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cheye13's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this romance. I appreciated the balance between the POVs, and both leads felt like equally rounded characters. I loved their banter and enjoyed the sports scenes as well. And like any good sports narrative, the rest of the team was a well-stocked background cast. And on top of everything, I think I've discovered a new favorite romance trope: adhd/autistic couple.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism
estelleidekreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
i normally would’ve DNFed but somehow it was like a car crash and i couldn’t look away so i guess bonus points for being entertaining?
my feelings about this book are mixed so im going to break it down:
the romance: 1/5 - honestly i hated it. the initial bet felt so icky and i just didn’t like the dynamics at all. i just don’t like them together at all
the smut: -200/5 BUT im aware this part is extra subjective. just really wasn’t for me. using nicknames in bed when you barely know someone and the over use of the C word just aren’t my thing. i love the c word (are we allowed to write curse words on here???) but as an insult or like yay slay c*nty/ serving c*nt way. again - personal preference but i cringed so hard that i hurt my neck
the sublplot: honestly a decent 3.25/5 which is why it was so annoying that i hated the main plot (romance). i found it entertaining and liked the side characters even tho they were extremely 2 dimensional (tbh everyone is this felt that way even the MCs)
the adhd rep: 2/5 for me it was the “adhd people need meds that’s the only way they can function” rhetoric that pissed me off. i love the bit about adhd traits not being flaws or personal faults but we don’t need yet more media reinforcing the pathologication of neurodivergence. yes meds can change and adhd person’s life for the better, but a lot of us can’t handle the side effects or they don’t work that well or we don’t like how we feel on them or just don’t want them. meds should be an extra thing to make life easier, the main thing with adhd is accessibility, not throwing meds at the problem hoping that’ll make up for the ableist systems that make existing with adhd in our current world so damn hard. again very personal but as someone who really cares about this stuff i couldn’t look past it.
autism rep: 4.25/5 this was done SO well! the non verbal shutdown scene was done so well and i love her dad for being so kind and patient. this is the only reason this book is over 2 stars because everything from removing labels and feeling like your bed has crumbs to missing body language cues was done SO well.
side not: i know the miscommunication bit makes sense in the context but it still annoyed me and i don’t believe it’s realistic it would’ve lasted this long like if they were 15 maybe but those are grown ass women. that’s another thing, it keep feeling like i was reading about teenagers which just isn’t a vibe
my feelings about this book are mixed so im going to break it down:
the romance: 1/5 - honestly i hated it. the initial bet felt so icky and i just didn’t like the dynamics at all. i just don’t like them together at all
the smut: -200/5 BUT im aware this part is extra subjective. just really wasn’t for me. using nicknames in bed when you barely know someone and the over use of the C word just aren’t my thing. i love the c word (are we allowed to write curse words on here???) but as an insult or like yay slay c*nty/ serving c*nt way. again - personal preference but i cringed so hard that i hurt my neck
the sublplot: honestly a decent 3.25/5 which is why it was so annoying that i hated the main plot (romance). i found it entertaining and liked the side characters even tho they were extremely 2 dimensional (tbh everyone is this felt that way even the MCs)
the adhd rep: 2/5 for me it was the “adhd people need meds that’s the only way they can function” rhetoric that pissed me off. i love the bit about adhd traits not being flaws or personal faults but we don’t need yet more media reinforcing the pathologication of neurodivergence. yes meds can change and adhd person’s life for the better, but a lot of us can’t handle the side effects or they don’t work that well or we don’t like how we feel on them or just don’t want them. meds should be an extra thing to make life easier, the main thing with adhd is accessibility, not throwing meds at the problem hoping that’ll make up for the ableist systems that make existing with adhd in our current world so damn hard. again very personal but as someone who really cares about this stuff i couldn’t look past it.
autism rep: 4.25/5 this was done SO well! the non verbal shutdown scene was done so well and i love her dad for being so kind and patient. this is the only reason this book is over 2 stars because everything from removing labels and feeling like your bed has crumbs to missing body language cues was done SO well.
side not: i know the miscommunication bit makes sense in the context but it still annoyed me and i don’t believe it’s realistic it would’ve lasted this long like if they were 15 maybe but those are grown ass women. that’s another thing, it keep feeling like i was reading about teenagers which just isn’t a vibe
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual content
elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Ableism
Moderate: Violence
stormalexei's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
cute sapphic adhd/autistic romance, realistic rep & a really fun read
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism
luckykosmos's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
3.25
I really wanted to love this and it had the opportunity to be great, but the miscommunication trope just didn't work for me. There were parts where I was fine with it, but towards the end and particularly when Grace asked Phoebe if she was "off her meds" without ever discussing whether she was on any in particular felt invasive, and while it could be explained by Grace being autistic and wanted to explore that later , it was never dug into deeper. That was a stumble that offset the rest of the book for me, personally.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Ableism
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75
Phoebe gets recruited by the soccer team on which her idol and long-time crush from afar, Grace is captain. After a bad first impression, they quickly end up starting a friends-with-benefits relationship that turns into something more.
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
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
Content Warnings
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 against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
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
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Omgggg I absolutely fucking devoured this book and loved ittt. I will say if the miscommunication trope annoys you this might not be the book for you cause it has a lott of it that got kinda infuriating at times but that was literally my only complaint
I loved the characters, loved the character development, loved the story just ugh omg they were so cuteee
I loved the characters, loved the character development, loved the story just ugh omg they were so cuteee
Content Warnings
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Now that's how you do miscommunication. Grace and Phoebe don't just wilfully misunderstand each other after overhearing two sentences of a conversation without context or straight-up refuse to talk to each other. They just genuinely keep getting their wires crossed and always in a way that makes sense with their personalities and the fact that they're both neurodivergent, but undiagnosed. Speaking of: I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and really enjoyed the ADHD rep in this book. I particularly felt as though the portrayal of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria was just spot on and very true-to-life. I can't speak on the autism portrayal, but I certainly related to Grace's anxious, introverted nature.
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!!
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!!
Content Warnings
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
funny
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
4.0
Grace and Phoebe were such a treat!
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship