The Varsity Dad Dilemma is a sexy, small town sports romance from Lex Martin! And this contemporary romance just released today, July 20, 2021. If you're go to's for romance books feature: college setting, single parent, surprise baby, small town, second chance, or slow burn -- well then go pick up The Varsity Dad.
Oh how to even begin to recap tidbits of this story! Rider is the quarterback, and captain, of his college football team. Gabby happens to live across the street, is the sister to one of Rider's teammates, and is the person who Rider unintentionally hurt during freshman year. Therefore Gabby isn't exactly thrilled that Rider lives across the street, and that she has to see him so often. It's more than that though. There's still this connection that the two share. One night the football team is having a party, and it is ridiculously loud. So late in the evening Gabby heads across the street to put an end to it all. Minutes later, Gabby hears a baby crying, opens to the door to Rider's (and the football team) house, and finds sweet little Poppy laying there. Abandoned. What happens next has a bunch of the guys taking a paternity test, signing NDAs, and setting up babysitting charts to help take care of this baby. After all none of them want her going into the foster care system. When the results come in, the dad is revealed. Now they just need to try and figure out who the mom is. And where the mom is. What happens next tells the story of Rider, Poppy, and Gabby, and how they make things work while attending college, playing football, holding down jobs, and raising a baby. Of course there has to be a big dramatic moment, and oh what a moment it was. Egads.
When I read the teaser for The Varsity Dad Dilemma, I wasn't sure what to think. But knowing it was a book by Lex Martin, I was all in. I have loved every book that I've read by her, so I had high expectations. My expectations were met too. I fully enjoyed The Varsity Dad Dilemma. Loved the sports romance part of the story. Loved the single parent slash surprise baby aspect. The second chance romance between Gabby and Rider was also fantastic. That big dramatic moment had me gasp, shake my head, and almost had me wanting to throw my kindle. I am confused about how things played out with Ramona, as I thought she and Gabby were better friends than that. I'm also confused about Sienna. Who was she dating on the football team? I can't lie, I was wondering if she was behind the news article that had come out. I mean she is from California, and she is now in Charming Texas, so it just seemed like a possibility since the article was posted on a California site. Also, Ben. I want more of his story. I feel like I need it. I need to know what happens next in his life. Oh, and then that little pop up in the book from some of our Texas Night characters? YES! LOVED THAT! I love that there was that connection.
I am choosing to give The Varsity Dad Dilemma 4 stars, and I highly recommend the book. The slow burn was perfection. The second chance romance drew me in. The found family is what had me staying. I am crossing my fingers that Lex Martin brings us back to Charming for another visit.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura
BLURB
What’s worse than having Rider Kingston, the star quarterback, give you the big brush-off because he doesn’t want to get serious? You’d probably think living across the street from him where you get a firsthand view of his hookups, right?
That’s what I thought. Until someone drops off a baby with a note pinned to her blanket that says one of those jocks—either Rider or one of his roommates—is the father. The problem? Baby mama doesn’t mention which of these numbskulls is the sperm donor.
I wouldn’t care about their paternity problems—not the slightest bit—except my brother lives there too. Which means that adorable squawking bundle might be my niece, and there’s no way I’m leaving her unattended with those bumbling football players.
They need my help, even if they don’t know it yet. Once we solve this dilemma and figure out who’s the daddy, I’m out.
I’ll just ignore Rider and those soul-searing looks he gives me every time I reach for the baby. He broke my heart three years ago. He won’t get a second chance.
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EXCERPT
As I walk Sienna to her car, she squeals. “Holy crap, is that Rider Kingston?”
Without my permission, my gaze slides across the street to the oversized man-child, who has the gall to be moving furniture shirtless while flexing his stupid abs. Judging by the other sweaty minions pouring out of the two story, Rider’s getting new roommates too.
My eye twitches again, and my focus snaps back to Sienna. “I thought you said you weren’t a fan of football.”
“Oh, I’m not. I can’t sit through an entire game. But I am a fan of football players.” Her gaze turns ravenous as she scans my neighbor’s front lawn. Or, likely, the glistening eight-pack Rider’s put on display. “All that testosterone. Those bulging muscles. That deep, masculine grunting. Oh yeah. Get me one of those!”
She cackles, and Rider hears it.
Of course he does.
Shockingly, he deigns to speak to me.
“Hey, Gabby,” he shouts. “How was your summer?”
I’m not sure when he decided to stop ignoring me, but that’s better than pretending we’re friends, which we’ll never be.
I close my eyes because I don’t need any reminders of his masculine beauty. And I definitely don’t need to see that sexy smirk, the one more powerful than his cannon that took the team to the playoffs last year.
No, I’m not interested in the star quarterback. Not anymore.
Turning on my heel, I wave my middle finger and march back to my house.
Laughter is all I hear as I slam the front door shut behind me.
AUTHOR BIO
Lex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of the Texas Nights series (Reckless/Shameless) and the Dearest series. She writes contemporary romances, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. A former high school English teacher and freelance journalist, she’s lived all over the country but currently resides in her hometown of San Antonio with her husband and twin daughters.
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GIVEAWAY
Thank you to Lex Martin, and Give Me Books PR for providing me with an advanced copy of The Varsity Dad Dilemma.
