Only on Gameday by:

Only on Gameday
Author: Kristen Callihan
Published: January 2026
Publisher: Mira/Harper Collins
Format: ARC eBook/Audiobook
Pages: 416
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

A “fake” fiancée is just the trick to help a bad-boy football player clean up his image. Trouble is, there’s nothing fake about the way August feels about his “pretend” fiancée.

August Luck is on the brink of greatness: top NFL draft pick, a great team, multiple corporate sponsorships, but he keeps messing it up with bonehead moves. After his latest shenanigan goes viral, everyone is telling him to get his act together.

Penelope Morrow grew up with August. Their mothers were best friends. Unfortunately, Pen always fled the room with a look of disapproval on her pretty face whenever August was around. But Pen has a problem too: she inherited her grandparent’s house and can’t pay the estate tax.

On a whim, August decides a temporary public engagement is the solution to both their problems—he’ll pay her taxes, and she’ll help his image. Win-win.

But, when it comes to Pen, nothing is certain or safe. Because Pen isn’t so reserved anymore. This time, she’s smiling back at him. And he likes it. A lot. Will they each survive the ruse unscathed?

Game on...

Review:

First, I'd like to thank Mira/ Harper Collins for sending me an ARC to review! I've never read a book by Kristen Callihan before but I don't think it'll be the last!

This will also be my first time listening to an Audiobook in its full length. I've always found it hard to get into them, but for 2026 that's something I want to dive into more if I can! So getting to tandem read was great!

Right from the beginning you jump into Pen and Auggie's relationship. It's different since she's known the Lucks forever since her mother and theirs are best friends. Sort of like a found family, but when it comes to August Luck, he's more like the boy she'll never have - at least that's what she has thought for so long - but in reality their mutual pining is just what gets them to their HEA.

I will say there were some moments that felt like they dragged on a bit too much, however the slow burn was worth it for me. Sometimes they can be too long, but for Pen and Auggie it was great! Long time childhood acquaintances turned romance? I could eat that all day long!

Watching Pen's development was great. Clearly she's got some family things to power through and August was there for her throughout the novel. While she may not have realized it, August has been in love with her since he was a teenager, so watching her out the pieces together was sweet.

When they finally do get together though, boy did it get steamy! Pen and August took it slow to start but once they got going, they really got going! Keep that fan on, because you'll need it!

Another thing I loved was all of the other characters/August's family. The text messages between them all had me chuckling many times, but also the very really heart to heart August has with his father and brother was deep. I think it was great to have a moment exactly like that in the book, it just tugged at the heartstrings even more.

Overall I really enjoyed the book! Maxine Mitchell and Teddy Hamilton narration of Pen and August was great! Although it may take some time getting used to audiobooks, it was interesting to connect another way to a story by listening to the characters speak as if they're truly real. It was emotional, sweet, funny, and heartwarming of a story. I couldn't put it down and I definitely can't wait to read more books by Kristen Callihan!

That's all for my review, I hope you enjoyed it! Be sure to grab you copy today!

So until the next time, keep reading!

Your Graduated Bookworm! :)