Thank you Netgalley and author for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Overall I enjoyed the rivals to lovers betweenJade and Francesca but Jade was pretty cruel at times , which made it hard to root for their relationship but she did show growth as the story progressed. The love confession felt rushed but Franny was the standout character that helped bring the story together! The sapphic spice scenes were well done & intimate. I would read other stories by this author.

If you enjoy the following check this out :
Workplace romance
Close proximity
Enemies to lovers
Sports romance

Heat Factor: When you just can’t stop yourself from getting down in the bathroom of a club

Character Chemistry: We are enemies! But maybe actually not! Maybe I pretend I don’t like you because you are intimidating! What are feelings!

Plot: Jade and Francesca are competing but not actually for coaching position

Overall: Is football your love language?

Let me say it straight out: there is a lot of football in this romance. These ladies are both passionate about the sport and about their local high school team. I am not a football person. I’ve watched my share of inspirational football movies, but that’s about it. So when these characters got in the weeds about, uh, football stuff, I did a lot of spacing out and nodding along.

In terms of the story, this was an interesting take on the enemies to lovers trope. Now, I’m on record (repeatedly) about enemies to lovers being weak sauce in contemporary romance because the stakes are so low (swords or GTFO). Here, however, it’s clear that the emotions behind the enmity are irrational, overblown, and one-sided—but that doesn’t change that Jade does some terribly mean things to Franny.

The situation: Jade has a chip on her shoulder about Franny because Franny is better at social stuff than Jade is, and therefore must have it easy. Note: they are both queer women of color in a small town in the American South. Jade also has this idea that Franny is gunning for Jade’s job, even though she’s not. Yes, Franny is trying to get an assistant coaching position with the high school football team; but Jade is already an established assistant coach who is now angling for the head coach position when the current head coach retires at the end of the season. I can kind of see Jade’s position about there not being space for two “diversity hires” on the coaching team; the flip side of this is that as an assistant coach, Franny could have Jade’s back in a way that the good ole boys wouldn’t. It made for an interesting conflict, because Jade and Franny are approaching their relationship with really differing points of view. To use self-help speak, Jade has a scarcity mindset about football (there’s only so much access to football to go around) and Franny has an abundance mindset (we can lift each other up and create more).

Given this dynamic, it’s not surprising that Jade is awful to Franny (setting her up for public humiliation multiple times, sexing her up and then avoiding her). And I guess if Franny really believes that they have something and could be more together, it’s not that surprising that she takes it for so long. But neither aspect is particularly fun or swoon-worthy to read about.

Here’s the takeaway. Slaughter did some interesting stuff with the trope. The characters and their conflict were compelling. Despite the unkind behavior, I did believe the HEA (if nothing else, we know they have common interests). But the gut emotions it elicited were primarily discomfort.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

This was a short and sweet read, I gave 3.5 stars because while I enjoyed it, it didn’t leave me thinking the way I wish it would. I will say, the tension between the MCs Francesca and Jade was done nicely, and the intimate bits were steamy.

Definitely cute if you need something quick and bingeable but not the most memorable of books I read. I didn’t find myself with too much to say afterwards.

Thank you St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for the eARC copy of Ready to Score!

I thought that this book had such a fun premise. A queer romance with a Southern football culture backdrop? Sign me up! As a queer woman and a sports fan, these are the stories that I love to see unfolding in both real and fictional worlds. I thought that the writing was great, and I enjoyed the female characters breaking into and dominating the male dominated space of Texas high school football.

That being said, this book unfortunately fell flat for me in a couple of areas. Primarily, I don't think that Jade and Franny were right for each other. I love an enemies to lovers storyline, but I did not like the way these two treated each other at all. I had trouble connecting with them as individuals, and I really had trouble connecting with them as a couple. I don't think they came together naturally, and that they were forced together by the nature of the story.

I think this story was very promising, and I see glimmers of this book that will really resonate with people. I believe this book will be a hit for the right people, and unfortunately I think it wasn't quite perfect for me.

Francesca and Jade are rivals from the jump. They are both high school teachers who care deeply about football. Jade and Franny clash as they both compete to be a part of a high school football coaching team. As they get to know each other, they realize that they have a lot in common. Can Franny and Jade’s relationship survive when the coaching roster hangs in the balance between them?

Jodie Slaughter writes sizzling hot sapphic romance, with a solid background plot of breaking into football coaching. Franny and Jade have excellent chemistry and their interactions (especially in the beginning) are hilarious. I enjoyed the side characters and love that both Franny and Jade have solid family/friendship ties. Jodie Slaughter writes excellent character growth and romance.

Thank you to Jodie Slaughter, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Rounded up to 3.5 I loved the description for this book as I adored Cleat Cute and enjoyed watching Friday Night lights. I personally love the rise of the sports romance genre in the queer vein. Jade Dunn has been climbing the chain for high school football, the other thing standing between her and the coach spot is someone who she does not feel deserves the slot. I felt there were a lot of things about high school football I ended up learning from the read, I did find the FMC to be a grating at times and it took me away from the overall plot.

This was very cute in some moments, but others it just lost me. Like I did think it was cute and I loved the basketball aspects and a lot of the dynamics.

First, animosity. Then, a begrudging attraction. Finally, love.

Such is the trajectory of Jade and Francesca’s relationship in this book. The author builds upon each of these stages quite well by giving examples of each of these stages. She adds a further dimension to the characters beyond their roles as love interests. You see Francesca and Jade through their interaction with their respective parents, siblings, and friends.( bowling league- Francesca and friends -Jade’s close knit group of female friends)


This ARC was provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press St. Martin’s Griffin via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

✨ Sapphic Adult Romance
✨ Third Person, Dual POV
✨ 3.5/5 Spice Level
✨ Workplace Romance
✨ Rivals to Lovers
✨ Standalone
✨ Rep: Black bisexual MC, Asian lesbian MC

> micro-tropes and content warnings after review

I wanted to love this book so much. I loved the idea (the plot, the adult MCs, rivals to lovers trope, rep), but unfortunately I was disappointed.

My main issue was with how immature one of the main characters, Jade, was. I really struggled to believe that she was a teacher with how immature she came off. And the other main character, Francesca, really got the brunt of it… for no real reason! I didn’t find Jade insufferable all of the time, but I struggled to root for her and understand her because of her behavior.

On top of that… Francesca was all hot and bothered for Jade, but like… why??? I didn’t see how she could be into Jade after everything. Yeah it ended nicely, but I just struggled to believe the romance and I definitely wasn’t rooting for them…

The writing itself was fine. I had no problems with that and was hooked into the book pretty early on. I just couldn’t get behind their romance, which is kind of necessary for a romance book… Bummer.

I did appreciate the discussion/commentary around how the characters race, gender, and sexual orientation affect them in their community (particularly surrounding the high school and sports).

I would giving the author another shot with the hope I like the characters and their chemistry a lot more than I did this time around.

(beware potential spoilers below)

Micro-tropes
✨ fantasy
✨ self-loving
✨ in the bathroom
✨ all the fingers
✨ while driving
✨ having a seat
✨ strapping

Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
sexism, racism, homophobia

Jade and Franny are rivals at work. Both of them want the prestigious job title of head coach of the school’s football team. Soon the hatred turns into passion for these two, but the fight over the job has just begun.
The book was well done, it was fun to revisit the other characters from the Jodie Slaughter universe and to see what everyone is up to. If you are into sapphic romance with a sports element, I’m sure this book would be for you!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)

Jodie Slaughter delivers a bold, brilliant, and deeply satisfying rivals-to-lovers romance in Ready to Score, where ambition collides with desire, and two women fight for the same job—and maybe, unknowingly, for each other's hearts.

Jade Dunn is the kind of heroine you root for instantly: sharp, driven, and laser-focused on becoming the first Black woman head coach in a southern high school football program that reeks of good ol’ boy politics. Her world is built on discipline, strategy, and surviving in a system built to shut her out. So when she steps into a high-stakes poker game for networking and finds herself face to face with Francesca Lim—the gorgeous, maddening art teacher with a coaching past of her own—sparks fly, and the stakes instantly get personal.

Francesca is equally compelling: passionate, bruised by a past that cut deep, but ready to reclaim a piece of her old life. She and Jade are on a collision course that’s charged with tension, not just because they want the same role, but because the chemistry between them is off-the-charts. Every interaction is laced with heat, challenge, and an undercurrent of vulnerability that makes their journey feel emotionally real and incredibly sexy.

Slaughter excels at writing complex women with ambition and agency, and Ready to Score is no exception. She also doesn't shy away from the realities of being queer, Black, or Asian in spaces dominated by tradition and exclusion. The romance is deeply satisfying, but the themes—career sacrifices, systemic bias, second chances—give this story real teeth and staying power.

And let’s talk steam: this book burns. The tension simmers deliciously until it explodes, and Slaughter writes intimacy that’s as emotionally charged as it is physically hot.

Bottom line: Ready to Score is a sexy, powerful, character-driven romance full of heart, heat, and unapologetic ambition. If you're craving a sapphic love story where the rivals are smart, complex, and so clearly meant to be, this one scores big time.

I liked the concept of this book — sapphic romance between two jocks, BIPOC as well. Chemistry between the two was great. I found myself wanting less plot about the high school football team, but that’s okay! Having not read Slaughter’s other books set in the same universe, I would have appreciated additional background on those minor characters!

I think this book had a good premise, good representation, and good spice. However. I am used to rivals to lovers being full of witty banter and maybe some pranks. These two characters were outright mean to each other and just overly aggressive in my opinion. They eventually softened, but it was too late for me to enjoy fully.

Thank you to NetGalley, DreamScape Media, St. Martin's Press & Jodie Slaughter for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

If sapphic sports romance is your jam- this is for you! Female identifying coaches making their place on the field and the community. This novel takes us back to Greenbelt, South Carolina- where both Bet on It (Aja) and Play To Win (Miriam) took place. In this book we get to the third bestie's love story, Jade. You can absolutely read these as standalone but it is fun to be back in Greenbelt and all that is familiar there! Like the previous stories, you can expect some bingo and a lot of Minnie's cobbler.

Narration added to the reading experience. I would definitely seek this narrator out again!

It was a very cute story it just wasn't for me. I had a hard time connecting with the story and characters, but that's probably more on me than the story itself.

This is not listed as a sequel so I will call it a stand alone novel that is in the same world as Play to Win (July 2023) and Bet on It (July 2022). I have read those contemporary romances and enjoyed the representation and diversity in race, sexuality and body shape and size. The books all take place in the small town of Greenbelt, South Carolina and this is the first one to feature a f/f romance.

Jade Dunn and Francesca Lim are both teachers at the local high school. Jade has been there for years and has worked very hard to be part of the assistant coaches for the football team. When the current head coach announces this will be his last year, Jade is all in to prove that she is worthy of being made head coach. Francesca helped coach junior teams in Texas before she moved to Greenbelt two years and asked to join the coaching staff.

I never bought into Franny being a contender for the head coach spot so the perceived rivalry by Jade didn’t make a lot of sense. Jade’s antics only made her come off as juvenile and petty. I honestly didn’t understand why Franny was interested in Jade. But of course they are attracted to each other. I enjoyed the cameos from the previous books. Jade’s bowling group friends are there to add some extra humor but I find crass to be cringe. There is a good portion of the book that focuses on football (American). I am a college level football fan and understand the rules and positions discussed. But others could find those parts of the story less interesting.

Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter was a fun, smart, heartfelt romcom.
I thought her writing was engaging and she kept me completely invested the entire time I had my nose stuck in this book.
Her writing is fun, and fresh, and I fell in love with this story and its characters right away.
A charming romantic novel that will leave readers feeling happy and giddy.
A fun and beautiful add to the romance genre.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I liked this story for the most part, it has one of my favourite tropes (rivals to lovers). Jade and Franchesca are both throwing their hat into the fing to fill the head coach position for their high school. In actuality, Francesca knows she won't be head coach, but she wants to be a part of the coaching staff. Jade sees her as a threat to her chances of getting the job, while also being wildly attracted to Frannie.
They do this will they/won't they dance that has some steamy encounters along the way, while learning more about each other (although I felt that Frannie was more emotionally available than Jade).
If you like a slow burn Sapphic, then check this one out.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this title to read and review. I have read other works from Jodie Slaughter, and really like the author's writing style (which holds up here too!) and I especially like that this is an interconnected standalone for some of the author's other works I enjoyed, like Bet On It. I really enjoyed revisiting this lovely town and cast of characters that I've grown to love, like Aja and Walker, and Miriam and Leo. I was also excited that this was a sapphic romance with an interracial couple, but I ultimately didn't love this story as much as the others.

For one, I didn't pick up on the enemies-to-lovers tension that makes the trope so good. Possibly if Jade and Francesca were coaches for rival teams, the built-in rivalry would have been fun. But I just felt they were mean to each other for the sake of it, none of the lighthearted sports ribbing, or school pride type rivalry. I also would have understood if they were *really* competing for advancements at work, but it more felt like women not lifting other women up, then proving which woman had the best skills for the gig. So the romance fell a bit flat, because we didn't get a lot to root for from their history together.

Also, I liked the premise of high school sports and Francesca and Jade as teachers/coaches within the space, but the story felt *SO* high school sports in a way that adults wouldn't be this concerned. Like if this was a YA and the characters *themselves* were competing, it would feel very immediate and important and the driving force of the story. Adults wanting a coaching position based off of kids' actions felt a bit distant- and I couldn't get a sense of if this was an AMAZING team that was a ticket to glorious sports futures for everyone involved, or if they were a struggling and underfunded underdog team with potential. I got both senses at different points throughout my reading.

I really wanted to love this one but I struggled from the very beginning. I liked the sports aspect of the story because it was well written and pulled me into the story. Even though I liked the side characters they weren’t fully fleshed out and only popped up to talk about the relationship. The main issue was the romance. I’m always going with no means no. Not maybe, just no. Even if the actions don’t match. When books sort of try to redefine that I’m just not into it. So yes to the sports but no to the romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc