Book Review - Score to Settle by Bella North - #HolidayReading Dom Rep

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Title: Score to Settle

Author: Bella North

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 10th September 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

The plan was simple. Charm the hotshot city journalist and fix my reputation. But her deep brown eyes seem to see right through me, and I can’t get her out of my head. Maybe this time, getting the girl is the reputation I want...

On the field, I’m the player of my sponsors’ dreams. But off it, I’m in trouble. And apparently the only way to clean up my image is to put on a good show for a reporter so the world can see who I am at heart…

But I never cared about giving the world the real me, and I don’t want an outsider in my home. Especially one with high heels set to trample all over me, a knowing smirk and a temper I can’t help but poke…

She looks at me like she knows everything about me and she doesn’t like what she sees. So why do I find myself wanting to show her things I’ve never shared with anyone?

I never could resist a challenge. I’m meant to be clearing up my image, but suddenly the only thing I want to clear is the path to her heart.

She says it’s game on. I say it’s game over…

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.

This maybe Bella North's debut novel, but I have read many other books from the person behind the pen name, and I'm impressed to see that spicy sports romance is yet another string to this author's bow. 

And if only it was almost any other sport, like one I actually enjoy or understand then I would have probably devoured this a lot quicker. 

As it was that book grew on me, I became more and more invested in it, to the extent that I am left wondering just how Jake's season ended... I need to know, although given this is the first book in the Oakwood Ranch series I suspect I will find out at some point. 

I loved the Denver ranch setting, of Tight End Jake and sports journalist Harper who is writing a profile on him, with round the clock access for five weeks. 

And if you are confused as to what a tight end is, then don't worry so is Harper and given her lack of NFL knowledge, we are given some explanations. 

And we also get a fair bit of NFL action, which is where I was wishing it was real football and not American football, as one I love, the other isn't for me! 

Jake needs to clean up his image, and Harper has her own agenda, which means sparks will and do fly! 

I loved getting to know the whole of Jake's family,  and am already looking forward to more books set on the ranch. 

But wow the chemistry between them is electric and I was really enjoying the more intimate scenes. 

Highly enjoyable first book of this series, and I can't wait for more. 

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.