They’re faking it for the cameras. But what if the sparks are real?
Graydon St. John doesn’t do drama―or public appearances. The brooding defensive end for the San Francisco Foghorns prefers silence, solitude, and avoiding headlines.
But when a league-wide PR scandal forces him into a media stunt at the city zoo, he’s suddenly face-to-face with squawking birds, nosy fans, and the zookeeper who seems to hate his guts on sight.
Maple Baker loves her flamingos. Loud, pink, messy? Sure. But they’re hers. And the last thing she needs is a grumpy football player stomping into her sanctuary with a bad attitude and a bigger ego. Unfortunately, they’ve been paired for the zoo’s new public outreach program, and the cameras are already rolling.
The banter is sharp. The tension is electric. And the more they pretend to play nice for the press, the more their fake flirtation starts to feel like something dangerously real.
But when family secrets, viral fame, and a PR romance gone off-script threaten everything Maple’s worked for, Graydon must decide if he’s willing to fight for love―or let it slip away to protect her.
What do you get when you force a sweet, mild-mannered zookeeper to put up with the snarly, angry football player? A lot of fireworks, so let this be a lesson not to mistake kindness for weakness. Maple sees Graydon as an unlikely ally and necessary evil in her quest to raise funds for the flamingos. Graydon declares PR work at the zoo beneath him, especially since he’s been paired up with the flamingos, for which he has a particular disdain. They really get off on the wrong foot because he insults the flamingos, at length, with particularly rude and ignorant accusations, all of which are false.
Despite the mutual disdain, they’re forced into a PR relationship by his team, in exchange for a generous donation to the zoo and it’s not long before the lines blur. Graydon and Maple are one of the best couples the author has ever given us, which is no small feat. I loved everything about these two and their story.
It’s a perfect blend of cutting banter, snarky wit and raw emotion, with plenty of humor and a slow burn that will drive you mad. I laughed out loud more times than I can count and had multiple ‘favorite’ quotes. The slow burn lasts into the second half but is so worth the wait. I couldn’t get enough of this one. I’d like to thank the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
