The Real Ones blends a gritty sports story with a gentle love story. What inspired that combination?

The Real Ones is written in a dual timeline with dual first-person POV, allowing readers to see both the intensity of the sports world and the emotional journey between Maddox and Ella. It’s a mix of hard-edged sports drama and a soft, self-aware romance between two characters who know themselves, and each other very well.

It took some risks, but the goal was to create something both raw and comforting, a story that feels grounded yet deeply romantic.

What was the specific idea or “what if” moment that started your book?

I needed a short read for a sports romance anthology and found a writing prompt: person loses a bet and has to participate in a sporting event / game. I was like: ok, short read, so 2nd chance romance…what if it was cold and rainy and muddy and so they go to the locker room and have happy steamy shower time? That could work for a short read, right?

And so I had this idea of a Valentine’s charity co-ed powderpuff (flag) football game sponsored by the football team with like some kind of bachelor auction – which ended up being a bit harder to work with, so I settled for a “group date” thing.

If your main characters went on a Valentine’s date in the real world, where would they go? 

Hmmm, good question. Where would you take her, Maddox?

• Maddox: I’m not exactly great at the romantic stuff. The shower, again? It worked…
• Ella: Uh, no, we said you had to “top” that this year. And not in that way.
• Maddox: How about I take you with me to the scouting combine? Get a fancy hotel for the night…
• Ella: This is sounding better.
• Maddox: Roses.
• Ella: Wouldn’t be as lovely as the mini ones you grew for me. But, getting warmer.
• Maddox: Chocolates?
• Ella: Ok, this is terribly cliched. But also, yes I want chocolate.
• Maddox: And then the shower?
• Ella: Only if you play your cards right, McBride.
  

He’d definitely take her on a weekend getaway because football playoffs don’t end until late January, and softball starts up in late February. So, they have a lot of catching up and making out to do…

What are the top 3 tropes readers will find in this story? (And which one was the most fun to write?)

Readers will find Second chance romance, Grumpy x sunshine, and Forced proximity.

Which one is the most fun to write? Ah, that’s tough as they all have their appeal. I love grumpy x sunshine for the banter and forced proximity for the tension. Second chances can be a little tricky to get right, but can definitely fuel some enemies to lovers dynamics which are a special level of fun to write.

What is the one thing you hope readers feel when they finish your book?

I hope they feel, well, on the one hand, I want them to be entertained. But at the same time, I don’t want it to seem like I threw a bunch of one-off jokes or punchlines. I really want readers to feel amused and satisfied – and hopeful… To see themselves in one of the characters and feel connected, seen, loved.

We all have flaws, we all face hard choices, deal with varying degrees of trauma, fall down at times, but it doesn’t mean we should give up, or that we’re not worthy of being loved.

What is one “must-have” for you to get into the writing zone?

Spotify playlist. I make one for each project, early, as there’s almost always a particular song that speaks to me. Like I can see the scene play out in my mind to that song. For The Real Ones, the charity game is “Run it”, it’s just that fun, family atmosphere. And “Unstoppable” by Red for the football scene. “Real One” by Smash it to Pieces is the secondary character Seager’s anthem. Music is creative nourishment for writing.

Connect with J Rose Black:

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