120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide delivery 🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

First Down

By Grace Reilly
Series: Beyond the Play
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
USA Today Bestseller Welcome to McKee University in this spicy adult sports romance, first in the BookTok sensation Beyond the Play series—with new exclusive content in this edition. Tutoring the star quarterback in exchange for a few fake dates won't lead to anything more... right? James... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$5200

International Supplier

This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

USA Today Bestseller

Welcome to McKee University in this spicy adult sports romance, first in the BookTok sensation Beyond the Play series—with new exclusive content in this edition.

Tutoring the star quarterback in exchange for a few fake dates won't lead to anything more... right?

James

Football is my everything. I live, eat, breathe the sport. But when I transfer to McKee University to escape the distractions that nearly cost me my future in the NFL, I'm faced with another consequence: retake and pass the writing class I failed at my last college or lose any chance I have at making it big. That's where fellow senior Beckett Wood—gorgeous, stubborn, and just my type—comes in.

She's the key to my success in this class... but the price of her help is a fake relationship, and I never do things halfway.

Bex

I don't mess around with athletes—I've already learned that lesson—and at first glance, handsome, self-assured James Callahan is no exception. He wants me to help him pass the writing class we're both stuck taking, but I'm too busy to take on yet another responsibility. But when his teammate—my cheating ex—won't leave me alone, I realise I need to convince him I've moved on... and what better way than by pretending to be with James, who wants nothing to do with a real relationship?

Yet with every fake kiss, James pulls me deeper into a place that thrills and terrifies me. Why does he make me feel alive like no one else has?

And why don't I want it to end?

TROPES

  • College-set fake dating
  • Sizzling banter
  • Sports romance with the star of the football team
  • Swoon-worthy yearning

Filled with swoons, spice, sports, and the ultimate book boyfriend, First Down is a don't-miss adult college sports romance!

Series: Beyond the Play

View all
  • Breakaway
    Nothing screams captain material like messing around with my hockey coach's daughter . . . 'Sports romance perfection'; Real Reader Review 'The spice. The love. The humour. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK WAS PERFECT'; Real Reader Review 'Cooper 100% stole my heart'; Real Reader Review 'Grace Reilly's writing is excellent . . . it was like magic'; Real Reader Review Discover...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Stealing Home
    How can I focus on baseball, when I'm falling for my gorgeous, grumpy roommate . . .? 'Fun, heartfelt and so so sexy'; Real Reader Review '5 FREAKING STARS! Grace did it yet again!'; Real Reader Review 'Mia and Seb are definitely my new favourite Beyond the Play couple'; Real Reader Review 'I don't think words can describe the love...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wicked Serve
    He's my brother's biggest hockey rival . . . but he's bringing the heat for me 'Sparkling prose and delicious tension . . . Grace Reilly is the queen of sports romance!' – Stephanie Archer ----- Pre-order your new obsession from TikTok sensation Grace Reilly, a SPICY brother's rival hockey romance! Perfect for fans of Hannah Grace, Liz Tomforde, and...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • First Down
    First Down
    USA Today Bestseller Welcome to McKee University in this spicy adult sports romance, first in the BookTok sensation Beyond the Play series—with new exclusive content in this edition. Tutoring the star quarterback in exchange for a few fake dates won't lead to anything more... right? James Football is my everything. I live, eat, breathe the sport. But when I transfer...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $5200
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Stealing Home
    Stealing Home
    He should be focusing on baseball—not on falling for his gorgeous, grumpy roommate... especially since she's already left him once. Filled with swoons, spice, sports, and second chances, Stealing Home is a don't-miss grumpy x sunshine college sports romance. Sebastian It's my final season to prove myself before the MLB draft. The last thing I need is a distraction—and especially...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $3600
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Stealing Home
    Stealing Home
    USA Today Bestseller A can't-miss BookTok favourite, reverse grumpy/sunshine forced-proximity college sports romance, third in the Beyond the Play series—with new exclusive content in this edition! I should be focusing on my game—not on falling for my gorgeous, grumpy roommate...especially since she's already left me once. Sebastian It's my final season to prove myself before the MLB draft. The last...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $5000
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • First Down
    I can't believe that out of every person I could have kissed... I chose McKee's new quarterback. 'One of my very favourite sports romance books'; Real Reader Review 'James and Bex had red-hot chemistry'; Real Reader Review 'Light-hearted, sweet and spicy... amazing'; Real Reader Review 'Just perfect... if you are in the mood for a super swoony hero and a...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780063384118

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 February 2024

Country: United States

Imprint: Collins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 295g

Pages: 384

Collections

Fake Dating Fiction General Fiction Grace Reilly Romance Series: Beyond the Play Sports Romance

About the Author

Grace Reilly is the USA Today bestselling author of swoony, spicy contemporary romances with heart. Originally from New York, she now lives in Florida, which is troubling given her fear of alligators. She is the author of Yes, Chef, as well as the college-set sports Beyond the Play series.

Also by Grace Reilly

View all
  • Breakaway
    Nothing screams captain material like messing around with my hockey coach's daughter . . . 'Sports romance perfection'; Real Reader Review 'The spice. The love. The humour. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK WAS PERFECT'; Real Reader Review 'Cooper 100% stole my heart'; Real Reader Review 'Grace Reilly's writing is excellent . . . it was like magic'; Real Reader Review Discover...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Stealing Home
    How can I focus on baseball, when I'm falling for my gorgeous, grumpy roommate . . .? 'Fun, heartfelt and so so sexy'; Real Reader Review '5 FREAKING STARS! Grace did it yet again!'; Real Reader Review 'Mia and Seb are definitely my new favourite Beyond the Play couple'; Real Reader Review 'I don't think words can describe the love...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wicked Serve
    He's my brother's biggest hockey rival . . . but he's bringing the heat for me 'Sparkling prose and delicious tension . . . Grace Reilly is the queen of sports romance!' – Stephanie Archer ----- Pre-order your new obsession from TikTok sensation Grace Reilly, a SPICY brother's rival hockey romance! Perfect for fans of Hannah Grace, Liz Tomforde, and...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Stealing Home
    Stealing Home
    He should be focusing on baseball—not on falling for his gorgeous, grumpy roommate... especially since she's already left him once. Filled with swoons, spice, sports, and second chances, Stealing Home is a don't-miss grumpy x sunshine college sports romance. Sebastian It's my final season to prove myself before the MLB draft. The last thing I need is a distraction—and especially...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $3600
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Stealing Home
    Stealing Home
    USA Today Bestseller A can't-miss BookTok favourite, reverse grumpy/sunshine forced-proximity college sports romance, third in the Beyond the Play series—with new exclusive content in this edition! I should be focusing on my game—not on falling for my gorgeous, grumpy roommate...especially since she's already left me once. Sebastian It's my final season to prove myself before the MLB draft. The last...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $5000
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Yes, Chef
    Yes, Chef
    PRE-ORDER the first spicy, standalone novel from the USA Today bestselling author of the Beyond the Play series! Perfect for fans of The Bear and Tessa Bailey! I ATE. THIS. UP … Fun, flirty, emotional, and absolutely dripping in chemistry. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Delicious…this story is a chef's kiss of perfection JULIE OLIVIA No notes. Yes, Chef was perfect! The banter and...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    $2499
    (1)
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • First Down
    I can't believe that out of every person I could have kissed... I chose McKee's new quarterback. 'One of my very favourite sports romance books'; Real Reader Review 'James and Bex had red-hot chemistry'; Real Reader Review 'Light-hearted, sweet and spicy... amazing'; Real Reader Review 'Just perfect... if you are in the mood for a super swoony hero and a...
    By Grace Reilly
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from Romance

View all
  • My Dreadful Darling
    New Release
    My Dreadful Darling
    My darling, it is you who is dreadful. Reverie Adams has only one goal in life: to keep her head above water with her father's sinister legacy weighing on her shoulders. But she's no stranger to drowning—it is her very first memory, after all, and if her demons have their way, it will also be her last. Even with the...
    By H. D. Carlton
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Midnight Curfew
    New Release
    Midnight Curfew
    The Jaeger family return in the brand new queer, dark romance from New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas, in which two rivals must fight their forbidden and burning attraction to one another. Summertime is quiet in southern Florida. In the humidity, the streets are empty, and the nights are still—perfect for a little mischief while the police aren't looking....
    By Penelope Douglas
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Eldritch
    New Release
    Eldritch
    From the author of Nocticadia comes the sequel to Anathema, a spellbinding gothic dark fantasy about a shunned woman who is forced beyond the mortal realm's forbidden boundary, into a terrifying world of cursed souls and grotesque creatures. In the grimly captivating sequel to Anathema, Maevyth and Zevander must navigate the perilous mortal lands to deliver Zevander from the clutches...
    By Keri Lake
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Psychotic Obsession
    From USA Today bestselling author and TikTok sensation comes the steamy, emotional dark romance spin-off that everyone is talking about!'Filled with TENSION, HEARTBREAK and ELECTRIC CHEMISTRY. This one will tear your heart right out of your chest before tossing it back in and sewing you up' No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Brynne Weaver'Leigh Rivers is THE QUEEN OF...
    By Leigh Rivers
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Taming The Heart
    New Release
    Taming The Heart
    Taming The Heart is a steamy, forbidden-love cowboy romance and the third book in the CRIMSON RIDGE series by internationally bestselling author Elliott Rose. Being hired by a ranch for the summer sounds picture-perfect, right? Except your new boss is your every fantasy come to life—oh, and he's already accidentally seen your favourite "toy." I've always been a free spirit....
    By Elliott Rose
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Shield of Sparrows
    Accolades: AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Feature film now in development at Amazon MGM Studios with John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad attached - Amazon Best Romantasy Books of the Year 2025 - Apple Books Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Novel Best Sellers 2025, #27 - Audible Top Ten Best Romantasy Listens of 2025 - Indigo Best Fantasy Books...
    By Devney Perry
    Paperback
    $6499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Love Hypothesis
    The Love Hypothesis is the global phenomenon and debut novel from TikTok sensation, Ali Hazelwood. It is now available in a beautiful movie tie-in collector's edition featuring exclusive artwork from the Amazon movie starring Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman, plus two bonus chapters from Adam's point of view. As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic...
    By Ali Hazelwood
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Deal
    Welcome to Briar U! Get ready for your newest obsession . . . Discover the addictive world of the Off-Campus series from The Queen of Hockey Romance, Elle Kennedy! Read The Deal now for the perfect fake-dating romance! She's about to make a deal with the college bad boy . . . Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns...
    By Elle Kennedy
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell
    New Release
    I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell
    What could go wrong on a road trip to Hell? ⭐ corporate hell vibes ⭐ only one bed ⭐ a road trip through the underworld ⭐ forced proximity ⭐ slow burn romance 'A delirious, clever romp of a book. Best time I've had with a book in ages!' JENNA LEVINE Brie Benson lives life in survival mode, right down to...
    By Mackenzie Reed
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Foxx
    New Release
    Foxx
    The third in a motorcycle dark romance series from self-published sensation and author of the beloved Silver Pines series, Paisley Hope. Aiden Foxx runs the Disciples of Sin motorcycle club with strict control and zero tolerance for weakness. A former Navy SEAL turned outlaw king, he lives by one rule - trust no one. Then Mia Tyler walks into his...
    By Paisley Hope
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Someday Garden
    New Release
    Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    The Someday Garden
    The BRAND-NEW magical rom-com from Ashley Poston, bestselling author of The Seven Year Slip, now!💖 ‘Ashley Poston writes really beautiful love stories with just a sprinkling of magic’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Proud to say that I've never met an Ashley Poston book that wasn't a five-star read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ * Sophie Drear never expected to fall in love. But over a summer in...
    By Ashley Poston
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Tempting Venom
    New Release
    Tempting Venom
    Tempting Venom is the third in a dark hockey romance series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Legacy of Gods series. When two ruthless enemies collide. My name is Preston Armstrong, and I'm the most depraved bastard you'll ever meet. I take what I want, ruin what I don't, and live exactly how I please....
    By Rina Kent
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Romance lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all