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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Magical realism isn’t for me in a sports romance
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
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
There were like two entire chapters describing one singular tennis match, including every back and forth hit between the players. I was over it
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Thank you Atria Books, Katie Chandler and Netgalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a rivals-to-lovers romance focusing on two tennis players, who are destined for one another (yes, by fate). I though the descriptions surrounding tennis were spot on, and every time the author detailed how games were going, I felt like I was in the audience, which was entertaining. The nerves surrounding matches, the media tricks, all of that was extremely fun to read.
One of our main characters, Juliette, comes from a family of tennis superstars and hers is a familiar arc of "you have to let me go my own way." If you're confused, let me fill you in. Whenever you have watched the (usually teenage) movie with that character who is trying hard to please their parents (think, The Ice Princess), what do they end up doing? That's right, they end up telling their parents to stick it because the pressure they're putting on them is too much. In this case, since dad is also the coach, Juliette had to figure out if she liked tennis for herself and what to do about her father. I think her arc is familiar but was well developed and I rooted for Juliette throughout.
Our other main character, Luca, is somewhat of a loner. She deals with anxiety constantly, and just wants to achieve her goals bad enough to play on an injured ankle. Her arc was less satisfying because to be completely honest, I didn't really see much of a change there. Apart from accepting and trusting the romantic love of Juliette--and that was unsatisfying for me.
The romantic pacing was fine. I don't think there was as much yearning as the author was banking on, and that could be because we know from chapter 1 or 2 that these two are meant to be together. In this world, you get your soulmate's name engraved on your wrist and everything you do with them is magical. I think if this had be staggered out, then maybe the romance would felt earned but it made it less exciting overall for me.
Overall, it was a fast-paced, fun read and would be perfect for lovers of tennis and sapphic romance who so happen to also enjoy the fated mates trope that is often present in romantasy/fantasy novels.
This is a rivals-to-lovers romance focusing on two tennis players, who are destined for one another (yes, by fate). I though the descriptions surrounding tennis were spot on, and every time the author detailed how games were going, I felt like I was in the audience, which was entertaining. The nerves surrounding matches, the media tricks, all of that was extremely fun to read.
One of our main characters, Juliette, comes from a family of tennis superstars and hers is a familiar arc of "you have to let me go my own way." If you're confused, let me fill you in. Whenever you have watched the (usually teenage) movie with that character who is trying hard to please their parents (think, The Ice Princess), what do they end up doing? That's right, they end up telling their parents to stick it because the pressure they're putting on them is too much. In this case, since dad is also the coach, Juliette had to figure out if she liked tennis for herself and what to do about her father. I think her arc is familiar but was well developed and I rooted for Juliette throughout.
Our other main character, Luca, is somewhat of a loner. She deals with anxiety constantly, and just wants to achieve her goals bad enough to play on an injured ankle. Her arc was less satisfying because to be completely honest, I didn't really see much of a change there. Apart from accepting and trusting the romantic love of Juliette--and that was unsatisfying for me.
The romantic pacing was fine. I don't think there was as much yearning as the author was banking on, and that could be because we know from chapter 1 or 2 that these two are meant to be together. In this world, you get your soulmate's name engraved on your wrist and everything you do with them is magical. I think if this had be staggered out, then maybe the romance would felt earned but it made it less exciting overall for me.
Overall, it was a fast-paced, fun read and would be perfect for lovers of tennis and sapphic romance who so happen to also enjoy the fated mates trope that is often present in romantasy/fantasy novels.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I got bored with this book and kept falling asleep when listening. I felt like so much could’ve been much much shorter and instead it droned on.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was very excited for this book to end, the last like 5+ chapters felt like exactly the same and they'd already gotten together and played tennis and I was bored. Did not like Juliette in the beginning, didn't like her much in the ending either. Luca, like all the side characters, was extremely uni-dimensional and her storyline with her father was so underdeveloped (but also I started skimming so maybe I just missed it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol