First and Forever by Lynn Painter on May 12, 2026
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy, Fiction / Romance / Sports, Fiction / Women
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
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If you love fake dating, sports romance, and laugh-out-loud banter, First and Forever by Lynn Painter is such a fun, feel-good read.
Duffy Distefano is a diehard Minnesota Coyotes football fan who suddenly finds herself going viral for all the wrong reasons. After the team’s mascot aggressively grabs her during a game, Duffy reacts the only way she knows how—by defending herself without holding back. Unfortunately, the mascot goes tumbling down the stairs and crashes into several rows of seats. Add in the fact that the Coyotes lose the game, and suddenly Duffy becomes public enemy number one. She’s labeled a “Football Karen,” pelted with food, and relentlessly cyber-shamed online.
In an attempt to clear her name, Duffy reluctantly agrees to appear on a morning show (after a little pressure from her dad). What she doesn’t know is that the show has planned a surprise guest: Coyotes star tight end Connor Cunningham. Their live interview quickly turns into a hilarious verbal sparring match that has sparks flying—and the internet eating it up. When the team’s PR department decides to lean into the viral moment, Connor and Duffy find themselves entering into a fake dating arrangement that starts to feel a little less fake than either of them expected.
The banter in this book was fantastic. Fake dating is one of my favorite romance tropes, and Lynn Painter does it so well—especially with all the funny side characters sprinkled throughout the story. Duffy was such a fun main character, and I loved watching her interactions with her family.
This is a sports rom-com, and it was exactly what I was in the mood for. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down—I just had to see how things were going to shake out between Duffy and Connor. Their flirting, especially when they didn’t even realize they were doing it, had me laughing out loud.
The only thing that could have made this even better for me would have been a little on-the-page spice, but even without it, Painter absolutely delivered the emotional romance vibes she’s known for.
Also, I can’t be the only one who pictured the “Coyotes” as the Minnesota Vikings the entire time… right?
Overall, this was such a quick, entertaining read and a great feel-good romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this fun, feel-good eARC.