Oakwood Ranch Series: Book 1
Publication Date: September 10, 2025
In high school, he broke her heart—now he’s the famous football player whose image she’s meant to clear. Game on.
NFL superstar Jake Sullivan’s playboy reputation is finally catching up with him. To keep his sponsors happy, he needs to wipe the slate clean—and fast. He’s never backed away from a challenge, so he’s confident he can charm the hotshot city journalist sent to write a glowing piece on him without revealing the real reason behind his behavior.
Harper Cassidy is determined to show the world the real Jake. The one who broke her teenage heart. Pulling up to his (admittedly idyllic) family ranch, Harper steels herself for his ridicule once he realizes who she is. But when his stormy dark eyes and stupidly handsome face give nothing away, her blood boils. He doesn’t even remember her! Her boss wants her feature to convince people he’s a good guy. Yeah, right.
They would both rather be anywhere else, but for the next five weeks they’re stuck with each other. So why does Harper’s heart flutter when Jake offers up his sweatshirt and their hands accidentally brush? Why can’t Jake resist taking Harper to places he’s never shown anyone? And stranger still: supposed playboy Jake hasn’t glanced at a single woman since Harper arrived in his spare room…
They both came into this game determined to win. But somewhere along the way, the rules have started to change…
An enemies-to-lovers forced proximity sports and cowboy romance, Score to Settle is perfect for fans of Stephanie Archer, Liz Tomforde and Elsie Silver. The first in the Oakwood Ranch series, it can also be read as a standalone.
All that is standing between Harper Cassidy and winning a coveted junior reporter spot is a profile feature story.
Yet it isn’t just any story. It involves five weeks of immersing herself in the life of football bad boy Jake Sullivan in an effort to remake his image.
Author Bella North unleashes an enemies-to-lovers story in Score to Settle. Jake’s already trying to find a loophole to get out of the interview, but Harper is not about to let her dream fade away.
Filled with humorous dialogue, the storyline offers some unexpected twists that make the outcome less certain. Jake’s character shows depth well beyond his playboy exterior, but Harper has a teen memory that won’t go away.
For a sports reporter who knows nothing about football, Harper will have to pull off a Hail Mary if she’s going to make this story work.
Score to Settle delivers a fast-paced storyline while slipping in all the feels with this imperfect pair.
Bella North writes spicy sports romances with equal parts heart-racing chemistry and heartfelt emotion.
Her debut series, Oakwood Ranch, introduces readers to the sizzling lives of three gorgeous brothers who play for the NFL, blending the thrill of the game with the heat of romance. Book one – SCORE TO SETTLE – is out 10 September and features the gorgeous tight end, Jake Sullivan.
When she’s not writing, Bella enjoys walking her dog or hitting the gym and dreaming up new swoon-worthy stories.
