Forbidden Goals Series by Rebecca Rathe

Part of the Groveton College shared world series. Bryant Nicks is the head football coach for the Groveton College Jackals, determined to do anything to push his team toward a championship season. When scouting out new players, Nicks comes across a rookie running back that impresses him both on and off the field. His attraction to his student runs deep, but Nicks knows better... morePart of the Groveton College shared world series. Bryant Nicks is the head football coach for the Groveton College Jackals, determined to do anything to push his team toward a championship season. When scouting out new players, Nicks comes across a rookie running back that impresses him both on and off the field. His attraction to his student runs deep, but Nicks knows better. Instead, he finds himself pushing the young player to the ends of his abilities, curious how much it will take to break him. All playboy Jack Perry has ever been good at is playing football. So when he gets an opportunity to play at a top school with a full scholarship, he jumps on it. But it's more than just the opportunity that reels him in. The heat and intensity he feels when he's around his new coach is visceral. He'll do anything to make his coach proud. less

Stepbrothers. Rivals. They could have been friends- like real brothers, even. Instead, circumstances and an unfortunate incident at soccer camp pitted them against each other. But when they find themselves playing for the same team, their competitive relationship takes an unexpected turn. Man On is an enemies to lovers MM sports romance.

Ellis Hope has one goal for his first year at be his own person. He’s determined to break free from his brother Elliot’s shadow, and get over the soul crushing attraction he has for his brother’s best friend. The campus meetup app provides an effective distraction from Gabe and Elliot making waves as the new star players for Huntston University’s baseball team. Gabe Rodgers is loyal to his best friend to a fault, but his thoughts toward Elliot’s smaller, softer twin are anything but brotherly... moreEllis Hope has one goal for his first year at be his own person. He’s determined to break free from his brother Elliot’s shadow, and get over the soul crushing attraction he has for his brother’s best friend. The campus meetup app provides an effective distraction from Gabe and Elliot making waves as the new star players for Huntston University’s baseball team. Gabe Rodgers is loyal to his best friend to a fault, but his thoughts toward Elliot’s smaller, softer twin are anything but brotherly. When he finds out Ellis is meeting hook-ups on a campus meetup app, protectiveness, or maybe possessiveness, drives him to make an anonymous profile. Pretending to be someone else, he finds himself drawn to Ellis more than ever before. But will their connection be as strong when Ellis finds out that his secret meetups have been with the very guy he’s been trying to avoid? And when the blindfold is removed, will either of the brothers be able to forgive Gabe for his deception? All books in the Forbidden Goals series are standalone and do not need to be read in any particular order. less

Younger. Forbidden. Distracting. Male. And on cusp of the comeback fight of a lifetime, Domenick Conner can’t get Cameron Stevens out of his head. A decade after a brutal head injury took him out of a successful career in boxing, Domenick Connor moves home to train with his brother for a very public comeback. When Cameron Stevens dances into his life, Dom doesn’t understand the intense and undeniable pull to the much younger man... moreYounger. Forbidden. Distracting. Male. And on cusp of the comeback fight of a lifetime, Domenick Conner can’t get Cameron Stevens out of his head. A decade after a brutal head injury took him out of a successful career in boxing, Domenick Connor moves home to train with his brother for a very public comeback. When Cameron Stevens dances into his life, Dom doesn’t understand the intense and undeniable pull to the much younger man. The desire knocks him off kilter and throws everything he’s ever known about himself into question. But that doesn’t stop Dom from watching, coveting, craving him…. Cameron Stevens is a perfectionist, fiercely dedicated to his craft, and already overwhelmed with the pressures of pleasing his overbearing boyfriend and boss. But when his new stepfather asks him to teach his brother ballet to help with balance and footwork for an upcoming boxing match, he can’t help but agree. The gruff boxer comforts and encourages him in a way that he’s never experienced before, and it draws him in like a moth to a flame. As the unlikely pair navigate their intense chemistry, Cameron and Dom must decide whether to continue fighting the attraction between them, or fight for love instead. All books in the Forbidden Goals series are complete standalones and can be read in any order. less

Jason Reinier fell in love with Mik Sanders the moment they met. After years of pining after his best friend, a single night of passion showed him Mik felt the same. Their future together seemed guaranteed until a painful truth tore them apart. To escape the heartache of losing his best friend and lover at once, Jason accepted an offer overseas to play professional rugby. Mik remained, tethered to a life he neither expected nor wanted... moreJason Reinier fell in love with Mik Sanders the moment they met. After years of pining after his best friend, a single night of passion showed him Mik felt the same. Their future together seemed guaranteed until a painful truth tore them apart. To escape the heartache of losing his best friend and lover at once, Jason accepted an offer overseas to play professional rugby. Mik remained, tethered to a life he neither expected nor wanted. Eighteen years later, Jason has returned to face his former lover turned brother-in-law, while Mik plays the part of doting husband and father. The years of pain and resentment are no match for the heat both men still feel, and they enter into a forbidden affair—despite knowing from experience every decision has lasting consequences. All books in the Forbidden Goals series are complete standalones and can be read in any order. For a complete list of content information, check the author's website. less

Ashton James and Marcus Vell were never meant to cross paths. Not only are they from two entirely different worlds, but their families hate each other. Despite this rivalry, a curiosity grows, creating a magnetic pull neither can ignore. When that curiosity leads to a stolen moment that ends in heartache and betrayal, both their worlds are turned upside down... moreAshton James and Marcus Vell were never meant to cross paths. Not only are they from two entirely different worlds, but their families hate each other. Despite this rivalry, a curiosity grows, creating a magnetic pull neither can ignore. When that curiosity leads to a stolen moment that ends in heartache and betrayal, both their worlds are turned upside down. Four years later, Marcus has clawed his way back up from rock bottom, having earned a rare scholarship to play basketball at an elite private university. But this new beginning isn't the fresh start Marcus thought it would be—not when he realizes Ashton James has also joined the team. The tension between them is thick, but the past is hard to forget. This is the second chance Ashton has been waiting for. Determined to make up for his past mistakes, Ashton uses their forced proximity to his advantage—wielding his charm to pursue the man he never could forget. Just as Marcus begins to let his guard down, life throws them a wild shot. To protect their rekindling flame, Ashton and Marcus begin to question their families’ feud. As the truth comes out, they have to decide what’s more important: playing the game they’ve always played, or creating their own rules, both on and off the court. All the books in the Forbidden Goals series are complete standalones and can be read in any order. For content information and warnings, please check the author's website. less

Niles. I’ve trained my whole life for this—elite level gymnastics, gold medal dreams, proving I belong in a country passing laws to erase transgender athletes like me. It's not enough to compete. I fight to exist on the podium. Other than my mom, my best friend Weston and his dad, Wyatt, are my only constants. They’ve been my anchors through everything. But Wyatt isn't just the man who's always been there to catch me when I fall—he's the man I've been in love with for as long as I can remember... moreNiles. I’ve trained my whole life for this—elite level gymnastics, gold medal dreams, proving I belong in a country passing laws to erase transgender athletes like me. It's not enough to compete. I fight to exist on the podium. Other than my mom, my best friend Weston and his dad, Wyatt, are my only constants. They’ve been my anchors through everything. But Wyatt isn't just the man who's always been there to catch me when I fall—he's the man I've been in love with for as long as I can remember. He's finally looking at me like he sees something more than the boy I used to be. Wyatt sees the man I've become. Wyatt. I've known Niles since he was a kid—sharp, driven, fearless, impossible not to admire. But lately, that admiration has taken on a dangerous tone. There's an edge to him that has me noticing him in a way I'd never fathomed before. He's grown into a confident, stunning young man with an audacity that both intrigues and intimidates me. Now every time he looks at me like he wants something more, I forget all the reasons I should say no. He makes me feel alive like I never have before. Except, I'm his coach. I'm seventeen years his senior. And he's my son's best friend. less

We were best friends, but secrets ruined everything. Silas. I’ve worked hard to get here, kept my head down and sacrificed everything. Finally, I’ve made it. But no amount of success has ever silenced the past, and it’s staring at me now. Angry, silent, and still looking at me like I’m to blame for everything bad to ever happen. He thinks he knows the truth. But he only knows half the story. Gideon. He left me with nothing but a kiss and a lie... moreWe were best friends, but secrets ruined everything. Silas. I’ve worked hard to get here, kept my head down and sacrificed everything. Finally, I’ve made it. But no amount of success has ever silenced the past, and it’s staring at me now. Angry, silent, and still looking at me like I’m to blame for everything bad to ever happen. He thinks he knows the truth. But he only knows half the story. Gideon. He left me with nothing but a kiss and a lie. I walked away from everything after that- my home, my family, the faith I was raised in. But now he’s here. On my team. In my space. And the longer we pretend the past didn’t happen, the harder it is to ignore what still simmers beneath it. Because there are too many things we left unsaid. Too many secrets keeping us apart. All the books in the Forbidden Goals series are complete standalones and can be read in any order. Please refer to the author's website for content information. less

On the mat, control is everything. Off it, surrender feels like salvation. Lincoln Beckett has built his life on a foundation of discipline, perfection, and control. As the captain of Huntston University’s wrestling team, he never slips, never yields. Until a new transfer student walks in and unravels everything. Brody Miller’s transfer to Huntston means facing a reputation he can’t escape and a family crisis he refuses to expose... moreOn the mat, control is everything. Off it, surrender feels like salvation. Lincoln Beckett has built his life on a foundation of discipline, perfection, and control. As the captain of Huntston University’s wrestling team, he never slips, never yields. Until a new transfer student walks in and unravels everything. Brody Miller’s transfer to Huntston means facing a reputation he can’t escape and a family crisis he refuses to expose. He hides it all behind a carefree smirk, sharp wit, and a cocky confidence that gets under Beck’s skin—and into his head. What begins as a volatile rivalry turns into something far more dangerous—a secret, forbidden power game played behind closed doors. On the mat, Beck is always in charge. Off it, he finds himself kneeling to his teammate’s will. As their carefully built facades start to collapse, their secrets threaten everything Brody has left, and everything Beck is terrified to lose. less