When I was looking for a “hot” book during the cold snap, I stumbled across Chasing the Ring by Lauren Rowe. Although that title could refer to an engagement or wedding ring, the first book in the new romantic series actually refers to a Super Bowl ring. Lauren Rowe’s sizzling romance, Chasing the Ring is the first in the new Football and Feels line.

Iris Benedetto’s supposed-to-be wedding goes viral when she reveals at the altar that her groom is a cheater, and she’s not marrying him. She flees to Hawaii, to take her honeymoon by herself, only to end up in a bungalow where she was supposed to stay. But, she finds a sexy naked man coming out of the shower. NFL quarterback Roman Maguire is taking a break while his agent negotiates with his new team. He doesn’t expect to run into a perky woman in his bathroom. Roman has the last bungalow at the hotel, but he’s willing to share.

Iris is more than willing to share. She has no idea who Roman is, but she’s going to go all out, and enjoy a fling if she has the chance to make up for the four years she wasted on her ex-fiance. Since she and Roman are immediately attracted to each other, it’s easy for them to agree to five days of hot sex before walking away from each other. As a star quarterback, he easily discovers who Iris is, a preschool teacher from a small Washington town who embarrassed herself when her scene at her wedding went viral. But, Roman isn’t honest with her because he’s worried she’s just using him. He didn’t tell her about his four-year-old son. By the time he has to leave for a press conference with his new team, they’re fighting over his lack of honesty. It’s going to be a long time before they can get over each other and that argument.

Chasing the Ring is a fun romance about two people learning to trust and love each other. The family aspects are warm. Character development is well-done, and you can see the growth in both the main characters. The love between Roman’s family members is beautiful. I enjoyed seeing the story told from both Iris and Roman’s viewpoint. And, the sex is sizzling.

Lauren Rowe’s website is https://laurenrowebooks.com/

Chasing the Ring by Lauren Rowe. Kensington, 2026. 352p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I picked up a copy on Amazon’s KindleUnlimited