embarrassed for having love handles, btw. I think the bookcover might have showed a close up half pic of a man holding a beer bottle. She signed up for SportsCentral TV just so he could watch it at her place.

I likely read it within the last two years...library paperback copy, I think.

I thought maybe Susan Warren was the author, because the cover might have resembled her Christiansen family romantic series. Can't remember how steamy it was, btw. I browsed through her GRs author shelf and didn't see a book there that reminded me of it.

Anyone out there have any idea the name of this book that featured this good guy chubby hero, who can't stand by and watch a girl being upset? It was the first time I read a book featuring a hero who wasn't sporting 6 pack abs.

[Ayshe]

Worked Up maybe? Reviews mention "bit of a beer belly".

[Marie]

This sounds like one of Kristen Ashley's books. I don't have a specific one in mind and her heroes do tend to be of the abs-of-steel variety but I wouldn't be surprised if she had written a more chubby one at some point. The story taking place partly in a bar and with a surly, loner hero definitely fits with her style.

Maybe someone else would know of a specific book by her that fits your description, but I recommend at least checking out the author.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

A left the group. Moving to Abandoned.