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On Merit Alone by Adorabol Huckleby-Ordaz
5.0

“My cards are on the table, remember? Meet me wherever you feel comfortable.”

initially, i was just really looking for a professional basketball romance book that genuinely integrated basketball elements, not just a romantic plot with a sporty backdrop (as an NBA and WNBA fan). but this book is beyond anything i expected. it's the kind of book you never want to rush through bc you don't want it to end, the kind that leaves you asking urself 'what do I do now?' after you've finished the last page. it's a book i’d gladly splurge on, no matter how many editions or special releases come out. there aren't many professional basketball stories out there, and i literally scoured goodreads and tiktok recos for something like this, so i’m rrrr glad i didn't judge this book by its cover lol. truly, this book proves that special stories find their way into our lives precisely when we need them.

the pacing of this book is just right. it's a slow burn with hardly any spice, but it's so well written that you can't stop turning the pages. the way it blends sports, everyday life, the found family trope, friendship, and romance is perfectly balanced. there wasn't a single boring page. the characters are so easy to love, and they realistically portray the struggles of being an athlete, a woman, an orphan, and more.

this story really spoke to me as someone who might not seem super cheerful on the outside. someone who’s serious about their jobs or what they do, and who are actually very caring and gentle, but only show that side to people they trust and places where they feel safe. i really understood how merit dealt with people always having a problem with how she seemed. but she had good reasons for being that way, and it wasn't even the whole picture of who she was. seeing the different places where she felt comfortable and accepted, where she could give and get love easily, and where she had fun and felt happy showed how many sides people have. then ira came into her life. ira king was like the perfect dream guy you read about. he was so real, thoughtful, paid attention, and loving. merit deserved all the kindness he gave her. ira was so unselfish in a way you don't see in many guy characters. the way he was there for her, the way he was there for his family, and in so many other ways. he called himself unsure in the story, but I think he knew exactly what he wanted and showed it over and over, while also being careful about the pace merit needed.

overall, this is a 6 read for me– the best sports romance i’ve ever read!!!! i really hope more people will pick it up, even if the cover isn't the most attention-grabbing, bc the story itself is incredible. and as someone who rarely rereads books, i already know this one will be an exception.