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A review by lauren_miller
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tbh, I was immediately drawn in by the name and cover of this book—which is gorgeous yes, but totally does the book a disservice; it looks way more lighthearted and playful and young than this book reads. In reality, it's definitely an adult romance, with plenty of smut, "adult" problems, and a generally heavier atmosphere.
Things I loved:
1. The look into professional soccer! It was super refreshing to a) learn about the sport and b) read a sports romance that brings something other than the typical heteronormative POV. This niche of sports romance absolutely needs more exploring...
2. Grace's position as a veteran. I really enjoyed her perspective on her place within the public and sport landscapes. Watching her come to the realization that she could take ownership of her name (read: fame) and make her own choices regarding her career and how she wants to present herself was so. gratifying.
3. The miscommunication trope. Usually this drives me CRAZY, but I have to say, the way it went down—Phoebe thinking they were dating for over a month—was actually hilarious. I really appreciated that it wasn't the basis of the third act conflict and instead sweetened their getting together.
Things I didn't love:
1. The chemistry between Phoebe and Grace felt kind of awkward and almost exclusively sexual till around 50%. While I'm all for sexual attraction, it felt like it was the only thing going for them; the dynamic slowly improved once they started the whole friends-with-benefits relationship, but it felt like forever to actually get to that point.
2. The lack of friendships. There were so many potentially interesting characters, but I felt like we didn't see enough of them, like they were never utilized to their full potential. The bit with Kayla sticking up for Phoebe and Grace consulting Fish and the others about her feelings were great scenes in a book otherwise devoid of real friendship and support systems.
With all that said, I'm glad I read this book; turns out this is my new favorite niche! While the reading experience was a little lacking for me, I ultimately connected to the romance in the end, so I'd give this a solid 3.75 stars.
Tbh, I was immediately drawn in by the name and cover of this book—which is gorgeous yes, but totally does the book a disservice; it looks way more lighthearted and playful and young than this book reads. In reality, it's definitely an adult romance, with plenty of smut, "adult" problems, and a generally heavier atmosphere.
Things I loved:
1. The look into professional soccer! It was super refreshing to a) learn about the sport and b) read a sports romance that brings something other than the typical heteronormative POV. This niche of sports romance absolutely needs more exploring...
2. Grace's position as a veteran. I really enjoyed her perspective on her place within the public and sport landscapes. Watching her come to the realization that she could take ownership of her name (read: fame) and make her own choices regarding her career and how she wants to present herself was so. gratifying.
3. The miscommunication trope. Usually this drives me CRAZY, but I have to say, the way it went down—Phoebe thinking they were dating for over a month—was actually hilarious. I really appreciated that it wasn't the basis of the third act conflict and instead sweetened their getting together.
Things I didn't love:
1. The chemistry between Phoebe and Grace felt kind of awkward and almost exclusively sexual till around 50%. While I'm all for sexual attraction, it felt like it was the only thing going for them; the dynamic slowly improved once they started the whole friends-with-benefits relationship, but it felt like forever to actually get to that point.
2. The lack of friendships. There were so many potentially interesting characters, but I felt like we didn't see enough of them, like they were never utilized to their full potential. The bit with Kayla sticking up for Phoebe and Grace consulting Fish and the others about her feelings were great scenes in a book otherwise devoid of real friendship and support systems.
With all that said, I'm glad I read this book; turns out this is my new favorite niche! While the reading experience was a little lacking for me, I ultimately connected to the romance in the end, so I'd give this a solid 3.75 stars.