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aljj's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
lezreadalot's review
4.0
“You can’t find love where it doesn’t exist, and you can’t run from it when it does.”
3.5 stars. I'm sad that I didn't have a chance to jot down my thoughts about this when I finished it, because I have kiiiiiinda forgotten a lot of what I liked about this. But still, it was a really sweet sports romance, nice and slow, understated in a good way, and I liked the way it handled both women and their personal stories.
Parker is the first woman in the NFL; she feels like her appointment is a publicity stunt more than anything, but she really wants to play, really wants to get out there and kick. Carly is the newest athletic trainer on Parker's team, the only woman on staff, and her shitty boss immediately tells her if she fraternises with the players, she's fired. She doesn't think that'll be a problem, until she sees Parker. The beginning parts of this book were soooooo cute. Not every romance manages to sell me on chemistry so quickly, without overdoing it, so I really appreciate it when a book can have me fall for a couple after just a few interactions. Parker is so dang swoony; there's something about big butch women with long hair, ahhh. <3 Both women are very different, and Carly is at first really hesitant about Parker's playgirl reputation and her family's wealth (especially since Carly is so poor) but they cultivate a friendship and then a romance that's really sweet.
The external plots had a lot of potential that I don't think they completely lived up to, especially on Parker's side. I loved that she had to learn to be more independent, and that she had to stand up for herself and become part of the team, but we only really saw her making strides with one or two of the players. I wish there'd been more practices, more games, more football. I don't care about or understand the sport, but it would have been a great vehicle to get to know the characters more, have them share some more moments. And I loved the way Parker was described when she moved/played, so I wish there was more of that. Both Parker and Carly had stuff to work out with their families, and it was good, but ultimately a little shallow. And I wish the conversations surrounding misogyny/sexism were a little less formulaic.
But ultimately this was a really, really sweet book. Sometimes a little cheesy, but not in the annoying way; in the really good way. These characters were adorable; there were moments when I was lying in bed literally kicking my feet. Listened to the audiobook as read by Abby Craden, and she was amazing as always. This put me in the mood for more sports romance. <3
The field goal moment.
Parker had scored in the best possible way.
extrafolklore's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
queerafictionado's review
4.0
I’m always down for anything narrated by Abby Craden! And it’s football season, so of course I’m going to read a football book.
shanab's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- 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
3.25
kn1231's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars - I really wanted to like this story because I love sports and I love sapphic romances, but this one didn’t connect for me. I couldn’t really develop a connection to either of the leads, which was my main struggle with this story, I just wasn’t invested in either of their stories. Their budding relationship didn’t give me the “warm & fuzzies” which is a must for me to enjoy a book. Also, I thought the misogyny and homophobia was just way too much, almost campy, which just made things even more unbelievable than the actually concept of the story in the first place.
Overall, I just thought there was way too much going on in this story, and when you add into a weakly written romance, it’s going to make for a mediocre story.
Overall, I just thought there was way too much going on in this story, and when you add into a weakly written romance, it’s going to make for a mediocre story.
catbartram89's review against another edition
5.0
Parker auditions for point kicker for the Las Vagus High Rollers, being the first woman to be in a team within the NFL was huge and she was having to prove herself.
New Trainer Carly is also trying to prove herself in the male-dominated world of the NFL, her boss on her first day puts her in her place and says she can't fraternise with the players, luckily she isn't interested in men, but she isn't given the chance to tell her boss.
When Parker meets Carly she gives her a proposition of a casual relationship but this was the wrong thing to ask/say, seeing a Parker is not just a player on the pitch but in life too, Carly was not interested in potentially getting her heart broken and refuses the proposal.
Can Parker make the perfect kick for her team? Will Parker grow up and realise that there is more to a relationship than just a fling? Will Carly give in and follow her heart?
This slow-burn romance is wonderfully written and the narration by Abby brings the book alive and keeps you entertained the whole way through.
I highly recommend this book/ Audiobook it's a great listen
New Trainer Carly is also trying to prove herself in the male-dominated world of the NFL, her boss on her first day puts her in her place and says she can't fraternise with the players, luckily she isn't interested in men, but she isn't given the chance to tell her boss.
When Parker meets Carly she gives her a proposition of a casual relationship but this was the wrong thing to ask/say, seeing a Parker is not just a player on the pitch but in life too, Carly was not interested in potentially getting her heart broken and refuses the proposal.
Can Parker make the perfect kick for her team? Will Parker grow up and realise that there is more to a relationship than just a fling? Will Carly give in and follow her heart?
This slow-burn romance is wonderfully written and the narration by Abby brings the book alive and keeps you entertained the whole way through.
I highly recommend this book/ Audiobook it's a great listen
angieinbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I was wanting a book that would usher me into the fall season, and, as an American, nothing marks the start of fall like the emergence of [American] football season, so Catherine Lane's Romancing the Kicker was the logical choice. I wasn't expecting to be blown away by this novel--and I definitely wasn't, but this book had its highs and lows and, even though it didn't grab me and not let me go (which I hope every book I read does), it was exactly what I wanted. And this may be a good time to note, for the record, that this book had the misfortune of following my reread of Delilah Green Doesn't Care (my current #1 for the year), so in some ways I chose this because I didn't expect to be blown away by it.
What worked for me in this novel was the romance between Parker, the hotel heiress and soccer star who's trying to become the first woman to play in the NFL, and Carly, the first female athletic trainer to be hired by the Rollers football team. I love the rich/poor trope and I thought Lane handled this really well. Both MCs were hard-working and driven and had some lessons to learn, and we get to see them grow throughout the course of the novel. I also really liked the discussion of women in male-dominated sports spaces.
I did think the novel tried to tackle (pardon the unintended pun) too much here. The storyline with Teddy and his parentage seemed not to fit in this novel (same really the whole subplot with Carly's mom, to be honest). I really wish Lane would have focussed more on the issues both Parker and Carly were facing as members of the Rollers organization. I just didn't care about Carly's younger brother and a lot of time was spent with him.
No big complaints about the romance, at least. It's not the type of book where I'm going to go back and reread those romantic sections over and over again like I do with other books, but I was rooting for them to come together and make it work.
What worked for me in this novel was the romance between Parker, the hotel heiress and soccer star who's trying to become the first woman to play in the NFL, and Carly, the first female athletic trainer to be hired by the Rollers football team. I love the rich/poor trope and I thought Lane handled this really well. Both MCs were hard-working and driven and had some lessons to learn, and we get to see them grow throughout the course of the novel. I also really liked the discussion of women in male-dominated sports spaces.
I did think the novel tried to tackle (pardon the unintended pun) too much here. The storyline with Teddy and his parentage seemed not to fit in this novel (same really the whole subplot with Carly's mom, to be honest). I really wish Lane would have focussed more on the issues both Parker and Carly were facing as members of the Rollers organization. I just didn't care about Carly's younger brother and a lot of time was spent with him.
No big complaints about the romance, at least. It's not the type of book where I'm going to go back and reread those romantic sections over and over again like I do with other books, but I was rooting for them to come together and make it work.
qraveline's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexism and Racism