Mom likes football, but only watches the Packers. She’s not big into sports but said she really enjoyed Candee Fick’s novel, Catch of a Lifetime. She must have because she stayed up late reading it instead of snuggling with me for sleep.

Cassie has come to Colorado from Alabama, but not with a banjo on her knee. More like with a weight of sorrow and unforgiveness in her heart. She’s going to be an athletic trainer but is dismayed to find out that she has to work with football players. Initially Mom didn’t know why this was a problem for Cassie but it does get revealed later in the story.

Reed lost his career in football to an injury so now he’s coaching but this is his first job and his best player isn’t doing well in academics. Cassie has to be the bearer of the bad news and the one to tutor the guy. Reed soon realizes she has her own lost dreams and is really good at what she does in helping players recover from injuries. Pretty soon he think he might wanting more of a relationship with this young woman, but she’s a student and employed by the department. A higher authority gives him permission as long as they keep it hush-hush.

Not an easy thing to do. Challenges abound as the season wears on and love grows. Disaster strikes but God brings some wonderful things out of that including proof that the hard work Reed has done in instilling values and integrity in the majority of his players proves that some things are more important than winning a game. Faith plays a key role as well and is woven in seemlessly.

Because Mom couldn’t put the book down and finished in less than 24 hours, it earns a five bone rating. Because I’m a dog. I don’t do stars.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.