Scan barcode
the_book_bee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Chronic illness
womanwill's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow is this a perfect romance? Seriously Anita Kelly knocks it out of the park a third time in this series, and it may be my favorite?!
This slow burn sapphic workplace romance has all the tension and yearning and even a dash of fake dating. Julie Parker feels like she's just spinning her wheels in life as everyone around her falls in love and she still lacks experience as an almost 30 year old. That is, until Julie's childhood crush, and college basketball star Elle Cochrane shows up at one of the girls' basketball practices she is coaching. Soon Elle is both assistant coach and practice dating Julie...but is it really practice?
Read if you're looking for
- "be gay, do sports" vibes
- slow burn
- "practice" dating
- 90s women's basketball vibes 😍
- label exploration
- ace, sapphic & lesbian rep
- depression rep & discussion of mental illness
- trans/nonbinary sibling side characters
- glimpses of Dahlia & London & Ben & Alexei from previous books
- spice
I adored both Julie and Elle as individuals and their chemistry was off the charts as a couple. Seriously the one-on-one game...IYKYK. I loved the inclusion of difficult family dynamics and Elle being a foster parent to Vanessa. I loved the presence of sassy teasing teens to keep their coaches in check. I loved that Elle and Julie are both tall. I loved seeing London and Dahlia get married and Ben move to Portland to be with Alexei. I loved that Julie explored her sexual orientation labels and being on the ace spectrum. I love that a romance author finally admitted that people on antidepressants have a hard time getting off (we have needed that rep for so long).
Honestly there was nothing I didn't love. I am forever an Anita Kelly stan. They consistently write emotionally vulnerable and complex queer romances with heat and the absolute most heart. It's an auto buy for me, and everyone should preorder this book. Out 2/13/24!
Thanks to Forever Pub for the ARC.
This slow burn sapphic workplace romance has all the tension and yearning and even a dash of fake dating. Julie Parker feels like she's just spinning her wheels in life as everyone around her falls in love and she still lacks experience as an almost 30 year old. That is, until Julie's childhood crush, and college basketball star Elle Cochrane shows up at one of the girls' basketball practices she is coaching. Soon Elle is both assistant coach and practice dating Julie...but is it really practice?
Read if you're looking for
- "be gay, do sports" vibes
- slow burn
- "practice" dating
- 90s women's basketball vibes 😍
- label exploration
- ace, sapphic & lesbian rep
- depression rep & discussion of mental illness
- trans/nonbinary sibling side characters
- glimpses of Dahlia & London & Ben & Alexei from previous books
- spice
I adored both Julie and Elle as individuals and their chemistry was off the charts as a couple. Seriously the one-on-one game...IYKYK. I loved the inclusion of difficult family dynamics and Elle being a foster parent to Vanessa. I loved the presence of sassy teasing teens to keep their coaches in check. I loved that Elle and Julie are both tall. I loved seeing London and Dahlia get married and Ben move to Portland to be with Alexei. I loved that Julie explored her sexual orientation labels and being on the ace spectrum. I love that a romance author finally admitted that people on antidepressants have a hard time getting off (we have needed that rep for so long).
Honestly there was nothing I didn't love. I am forever an Anita Kelly stan. They consistently write emotionally vulnerable and complex queer romances with heat and the absolute most heart. It's an auto buy for me, and everyone should preorder this book. Out 2/13/24!
Thanks to Forever Pub for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug abuse and Addiction
annamay1021's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book!!!!!! Finished in under 36 hours for a reason. The slow burn romance, the sports, the mental health and child welfare rep. I felt so seen in this book and I think most readers will! I absolutely loved the author’s balance of the fun romcom while also tackling some tough topics. My favorite of theirs so far! Anita does a queer love story like no one else!
This book!!!!!! Finished in under 36 hours for a reason. The slow burn romance, the sports, the mental health and child welfare rep. I felt so seen in this book and I think most readers will! I absolutely loved the author’s balance of the fun romcom while also tackling some tough topics. My favorite of theirs so far! Anita does a queer love story like no one else!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Chronic illness, and Cursing
Moderate: Addiction and Sexism
Minor: Toxic relationship
noduedate's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Suicidal thoughts
More...