I loved Charlie and Connor! When Charlie takes the job as head football coach that Connor thinks should have been his, they have a tense relationship. But as they're forced to work together for the good of the team. A really cute sports romance with a lot of heart. Great characters and well-written dialogue.

This is basically a rom-com with a lot of feminism and female empowerment. I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book because sports aren't my thing. But I really liked this book!! It was kind of a hate turned to love relationship but not super cheesy like some other stories. I even laughed out loud a few times while reading, even when I was in public places. I would recommend this book - it's a light read with a strong female lead.

Football? Sports romance? Enemies to lovers? Yes please, sign me up for it all! After loving this author’s previous book Trouble Brewing, I had high hopes for this one, and I’m so glad to say it did not disappoint. This book was SO DANG CUTE!

Just like in the author’s previous book, we once again have a strong, fierce female main character, Charlie, who’s not afraid to do her thing in a “man’s world”... becoming head coach of a high school football team. Then there’s the totally swoon-worthy Connor, who comes alongside Charlie to help coach the team. As you might guess, being a romance and all, they DO NOT get along, but it also doesn’t take long for those sparks to start flying. And fly they do!

I will say the whole female empowerment vibe came on quite strong in beginning, almost overwhelmingly so, but once that slowed down, I was all for this one. I couldn’t get enough of the flirty, playful banter between our two main characters, and I loved seeing their vulnerability and growth throughout the story. It was also so fun to see cameo of Blake and Piper from Trouble Brewing. I always love when an author sneaks in characters from a previous book and lets you know how they’re doing.

This was definitely one of those books that you just can’t help but breeze through! Suzanne Baltsar has officially become a new favorite author of mine, and you better believe I’m itching for her to write another new book already.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the complimentary copy!

When Connor McGuire loses out on his dream job of being the head coach of the local high school football team, he thinks life can’t get any worse. Then he discovers just who got the coveted position—it was a handout to the kid of a well-known, successful college coach. Connor’s sure this is just a publicity stunt, but the kid turns out to be not only a sharp strategist, but a driven and sexy young woman, too. Frustrated in more ways than one, Connor realizes that he might have to step up his game or risk losing altogether.


An enemies to lover story, as well as a sports story. this was very well written and although the enemies to lover s trope is overused recently, I found this to be original and refreshing, I was rooting for them.

Enemies to lovers and sports romance and banter.... Charlie and Connor were a great read. They have great chemistry even when they don't know it is there. I love watching characters grow together and this book gave that for sure!

This was a really good book that was interesting from start to finish. I've never read this author and I'll be looking out for her in the future because she did such a great job.

Fans of Suzanne Baltsar's Trouble Brewing will enjoy, Sidelined, which follows the story of Connor McGuire and Coach Charlotte "Charlie" Gibb. When Connor loses his dream job of being head high school football coach, Charlie, he can't imagine things being worse until he realizes that the job was a handout to the kid of a successful college coach. Connor soon realizes that there just may be more to Charlie than meets the eye, both on and off the field.

This is the second of Baltsar's novels where she has women working in traditionally male-dominated fields. I hope this is a continuing theme in her work.

Although this was a romance plot that was typical formula at best, the book didn't disappoint! I laughed out loud many times - there are some fun moments and some sweet moments, but also sext moments. It is a romance book that just about has it all.

Baltsar is a new to me author and one that I will happily read again! This book was filled with a wonderful plot, and perfectly chiseled characters. I highly recommend this captivating novel with 4 stars!

The plot of this book I felt was awesome and I was really enjoying the development. That is until about half way through, it started to feel a bit slow for my liking and became a chore to read each evening. I did end up putting it down and never did end up picking it back up.

I just finished DEVOURING Sidelined by Suzanne Baltsar. I was excited to read this book because I’d read her previous book, Trouble Brewing, and adored it. Sidelined did not disappoint!

You want a romance with a goal of female empowerment? Check. You want male leads who don’t succumb to toxic masculinity? Check. Likeable characters with relatable back stories? Check. A satisfying ending that makes all the drama feel worth it and also doesn’t feel like either lead lost out on anything? Check and big freaking check.

First of all, the female lead is named Charlie. As a female named Logan, I applaud females with traditionally masculine names. Hell to the yes. Also, there’s an *Nsync shout out. Just based on those things alone I had high hopes for the rest of this book.

The growth Connor experiences in this book is outstanding. He is absolutely flawlessly handled by Suzanne Baltsar. Mind you, the character isn’t flawless but his journey of growth is perfect.

I was also happy to see more of Piper and Sonja. I adored them in Trouble Brewing. Baltsar certainly knows how to write ballsy women who ask for what they want and I am here for it. I wish all three women were real. We would all hang out and be basic together because, like my fave fictional girl gang, there is nothing this girl loves more than PSLs, leggings, and cozy throw blankets.

But aside from the strong females and the men who treat them with respect, Baltsar also has stellar lines through out that sum up the rampant misogyny women face every day. I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone so I’ll give you an example that is factual it’s practically a universal truth: “Mediocre men were celebrated. Highly skilled women were doubted.” I mean, wow! A little louder for the people in the back!

If you want a humorous and enjoyable read with all the grown up girl power the Spice Girls told us we deserved then read Sidelined. Read Trouble Brewing. Read anything and everything by Suzanne Baltsar.

I cannot say enough positive things about this story. I loved it so much that I want to wipe it from memory so I can delight in it for the very first time all over again. The directions for this book should be: purchase, read, love, repeat.

I loved this book! I loved Charlie and Connor’s characters from the get-go. I loved the arguments, the banter, the back-and-forth, and especially the chemistry between them. I enjoyed that it wasn’t a I-have-to-have-you-now romance, but a slow-burn. One you felt growing.

The secondary characters were amazing as well. I loved this whole group, their banter, their friendships. Reminded me of a ‘Friends’ type group and I could picture them all.

Wonderful writing, great storyline, and realistic characters make this a great read that I highly recommend.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is a sharp, funny, and well observed story about Charlie, a high school football coach, and Connor, the assistant coach who resents her for taking the job he’s always wanted. Charlie has skills and experience but she’s working against an old boys’ club that doesn’t want her to succeed. Sparks fly between Connor and Charlie from the start but Connor has to figure out whether he can support Charlie as a coach or if he’s happier undermining her with the rest of the boys.

An innocent, hopeful part of me wants to believe the author exaggerated the barriers facing Charlie in her role as head coach. Sadly, Charlie’s experiences are probably pretty realistic. Charlie herself is a wonderful leading lady and I fell hard for her. I love the contrast between her internal self-doubt and the fierce persona she presents to the world. Charlie is a little prickly, a little abrasive, and very capable.

Connor is more of a predictable character. There’s something kinda beige and bland about him. He’s good looking and charming but until the end of the story, he feels a little bit two-faced. I enjoyed the banter and the chemistry between Connor and Charlie but I’m not sure Connor always deserves Charlie’s attention.

Without spoilers, I have reservations about the end of the book. It just kinda ends and I’m not sure the neat, easy resolution fits the rest of the story. I felt a little bit defensive of Charlie, even in the last pages and I wanted a bit more for her.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
If you’re looking for a story with a straight talking, no nonsense, strong heroine, Sidelined is the book for you. One chapter in and I was wanting to wave my fists and shout, “Girl power!”

Charlie moves to Minnesota to take the job as head coach of a high school football team. The first woman in the state to be appointed head coach. However, she is appointed ahead of Connor, longtime assistant coach of the team and a teacher at the school who everyone thought would get the job, including Connor.

The animosity between Charlie and Connor starts from their very first interaction and it was great to see an enemies-to-lovers story where the hate part was real and not forced or over some trivial misunderstanding. I also loved getting to watch Connor deal with his feeling over the situation. Turns out he is a really good guy. The budding romance between them was hot and they make a fun couple.

Football and being a coach are the centre of Charlie’s world and her identity. Charlie’s struggle with being a woman in a male dominated field was inspiring. Personally, I would have liked to have seen more of Charlie’s relationship with her players but the story doesn’t go particularly in depth in that regard.

This year I’ve struggled with some m/f romantic stories but not with Sidelined – I breezed through it, completely happy and having a great time. I’m a big fan of sports romances and Sidelined hit the spot for me. Suzanne Baltsar is a new author to me and I’ll definitely be looking to read more of her work in the future.


Shelby – ☆☆☆☆
Sidelined is a great stand-alone book with a strong female character, Charlie, who is taking on the male dominated world of football!

Charlie is no stranger to football, she was practically raised on a field. She's the daughter of a prominent Ivy League college coach but is ready to lead a team by herself! She’s no stranger to oppression or condescension, and luckily, she has some broad shoulders to carry the load. This doesn't mean she doesn't feel emotions, she just knows how to compartmentalize and push forward.

When Offensive Coordinator Connor, meets his new head coach, he is anything but happy. Not only did he not get the job, but he lost it to a woman.

This enemies-to-lovers story was absolutely perfect! The characters were well developed and likeable (eventually), and I enjoyed the banter between Connor and Charlie. I must say that I am a huge football fan and couldn't wait to see how Charlie was portrayed in this book and I was not disappointed in her. The situation seemed believable, the romance was slow building (no insta-love here), and the side characters actually added to the story. I plan on picking up Piper and Blake's story, and will keep an eye out for Sonja and Bear's book!

I do need to mention that even though I enjoyed this story, I hated (HATED) the ending. I'm not going to say why, or ruin anything, but I just wasn't happy with the conclusion.

Okay, so here it goes. My first book review. I came on #bookstagram to just share what books I was reading. But I thought I’d take a stab at writing a review.⁣
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First of all, thank you so much to @netgalley for the ARC of this book. It kind of took me a few months to actually read it but thank you.⁣
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Now, for the book. It was right up my alley. Charlie Gibb is the first female head coach at a high school. She was not greeted with much enthusiasm from the other coaches on her team. Shocker! One coach in particular, her offensive coordinator Connor, really was not a fan. ⁣
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But y’all. I loved this book. It was a enemies to lovers and I am here for that. I loved their banter back and forth. I couldn’t put this one down. To be honest though, my favorite part of the book had nothing to do with the two main characters. It was with Connor’s brother and their relationship. I need to find me me own personal Connor. 😍⁣
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If you want to read something pretty low on steam but still cute, add this to your list! ⁣
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#bookstagram #bookreview #netgalley #instareads #goodreadschallenge #booklover

I found Sidelined intriguing since I first read the blurb. A female head football coach in an antagonistic enemies to lovers romance with the man she beat out for the job? Come on, that has my name written all over it. It gave me a nice mix of football, feminism and feels.

Sidelined was a quiet romance. It wasn’t exactly a slow burn, but things between Charlie and Connor built slowly. There wasn’t a lot of on the page heat, but what it lacked in sexy times it made up for in character development. I have to say, though, I didn’t always love Charlie or Connor. It was difficult to get a read on each of them at times and I had a tough time understanding their motivations. But something about them together just seemed right though, even if they were better at pushing each other’s buttons than opening up to each other and confronting their feelings. As frustrating as I found the way they danced around each other at times, I couldn’t help but root for them. Thankfully they got it together before it was all said and done and I got the swoony feels I needed from their story.

I particularly appreciated the take on traditional gender roles and the strength of Charlie’s character. It takes a strong woman to put up with the misogyny she did and not roll over. I think it’s something that a lot of readers will find relatable, even if what they deal with doesn’t occur on a football field. I know I sure did. I’m all for female empowerment – in and out of the bedroom – in my books, so I really connected with that storyline in this book. Sidelined was my first Suzanne Baltsar book, but it won’t be my last. I can’t wait to see what she gives us next, but in the meantime I’m going to check out her backlist.

Favorite Quotes:

“I’ve already heard all the whispered rumors and passive-aggressive insults, so if you have an issue with the fact that I wear a bra instead of a jockstrap, you can come to me directly. I have no tolerance for bullshit.”

“We coach. We fight. We coach. We fight. We’ve got a good routine going.”

Romantic adult relationships should come with a warning—nobody talked about the hazards of those the way they did about smoking.

Mediocre men were celebrated. Highly skilled women were doubted.

I picked this up due to a cute cover and because the blurb mentions the heroine, Charlie is the coach of a high school football team. Connor, the hero, starts off as a whiny man baby who is mad that he wasn’t promoted to head coach. Charlie and Connor clash heads immediately but Charlie WAS NOT here for his shit. I loved it!

The tension was high in this book as they slowly went from enemies to lovers. Connor got over his BS pretty quick and realized that Charlie was a super competent and worthy coach. And how hard it was Charlie to be not only in a traditionally male focused world, but also how much harder she had to work to be accepted.

Charlie moves to Minnesota for the coaching job and had no friends. She makes friends and it was nice to see the small friend group is diverse. I hope to see another book from this friend group.


The pacing for this book was fast and near perfect for the story. I finished it in two sittings. The heat was a little higher than I thought it would, but that is just me judging a book by it’s cover. I thought the author balanced the on and off field time appropriately. This book is also feminist and doesn’t shy away from commentary on sexism. I am all for seeing more women in romance working in “traditional male jobs.”

The only downside was the conflict. It was kind of contrived and not a surprise to me. I wish it had been different. All it all I really, really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more books by Baltsar.

Loved this! Fantastic characters - both the main two and the surrounding family and friends. The enemies to lovers trope is familiar, but the setting/context felt fresh. I loved the football pieces and the advice the main character was given to look at her experiences and skills in a broader context as she considered her identity and her options. I had not read the first book in this line (Trouble Brewing) before I read this, but I had no trouble following the story without that context).

Fans of the enemies to lovers trope as well as fans of other football related stories (like The Playbook series) should not miss this one.

There are times when I feel like the timing is perfect for particular books...this was the case for Sidelined.
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Fall is approaching. Of course down here it’s a little further out...but nonetheless it’s heading this way. For me, Fall is football. Enter Sidelined. I really enjoyed Charlie and the fun spin of a female football coach. Watching the characters grow was a lovely experience. Let’s talk about the cast of characters. Charlie was my favorite with the new BFF’s coming in a close second. Loved the focus on creating female friendships.
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All in all I need with a 4 🌟 read. Conner got on my nerves with his constant back and forth 🤷🏻‍♀️. Overall. Fun fade out romance.

Sidelined brings sports romance to an all-new level! This was my first book by Suzanne Baltsar and I'll definitely be reading anything she releases in the future. Charlotte "Charlie" is a refreshing, hard-headed woman who's not afraid to fight for what she wants, even if that means going up against the man who wants her job. Connor is the perfect man to give Charlie a run for her money, and boy does he! The chemistry and banter between the main characters will have you turning each page with gusto, while not wanting the story to end.

This is overall just a really sweet story. A female football coach, a perturbed assistant coach that is mad she got his job, a new town, friendship and love all exist in this book in a charming way that makes you root for the characters and for a happy ending. Overall I enjoyed the book despite not really liking the main character. It just seemed that she was overly concerned about the feminism issues and because of that she had a level of entitlement to her that I wasn't comfortable with. She basically existed with a chip on her shoulder until the love of her life shows up to soften up her heart and approach to football.