Cleat Cute

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The spicy parts were spicy but there was a lot of character development between them and a lot of cluelessness (is that a word? While there is some tension with keeping their relationship a secret from their teammates it never really feels deceptive or taboo. There were also some discussions, particularly with Grace, who was grappling with a hip flexor injury, about where she wanted to go with her career. I’ve talked about the representation in a few comments so far but we talk a lot on this sub about books making a token effort at inclusion and how successful and important that is.

This results into what they consider their first fight and then somehow winds up with Grace making a doctor's appointment for Phoebe like her damn mother and Phoebe taking it as a sign of affection. Grace’s potential autism diagnosis also wasn’t really discussed, besides a throwaway comment about learning more about it later (which we never witnessed). Which, hey, fine, character-driven stuff with minor background noise is good but man when it feels like it's dragging, and there's nothing to distract you, and you're getting hit with sex scenes and monologues left and right, featuring not just one but two characters you can't really stand, ontop of stupid misunderstandings which cross the line into miscommunications, well. It was sweet and they both did nice things for each other because they got each other in a really significant way. I think other authors would make the plotty soccer elements a much bigger source of conflict but Wilsner mostly sidesteps it which I appreciate as I enjoy a lot of the other aspects more.This grumpy captain/sunshine rookie, teammates with benefits romance was big hearted and sexy (my god, so sexy) and geniunely a delight to read.

both girls are supposed to be ND however grace just comes off as a total stuck up im too famous for you to breathe near me bitch and phoebe more of a i dont respect other peoples time and i can do whatever i want and you cant be mad at me for it. Nothing feels trite or overblown, it's every bit as silly, messy, sexy, and heart-warming as I had hoped and more.

Phoebe Matthews is from a small town in Indiana, where she grew up with a poster of Grace Henderson on the wall above her bed. Not even because soccer is a big part of it (it is a big part but not the point) but because you'll understand more of the dynamics that go under explained.

this book is literally repetitive internal monologue, soccer, miscommunication and sex (which this is arguably the only likable thing about this book).

Grace despite only being 26 has been playing professionally for 10 years and Phoebe has a massive crush on her. The “baby girl” vibe we got starting early on is never hot though 😭 I just don’t like it and it was said way too often too quickly.