Brand New from Portia MacIntosh October 2026

Sometimes love is a contact sport… When Brooke York loses her job, her flat and her boyfriend in one spectacularly bad week, her only option is to accept a new role in an industry she knows absolutely nothing about. But after landing a trial with the Leeds Lions, one tiny white lie leaves everyone believing that Brooke is dating Eddy Hood: the grumpy but gorgeous ‘king of rugby league’, who it turns out is in need of a cover story of his own. Keeping up appearances means public displays of affection, family lunches and an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia. But complicating matters is Jamie Royle, Eddy’s charming younger rival, who is determined to steal his crown – and maybe his girlfriend too. As fake feelings start becoming dangerously real and the competition moves off the pitch, Brooke needs to decide who is playing games, who is playing for keeps and whether she’s brave enough to risk putting her heart on the line. Can Brooke tackle a new job, two rugby stars and turning thirty – or is she completely out of her league? Praise for Portia MacIntosh: 'Smart, funny and always brilliantly entertaining, every book from Portia becomes my new favourite rom com.' Shari Low 'I laughed, I cried - I loved it.’ Holly Martin 'The queen of rom com!' Rebecca Raisin