Publication Date: May 12, 2026
Don’t get mad. Date his favorite athlete.
To make her ex jealous, an ambitious young surgeon recruits a charming star soccer player to be her date to a lavish Parisian wedding—but love might have a game plan of its own, in this stand-alone romance from the USA Today bestselling author of the Biotech Billionaires series.
Dr. Isabelle Mercado is this close to having it all. Top of her class at the country’s most competitive orthopedic surgery residency, a dream career within reach, and a golden ticket to the wedding of the year in Paris.
There’s just one problem: her ex—the one who got away—is going to be there… with his perfect new fiancée.
Desperate to save face (and maybe spark a little jealousy), Isa enlists soccer legend and global heartthrob Austin Cade to be her fake date. It’s the perfect match: after an injury and some unfortunate encounters with the press, he needs good PR and the kind of elite connections this wedding will attract. Plus, her ex just so happens to be his #1 fan. Win-win.
But between champagne toasts, macaron baking classes, and stolen glances under the Parisian stars, pretending starts to feel a lot like the real thing. Isa’s always been all-in on her career—love was never the goal.
But maybe, just maybe… this time, the heart has its own agenda.
TROPES YOU’LL FIND:
- Fake dating
- Fancy Paris wedding
- So. much. banter!
- Billionaires and rich people shenanigans
- Reputation rehab
- Only one bed
Isabella always thought she and her former boyfriend would get back together after they got settled into their careers. However, discovering he is going to be at her bestie’s destination wedding with his new fiancée requires decisive action.
Enter soccer legend, Austin Cade. Still healing from surgery, he’s up for stepping in as Isa’s fake date. What could possibly go wrong?
Author Ava Rani unleashes a wicked sense of humor in Out of Her League. Not only do Isa and Austin bring the heat, but the line blurs between real and pretend.
The chemistry between the two main characters is solid. Although neither planned for a lasting relationship, a little thing called love just might make the impossible turn into possible.
Out of Her League pairs up an aspiring surgeon with a soccer legend and teases an unexpected happily-ever-after.
A Desi-girl chasing HEAs
The daughter of two immigrants, my Indian-American roots peek out in different ways in all my novels.
I love to write diverse love stories. Flawed characters with real problems in an idealized world. Fall in love with the hero and the heroine. But also, fall in love with their friend group. Fall in love with their chosen families and the people who support them
