An ALL-NEW sports romance from New York Times bestseller Kristen Callihan with high emotional stakes and a slow-burn, steamy heat level.

A “fake” fiancée is just the trick to help a bad-boy football player clean up his image. Trouble is, there’s nothing fake about the way August feels about his “pretend” fiancée.
August Luck is on the brink of greatness: top NFL draft pick, a great team, multiple corporate sponsorships, but he keeps messing it up with bonehead moves. After his latest shenanigan goes viral, everyone is telling him to get his act together.

Penelope Morrow grew up with August. Their mothers were best friends. Unfortunately, Pen always fled the room with a look of disapproval on her pretty face whenever August was around. But Pen has a problem too: she inherited her grandparent’s house and can’t pay the estate tax.

On a whim, August decides a temporary public engagement is the solution to both their problems—he’ll pay her taxes, and she’ll help his image. Win-win.

But, when it comes to Pen, nothing is certain or safe. Because Pen isn’t so reserved anymore. This time, she’s smiling back at him. And he likes it. A lot. Will they each survive the ruse unscathed?

Game on…

Perfect for readers who love:
  • Shy girl/sunshine boy
  • Hero in hot pursuit
  • Unrequited love + epic yearning
  • Fake dating (or is it?)
  • Delicious slow-burn romance
  • Childhood nemeses (all grown up)
ISBN: 9781335661289
Imprint: MIRA
On Sale: Jan 6, 2026
List price: $23.99
No of pages: 416
Trim Size: 4.710 in (w) x 7.170 in (h) x 1.040 in (d)
BISAC 1: FICTION / Romance / Sports *
BISAC 2: FICTION / Romance / New Adult
BISAC 3: FICTION / Romance / Erotic

Kristen Callihan

Biography

KRISTEN CALLIHAN is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author. Her books have been translated into multiple languages throughout the world. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her family. When she’s not writing, you might find Kristen curled up on the couch, watching Poirot or Murder She Wrote and drinking tea. But don’t let that fool you; she’s also in a lifelong love affair with coffee. kristencallihan.comgt;

<strong>An ALL-NEW sports romance from <em>New York Times</em> bestseller Kristen Callihan with high emotional stakes and a slow-burn, steamy heat level.</strong><br /><br /><strong>A “fake” fiancée is just the trick to help a bad-boy football player clean up his image. Trouble is, there’s nothing fake about the way August feels about his “pretend” fiancée.</strong><br />August Luck is on the brink of greatness: top NFL draft pick, a great team, multiple corporate sponsorships, but he keeps messing it up with bonehead moves. After his latest shenanigan goes viral, e<em>veryone</em> is telling him to get his act together.<br /><br />Penelope Morrow grew up with August. Their mothers were best friends. Unfortunately, Pen always fled the room with a look of disapproval on her pretty face whenever August was around. But Pen has a problem too: she inherited her grandparent’s house and can’t pay the estate tax.<br /><br />On a whim, August decides a temporary public engagement is the solution to both their problems—he’ll pay her taxes, and she’ll help his image. Win-win.<br /><br />But, when it comes to Pen, nothing is certain or safe. Because Pen isn’t so reserved anymore. This time, she’s smiling back at him. And he likes it. A lot. Will they each survive the ruse unscathed?<br /><br /><em>Game on…</em><br /><br /><strong>Perfect for readers who love:</strong><ul> <li><strong>Shy girl/sunshine boy</strong></li> <li><strong>Hero in hot pursuit</strong></li> <li><strong>Unrequited love + epic yearning</strong></li> <li><strong>Fake dating (or is it?)</strong></li> <li><strong><em>Delicious</em> slow-burn romance</strong></li> <li><strong>Childhood nemeses (all grown up)</strong></li></ul>

ISBN: 9781335661289
Imprint: MIRA
On Sale: Jan 6, 2026
List price: $23.99
No of pages: 416
Trim Size: 4.710 in (w) x 7.170 in (h) x 1.040 in (d)
BISAC 1: FICTION / Romance / Sports *
BISAC 2: FICTION / Romance / New Adult
BISAC 3: FICTION / Romance / Erotic

Kristen Callihan

Biography

<strong>KRISTEN CALLIHAN</strong> is a <em>New York Times </em>and <em>USA Today</em> bestselling, award-winning author. Her books have been translated into multiple languages throughout the world. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her family. When she’s not writing, you might find Kristen curled up on the couch, watching <em>Poirot</em> or <em>Murder She Wrote </em>and drinking tea. But don’t let that fool you; she’s also in a lifelong love affair with coffee. kristencallihan.comgt;