You're asking about Rachel Van Dyken? Her backlist is honestly huge, so picking a starting point depends on what you're in the mood for. If you want something pure, addictive fun with a sports backdrop, her 'Wingmen' series is solid. Book one, 'The Matchmaker's Playbook', is a fast read—it's got that fake-dating, friends-to-lovers vibe she does so well, and the banter is quick. It's lighter on the drama compared to some of her other stuff.
But if you're looking for that intense, angsty, mafia-adjacent romance she's become known for, jump straight into the 'Eagle Elite' universe. Start with 'Elite'. It sets up the whole dark-academia-meets-organized-crime world. Fair warning, it's a wild ride with some seriously problematic (but compelling) characters and over-the-top plots. That series really shows her shift into darker, more dramatic territory.
A lot of readers discovered her through 'The Bet', which is standalone and a classic enemies-to-lovers college romance. It's a bit dated now, but it's quintessential RVD from that era—sweet, funny, with a healthy dose of misunderstanding-driven conflict.
Honestly, I'd skip the standalone contemporary stuff from her mid-period and head straight for either the early, fun series or the later, darker ones. You'll know pretty quickly if her voice clicks for you.