FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from The Author Agency. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Fouls We Make
by Brooke O'BrienSeries: Braysen U #3
Published by Self-Published on September 20, 2024
SubGenres: New Adult and College Romance
Format: eArc
Pages: 284
Source: The Author Agency
Audience: 18+/Adult
Add to Goodreads
Purchase at Amazon
A close proximity, friends-to-lovers sports romance by Brooke O'Brien about a woman who has sworn off dating football players and an all-star running back determined to win her heart and break her rules.
I've sworn off dating football players. After my last relationship ended disastrously, I've given up on love entirely.
Determined to start over fresh, somewhere far from Rixton, Tennessee, I impulsively transfer to Braysen University. The Carver twins were like brothers to me growing up. So, when they offer me a place to live until a dorm room frees up, I accept.
Reed Hendrix is as irresistible as he is off-limits. Sleeping in the room next to him could complicate things. Not only because my brother warned Reed to stay away from me but also because falling for him would break my own rule.
Yet it's unnerving how quickly I find myself giving in to my feelings for him. Before I know it, we're stealing glances and sneaking around, dangerously toeing the line between flirting and fooling around.
The more I unravel at the hands of Reed, the harder it is to resist falling for him. When my past catches up with me, it's more than my heart on the line.
They say some rules are meant to be broken.
When secrets are revealed, I can only hope my heart isn’t left broken too.
___________________________________________
What you get in The Fouls We Make...
Friends to LoversClose Proximity/RoommatesFootballSmall College TownInterconnected Standalone___________________________________________
The Fouls We Make is book 3 in the Braysen U series: a series of interconnected standalones following the football players of Braysen University and the women who can't help but fall for them. They do not need to be read in order, but you will gain glimpses of future characters/couples in each book.
The Fouls We Make is the third installment in Brooke O’Brien’s Braysen U series. It’s the perfect book if you enjoy reading football romances where the dirty-talking college football player falls hard for his new roommate. The issue is his new roommate, Tatum, has sworn off dating, especially football players, after what happened in her previous relationship with one. Reed is determined to win her over, even if it means being her friend at first, but he’s hoping for more. He just has to give her time, and hopefully, she’ll be willing to break her rule of not being with a football player.
I loved Reed’s and Tatum’s book, especially when they both tried to be friends at first, but eventually, they gave in to that instant attraction to one another. Tatum definitely needed Reed to show her how she was supposed to be treated because her ex was a horrible person. Reed is not only the hot jock, but he’s a dirty-talking one, too, so get ready to swoon. There was no way Tatum was going to be able to resist him for too long, especially when he pushed her to do things she never did with her ex. This book definitely was steamier than the first two, but I could be biased because I loved Reed and Tatum’s chemistry with one another. I loved how Tatum pushed Reed, too, when they were together.
Reed’s protectiveness of Tatum made him even more lovable. Tatum knew she could trust him to protect her after she told him what happened at Rixton U. He wasn’t going to let her ex or anyone hurt her again. He’s not someone to mess with, especially when he has specific skills. Don’t mess with someone who is a computer genius. =)
The Fouls We Make was a fast-paced, sweet, and spicy read that was hard to put down, especially after Reed and Tatum went from friends to friends with benefits, then to lovers. Rules were definitely meant to be broken with these two characters.
I give this book four stars, and now more than ever, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, knowing who’s coming next.
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s an Interconnected Standalone in the Braysen U Series.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are a fan of Football Romances, then this book is a must-read for the football season or even the off-season.
“Anytime you want, Tate. Anytime you’re lying in bed, and you think about touching this sweet pussy, I want you to sneak into my room and climb on top of me. Let met take care of you.”
What to Expect:
🏈Sports/Football Romance
🏈Friends with Benefits/Friends to Lovers
🏈Close Proximity/Roommates to Lovers
🏈Small College Town
🏈He Falls First
🏈Dirty Talker MMC
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. It will help sponsor future giveaways but costs you nothing extra. You can read the full disclosure underneath the Privacy Policy.
About Brooke O'Brien
USA Today Bestselling author Brooke O'Brien writes steamy and swoon-worthy new adult romances. She is best known for her sports and rock star romances.
Brooke believes a love worth having is worth fighting for, and she brings this into her stories where her characters risk it all for love.
When she isn't writing or falling in love with a new book boyfriend, you can find her spending time with her family, cheering on her favorite sports teams, listening to ASMR, or binge-watching the latest true crime documentary. She loves rockin' a comfy hoodie with leggings and believes the best days include a good nap.
Brooke loves connecting with readers and hopes you'll join her on her social pages or reader group to stay in touch.
Related Posts
My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
- ARC Review: ‘Daughter of the Wind’ by Nora Carmody - April 24, 2026
- RePost Review: ‘Archangel’s Legion’ by Nalini Singh - April 22, 2026
- Book Blitz + Giveaway: ‘A Tiny Little Favor’ by Peyton Banks - April 21, 2026