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lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
micaelacccc's review
- 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
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Mental illness
Minor: Toxic relationship and Classism
nyquillll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
- The plot was moving so slowly throughout the whole book it felt. I know that we’re meant to see different aspects of their lives - I did like when the complexities of being a professional soccer player and having injuries was talked about. And also about the implications of coming out. But the pacing of their relationship felt so haphazard, which I guess was the point in a way because they were
friends with benefits . - What I did enjoy was the themes of coming to terms with your own sexuality and coming out in a way that’s comfortable and authentic to you, the pride multiple characters took in being publicly out, again the pressures of being a professional soccer player and playing at a high level, the balance between the love for the game and the other duties/tasks that are wrapped into being in the public eye, learning to stand up for what you want and believe in (respectfully), I’d say “light” sexism with how rude the coach was on multiple occasions, navigating the dating scene as someone who’s queer and lesbian, some of the aspects of the extroverted/introverted couple pairing, complex feelings toward parents - feeling like we need to achieve something to make them proud but getting burnt out from that pressure, the stress of living up to expectations be them personal or social, coming into adulthood and experiencing life away from your family, being aware of people’s different economic and financial situations, being a professional athlete and still having to take a second job, and learning how to accept love and support your partner in ways that are new or different to you.
- I also enjoyed when the book focused attention on Grace's career as a professional athlete who had been in the spotlight for the past 10 years and the kind of jaded mentality Grace had - or, not jaded, but protective, she wanted to protect her peace and was clear about the boundaries she wanted to put between herself and the public. And I appreciated the support she got from her teammates (and was annoyed when Phoebe kind of pushed back and questioned it - but I do know Phoebe was presented as having a different view toward how much she shares with the public...). I also loved the conversation Grace had with her dad about her career and
her first time trying to voice the fears she had of thinking of who she was away from soccer, especially with her insecurities around her family only valuing her for her athletic abilities. But for her dad to assuage those fears and reaffirm that hey, as your father, I wanted to talk to you about what you were passionate about. It doesn't matter what that was, I just am interested in what interests you. Amazing convo.
- I also enjoyed when the book focused attention on Grace's career as a professional athlete who had been in the spotlight for the past 10 years and the kind of jaded mentality Grace had - or, not jaded, but protective, she wanted to protect her peace and was clear about the boundaries she wanted to put between herself and the public. And I appreciated the support she got from her teammates (and was annoyed when Phoebe kind of pushed back and questioned it - but I do know Phoebe was presented as having a different view toward how much she shares with the public...). I also loved the conversation Grace had with her dad about her career and
- What was harder for me to wrap my head around was the actual romantic relationship. I should preface by saying I believed I was het for most of my life and am now questioning that a bit, I’m also ace and the amount of times the two would be having a conversation that would immediately derail to sex was so confusing to me. I honestly didn’t really see how Phoebe and Grace fit together in practice. Theoretically, I’ve seen books with this pairing - one person more outgoing, unafraid, confident, outspoken, and direct. The other person more introverted, logical, slower to react but thinking through possibilities, reserved, and emotionally repressed a bit. This pairing has worked for me in the past. I think the biggest thing I couldn’t get past were the multiple instances of
Phoebe bulldozing Grace and not respecting her autonomy or wishes? Like telling the coach about the injury - which okay, would’ve been fine in the long run and was, but the resolution to this was so lackluster! There was hardly a conversation about why Grace was hesitant to tell anyone in the first place. Phoebe also just was very impulsive in ways that affected other people around her, and I think it was a disservice to her character to not explore that a bit more and have her grow more conscious of her actions. Not that impulsivity in itself is bad, and she does get that ADHD diagnosis in the end, but some of her behaviors and how she spoke really rubbed me the wrong way and I kept getting frustrated when Grace would just accept it as a quirk that she came to love. There were just a lot of things that didn’t make sense to me that made it hard for me to believe in their relationship. - Also the whole
“I thought we were already dating” and “I didn’t know we were dating” - is it because I’ve spent most of my life as het? Is this accurate sapphic representation that I’m just not getting because I’m not in it? To my credit, this is a trope I don’t understand in straight romances either, one that usually infuriates me. But something about how it was done in this book was a bit more heartbreaking given the characters, their flaws and insecurities that they spoke of, and their strengths. - To that last point, maybe my biggest hang up was that the elements of the story that felt the firmest to me, that I could grab onto, felt so flimsy and short lived. Whereas the other elements I wasn’t gelling with as much were drawn out. I wish more attention was focused on really delving into their relationship but having them TALK WITH EACH OTHER about it. I think I would’ve been way more into this book if their internal monologues were actually shared and they could work through it together. Like I like the fact that Phoebe taught Grace to be more unapologetic and to take up space and to focus on the joy of the game, to appreciate and remember how far she’s come. I like how Grace was a level-headed character who taught Phoebe the importance of patience, to think a bit more before acting, to consider the gravity of her actions. They both had things they could teach the other about and I wish it had been explored more in depth - less focus on the sexual aspects of their situation and more on the emotional. That’s what it was - I didn’t believe in their emotional connection, and that’s huge for me.
- I also read a couple reviews and agreed about the kind of random inclusion of ADHD and a hint of autism "representation" at the back end of the book. The topics seemed to be just tools to get the main couple back together rather than a deep dive into how it might impact the characters and the implications - like being directly tied to the diagnoses.
- Also just overall, I don't think this was the healthiest presentation of a relationship. For more than half the book, the characters seemed to not really complement each other in ways that were beneficial to both of them, and by the end of the book it didn't seem like much personal growth was achieved either. The amount of miscommunication and misunderstanding that occurred between the two - especially given how it seemed to just resolve with them having sex - was just not very productive to them growing as human beings. There was potential, but I think it wasn't developed to the fullest.
Moderate: Classism
Quotes I highlighted:amandaplease50's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The soccer is obviously an important aspect of the story leads to the MCs meeting but it’s not what endear you to the characters. And I don’t think there was a character I didn’t like..well besides the one but y'all who’ve read it know!
There’s a bit of a miscommunication trope but not in the way I usually dislike it. It’s really just because we don’t all get social cues.
Seriously all the characters were super love able and brought a lot to the story!
Minor: Bullying and Classism
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really enjoyed this sapphic rom-com. I think part of the reason is I'm a mix of the Pheobe and Grace. ADHD, introvert, neurospicy. So, their unique and neurospicy relationship was highly relatable. I'm glad those types of characters are finally being written.
From the little I know about soccer; the writer did their research! There was some technical talk of the game and it sounded correct, at least to my untrained ear.
Overall an excellent romance with a good mix of humor and emotional elements. As well as a diverse cast of lovable characters! I'd love to see a sequel with another character from the cast as an MC.
Extra ratings: Fluff- 2/5 Heartfelt- 4/5 Helpful-NA Horror- NA Inspiration- NA Love- 5/5 Mystery-NA Predictability- 4.5/5 Spice- 3.5/5 Suspense- NA Tear 0.5/5 Thrill- NA Humor- 3.5/5
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Alcohol, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Bullying
The toxic relationship/friendship was a prior relationship of the MCs.annahamburger's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Classism, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Abandonment, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
shaipanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved the characters, loved the character development, loved the story just ugh omg they were so cuteee
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Alcohol, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic relationship, Classism, and Bullying
wilybooklover's review against another edition
4.0
I just loved how Grace and Phoebe were so kind and caring to each other, even when they were trying to keep things casual. They fight and disagree but always take care not to be intentionally hurtful. They make space for one another in their lives, support and advocate for each other. And the hair braiding scenes were so sexy! The sports aspect was utilised very well; it's a strong element of the book and important to the characters, but remains as backdrop rather than taking over the plot and requiring the reader to look up details.
It did drag a little in the middle and feel a bit rushed at the end. I always feel a bit shortchanged when the couple reconciles/clears the air in the final chapter without any time to let it settle and let us see them happily together before the epilogue. One more chapter — them out as a couple amongst their teammates or meeting Grace's family, perhaps — would have gone a long way. And I'm just not a fan of the baby girl nickname, even coming from a woman. But these are minor complaints!
Love the cover as well. The thighs on Grace!!
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying and Classism
readers_sea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one was such an easy listen, that I didn't even realize how fast I was getting through it.
Both characters had their personalities that were quite different from each other. Grace was very serious and took her career in soccer as if it were her life and Phoebe was new to the professional world of soccer! Grace was the team captain, while Phoebe was the rookie from a small town that no one had heard of.
At first, it didn't seem like they would fit. They were completely different from each other in all aspects. From how they presented themselves to their humor, it shouldn't have worked but for them it did.
This book truly had me laughing and rooting for them! They didn't quite understand each other at first but quickly discovered that they enjoyed the other's company. Overall, such a fun book that also touches on sensitive and serious topics. There were some topics that I wish we had a bit more closure and answers on, but I still enjoyed it.
Graphic: Mental illness and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
a_rich_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Outing and Classism