Reviewed by: Sue Eaton
TITLE: The Scrum-Half
SERIES: Lincoln Knights
AUTHOR: Charlie Novak
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 285 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2025
BLURB:
Wanted: A Nanny Who’ll Put Up With My Unsportsmanlike Conduct
When my balancing act between being a single dad to a toddler and a rugby union captain starts to falter, I’m forced to do the unthinkable: hire another nanny.
I’m already on thin ice with the agency because of my grumpy, overbearing micromanagement so Harper is my last chance. He’s clever, kind, caring, not to mention gorgeous, and I’m already antsy because he’s so capable he makes me feel useless. But Harper also has a core of steel and when I push him, he pushes back.
He makes me feel seen, like I’m more than a parent and a captain, and soon I’m falling for the man who’s brighter than sunshine.
I shouldn’t want him, even when it’s clear he feels the same. But maybe it’s time to throw caution to the wind for once and do the irresponsible thing.
It might get me everything I’ve ever wanted.
REVIEW:
A tackle to the heart and a try for the soul. If rugby were a metaphor for love (and let’s be honest, it absolutely is in this book), then this is a slow-burn match that ends in a glorious emotional try. This book delivers a delicious blend of grumpy/sunshine dynamics, forced proximity, and single dad chaos, with enough heart to make even the toughest scrum captain cry into his protein shake.
At the heart of the story is Oliver, a rugby union captain juggling his career and single fatherhood with all the grace of a man trying to do ballet in cleats. Enter Harper, the nanny who’s not just good with toddlers, he’s emotionally fluent, unflinchingly kind, and has the backbone of a seasoned scrum-half himself.
Their chemistry is immediate, but Charlie wisely lets it simmer. Oliver’s gruff exterior and Harper’s gentle resilience create a tension that’s both hilarious and deeply touching. Oliver pushes, Harper pushes back. And somewhere between diaper changes and post-match bruises, they begin to see each other, not just as employer and employee, but as two men aching for connection.
Oliver’s micromanaging tendencies are played for laughs, especially when Harper breezes in and starts running the household like Mary Poppins with a rugby ball. Oliver’s vulnerability as a father and a man who’s forgotten how to want something for himself is beautifully rendered.
Harper’s inner monologue is a delight of equal parts sass and sincerity, with just enough self-deprecation to make him feel real. Harper’s quiet strength and his journey toward being truly seen and valued is deeply moving. Their relationship isn’t just romantic, it’s healing. They mend each other in ways neither expected, and it’s that emotional payoff that makes the final chapters sing.
Oliver’s struggles with single fatherhood, juggling his career as a rugby captain with raising his toddler leaves him exhausted and emotionally closed off. Oliver’s micromanaging tendencies make him difficult to work with, he’s already on thin ice with the nanny agency. If this Nanny leaves then he’ll be off the Agencies books. He’s terrified of letting someone in, especially someone like Harper who sees past his gruff exterior. Harper’s competence makes Oliver feel inadequate, stirring up insecurities about his role as a father and partner. As a rugby captain he needs to be in control and someone the team can depend upon.
Harper struggles with Oliver’s prickly personality while establishing trust and authority. Despite his sunny disposition, Harper has his own emotional boundaries and fears about getting too close. Falling for his employer is risky, especially when the stakes involve a child and a man who’s emotionally unavailable.
Their growing attraction complicates the employer-employee dynamic, creating tension and uncertainty about what’s appropriate. Harper has worked hard at his career and is worried about jeopardising all he has worked for. Both must relinquish their need to control outcomes, Oliver with his household and emotions, Harper with his guarded heart. Their biggest challenge is choosing to be brave, risking their hearts, reputations, and routines for the possibility of something extraordinary.
Oliver’s teammates play a subtle but meaningful role in helping him grow, both as a father and as a partner. While the spotlight is firmly on Oliver and Harper’s relationship, the Lincoln Knights rugby team provides a backdrop of camaraderie, accountability, and emotional support that nudges Oliver toward change.
The team doesn’t stage interventions, but their presence reminds Oliver he’s not alone. Being surrounded by men who care about him, even if they don’t always say it, helps him feel less isolated. Teammates tease Oliver about his grumpiness and his obvious crush on Harper, which forces him to confront feelings he’d rather ignore. When Oliver’s parenting duties clash with rugby commitments, teammates step in to help or offer flexibility. It’s a quiet show of solidarity that eases his stress. The team culture, while masculine and competitive, also allows room for emotional honesty. Oliver doesn’t have to pretend to be okay all the time, and that’s crucial.
Oliver’s and Harpers journey is messy, tender, and full of emotional bruises, but like any good rugby match, it ends with a triumphant, muddy embrace
RATING: 
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