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antidietleah's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Looking for a fun, sporty sapphic romance?
Phoebe is a standout character—fun, energetic, and a bit chaotic, but with a heart of gold. When the book hints at her having ADHD towards the end, it felt like everything clicked into place. Grace, on the other hand, was harder for me to warm up to. She’s supposed to be the mature, reliable one, but her habit of jumping to conclusions didn’t fit that image. There are hints she might be neurodivergent too, but they come too late to really change how I felt about her.
The romance and the spice were great—realistic and not overly perfect, which I appreciated. As a soccer fan, I loved the sports aspect, and the New Orleans references added a nice touch.
Overall, Cleat Cute is a fun read with a great sports backdrop and a sweet romance. A few tweaks to Grace’s character would have made it perfect, but it’s still a good pick for anyone who loves a good quasi-rivals-to-lovers story.
Phoebe is a standout character—fun, energetic, and a bit chaotic, but with a heart of gold. When the book hints at her having ADHD towards the end, it felt like everything clicked into place. Grace, on the other hand, was harder for me to warm up to. She’s supposed to be the mature, reliable one, but her habit of jumping to conclusions didn’t fit that image. There are hints she might be neurodivergent too, but they come too late to really change how I felt about her.
The romance and the spice were great—realistic and not overly perfect, which I appreciated. As a soccer fan, I loved the sports aspect, and the New Orleans references added a nice touch.
Overall, Cleat Cute is a fun read with a great sports backdrop and a sweet romance. A few tweaks to Grace’s character would have made it perfect, but it’s still a good pick for anyone who loves a good quasi-rivals-to-lovers story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
joensign's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
cats33's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Vomit, and Medical content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
micaelacccc'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Mental illness
Minor: Toxic relationship and Classism
leannanecdote's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
bootrat's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
A cute sapphic romance read, with real characters and real feelings. I really enjoyed the progression of their relationship, and the way that conflict was dealt with and resolved fairly quickly without endless chapters of whining and suffering because of miscommunication!
I don't think the blurb was really accurate for this book though. There was never really any rivals elements, except sometimes in Grace's mind. But the blurb makes it sound like they spend half the novel competing against each other which just doesn't really happen.
I really enjoyed the ADHD and autism rep in this too, and though I don't personally have either of them I know enough people that do to think it was good representation. I also loved Teddy! I think that knowing about and enjoying women's football (soccer 🙄) adds to the enjoyment of this book, but as with most sports romances it definitely isn't necessary.
All in all it was a great light-hearted romance which I really enjoyed reading - though I did tear up when Grace and her Dad had their heart-to-heart!
I don't think the blurb was really accurate for this book though. There was never really any rivals elements, except sometimes in Grace's mind. But the blurb makes it sound like they spend half the novel competing against each other which just doesn't really happen.
I really enjoyed the ADHD and autism rep in this too, and though I don't personally have either of them I know enough people that do to think it was good representation. I also loved Teddy! I think that knowing about and enjoying women's football (soccer 🙄) adds to the enjoyment of this book, but as with most sports romances it definitely isn't necessary.
All in all it was a great light-hearted romance which I really enjoyed reading - though I did tear up when Grace and her Dad had their heart-to-heart!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
jencolumb0's review against another edition
informative
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
4.75
This book will always have an exceptionally warm place in my heart for its lovely representation of ADHD love: it serves as a rare example of a touchy subject (undiagnosed and questionably managed AHDH in a partner) handled with the compassion and care all parties deserve while not sacrificing the joy (or blunders) that come with the territory or turning it into an after school special. A tricky balance to strike but Wilsner absolutely succeeded.
They also succeeded in creating a v. steamy romp that should keep everyone praying for that women’s league spin-off of Ted Lasso (complete with prayers for it to include Hannah Waddingham) happy until Apple gets its act together.
They also succeeded in creating a v. steamy romp that should keep everyone praying for that women’s league spin-off of Ted Lasso (complete with prayers for it to include Hannah Waddingham) happy until Apple gets its act together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol
mothie_girlie's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship
alexalily's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Medical content, and Toxic relationship
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.