Maven Wood is a 22-year-old college dropout who had to give up a soccer scholarship due to an injury. She knows she has to figure out her next steps, but also has to find a way to pay the rent. Even though her godfather and head coach of the city’s NFL team, Shawn, helps her get a job as a team photographer, she’s still coming up short. Luckily, star kicker Dallas Lansfield needs a nanny for his four-year-old daughter June. If he doesn’t come up with a solution, he doesn’t know how much longer he can be both a professional NFL player and single dad. So Dallas hires Maven to watch his daughter, and she gets to keep her roof over her head. But things become tricky when they can’t deny the attraction and chemistry between them. And since there’s a strict no-dating rule between players and staff, the stakes are high if they ever go further than innocently flirting and stealing glances. Behind the Camera by Chelsea Curto is a slow-burn sports romance novel that follows Maven and Dallas as they try their best to focus on anything other than the thing they both want – each other.
Book
I should note that while Behind the Camera is a stand-alone novel, it’s a third in a series. Camera Chemistry and Caught on Camera are not required reading to enjoy this one, but let me tell you that I immediately added them to my TBR list once I was finished.
The agreement is mutually beneficial – Dallas gets a trustworthy sitter for his daughter, and Maven doesn’t become homeless. But what starts out as a professional relationship soon grows into something more. A meaningful friendship develops. They are an unstoppable team when it comes to June. And they consider living together to cut out time and money on Maven’s apartment. Eventually they wonder if they can keep a relationship a secret, seeing as their jobs are at risk if anyone – especially Shawn – finds out about what they really mean to each other.
Review
Curto shows why she sticks to sports romances for her niche. The chemistry felt natural between the two lovebirds. I appreciated how their deeper connection was believable in conjunction with them not being shy about what they wanted to do with each other. I hated the slow burn, but that’s just because I wanted to see them finally give in to their feelings. And once they did, it didn’t slow down. Readers who love spice in their romance will not be disappointed.
As a dual POV book, Curto did a great job distinguishing between voices and giving readers both sides of the inner turmoil – not just into their attraction and appreciation for each other, but also what matters to them most. I also enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters who already had their stories told, and those with stories yet to come. Everyone is fun, loyal, and down-to-earth. And June has the best village to raise her.
Behind the Camera is available March 19.
