Book Review: Foolish Games by Tracy Solheim

Foolish Games
Author: Tracy Solheim
Series: An Out of Bounds Novel
Publication: Berkley (December 3, 2013)

Description: This Hail Mary play for the heart is the latest sports romance in the sizzling Out of Bounds series. 

Bridal gown designer Julianne Marchione knows better than to lose her head at a client’s wedding. But, much to her embarrassment, a mix of migraine medication and a smoking hot football player lead to a steamy one night stand resulting in a surprise pregnancy. Julianne has every intention of leaving her NFL hookup far in the past until her son, Owen, is born with a life-threatening blood disorder that requires a transfusion—and Julianne is not a match.

Will “William the Conqueror” Connelly grew up tough, shouldering the stigma of being a bastard child born on the wrong side of the tracks. He refuses to let any child face the same discrimination. When he finds out about Owen, he’s furious that Julianne kept his son a secret. But when he sees her again at the hospital, he realizes that his feelings for her go far beyond anger.

Will insists that Owen recuperate at his home in North Carolina, and he’s adamant that Julianne become his wife—even if it’s only a temporary marriage in name only. But will their simmering attraction ever lead to a real connection?  Or are they just playing foolish games?

My Thoughts: This was an interesting story that explores the "secret baby" trope. Julianne had never intended to let Will know that she had had his baby. But when the baby suffers a medical emergency that can only be solved by a transfusion of parental blood and Julianne's isn't right, she has to let Will know he is a father. Will who grew up as an illegitimate child in a small town has always been determined that no child of his would suffer the same fate.

This one night stand will have life-changing consequences for both of them. These two people don't know each other but Julianne's guilt at keeping her son from his father and Will's need to make things right has them marrying with every intention of it being a temporary situation.

While they don't know each other, and Will certainly doesn't trust Julianne, the chemistry between them is evident to the people around them. And there is a strong cast of people around them. Will's mother has a strong role in the book as does Will's general manager. Julianne also has her friends Carly and Nick and her business manager Sebastian to support her. Julianne's brother the Senator also has a role in the story which adds tons of complications.

Besides the romance part of the story, Will is also dealing with accusations of collecting bounties for hitting players too hard. The coach he idolized and who got him out of his poverty-stricken background and into Yale is right in the middle of it. Will is determined to be loyal to that coach despite what it could do to his career. Julianne's brother is chairing the Senate investigation into these activities by calling them racketeering.

I enjoyed the intensity of this romance and am eager to seek out other books in the series.

Favorite Quote:

Her challenge hung in the air for a moment before he descended on her. "Stop telling me I don't want my son." He wanted to strangle her, but only a psychopath would do that to his child's mother with their kid in the room. So he opted for kissing her instead. And it was an incredible kiss. Like a mon who'd gone without food or water for days, he devoured her.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.