A WILD CARD KISS by Lauren Blakely: After catching her fiancé with another woman moments before their wedding, Katie is determined to put the entire disaster 
behind her. Enter Harlan Taylor—a professional football player, devoted father, and the perfect distraction from the worst day of her life. What begins as a spontaneous connection quickly becomes more complicated when work puts them in each other’s orbit and neither can ignore what keeps drawing them together.
A WILD CARD KISS by Lauren Blakely was a warm, funny sports romance featuring a runaway bride and a devoted single dad. One of my favorite things about this story was how easy it was to spend time with these characters. The humor, flirtation, and playful banter kept the pages flying, but there was also plenty of heart beneath the surface.
After such a public betrayal, Katie could have spent her time looking backward, but instead she focused on rebuilding her confidence and figuring out what she wanted for herself. I loved watching her move beyond the life she thought she was supposed to have and begin creating one that actually made her happy. Harlan was the kind of hero who is impossible not to fall for—sexy, attentive, completely devoted to his daughter, and refreshingly clear about what he wants.
The connection between Katie and Harlan was playful and passionate, but what I loved most was how comfortable they became with each other. Whether they were flirting, supporting one another through challenges, or simply enjoying time together, they brought out a lighter, happier side in each other that made their relationship incredibly satisfying to watch unfold.
Tropes & Vibes
🏈 Pro football romance
👨👧 Single dad hero
💍 Jilted bride
💘 One-night stand
🔥 Workplace complications
😊 Feel-good rom-com
A WILD CARD KISS was a warm, feel-good romance about trusting again and finding love when life takes an unexpected turn. Between the playful chemistry, the heartfelt family moments, and a hero who showed up with both confidence and tenderness, this was the kind of story that kept me smiling from beginning to end.
Book Info:
Publication: Published: May 19, 2026 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Ballers and Babes
For Katie Madigan—who catches her groom kissing another woman just minutes before they head to the altar—there’s nothing more apt than ditching the whole event for a drink at the bowling alley bar down the street. She’s just about had enough of men altogether when in walks a deliciously charming local football hero, Harlan Taylor—the perfect distraction for Katie’s heartbreak.
Another drink turns into a one night stand with hunky Harlan. When he asks in the morning if they could get together again, how could she say no? But then Katie learns his football team just hired her yoga studio to teach the star player, which means Harlan is officially off limits.
Trouble is, the more time Katie spends working with Harlan, the sexy single dad who dotes on his daughter, the more she’s feeling things far too soon. There’s no way this can end well, but tell that to her runaway heart.
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