The details…
- Publisher : St. Martin’s Griffin
- Publication date : September 19, 2023
- Available formats : ebook, paperback, audiobook
- ISBN : 1250873304
- File size : 3219 KB
- Print length : 332 pages
- Audio run time : 10 hours and 53 minutes
- Audio narrator : Dana Varden, Zim Avaltrades
- Genre : romance
- Themes : soccer, ADHD
- Tropes : ice queen, opposites attract
The blurb from the publisher…
A sapphic rivals to lovers rom com for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own, where two soccer teammates are at odds before falling in love as their team gears up for the World Cup.
Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women’s National Team for ten years, even though she’s only 26. But when she’s sidelined with an injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. 22-year-old Phoebe is everything Grace isn’t—a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace lost somewhere along the way. The last thing Grace expects is to become teammates with benefits with this class clown she sees as her rival.
Phoebe Matthews is too focused on her first season as a professional soccer player to think about seducing her longtime idol. But when Grace ends up making the first move, they can’t keep their hands off of each other.
As the World Cup approaches and Grace works her way back from injury, a miscommunication leaves the women with hilariously different perspectives on their relationship. But they’re on the same page on the field, realizing they can play together instead of vying for the same position. With every tackle the tension between them grows, and both players soon have to decide what’s more important—being together or making the roster.
The perfect blend of funny and steamy, Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute is about being brave enough to win on and off the field.
My thoughts…
Romances centered around women’s professional soccer are becoming more and more popular among sapphic readers, and I can see why. The appeal lies in the combination of two exciting and thrilling worlds: sports and romance. Cleat Cute nails both in every regard.
The characters presented in this novel are strong, independent women. Phoebe and Grace are passionate about soccer and Wilsner does an excellent job constructing their character arcs. In fact, it’s one of the things that make it shine. Wilsner pays particular attention to their backstories while laying out their personalities. That, along with these ladies’ good-natured grit and spirited determination, works to fuel this romance in engaging ways. Readers will be charmed by the way Phoebe and Grace evolve and grow during the course of this story. It’s enticing, capturing the heart like only a good romance can.
The premise of Cleat Cute is simple: Phoebe and Grace are two professional soccer players who play on the same team and fall in love. Yes, this storyline has been done before in women’s sports, but Wilsner takes care to keep it fresh. Wilsner scripts a narrative that not only navigates the complexities of dating one’s own teammate but explores the struggles of publicly coming out, coping with ADHD and fighting to stay injury free. Soccer is a high-pressured, competitive world to pilot, and Wilsner does a fantastic job of presenting it to the reader, easily absorbing them.
The storyline is alluring, but it doesn’t do the work alone. Wilsner’s cadence and style provide readers with intriguing layers of tension and drama, making this romance more than captivating. Additionally, the love affair between Phoebe and Grace is deliciously sweet with hot bits of steamy woven through it; their passion simply jumps off the page. This, coupled with dialogue that sagaciously flows on the page, creates a narrative that’s passionate as well as intimate. Readers get to know Phoebe and Grace on a deeper level; they understand their wants and needs. Watching their connection grow becomes a page-turning delight for readers, one they don’t want to end.
Cleat Cute is smartly written; it demonstrates Wilsner’s intuitiveness as a writer. It also indicates that Wilsner is one to watch. Wilsner seems to understand the push and pull of romance on the page. Phoebe and Grace are two very different women. In some ways they shouldn’t even work, yet they do. With this Wilsner skillfully demonstrates that they know how to enact change and create coherent conflict between two well-designed characters. Its crafty composition ultimately sparks something that’s irresistible as well as undeniable. Readers can not turn away from it; it’s futile to even try.
Final remarks…
The world of professional women’s soccer is known for its fast-paced action, strategic gameplay, and intense competitive spirit. Wilsner leverages this energy nicely in Cleat Cute, intertwining love and soccer perfectly. The result is a captivating romance that readily resonates with its readers. Phoebe and Grace’s struggles, sacrifices and triumphs both on and off the field feed the romance splendidly, giving readers something that is not only compelling but entertaining as well. Cleat Cute is a solid 4.5 star read; it will not disappoint.
Strengths…
- Well-written
- Well-told
- Well-developed, likable characters
- Engaging storyline
- Engrossing storyworld
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A bit about the author…
Meryl Wilsner is the author of Something to Talk About and Mistakes Were Made. They enjoy writing happily ever afters for queer folks who love women. Originally from Michigan, Meryl has lived in Portland, Oregon and Jackson, Mississippi before deciding to return to the Mitten State. Some of Meryl’s favorite things include: all four seasons, button down shirts, the way giraffes run, and their wife.
For more on Meryl, check out the links below.
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