e-Audio, 10:53:25
Narrated by: Dana Varden & Zim Avaltrades
Release Date: September 19, 2023
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Read from: September 18-20, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: Netgalley (I received an early e-Audio copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Toxic Relationship, Panic Attacks/Disorders, Emotional Disorders, Ableism, Bullying, Mental Illness, Classism
For Readers Interested In: Romance, LGBTQ+ (Sapphic), Sports Romance, Dual POV, Adult, Realistic Fiction, Neurodiverse (ADHD & Autism)A sapphic rivals to lovers rom com for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own, where two soccer teammates are at odds before falling in love as their team gears up for the World Cup.
Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women’s National Team for ten years, even though she’s only 26. But when she’s sidelined with an injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. Phoebe is everything Grace isn’t—a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace lost somewhere along the way. The last thing Grace expects is to become friends with benefits with this class clown she sees as her rival.
Phoebe Matthews has always admired Grace’s skill and was star struck to be training alongside her idol. But she quickly finds herself looking at Grace as more than a mere teammate. After one daring kiss, she’s hooked. Grace is everything she has been waiting to find.
As the World Cup approaches, and Grace works her way back from injury, the women decide to find a way they can play together instead of vying for the same position. Except, when they are off the field, Grace is worried she’s catching feelings while Phoebe thinks they are dating. As the tension between them grows, will both players realize they care more about their relationship than making the roster?
*MY THOUGHTS*
I IMMEDIATELY downloaded this when I saw it was available on Netgalley. I remembered reading Mistakes Were Made and that was all I could think about. Unfortunately it was also the downfall for this for me. I spent a lot of time comparing the two and it made me not enjoy it as much. But I still did like it.
First things first, because this was my favorite part….. The romance. It was so much fun. I will say it was just them “having fun” over and over. I wanted more on that front. I guess I wanted more plot. Even if they were just talking more about soccer. But I loved seeing them together and I legit cheered out-loud when they both realized they liked each other and were accepting of what and who they were and who they were with. I really think that was the best part. Not when they were getting together, but when they were finally accepting that they liked each other.
The plot was what made me rate this what I did. I just wanted more. A more in-depth exploration of some of the things that were going on would have made this. I know this was catering to those that say they’re not reading the sports romance for the sports, but I am and I think that’s why I had issues? Like yeah she mentioned some of the positions, and the hierarchy of who could be in what position if this person doesn’t perform, but it wasn’t the main focus. I’m assuming it was because it wasn’t what Grace really wanted, but at the same time, I think it should have had some more explanation or some more competition between them. I mean like they were supposed to be competing for a spot on the field.
I also liked the representation of the ADHD. I am someone that was newly diagnosed, so when I saw Phoebe’s behaviors I knew exactly what she had. I also really related to the way she was hesitant to accept the fact that she had it. I was the same way. I was like I’ve survived all these years and no one ever said anything, why is it a problem now? I don’t need anything…. And then when my world changed, it made all the difference. I was happy to see she changed her mind and listened in the end. The autism rep I can’t speak for, but I did feel and see from other own voices (authentic voices) reviewers that it was done respectfully.
The narrators were fun too. I am a sucker for dual POV and dual narrators, so this was right up my alley. And it looks like they’re new to narrating, so that was cool too. I think they did a bang up job. They were easy to listen to, they packed emotion into their words, and so much more. I really loved them.
This was fun, but I could have done with more. There were some things I loved and others I thought could have used more. And other things it was my own fault because I knew I was just comparing it to a previous work from Meryl. It seems that they’re a hit or miss for me, but fortunately this was right in the middle.
Overall, I give this
