“End Game” by Monica Murphy offers a charming sports romance sprinkled with sharp wit. The story features an irresistible forbidden love affair, seasoned with humor and just enough emotional intensity to captivate. In this first installment of the Kings of Campus series, a new transfer student and a charming football player find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Lovers of sports romances, particularly those with a football twist, will find “End Game” as exciting as a game-winning touchdown.
In this fun, sexy college romance, a transfer student finds herself living in a house full of football players—and falling for the one she knows she shouldn’t want. Everleigh Transferring to UC Santa Mira is supposed to be my ultimate college experience—until housing falls through at the last minute. So when I overhear a group of guys complaining they need another roommate, I jump at the opportunity. They’re just football players. Even if one of them makes me weak in the knees, it doesn’t mean anything unless I let it. And I won’t. We want different things. Wanting each other doesn’t change that. Nico It’s my senior year and final season with the Santa Mira Dolphins. The last thing I need is a distraction, but that’s exactly what this girl is. Ever is too leggy, too gorgeous, too thoughtful—and a whole lot of too much that gets under my skin. I guess I get under hers too. I can’t help myself. We live together. That alone makes it a bad idea…but I never could resist a little trouble. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Title: End Game
Author(s): Monica Murphy
Series: Kings of Campus #1
Published by Montlake Romance on September 17, 2024
Pages: 285
Genre(s): Contemporary Sports Romance
Source: Netgalley
Format: eArc 
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 
Series Rating:
Heat Level: 
“End Game” marked my first encounter with Monica Murphy’s work. The story placed the reader into the lives of Everleigh and Nico. Everleigh, a new transfer to UC Santa Mira, was eager to dive into college life. Yet, an unexpected twist in her housing situation threatened to quell her enthusiasm. Desperate for a place to stay, her luck seemed to run dry—until she stumbled upon a conversation between three guys in need of a roommate. Seizing the opportunity, she positioned herself as the prime candidate for the room, unaware that she was about to share a home with the campus’s star football players.
Initially, Nico Valente was reluctant to have Everleigh join him and his two roommates. Despite his reservations, he gave in, and before long, Everleigh had moved in and was sharing their living space.
Nico and Everleigh experienced an immediate spark between them, their chemistry undeniable as it crackled throughout their story. Nico, however, wasn’t looking for commitment; he enjoyed the variety of playing the field. Everleigh, on the other hand, approached with caution, still nursing the scars left by a past love. And just when things couldn’t get more tangled, their living situation added another layer of complexity.
Watching the player fall hopelessly in love with his roommate was entertaining. Nico struggled to convey his true feelings to Everleigh, who had built numerous walls around her heart, and he was uncertain of her feelings in return. Everleigh’s vacillating behavior was frustrating at times, but then I had to remind myself that these characters were barely out of their teenage years.
The dynamic between Everleigh and her roommates really brought the story to life. It was a pleasure delving into the lives of the secondary characters, especially Coop, who stood out as my favorite. His maturity surpassed that of his peers, and I’m particularly excited to see his story unfold.
The ‘Kings of Campus’ series starts off on a fairly good note, and I’m eager to dive into more of Ms. Murphy’s work. With the first book setting a promising pace, it’s clear that this series has a lot to offer.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: | |
- Sunlight: Devney Perry - October 21, 2024
- My Missing Daughter: Ellery Kane - October 19, 2024
- Her Forgotten Shadow: Pamela Fagan Hutchins - October 13, 2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2024 COYER Summer Challenge
- 2024 Netgalley and Edelweiss
It’s been a while since I read Monica Murphy or a college sports romance. Fun to see the player do the chasing.
This sounds like a really good start to a series.
I do love a good sports romance…from hockey to football! I will definitely be on the lookout for this one. 😀