Sidelined Souls by Sarah A. Bailey

Set in the sun-soaked world of California surf culture, Sidelined Souls is an emotional, accidental pregnancy romance about life changing surprises, shattered boundaries, and two childhood sweethearts forced to decide if their love is worth risking everything for.

With his wildest dreams on the line, Archer Ramos has only one goal: to be drafted into the professional football league following his final college season. But nothing shakes his focus like his childhood best friend and first love, Allie Evans. They broke each other’s hearts years ago, vowing not to risk their friendship again. So, when Archer takes a trip home to Pacific Shores for the summer, he’s determined to uphold the boundaries he and Allie set—no matter how many times they’ve fallen back into old patterns.

But they’ve never been good at following their own rules, and this most recent rendezvous is no different.

Allie has dreams of her own. As a culinary school graduate, dance instructor, and fresh off a break-up with her insufferable ex-boyfriend, her top priority is herself. Until a routine doctor’s appointment ends in her receiving life-altering news. She’s pregnant. Her first instinct is to rush to Archer, but with his future hanging in the balance, Allie hesitates.

In an instant, everything around them changes, which threatens to crumble the foundation they’ve spent their entire life building—the friendship, the romance, and their trust.

As months pass, and they redefine their roles in life, forced to confront their deepest fears and forge a new path forward, Allie and Archer must decide if their soul-deep connection is worth the fight, or if they’ll leave love on the sidelines.