This was one of the best sports romances I’ve ever read, plus the queer representation was absolutely incredible. I felt as though this book was real with how fleshed out and complex Grace and Phoebe were. The settings were also detailed down to the littlest things. You can tell how much heart and soul was put into this book with every page. This is a book you don’t want to miss out on! Thanks again for NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the absolute pleasure of reading this book, and I cannot wait to read more from Meryl Wilsner!

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this arc!!!!!

I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would. There was a lot of inner dialogue, which made it really hard for me to stay engaged and entertained in the story. There were a few "that's so me" moments I had, but overall I felt like the constant and longggg inner dialogue kind of made it tough for me to feel really connected. Which feels weird to say, I feel like I should've felt more connected to the characters with seeing how their inner thoughts worked, but because of how often it happened, it more so bored me at some parts.

Grace and Phoebe were two characters that I liked for different reasons separate, but together they didn't make much sense. I love a good grumpy x sunshine, or opposites attract book, but this felt like 80% lust, and 20% love. To me, it seemed like their differences were pretty important things. How they chose to live their lives seemed pretty different, and although I think that makes them ending up together all the more sweeter, I think it also made it hard to understand why they were together. There was more telling me what was happening, and the changes in their mindsets, (specifically grace and how she liked to live) vs showing me. I didn't see enough of their relationship change to make me really fall in love with them together.

Some things I did love:
- the representation! people of all different identities were in this book, and i loved seeing that.
- grace's journey of rediscovering her love for soccer, and the love and kindness she learns to show to herself.
- phoebe's honesty! she was so honest about things, and as someone who is terrified of literally ever saying my inner thoughts, i admired her ability to do so!
- the found familyness within the team! (i wish we got to see more of this) but i loved kaylas show of support to phoebe.
- the SPICE!!!!!!!!!!!

Overall, not my favorite Meryl book I have ever read, but I am a fan and will continue to read everything they put out, thank youuuuuu

This was a fun, spicy, and entertaining character-driven read. Cleat Cute was my first soccer romance, but definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed the references to soccer. I also enjoyed the New Orleans setting. It’s one of my favorite cities to visit.

Grace and Phoebe made a sweet couple, but boy did all that miscommunication drive me nuts. The communication problems did allow for growth for both characters. So that was nice. Friends with benefits is always messy if you can’t communicate.

If you’re a reader who enjoys character-driven plots, fun banter, rival lovers, spicy sapphic romance, and sports, then I definitely recommend you check this book out.

I look forward to diving into Meryl Wilsner’s backlist.

✨Thank you @smpromance e-arc to read and review.

I wanted to like this book SO MUCH. After reading Mistakes Were Made last year I couldn't shut up about how much I loved it and recommended it to anyone who would listen. While I'm not a huge fan of a third-person book when I read MWM I found myself loving the way Meryl was able to write the character's feelings, inner dialogue, and interactions in a new way.

The concept of the book was probably my favorite part of it. 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. 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 friends with benefits with this class clown she sees as her rival.

Phoebe Matthews has always admired Grace’s skill and was star-struck to be training alongside her idol. But she quickly finds herself looking at Grace as more than a mere teammate. After one daring kiss, she’s hooked. Grace is everything she has been waiting to find.

Where it fell flat was the inner dialogue that felt unnecessary. It was clear that Wilsner was trying to paint Grace as a commitment-phob character that 'cares too much but how she's perceived and Phoebe as a 'high functioning ADHD queer who is loud and proud' and while it worked in the first half it felt like as their relationship went on the more it felt like they maybe shouldn't be together.

I think my least favorite sub-plot was Phoebe's ADHD and how that was addressed and treated, it felt like it wasn't flushed out enough and when you get to the turning point of the discussion it was swept under the rug everything was made fine - there was no conflict or argument that felt like a natural progression to the story.

I felt like there was an obvious plot point that could have played out to show the growth of both the characters and advance the story in a much more natural manner (Kelsey's storyline and the effects it had on Grace & Phoebe) but it was just looked over and forgotten.

Overall, I didn't hate the book I just was looking for more from Wilsner especially with how they made me feel after reading Mistakes Were Made. I will always read anything they put out.

This book is so sweet! Finally a friends with benefits arrangement that doesn’t start out with at least one of them already practically in love with the other. I love that Phoebe and Grace begin their arrangement with no intentions of it developing into a committed relationship because it’s so much more rewarding to read about their feelings evolving from genuine friendship to romantic. It’s also nice that their feelings change roughly around the same time so the reader doesn’t have to feel sorry for them having unrequited love.

Phoebe was the perfect blend of chaotic and fun. Her energy and personality led her on the kinds of adventures where you didn’t have to worry about her getting in trouble or getting hurt. Pairing this with Grace’s curiosity and her seeming inability to stay away from Phoebe leads to a bunch of adorable “not” dates. My favorite thing about their relationship is how hard they try to understand each other despite the vast differences in their personalities and upbringings.

The diverse set of secondary characters in this book are also complex and interesting. Perhaps it’s because they are mostly family members and teammates but the ways in which they support and comfort the two main characters are heartwarming see.

Overall, this book is light and fun and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside! I’m going to recommend to anyone who will listen and I can’t wait to read it again myself.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.75 Stars

So, I have a feeling I’ll be an outlier with this one because I didn’t love this.

I admit that I’m not a sports fan so I was a little skeptical about accepting this arc. But I enjoyed Meryl Wilsner’s last two books and decided to give this a chance. Luckily, there’s not too much actual soccer. However, there are enough technical terms that if you know nothing about the sport it will all go over your head. Oddly enough, it wasn’t the soccer aspect that was the issue for me.

The biggest issue I had was Phoebe. She is a lot. I had a similar issue with Cassie in “Mistakes Were Made” in that the character just annoyed me in the beginning. Cassie eventually grew on me but Phoebe never did. I don’t know if it’s just that my personality has limited patience with Phoebe’s personality traits or what but I never liked her. She’s loud and can be overbearing and I just kept wanting to tell her to back off and give Grace some space. There is a lot of internal monologue and I would get annoyed every time it was Phoebe’s turn. I know that she was probably written this way on purpose as she has ADHD but it seemed like too much.

The miscommunication was also quite annoying. It seemed like anytime something serious came up they would have sex instead. Things would have been a lot smoother for both of them had they taken a few minutes and just talked rather than always jumping into bed.

For the fans of steam, this one is for you. I know Wilsner is getting to be known for their steam and they don’t hold back. The thing that threw me off was Phoebe starts this “baby girl” thing that felt very ick to me.

What I did like was the representation we get from Wilsner. There are also quite a few side characters with the soccer teams and just about every gender identity and sexuality it represented. I liked that we are getting more and more neuridivergent characters as well. Although the assumptions Grace makes about Phoebe and how the whole conversation happens really didn’t sit well with me.

I also enjoyed the mutual pining that happens. Even after they start their friends-with-benefits relationship, they both just really like one another and wish for more (if only they would’ve actually talked sooner.)

While this ended up being just an okay read for me, I know others will enjoy it a lot more. I’m looking forward to whatever Wilsner comes up with next.

I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It was good. It didn’t blow my mind but I had a lot of fun reading it!!! Easy read, lots of steam, loooooots of internal monologuing, and the miscommunication trope (not my favorite but personal pref). It was giving Ted Lasso x Chloe Liese vibes and I was here for it.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my
honest review.

Eleventy billion stars!!! This book was NOT what I was expecting, but in the best way! Phoebe is a rising Soccer star who has always idolized Grace, and when they meet to play on two separate teams the sparks fly. Or should I say, a freakin wild fire starts! The smut in this book was just *chefs kiss* perfection, and I also really loved the neurodivergent representation. This is going to be one of those books that you want to reread time and time again!

This has been my favourite Meryl Wilsner book of all the one's I've tried. It's still a bit too heavy on the tell-don't-show which can be quite grading (especially when it could shave off a lot of the unnecessary inner monologues) BUT i loved these main characters! And I loooove a good realizing-I-have-feelings-when-I'm-not-supposed-to storyline! Also - girls playing sports? immediately my cup of tea. :)

THIS BOOK. OH MY GOD.

This may have been the first time I've received a digital arc, and I am genuinely, truly falling in love with it and counting down the days until I can get a physical copy!

I adored everything about this book. From the plot, round characters, romance, tropes, everything! Not one of the main characters was flat. They all were so well developed, making the relationship feel right. I adored how they explored the complexities of coming out, fame, and ADHD.

AND LETS TALK ABOUT THE SPICE. Genuinely the best spice I've ever read in any book.
If you're sapphic, seeking books with more mental health rep, and love romance, read this!

Another hit by Meryl Wilsner! I absolutely adore their writing style. The book is told in close third person, and some of the author’s thoughts and ways of saying things are downright hilarious–even when the scene itself isn’t meant to be funny.
I love how this book is quite spicy, and even though Phoebe and Grace don’t officially get together right away, their relationship heats up right from the get-go. I typically prefer slow-burn romances, but I discovered that I love Wilsner’s fast-burns with “Mistakes Were Made”, and I’m here for the ride. Please write and publish these books faster! 🥺
I did feel like the angst of the relationship between Grace and Phoebe was a little forced. There was no real rule that teammates can’t be in a relationship. That said, I did appreciate the backstory behind why Grace was so reluctant to be in a relationship with Phoebe. And I adored how the entire thing went down!
Honestly, the reason why this book doesn’t quite get five stars from me was because of all the soccer stuff. This would be okay, if the author had explained some of it a little more. There are a lot of assumptions made. It’s a stylistic choice, to simply assume the reader knows the ins and outs of professional soccer. I’ve read some other soccer romances (Kulti by Mariana Zapata is an all-time favourite), and I’ve felt like those authors didn’t assume the reader would know anything about the sport. Honestly, I know that the sport involves a black and white ball and little else. After reading this book, I still don’t understand training camps, nationals, training and… stuff, though I feel like I should have picked something up while reading this. Oh well, my strengths lie elsewhere. The point of this little paragraph is that I was confused a few times, and I wish that the soccer stuff were either explained more, or glossed over more. This in-between had me feeling stupid. 😂
Despite (still) not knowing anything about soccer, this is a fun, spicy, and lightly angsty sapphic rom com!

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

I’m a big USWNT fan so I was super excited about this! I really enjoyed it. The only awkward thing was jt being in third person, but still having train of thought moments from both characters, it just felt weird. That’s really my only complaint though and it’s pretty minor. I loved all the soccer and references to real people in the USWNT world and I liked the characters.

Cleat Cute
3/5
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to St. Martines Press and Netgalley!

While I didn’t like this one as much as Wilsners ‘Something To Talk About’ I still quite enjoyed it overall! I love how Wilsner writes all of her characters and gives so much depth (To the side characters as well).

Overall this books was sweet, fun, and a bit spicy ;) if you enjoyed any of Meryl’s other novels this is definitely one to check out!

It's hard for me to write this review, because I don't know how much of it is an actual, objective criticism of the book itself, and how much of it is just me realizing I'm not into romance as much as I thought I was.

Starting off with the good: I'm in love with Phoebe. Like madly, truly, deeply, head over heels obsessed with her. She's the exact kind of lesbian I would let break my heart over and over and over again, and the only person I would have to blame for it is myself. She's so specifically my type that it definitely made, at least the first half of the novel, very entertaining.

I also think the flirting and the spice was really good. Granted, I'm not a regular romance reader, so I don't know what the standard is or what caliber people usually expect out of adult romances, but I enjoyed myself.

However, the flirting and the teasing was kind of the only thing holding the story together, and I ended up getting... kind of bored? I became a lot less motivated to pick it up around the 60% mark and I ended up taking like a week-long break before finally finishing it. I just didn't feel like getting back into it because it felt like it was going to be a lot of the same beats all over again and the whole thing just lost a lot of its charm for me.

I also don't know if I really connected to either of the main characters on any level (although maybe that's my fault for picking up a book about a sport for which I have an active disdain). The parts that made me the most emotional had to do with their families, but those relationships are pretty underdeveloped in the book. Of course, maybe Wilsner just didn't want to focus on that particular part of their lives and that's perfectly fine—as an author, you can do whatever you want with your characters. It's just that, on a personal note, I wasn't invested in the story in any real, substantial way.

Now, I'm not the kind of person that gets mad at the miscommunication trope, and I think that a lot of people's criticisms of it are slightly unjustified. But this was ridiculous, I mean... I skimmed through the last 50 pages or so because it just bothered me so much, I was actually getting mad. And then it somehow ended up not even being that big of a deal?

Which leads me to my final critique: there were so many moments that ended on such an anticlimactic note; it wasn't just unrealistic, it was bordering on the fantastical. The characters made so many mistakes that either a) I consider to be a huge problem that could only be resolved with multiple serious conversations and possibly some couples counseling or b) were deemed to be serious by the book and the characters themselves. So I would be anticipating some huge emotionally charged argument, only for the whole thing to be resolved 10 pages later with a little kiss and some sex. Now listen, I know how powerful those endorphins can be as much as the next lesbian, but dear god please see one conversation all the way through, I'm begging you.

I want to clarify that, as much as the last third of the book bothered me, I really was enjoying myself up until the 60% mark. I think if you regularly read romance novels, you might actually enjoy this. I mean, maybe the flirting and teasing really would be enough to keep you interested the entire way through, and maybe the ease with which the arguments are resolved will be comforting to you, instead of infuriating. Which is why I say it's hard for me to determine how specifically personal this review is. I probably wouldn't recommend it, just because I don't trust myself to know exactly to whom this would appeal, but I could understand why someone would enjoy this—it just wasn't for me.

was it sexy? yes
was it hot? also yes
did I understand any of the soccer jargon? who cares it was hot and sexy and queer and queer people deserve rom coms too!!!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the advanced copy.

This is a romance about two female soccer players. The story was okay though it focused a lot on the characters and not a lot on plot. At times, I felt like the author had a checklist of all the important queer messages they wanted to impart and then filled the book with them, which seemed a bit soapboxy.

Grace is on the US Women's National Team, and she is now injured. When peppy rookie Phoebe takes her spot, Grace refuses to become teammates with benefits. And Phoebe will not make a move on her idol...
I adored Mistakes Were Made last year, so I had to pounce on this one! It's a grumpy sunshine, rivals to lovers, sports, celebrity crush, sapphic steamy and witty romance. And listen, I do like me a good grumpy sunshine, but Grace was so grumpy it made her unlikeable, and Phoebe was so sunshine and all over the place it made her annoying. I also didn't like how rush and questionable the ending was and how much it came out of nowhere. It would've been nice for such a topic to be sprinkled into the story along the way. It still was a very cute and entertaining read, and Grace did have very good character development. And there was a final grand gesture even if there was no third act break up, which I of course loved.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I just reviewed Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner. This was the second book by Meryl that I’ve read and I throughly enjoyed it as well!
4/5 only because I wanted maybe a little bit more from the book. The characters are great, loved the banter between the teammates and the two FMCs, just wanted maybe a little bit more development/interaction with the two mains. Some parts felt a little rushed or skimmed over that I would’ve liked to read a little more about. However, I still really enjoyed this and would for sure recommend! #CleatCute #NetGalley

Not nearly as good a story as Mistakes Were Made. I found this to be a somewhat predictable story with angsty, introspective characters. Not being a particularly big fan of soccer, I felt a lot of assumptions were made pertaining to the reader’s knowledge of the sport. It was still an entertaining read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.