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The plan was simple – fake date the NFL bad boy. Falling for him was never part of the game.
Tanner Long is the NFL’s favorite disaster. Charming. Cocky. A highlight-reel wide receiver with a playboy reputation who’s one scandal away from destroying his career.
Unfortunately for me, he’s also the hottest man I’ve ever met. Tousled brown hair I want to run my hands through. Sparkling green eyes I could drown in. And strong arms that make me wonder what it would feel like to be carried away by him.
But when Tanner asks me out, I say no. I’m trying to build a serious journalism career — not become another woman linked to football’s biggest flirt. Besides, my small-town newspaper is barely hanging on by a thread, and I can’t afford distractions.
Then Tanner offers me a deal.
He needs a fake girlfriend to repair his reputation. I need an opportunity to prove I’m more than a small-town gossip columnist.
Simple.
We date publicly for the summer. He convinces the world he’s finally settled down. I get closer to the Steel City Seals organization and the chance to build my career.
Everybody wins.
There’s just one problem. Tanner Long is nothing like I expected.
Behind the goofy charm and reckless reputation is a man who loves deeply, hides his scars well, and makes me laugh when I least want to smile. The more time we spend together, the harder it becomes to remember this is supposed to be just a game we’re playing.
Because the rules were simple.
Fake date the football player.
Don’t fall in love with him.
The Game We Played is a spicy small-town sports romance featuring fake dating, football chaos, meddling teammates, a fiercely independent heroine, a wide receiver with a reputation for trouble, and a hero who falls so hard he throws a public groveling party to win his girl back.
Training camp brings all the Steel City Seals to Smuggler’s Hideaway at once, which means overlapping timelines, familiar faces, and football-player chaos. Read in any order.
“I devoured this book in one sitting. Just like all her other books, Haggerty draws you in from the beginning and keeps you turning the pages.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I just love this wonderful author and the way her books flow giving a bit of everything. There’s spice, family, friendship and always a deeper or meaningful thread running through. This time the differences between the two main characters families were, in my opinion, very cleverly written.
"A great storyline with superb characters and a wonderful HEA.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“From the start of the book I was hooked and couldn't find it in me to put it down until I finished. It's fun, hilarious, entertaining and enjoyable and I am so happy to recommend reading. I can't wait to see what the next book in the series is about.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Dena scored a touchdown with this one. Tanner and Alaia were hilarious together, as were the other teammates and of course, Sammy the seal made another inconvenient appearance. If you love hilarious small town romance then this is the book for you.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I just love this wonderful author and the way her books flow giving a bit of everything. There’s spice, family, friendship and always a deeper or meaningful thread running through. This time the differences between the two main characters families were, in my opinion, very cleverly written.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Tanner and Alaia have got to be the cutest not-a-couple couple. I also adore her twin sisters snd their antics. An all around great book to read especially on a beautiful beach.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Every time I read one of these stories from this author I want to climb into the book and be part of the wild characters and the craziness that is the town. I laughed so much at these two as they fall in love and then the drama and grand gesture that wins over the hurt. Truly a page turner love story.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I absolutely tore through this one, as it's soo easy to attach with the characters and sillyness [sic] of Smuggler’s Hideaway! This book (and series) feels like dropping into your favorite vacation spot, where you know everyone 😀!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This one has everything we love from this author's works - it's fun, flirty, great character banter, engaging, quirky characters, great chemistry, endearing Island traditions, and a great HEA. Start here if needed (fyi...you're gonna want to read them all), but take a trip to Smuggler’s Hideaway today! 😁 I recommend it!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“a book that you should be prepared to be unwilling to put down once you start. Engaging, compelling, emotional (I cried, I laughed out loud, I wanted to kick Tanner for being a product of his upbringing).” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The man reaches the bar and slaps his hands down before aiming a smile my way. I barely hold back my eye roll.
“What can I get you?”
“Six beers and your phone number, darling.”
I don’t bother to hold back my eye roll now. “Darling?”
He smirks. “Women line up for me to call them darling.”
I bark out a laugh. “Are these real women? Or inflatable ones?”
He scowls. “I don’t use inflatable women.”
I snort. “Sure, you don’t.”
He puffs out his chest. “Don’t you know who I am?”
“I know who you are all right, Tanner Long. Wide receiver for the Steel City Seals.” He grins but I hold up a hand. “And the biggest player on the team. Not to mention a troublemaker whose name is in the newspaper more often for his shenanigans than for his ability to catch passes or score touchdowns.”
“Fake news.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You didn’t get fined for live-streaming from the locker room? Or what about the time you ruined a charity gala by turning the silent auction into a drinking game?”
“The fine was bullshit. I covered all the private parts of the men.”
“But did you ask their permission to stream them showering all over the internet?”
The livestream went viral. I confess I might have watched it a time or a thousand. His team members are sexy. Who knew they were hiding all those muscles under the uniform padding? I do now.
“They should have thanked me. Several of them got underwear endorsements as a result.”
I giggle. “You truly believe they should have thanked you, don’t you?”
He nods. “And the charity gala raised more money that year than ever before. They should definitely thank me, too.”
I shake my head. “You’re trouble in all caps and backlit with neon light.”
