Football’s coming home for Canelo with the acquisition of steamy romance The Greatest Game by Tara Sexton

Editorial director Emily Bedford has acquired World English language rights to a spicy sports romance series by Tara Sexton from Megan Carroll at Watson, Little Ltd in a three-book deal.

The Greatest Game is a hot new football romance for fans of Ted Lasso, She’s the Man and Bend It Like Beckham. Marcee Ackerman’s dream job as head soccer coach at Pemberton Prep is turning into a nightmare. If her team loses the state championship, she can say goodbye to her job. To make matters worse, Pemberton’s rival school hires the last person she ever expects – hotshot ex-Premier League player Remington Lockley. Falling for the enemy is bad play, but Marcee’s never been afraid of being put in the sin bin…

Tara Sexton is based in Arkansas and in between spiriting her two kids around to activities and working, she writes contemporary romance and fantasy that explores women embracing their sexuality and power, realistic and flawed love, and smart mouthed heroines. Tara is an avid sports fan in her soccer mom era and can often be found on the sidelines, cheering on her girls and plotting her next book.

Emily Bedford says: ‘Tara’s writing hooked me in from the get-go – the chemistry between Marcee and Remy crackles from their first meet-cute-turned-ugly. Between misunderstandings, fierce competitive natures and with high stakes at play, Tara has created an utterly scorching and compelling romance, and I’m delighted to be able to work with her on her series.’

Tara Sexton says: ‘I could not be more excited to work with Emily and the team at Canelo! From the first draft of The Greatest Game, I knew I had something special with my main characters, Marcee and Remy. Emily’s enthusiasm for this book and her understanding of what I hoped to accomplish with not only a romance, but a story of women overcoming obstacles in sports, is unmatched. Thank you to Emily and my agent, Megan, for making this dream come true!’

Megan Carroll says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled that Tara’s debut has found a home with Emily and the Canelo team. Tara is a brilliantly talented and dedicated writer and this is just the beginning of what will be an incredible career for her.’

The Greatest Game will be published in May 2026, in mass market paperback and ebook, with a sapphic football romance to follow in February 2027 and a rugby romance in October 2027. For more information please contact [email protected]