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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
hannahmichele5's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
5.0
I picked this for a local romance bookclub without having even read it because I trust Anita Kelly with my life and, as always, they delivered! The yearning, self-discovery, found-family, basketball, hot gays, mental health rep, steamy scenes, etc. had me constantly bouncing between giggly and getting teary eyed. Also, if any of you have been wanting to "practice kiss" me against an Italian restaurant, JUST SAY SO!
Thanks to Forever for sending me an advanced copy! Anita, I hope you never stop writing books. <3
Thanks to Forever for sending me an advanced copy! Anita, I hope you never stop writing books. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
sarahyjackson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“But that when it came to identity, when it came to queerness, the whole point was that there were no tryouts. If you were even thinking about it, you were already on the team. That labels weren't meant to confine, only to bring comfort to those for whom they were useful.
That Julie didn't need to ascribe to any of them if she didn't want to.
Elle wanted to say that, label or no label, hearing Julie just describe relationships and sexuality in sports metaphors was the gayest thing that had ever happened to her. And she had spent half her life dedicated to women's basketball.”
Lemme tell you what I normally like my romance fairly kink/smut forward with enough plot to sort of hold the thing together but this Tennessee set story of two folks navigating care (personal and systemic) and queerness and BASKETBALL done gone and challenged that notion for real.
Lemme tell you what I normally like my romance fairly kink/smut forward with enough plot to sort of hold the thing together but this Tennessee set story of two folks navigating care (personal and systemic) and queerness and BASKETBALL done gone and challenged that notion for real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia
auteaandtales's review
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
4.5
My first Anita Kelly book and I’ve been missing out! The writing was so warm and engaging, everything felt so real, and I love that the author let us spend some extra time getting to know people and having intimate moments not just with the main characters but with the other characters, as well. This isn’t something I read a lot in romances and I loved that. Everyone was so caring and full of love for each other with empathy and compassion.
There’s stuff like figuring things out later on in life such as your sexuality and a career change, which I love! I hate that we have to know who we are and what we want so early on in life and things don’t realistically work out like that, a lot of the time. I especially loved the asexual rep. I rarely see it in adult romances and it brought so much joy to my heart.
Alongside that, there’s also rep for chronic migraine sufferers, nonbinary people, depression, lesbians and foster parents! With some heavier themes, also, that involve addiction and parental neglect. It was heavy but very well handled.
There was also lots of emphasis on consent, in all contexts, and about how whoever you are is whoever you are and it’s all okay.
All in all, a mostly comforting read that made me feel loved and supported with some heavier topics that were handled with all the respect they should have been handled with. I can’t wait to read more from Anita Kelly!!
There’s stuff like figuring things out later on in life such as your sexuality and a career change, which I love! I hate that we have to know who we are and what we want so early on in life and things don’t realistically work out like that, a lot of the time. I especially loved the asexual rep. I rarely see it in adult romances and it brought so much joy to my heart.
Alongside that, there’s also rep for chronic migraine sufferers, nonbinary people, depression, lesbians and foster parents! With some heavier themes, also, that involve addiction and parental neglect. It was heavy but very well handled.
There was also lots of emphasis on consent, in all contexts, and about how whoever you are is whoever you are and it’s all okay.
All in all, a mostly comforting read that made me feel loved and supported with some heavier topics that were handled with all the respect they should have been handled with. I can’t wait to read more from Anita Kelly!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Addiction
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Abandonment, Addiction, and Medical content
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Title: How You Get the Girl
Author: Anita Kelly
Series: Love & Other Disasters #3
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: February 13, 2024
I received a complimentary eARC from Forever, a division of Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Mature • Charming • Authentic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When smart-mouthed Vanessa Lerner joins the high school basketball team Julie Parker coaches, Julie’s ready for the challenge. What she’s not ready for is Vanessa’s new foster parent, Elle Cochrane—former University of Tennessee basketball star. While star-struck at first, soon Julie persuades Elle to step into the unfilled position of assistant coach for the year.
Even though Elle has stayed out of the basketball world since an injury ended her short-lived WNBA career, the gig might be a way to become closer to Vanessa—and to spend more time with Julie, who makes Elle laugh. As the coaches grow closer, Elle has a hard time understanding how Julie is single. When Julie reveals her lifelong insecurity about dating and how she wishes it was more like sports—being able to practice first—it sparks an intriguing idea. While Elle still doubts her abilities as a basketball coach, helping Julie figure out dating is definitely something she can do. But as the basketball season progresses, and lines grow increasingly blurred, Julie and Elle must decide to join the game—or retreat to the sidelines.
💭 T H O U G H T S
How You Get the Girl, the third book in the Love & Other Disasters series by Anita Kelly, was quickly added to my 2024 most anticipated list after I read (and absolutely adored) Something Wild & Wonderful last year. I was grateful to get access to an eARC ahead of release and went into it completely blind.
Written in dual POVs, this Sapphic romcom introduced the reader to realistic and flawed characters that felt like friends. As a sport fan, I enjoyed the sports content. But I would say it's more sports adjacent than a sports romance. The aspect is fairly present in the beginning, but slowly fades as the narrative progresses. I think my enjoyment level would have been a little higher if the team and school setting would have played a larger role.
Anita Kelly writes and explores depression, chronic illness (migraines), queer identity, and fostering with great care. Certainly lighter in tone than book two, it still unpacks a lot - insecurity, injury, job displeasure, neglect. The chemistry between the two main characters was believable and they were so supportive of one another. I love how there are some real (albeit hard) conversations throughout and the themes of self discovery and found family were both fantastic.
Overall, How You Get the Girl wasn't Something Wild & Wonderful amazing, but it was still a solid romance with depth and great characters. I enjoyed getting a little glimpse into the lives of past characters and I definitely think I will be picking up book one at some point. I will continue to keep my eye on what this author publishes next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• women's basketball fans
• readers looking for queer romance
⚠️ CW: mental illness, anxiety, depression, addiction, alcoholism, drug abuse, eating disorder, chronic illness, sexual content, addiction, foster care, injury/injury detail, abandonment, acephobia/arophobia, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"That labels weren’t meant to confine, only to bring comfort to those for whom they were useful. That Julie didn’t need to ascribe to any of them, if she didn’t want to"
"Any relationship that’s worthwhile, whether it’s friendship or romantic or sexual, only really works when you try."
Author: Anita Kelly
Series: Love & Other Disasters #3
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: February 13, 2024
I received a complimentary eARC from Forever, a division of Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Mature • Charming • Authentic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When smart-mouthed Vanessa Lerner joins the high school basketball team Julie Parker coaches, Julie’s ready for the challenge. What she’s not ready for is Vanessa’s new foster parent, Elle Cochrane—former University of Tennessee basketball star. While star-struck at first, soon Julie persuades Elle to step into the unfilled position of assistant coach for the year.
Even though Elle has stayed out of the basketball world since an injury ended her short-lived WNBA career, the gig might be a way to become closer to Vanessa—and to spend more time with Julie, who makes Elle laugh. As the coaches grow closer, Elle has a hard time understanding how Julie is single. When Julie reveals her lifelong insecurity about dating and how she wishes it was more like sports—being able to practice first—it sparks an intriguing idea. While Elle still doubts her abilities as a basketball coach, helping Julie figure out dating is definitely something she can do. But as the basketball season progresses, and lines grow increasingly blurred, Julie and Elle must decide to join the game—or retreat to the sidelines.
💭 T H O U G H T S
How You Get the Girl, the third book in the Love & Other Disasters series by Anita Kelly, was quickly added to my 2024 most anticipated list after I read (and absolutely adored) Something Wild & Wonderful last year. I was grateful to get access to an eARC ahead of release and went into it completely blind.
Written in dual POVs, this Sapphic romcom introduced the reader to realistic and flawed characters that felt like friends. As a sport fan, I enjoyed the sports content. But I would say it's more sports adjacent than a sports romance. The aspect is fairly present in the beginning, but slowly fades as the narrative progresses. I think my enjoyment level would have been a little higher if the team and school setting would have played a larger role.
Anita Kelly writes and explores depression, chronic illness (migraines), queer identity, and fostering with great care. Certainly lighter in tone than book two, it still unpacks a lot - insecurity, injury, job displeasure, neglect. The chemistry between the two main characters was believable and they were so supportive of one another. I love how there are some real (albeit hard) conversations throughout and the themes of self discovery and found family were both fantastic.
Overall, How You Get the Girl wasn't Something Wild & Wonderful amazing, but it was still a solid romance with depth and great characters. I enjoyed getting a little glimpse into the lives of past characters and I definitely think I will be picking up book one at some point. I will continue to keep my eye on what this author publishes next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• women's basketball fans
• readers looking for queer romance
⚠️ CW: mental illness, anxiety, depression, addiction, alcoholism, drug abuse, eating disorder, chronic illness, sexual content, addiction, foster care, injury/injury detail, abandonment, acephobia/arophobia, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"That labels weren’t meant to confine, only to bring comfort to those for whom they were useful. That Julie didn’t need to ascribe to any of them, if she didn’t want to"
"Any relationship that’s worthwhile, whether it’s friendship or romantic or sexual, only really works when you try."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Chronic illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Cursing, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Acephobia/Arophobia
anxiety, depression, foster carequeerafictionado's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS BOOK! Anita Kelly does it again! I don’t even know where to begin. I absolutely adored Julie Parker and Elle Cochrane - their chemistry was palpable and oozed off the page. The way Elle just completely understood Julie. Like she could see the thoughts swirling in her head and respond without them needing to be named. Her patience and reassurance and understanding and total respect of Julie and her journey of self discovery even while she grappled with her own inner battles. The way Julie slowly began to let Elle into her life and heart, allowing herself to be vulnerable. And how she showed up for Elle over and over - no questions asked, no judgment, no pushing. The way their energies always seemed to shift in a positive way whenever they were together. The story was emotional and powerful, but also fun and playful. And I adored every moment, every word, every single part of it!
Their journey wasn’t without hiccups and bumps. But that’s to be expected when you have characters like Julie and Elle. And while there were definitely moments where some communication could have helped, it wasn’t done in the typical way miscommunication tropes are often written. It felt true to who these characters were and their journeys - necessary moments for their growth in the story. It felt real and authentic and honest. Elle’s and Julie’s souls are laid bare on the pages of this book.
I loved witnessing each of their individual journeys. Julie’s exploration of her sexual identity and trying to figure out who she was. Her worries about needing to find the right label and struggling to make sense of the things she felt and didn’t feel and what it all meant. And to discern what the parts of this journey were that truly mattered. Elle’s struggle with migraines and depression, and suddenly finding herself caring for her teenage niece. Reconnecting with basketball after years of removing herself from the world that once defined her. Trying to figure out where she wanted to go in life that wasn’t just running from something else, that was more about passion and fulfillment than mere stability. Both of them beginning to discover the difference between simply existing…and actually living.
Anita also handled some big subjects with extreme care - like depression, the impact of addiction on families, and the inclusion of trans/non-binary folx in sports. These themes were woven throughout the book in big and small ways that helped bring light to these topics without sensationalizing or trivializing them, adding to the overall story in meaningful ways.
GAH! I just freaking loved this book! So much. I’m rambling now though. So I’ll leave it there. But I highly recommend this book! The first book in the series (Love & Other Disasters) is Julie’s twin sibling London’s story and it was equally amazing! Now I need to go read Ben’s story (which has been on my TBR) and basically everything else Anita Kelly ever writes! 😁
🏳️🌈Rep: Aspec FMC, Lesbian FMC, POC, Queer, and Non-binary SCs
📝Tropes/Themes: Sapphic Rom Com, Sports Romance, Practice Dating, Childhood Crush, Athlete, Coach, Found Family, Self Discovery, Foster Parent
⚠️TW/CW: anxiety, depression, sexual content, mentions of addiction, foster care, mention of injury
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Addiction
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, and Drug use
Minor: Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Acephobia/Arophobia, Eating disorder, Grief, and Transphobia
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
How You Get the Girl is a heartwarming sapphic romance between a high school basketball coach and the former WNBA star that she's had a crush on for years. The slowburn romance mixed with the practice dating had me hooked. I couldn't stop reading and rooting for them to get together. I absolutely, 100% loved that they both jumped to take care of each other while they were struggling. It was such a stunningly realistic portrayal of what romance should look like.
Like everything I've read from Anita Kelly, HYGTG hit me right in the feels. Julie's struggles with her sexuality and her inexperience with romance and sex was handled so well. She's a character that feels like a warm hug. Elle's journey through the foster care system as she takes care of her niece was also handled with so much care. I teared up at so many point in this book because of how deeply I loved the characters.
I'm sad to say goodbye to the Love & Other Disasters universe, but I am also so excited to see what's next for Anita Kelly!!
Like everything I've read from Anita Kelly, HYGTG hit me right in the feels. Julie's struggles with her sexuality and her inexperience with romance and sex was handled so well. She's a character that feels like a warm hug. Elle's journey through the foster care system as she takes care of her niece was also handled with so much care. I teared up at so many point in this book because of how deeply I loved the characters.
I'm sad to say goodbye to the Love & Other Disasters universe, but I am also so excited to see what's next for Anita Kelly!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I adored Julie and Elle’s sports romance with a bit of workplace romance (since they end up coaching together!) & “it’s-just-for-practice” — suuuuure Jan! 😊
It’s been eight years since Elle’s infamous departure from the WNBA, after being the shining star of UT (University of Tennessee), and she is now the foster parent of her niece Vanessa, while her cousin Karly takes care of a few things. Elle enrolls Vanessa into Julie’s East Nashville High Bobcats basketball program so she had an extra curricular activity to participate in after school, since Elle’s work in medical billing at Vanderbilt University kept her from picking Vanessa up at 3pm. The CPS employee advised Elle to keep a close eye on Vanessa, as she is deemed a flight risk during the beginning of this foster period. Elle has also been navigating migraines, and unfortunately, her meetcute with Julie ends with one🥺
I really appreciated the nuance with which Elle’s experience of being a foster parent is highlighted; Elle clearly rooted for Karly, yet still held space for grief when reckoning with the fact that Vanessa, a kid she deeply loves and cares for, will not always be living with her or under her care. The foster care system has a lot of work to do, but I felt that AK handled this topic in the book with much grace, care, and the nuance it deserves.
On the other hand, Julie has been grappling with her own purpose in life; she adores coaching this high school basketball team, but her day job of alumni relations at Vanderbilt seems to only suck joy and energy out of her. Julie has also watched her loved ones accomplish such exciting things, like London going on a food competition tv show & meeting Dahlia, or Ben hiking the Pacific Crest Trail & meeting Alexei, his long distance boyfriend. Julie is happy for them, but can’t help but notice she is no longer the first one either of them come to for any big news anymore.
Julie is wrestling with her own sexuality and feelings of incompetency and shame around her lack of experience with romance and sex. She desperately wants to *know* herself, but labels don’t fit quite right. I thought this journey of exploration was illustrated so lovingly and realistically! Goofy side note: when Julie describes only ever being attracted to Elle Cochrane and Manny Jacinto from The Good Place, I nearly lost it with delight and giddiness. That’s a perfectly valid sexuality babe! I GET IT 🤤
I find the plotline of “I’ll help you practice being romantic or sexual” to be absolutely hilarious! I eat it up every time because I am sitting here like giggling and kicking my feet into the air calling them “silly goofy babies” hahaha. You two have sizzling hot chemistry, are clearly deeply invested in the other’s welfare, and have so much fun together; but sure, it’s just to help and to practice 🫡 This was written perfectly and I loved these two stumbling their way towards the inevitable epiphanies that this was indeed not just practice, and instead, was the real spankin’ deal!
The lil epilogue was a beautiful way to tie things up for our three favorite couples and their happily for nows🥹 I really would love to see this group of characters featured on a sitcom! They’re so precious, relatable, and goofy. I love them your honor!
steam rating: 3/5
I adored Julie and Elle’s sports romance with a bit of workplace romance (since they end up coaching together!) & “it’s-just-for-practice” — suuuuure Jan! 😊
It’s been eight years since Elle’s infamous departure from the WNBA, after being the shining star of UT (University of Tennessee), and she is now the foster parent of her niece Vanessa, while her cousin Karly takes care of a few things. Elle enrolls Vanessa into Julie’s East Nashville High Bobcats basketball program so she had an extra curricular activity to participate in after school, since Elle’s work in medical billing at Vanderbilt University kept her from picking Vanessa up at 3pm. The CPS employee advised Elle to keep a close eye on Vanessa, as she is deemed a flight risk during the beginning of this foster period. Elle has also been navigating migraines, and unfortunately, her meetcute with Julie ends with one🥺
I really appreciated the nuance with which Elle’s experience of being a foster parent is highlighted; Elle clearly rooted for Karly, yet still held space for grief when reckoning with the fact that Vanessa, a kid she deeply loves and cares for, will not always be living with her or under her care. The foster care system has a lot of work to do, but I felt that AK handled this topic in the book with much grace, care, and the nuance it deserves.
On the other hand, Julie has been grappling with her own purpose in life; she adores coaching this high school basketball team, but her day job of alumni relations at Vanderbilt seems to only suck joy and energy out of her. Julie has also watched her loved ones accomplish such exciting things, like London going on a food competition tv show & meeting Dahlia, or Ben hiking the Pacific Crest Trail & meeting Alexei, his long distance boyfriend. Julie is happy for them, but can’t help but notice she is no longer the first one either of them come to for any big news anymore.
Julie is wrestling with her own sexuality and feelings of incompetency and shame around her lack of experience with romance and sex. She desperately wants to *know* herself, but labels don’t fit quite right. I thought this journey of exploration was illustrated so lovingly and realistically! Goofy side note: when Julie describes only ever being attracted to Elle Cochrane and Manny Jacinto from The Good Place, I nearly lost it with delight and giddiness. That’s a perfectly valid sexuality babe! I GET IT 🤤
I find the plotline of “I’ll help you practice being romantic or sexual” to be absolutely hilarious! I eat it up every time because I am sitting here like giggling and kicking my feet into the air calling them “silly goofy babies” hahaha. You two have sizzling hot chemistry, are clearly deeply invested in the other’s welfare, and have so much fun together; but sure, it’s just to help and to practice 🫡 This was written perfectly and I loved these two stumbling their way towards the inevitable epiphanies that this was indeed not just practice, and instead, was the real spankin’ deal!
The lil epilogue was a beautiful way to tie things up for our three favorite couples and their happily for nows🥹 I really would love to see this group of characters featured on a sitcom! They’re so precious, relatable, and goofy. I love them your honor!
steam rating: 3/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Mental illness, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Addiction
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Thanks to Forever Publishing for the free copy of this book.
- Anita Kelly continues to be the best with HOW YOU GET THE GIRL. Kelly brings their signature wit and heart to this sapphic sports romance. I swooned, I cried, I cheered.
- Where this book punched me in the heart, though, is Julie’s character. Julie is me and I am Julie. I think I’m ace, but maybe not, because this person has knocked me off my feet? Am I pathetic for being “behind” everyone in terms of experience? Do I need a label? What if I never sort it out? NO, YOU’RE CRYING! (this is me saying thank you for bringing this character into existence, truly.)
- Characters from Kelly’s previous two books feature pretty heavily in this one (I squealed every time), so I would recommend reading those first to get the full background and experience. And you should read them anyway because they’re great!
- Anita Kelly continues to be the best with HOW YOU GET THE GIRL. Kelly brings their signature wit and heart to this sapphic sports romance. I swooned, I cried, I cheered.
- Where this book punched me in the heart, though, is Julie’s character. Julie is me and I am Julie. I think I’m ace, but maybe not, because this person has knocked me off my feet? Am I pathetic for being “behind” everyone in terms of experience? Do I need a label? What if I never sort it out? NO, YOU’RE CRYING! (this is me saying thank you for bringing this character into existence, truly.)
- Characters from Kelly’s previous two books feature pretty heavily in this one (I squealed every time), so I would recommend reading those first to get the full background and experience. And you should read them anyway because they’re great!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Addiction, and Drug abuse
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