Spring Training with the Coach
(2026)(The third book in the Hope Hollow Spring Beginnings series)
A novel by Stephanie Faris
Grumpy coach meets sunshine heroine in a small-town slow-burn romance.
Tropes
• Small-town mountain romance
• Grumpy coach hero, sunshine heroine dynamic
• Forced proximity workplace romance
• Opposites attract emotional connection
''' Guarded hero, selfless heroine pairing
• Community-centered slow burn romance
Heat Level
• Clean and wholesome romance
• Closed-door emotional intimacy
• Sweet slow-burn romantic tension
• Kissing-only relationship development
Tone
• Heartwarming small-town charm
• Emotionally layered character growth
• Light humor with heartfelt depth
• Uplifting, feel-good romantic journey
Comps
• Virgin River–style small-town romance vibes
• Sweet Magnolias–inspired emotional storytelling
• Hallmark-style wholesome romance tone
• Hope Hollow–style community-centered love stories
Ally Ford had spent her entire life cheering for everyone else.
As a competition cheerleader, she lifted others into the spotlight. As a teacher, she gave everything to her students. As a sister, a daughter, a friend—she showed up first, stayed late, and never once expected the same in return.
She told herself she didn’t need it.
Paxton Shelton built his life on the opposite rule.
After a broken engagement sent him back to Hope Hollow with an empty ring box and a hard lesson about love, he stopped letting people in. Coaching, routine, and distance—that was enough. Safe. Predictable.
Until the town’s mayor handed him a problem he couldn’t control.
A multi-district Field Day. A co-lead he didn’t ask for.
Ally Ford.
She’s organized chaos in a color-coded binder. Sunshine in human form. The exact kind of woman Pax has spent years avoiding.
But somewhere between rainy practice days and quiet afternoons in an empty gym, everything shifts.
Because the woman who seems like she has it all together is hiding more than her smile reveals.
And the man who keeps everyone at arm’s length is the only one who notices.
She’s spent her life being everyone else’s cheerleader.
He’s forgotten how to let anyone stand beside him.
When the walls start to crack, neither of them is ready for what comes next.
Tropes
• Small-town coach romance storyline
• Sunshine heroine, grumpy hero pairing
• Forced partnership relationship arc
• Emotional healing love story
• Slow-burn small-town romance
Heat Level
• Clean romance with emotional focus
• Closed-door relationship development
• Sweet romantic payoff
Tone
• Cozy mountain town atmosphere
• Character-driven emotional depth
• Warm, uplifting romantic arc
Comps
• Hallmark-style small-town romance
• Sweet Magnolias emotional storytelling
• Virgin River cozy romance tone
Genre: Romance
Tropes
• Small-town mountain romance
• Grumpy coach hero, sunshine heroine dynamic
• Forced proximity workplace romance
• Opposites attract emotional connection
''' Guarded hero, selfless heroine pairing
• Community-centered slow burn romance
Heat Level
• Clean and wholesome romance
• Closed-door emotional intimacy
• Sweet slow-burn romantic tension
• Kissing-only relationship development
Tone
• Heartwarming small-town charm
• Emotionally layered character growth
• Light humor with heartfelt depth
• Uplifting, feel-good romantic journey
Comps
• Virgin River–style small-town romance vibes
• Sweet Magnolias–inspired emotional storytelling
• Hallmark-style wholesome romance tone
• Hope Hollow–style community-centered love stories
Ally Ford had spent her entire life cheering for everyone else.
As a competition cheerleader, she lifted others into the spotlight. As a teacher, she gave everything to her students. As a sister, a daughter, a friend—she showed up first, stayed late, and never once expected the same in return.
She told herself she didn’t need it.
Paxton Shelton built his life on the opposite rule.
After a broken engagement sent him back to Hope Hollow with an empty ring box and a hard lesson about love, he stopped letting people in. Coaching, routine, and distance—that was enough. Safe. Predictable.
Until the town’s mayor handed him a problem he couldn’t control.
A multi-district Field Day. A co-lead he didn’t ask for.
Ally Ford.
She’s organized chaos in a color-coded binder. Sunshine in human form. The exact kind of woman Pax has spent years avoiding.
But somewhere between rainy practice days and quiet afternoons in an empty gym, everything shifts.
Because the woman who seems like she has it all together is hiding more than her smile reveals.
And the man who keeps everyone at arm’s length is the only one who notices.
She’s spent her life being everyone else’s cheerleader.
He’s forgotten how to let anyone stand beside him.
When the walls start to crack, neither of them is ready for what comes next.
Tropes
• Small-town coach romance storyline
• Sunshine heroine, grumpy hero pairing
• Forced partnership relationship arc
• Emotional healing love story
• Slow-burn small-town romance
Heat Level
• Clean romance with emotional focus
• Closed-door relationship development
• Sweet romantic payoff
Tone
• Cozy mountain town atmosphere
• Character-driven emotional depth
• Warm, uplifting romantic arc
Comps
• Hallmark-style small-town romance
• Sweet Magnolias emotional storytelling
• Virgin River cozy romance tone
Genre: Romance
Used availability for Stephanie Faris's Spring Training with the Coach