Sign-In
Cart
The Quarterback and the Tutor: A Cozy Contemporary Romance About Found Family, Cultural Belonging, and Love That Grows Slowly
Paperback
Series: The Hearthside Stories
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jan 30 2026
Pages: 404
Weight: 1.07
Height: 1.00 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Hana Nguyen has her life mapped with precision. A biochemistry major on the pre-med track, she carries the weight of her parents' refugee past and the quiet expectation to succeed, no matter the cost. There is no room in her plans for distractions, especially not a failing college quarterback with too much charm and not enough chemistry knowledge.
Jackson Reid is running out of time. One more failed exam means losing the football scholarship that keeps his family afloat and the future he has been chasing since childhood. Desperation leads him not to a campus tutoring center, but to a small Vietnamese grocery store on the edge of town.
Inside Saigon Star Grocery, equations are explained alongside bowls of pho. Lessons unfold between shelves of rice bags, the hum of fluorescent lights, and the quiet generosity of a family who believes feeding someone is an act of love.
As tutoring sessions turn into shared meals and borrowed belonging, Jackson discovers that family is not always inherited. Sometimes it is chosen. Sometimes it smells like star anise and lemongrass. And sometimes, the most important equation is not the one that earns an A, but the one that teaches you how to stay.
What You'll Find Inside This Novel
A slow-burn contemporary romance rooted in everyday moments
A college sports setting balanced with academic pressure and vulnerability
A Vietnamese-American family portrayed with warmth, respect, and lived-in detail
Themes of cultural identity, obligation, and chosen family
A cozy, comforting tone with emotional depth rather than high drama
Who This Book Is For
This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy:
Cozy contemporary romance with emotional realism
Slow-developing relationships built on trust, patience, and care
Stories about found family and cultural connection
Character-driven fiction where small moments matter
Gentle, reflective love stories rather than fast-paced angst
A Comforting, Thoughtful Read
The Quarterback and the Tutor is not a story about grand gestures or instant passion. It is about showing up. About shared meals, late-night study sessions, and learning that love often grows quietly, in places where you least expect to find home.
Also from
Atelier, The Pelican
The Girl Who Heard the Stars: A Cozy Fantasy Novel About Quiet Magic, Healing, and Listening Beyond Time
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Spice & Second Chances: A Heartwarming Culinary Fiction Novel About Family, Food Trucks, and Finding Your True Path
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
America 250: The Founding Fathers: Quotes, Facts, Stories and Trivia About the Men Who Built America
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Whale Song of the Sea: A Marine Science Thriller About Whale Communication, Secrets Beneath the Ocean, and the Courage to Be Heard
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
A Christmas Caper at the Brownstone Café: A Cozy Holiday Mystery of Found Family and Brooklyn Magic
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Secrets of Wren & Willow: A Cozy Magical Realism Tale of Tea, Memory & Love
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Mailbox on Pine Hill: Letters That Heal a Town: A novel in stories about love, loss, forgiveness, and the courage to speak again.
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Captain's Bargain: A Steamy Hockey Romance with Secrets, Lies, and Redemption
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Mystery at the Christmas Markets: A Northern Knits Cozy Mystery - Volume 2
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Professor's Tenure: A Literary Novel of Academia, Solitude, and the Cost of Belonging
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
La Titular: Una novela literaria sobre la soledad, el poder académico y la búsqueda interior
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Die Professur: Ein literarischer Roman über Frauen, Einsamkeit und akademische Macht
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Sonata in the Library: A Quiet Rebellion of the Heart - A Novel of Identity, Voice, and Belonging
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
El Exilio del Ruso: Una Pasión Ardiente de Poder, Oscuridad y Redención
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Das Exil des Russen: Ein Verbotener Milliardärsroman voller Leidenschaft und Gefahr
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Lunar Codex: Seeds of the Star - A Cozy Science Fiction Mystery of Ancient Civilizations, Lunar Archaeology, and Forgotten Cosmic Knowledge
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Speechwriter's Secret: Where desire collides with ideology, every word becomes a weapon.
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Greenland, Held in Silence - Volume II: On Land, Law, and What Remains
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Roses, Rumors & Rendezvous: A Cozy Brooklyn Mystery About Love, Privacy, and Secrets- Volume 4
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Un Frente Unido: Libro 3 de la trilogía Power Play - Cuando el amor se convierte en revolución, el silencio deja de ser una opción.
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Unified Front: Book 3 of the Power Play Trilogy- When love becomes a revolution, silence is no longer an option.
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Das Geheimnis der Redenschreiberin: Wenn Begehren auf Ideologie trifft, wird jedes Wort zur Waffe.
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Das Urteil der Begierde: Die Justiz ist blind - doch der Meister sieht alles.
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Unseen Anchors: Twenty-One Workers, One Day in America A Literary Mosaic Novel About Invisible Labor, Human Connection, and Quiet Resilience
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Healing Small Hearts: A Small Town Romance About Coming Home, Second Chances, and Quiet Love
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Nanny's Holiday Magic: A Heartwarming Christmas Romance About Love, Family, and Second Chances
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Bloom of Winter Honey: A Cozy Fantasy Novel About Magic, Memory Tea, and Hope in Endless Winter (The Secrets of Wren & Willow Book 2)
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Starlight Tea & Tall Tales: A Cozy Science Fiction Mystery Set on a Lunar Waystation
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Greenhouse of Echoes: A Dark Academia Romance Across Time - A Literary Time-Slip Love Story of Memory, Architecture, and Second Chances
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Midnight Table: A Literary Novel About Grief, Belonging, and Late-Night Lives in New Orleans: Midnight Diner of New Orleans - Volume 1
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Hot Flashes & Firefighters: A Steamy Later-in-Life Firefighter Romance
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Sofocos & Bomberos: Un romance lujurioso de madurez con un héroe bombero
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Heißes Erwachen & Flammenherzen: Ein fesselnder Liebesroman über Neuanfänge mit einem mutigen Feuerwehrmann
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Episode 1 Fallen Leaves & False Aighlight: The BrownStone False Mysteris
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The "Mountain Man" Christmas: A Cozy Cabin Romance in the Montana Snow
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Ein Weihnachtswunder in den Bergen: Eine verschneite Hütte, ein einsamer Mann und eine zweite Chance
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Navidad en la Cabaña: Romance en las Montañas con un Hombre Silencioso y un
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Die Route der Sünde: Ein sinnlicher Roadtrip voller Leidenschaft, Macht und Erlösung
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
New Year's Resolutions & Old Secrets: A Cozy Mystery in Brooklyn - The Brownstone Café Mysteries, Episode 3
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Russian's Exile: A Steamy Billionaire Romance of Secrets, Danger, and Desire
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Unfinished Business Agency: Death, Taxes, and Unquiet Spirits - A Paranormal Cozy Mystery Set in Chicago
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Architecture of Feeling: 21 Literary Short Stories About Human Connection, Grief, Healing, and Quiet Transformation in Ordinary Life
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Mechanical Hearts & Unexpected Connections: A Cozy Sci-Fi Romance Collection Set in 2040 Brooklyn
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Code of Desire: Dark Paranormal Romance with Demons, AI, and Forbidden Love
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Silver-Marked: A Soul-Bond Romance - Dark Paranormal Enemies-to-Lovers with Fated Mates, Secret Magic, and High-Stakes Justice
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Prometheus Gambit: A Dark Romantic Suspense Thriller of Espionage, Betrayal, and Deadly Desire
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Innocent Pawn: A Dark Age Gap Billionaire Romance (The Lion's Pride Trilogy Book 1)
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Whispers of the Everyday: Healing Prose for Mindful Living and Cozy Nights
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Nobody Told Me This: The Adulting Handbook They Forgot to Give You: Money, Work, Burnout, Relationships, and Life Skills for Your 20s and 30s
Rivera, Alex
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The AI-Ready Teacher: A Practical, Jargon-Free Guide to Using AI in Your Classroom Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Job)
Mercer, Dana
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Swipe Right on Reality: The Honest Guide to Dating in Your 20s and 30s - Apps, Ghosting, Attachment Styles, Red Flags, and Healthy Relationships
Atelier, The Pelican
Monroe, Casey
Paperback
Freelance and Broke No More: The Financial Survival and Growth Guide for Freelancers, Gig Workers, Side Hustlers, and Self-Employed Creators
Atelier, The Pelican
Webb, Marcus
Paperback
Where Did Everyone Go?: The Honest Guide to Making Real Friends as an Adult - Even When Life Makes It Feel Impossible
Atelier, The Pelican
Alderton, Jamie
Paperback
The Brooklyn Heights Chronicles: Mysteries Beneath the Brownstone - A Brooklyn Mystery Novel of Secrets, Letters, and Hidden Lives
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Under the Tuscan Sun of Napa: A Wholesome Romance Novel of Wine, Love, and Second Chances
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Silent Descent: Decoding Functional Apathy in Men Over 50 and the Science of Rebuilding Motivation, Connection, and Purpose
Atelier, The Pelican
Garrison, Arthur
Paperback
The Low-Energy Pivot: Career Reinvention for the 50+ Realist: How to Stop Selling Your Time and Start Selling Your Judgment Through Fractional Consult
Atelier, The Pelican
Aris, David
Paperback
The Phase Two Contract: Renegotiating Your Marriage After the Kids Leave: A Practical Framework for Empty Nest Couples Navigating Their Next Chapter
Holden, Claire And David
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Cognitive Pivot: A Risk Management Framework for Executive Women Navigating Menopause
Sterling, V. R.
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
The Project Manager's Guide to Aging Parents: A Crisis Management Framework for the Sandwich Generation to Set Boundaries, Protect Finances, Prevent B
Atelier, The Pelican
Jenkins, Sarah
Paperback
The Confession: alse Memories, Forced Admissions, and Why Innocent People Confess The Human Factor Series Volume II
Atelier, The Pelican
Paperback
Also in
General Fiction
Elizabeth Spencer: Novels & Stories (Loa #344): The Voice at the Back Door / The Light in the Piazza / Knights and Dragons / Stories
Spencer, Elizabeth
Hardcover
Anniversaries, Volume 2: From a Year in the Life of Gesine Cresspahl, April 1968-August 1968
Johnson, Uwe
Paperback
Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams: Short Stories, Prose, and Diary Excerpts
Plath, Sylvia
Paperback
Selected Writings: Robert Musil: Young Torless, Three Women, the Perfecting of a Love, and Other Writings
Musil, Robert
Agee, Joel
Paperback
Before Gatsby: The First Twenty-Six Stories
Baughman, Judith
Fitzgerald, F. Scott
Bruccoli, Matthew J.
Paperback