In Coach (Treasure State Wildcats #1) by Devney Perry, Millie Cunningham lives and breathes the colors of 
Treasure State University. With a job as the assistant athletic director, it kind of comes with the territory. But for her, it’s the place where she’s had some of the best days of her life. And one of the worst. Namely, back when her best friend Ford Ellis, on whom she had a huge crush, left without a word shortly after they shared one amazing kiss. Now ten years later Ford waltzes in as the new head coach of the Wildcats football team. And wouldn’t you know, but Millie’s feelings are still right there. But the chance for them to see where their connection takes them is still as complicated as ever–thanks to working in the same department as well as people from their past causing a ruckus.
‘I’d been in love with him for over a decade. Those feelings hadn’t vanished, they’d just gone into hibernation. They’d stirred awake the day he’d returned to Mission.’
Ford hoped the move from Seattle to Mission, Montana, would be a new start for him and his nine-year-old daughter Joey, who is his entire world. Full-time custody means a lot of compromise and hectic days. But he’ll do anything to give Joey a stable, happy life. Then Ford starts his new coaching job–with plans of turning his players into a cohesive team and with tons of wins–to find his Millie has been working at TSU for the past nine years. How did he not know that? Probably because his life took a left-turn away from hers a decade ago. But now Ford has the chance to make things right. To explain why he left and to see if they can start over. Because all he can think about is building a solid life together with the two most important females in his world: Joey and Millie.
‘My Millie. Except she wasn’t mine anymore, was she? I’d lost her a long time ago when I’d walked away. When I’d made the wrong choice for myself. And the right one for my daughter.’
Coach was everything a reader could hope for in a sports romance. The excitement of the game. The players, coaches, and other team members giving it their all. A friendship that faded but never disappeared. And a tender but passionate romance that finally got its chance to blossom.
“Look at me,” I ordered, waiting until I had those pretty eyes. “Say it again.”
She smiled. “I love you.”
Ten years. Three words, ten years in the making. They were sweet. So fucking sweet.
No matter the genre–or subgenre–if Devney Perry writes it, you bet I’ll read it. And I know I’ll enjoy every minute. With Ford and Millie’s touching story, we had not only a single dad, sports romance as Ford became the new head football coach of the Treasure State Wildcats, but we also had his second chance together with Millie. Well, sort of a second chance as up to that point they’d only shared one memorable kiss.
When his whole world changed ten years ago upon learning he was going to become a dad, Ford had to walk away from his best friend–Millie. Someone he adored and wanted to date. I won’t get into why Ford left. It’s better to find out by reading about it. But suffice to say it changed both of their lives in many ways. So, for Ford and Millie to get the chance to reconnect–whether that was through friendship, romance, or both–was thoroughly satisfying and oh so sweet.
Devney Perry has a knack for writing characters that seem genuine and completely real. In Coach, Millie and Ford also proved to be good people on a soul-deep level, through and through. So of course, that made it even easier to root for them. They were in a tough spot, working in the same department–although not direct coworkers–having to adhere to a non-fraternization policy. It added another level of complexity to Ford and Millie’s rekindled relationship. People from their past also didn’t make it easy. But thankfully his nine-year-old daughter Joey was totally on board with Millie being in Ford’s life and was a fun addition to any scene she appeared in. Particularly in the entertaining epilogue that took us seven years into the future. *happy sigh*
QOTD: Are you a sports romance fan? If so, do you have any authors or series to recommend?
Book Info:
Publication: Published April 6th, 2023 | Devney Perry | Treasure State Wildcats #1
A single dad, sports romance from Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Devney Perry.
Football star. Single dad. And once, a long time ago, mine.
I’ve spent the better part of a decade forgetting Ford Ellis. If he had just stayed away from Montana, I might have erased the memory of his striking blue eyes and rugged smile forever. Avoiding him was easy when the only place I saw his face was on ESPN—and a remote control could fix that problem.
Except my boss just hired Ford as the new head coach for the Treasure State Wildcats. Not only will I be stuck watching him on the sidelines this season, but avoiding him will be impossible now that we’re working together.
Maybe I haven’t forgotten Ford. Maybe I still dream about what we might have been. Maybe he hasn’t forgotten me either.
Except those maybes won’t change the fact that we were never meant to be. Maybe he was mine once. But as of today, the only thing I’ll be calling Ford Ellis is Coach.
Amy Donahue
I enjoy the occasional sports romance but I don’t have a favorite author.
Michele H
I’m the same, Amy. It’s not my go-to subgenre of romance but I do enjoy a well-written sports love story. This one was great and definitely worth the time!
Loverofromance
I do enjoy Devney Perry, and with you recommending this one, I definitely will be upping it on my TBR!! I do love how real to life her characters feel. Lovely review!
Dianne Casey
New author to me. Would really like to read.
Michele H
Devney’s writing is wonderful, Dianne! You can’t go wrong with any of her books but if you do like sports romances, this would be a nice place to start. Have fun!
Michele H
Thanks, Renee! 🙂 She writes a great story anyway, but you can tell she’s a sports fan in this one–without scrimping on the romance and the characterization. Hope you enjoy!!
Glenda M
I enjoy sports romances but haven’t read enough of most authors to confidently recommend them except for Pippa Grant.
Michele H
Oh, Pippa Grant is a good one to recommend, Glenda! I’ve only read a few of her books but really enjoyed them! 🙂
Glenda M
Pippa Grant has got a couple sports related series – not heavy on the actual action which is good by me. Meghan Quinn does as well. Both have lots of comedy mixed in with the seriousness. (Hopefully I’m not double posting, but at least I remembered Megan’s books.)
Michele H
Yes, Meghan Quinn writes some fun (and sexy!) sports romances too! Actually, all of her books are great. LOL! 😉
Latesha B.
I do enjoy a good sports romance story. I like Tracy Solheim’s football series.
Amy R
Excited to listen to this audiobook.
Michele H
Nice! I hope you get to enjoy this one soon, Amy! Devney Perry was on fire with Ford & Millie’s romance 🙂
Michele H
The sports and athletes can add a lot of excitement and intensity to the story, right? Yes, I agree, Latesha. Tracy Solheim’s football series is definitely a winner! I need to catch up on that… 🙂
bn100
not a fan of the trope
Michele H
I get that. It’s definitely not for every reader. Thankfully Devney has tons of other books to entice us! 😉
Ellen C.
I love sports and enjoy reading sports stories. No favorite series, I read a little of everybody.
Anita H.
Thanks for sharing this review, sports romances are totally my jam. Love the Play By Play series by Jaci Burton, that one covers a bunch of different sports but my first love is hockey romances. Sarina Bowen has a really great series about the Brooklyn Bruisers that I love, another awesone one is Helena Hunting with the Pucked series and Kate Meader has The Chicago Rebels
Michele H
Yay! Sports romance for the win! 🙂 Those are some great authors & series you mentioned, Anita. Yes to them all! LOL I’m a fan of hockey romances, too, being from New England. Kate Meader is one of my go-to authors for that genre, for sure!
Hooked By That Book
This sounds great. I’ve read a couple of books now by Devney Perry and really enjoyed them.
Michele H
Nice! Devney writes a really solid story, every time. If you’ve enjoyed some of her other books and you like sports romances, then I think you’ll like this one. Happy reading!