First and forever

First and forever

Lynn Painter

Book - 2026

"A football star and a diehard fan entangled in a PR stunt-that only one side knows is fake-might be the right play in this new romantic comedy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lynn Painter. Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyotes football. So when she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet's villain, she is distraught-and disgruntled. All she did was shove Coyote Carl away when he made a move on her, but everyone else just saw a woman attacking their team's beloved mascot. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn't expect a co-guest to join her-especially not the Coyotes' star tight end. When MVP Connor Cunni...ngham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of their PR nightmare, he thought that meant saying a few words on the team's behalf. Instead, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. Duffy pelts him with fiery jabs but is also clearly diehard about the Coyotes-color him intrigued...and attracted. The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. A strong push from the Coyotes' PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, he's surprised to discover that being with Duffy is much easier than he thought, and somehow it doesn't feel fake to him. Harboring this secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it'll be the greatest fumble of his life"-- Provided by publisher.

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Subjects
Novels.
Fiction.
Romance fiction.
Romans.
Genres
Novels
Fiction
Romance fiction
Romans
Published
New York : Berkley Romance 2026.
Language
English
Main Author
Lynn Painter (author)
Edition
First edition
Physical Description
pages cm
ISBN
9780593817445
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

A pro football team's publicity crisis leads to unexpected love in this diverting sports romance from Painter (The Love Wager). After a video of Duffy Distefano appearing to attack the mascot of the Minneapolis Coyotes during a game goes viral, she's invited onto a morning talk show to explain her side of the story: the Coyote got handsy and she was defending herself. Coyotes tight end Connor Cunningham also shows up at the talk show, and their sparky on-air sparring belies an attraction that fans are quick to pick up on. With the team scrambling to do damage control in the wake of Duffy's allegations, its publicist suggests Connor ask Duffy out to generate some good PR. The pair enjoy a sizzling first date and Connor is eager to keep seeing her, but Duffy is hesitant to stay in the public eye and doubtful of Connor's sincerity. Connor sets out to win her over and eventually succeeds, becoming an integral part of her life and her close-knit family--but their happy ending will be in jeopardy if she ever discovers why he initially asked her out. Painter's characters feel authentic, and their witty banter leaps off the page. Readers are sure to root for these two. Agent: Kim Lionetti, BookEnds Literary. (May)

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review

When accountant Duffy Distefano is groped by the handsy mascot of her favorite football team, she gives him a completely justified shove that is caught on the jumbotron and goes viral online. Soon she is branded "Football Karen," a label she knows she doesn't deserve. Tired of being pelted with concessions fare at home games, she agrees to an interview on a local morning show to try to mitigate the hate. What she doesn't expect is for the team's star tight end to show up too--or that he'd be so charming. Connor Cunningham planned to smile for the cameras and say a few placating words, but he's intrigued by the fiery fan who refuses to be impressed by his MVP awards. After his and Duffy's TV spot goes viral, the team's PR staff encourages him to ask her out, and he reluctantly agrees. Their time together doesn't feel like a stunt, though. Trying not to fumble the most important play of his life, Connor hopes to convince Duffy that their relationship is real, despite its fake origins. VERDICT Painter's (Maid for Each Other) sports romance is a laugh-out-loud, swoony delight from start to finish.--Rebecca Moe

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