As well-intentioned Evelyn barrels through her senior year with all of the deftness of a hockey goalie in full padding, her riotous misadventures peel back the layers of her identity, revealing a nuanced exploration of individuality beneath parental expectations, friendships and relationships, and personal aspirations. Within this rousing tribute to women's sports, Rosewater calls for inclusivity of all those overshadowed by "men's sports" culture and gives readers a lens into one girl's attempt to find her sexuality when the labels don't quite fit. An essential addition to your queer YA rom com shelf!

Two rival hockey players, an unlikely romance, and so much high school drama. Evelyn has wanted one thing only: to follow in her mother's hockey footprints and make a name for herself. Evelyn is determined to beat her school's rival and finally win a scholarship to her mother's alma mater... the only problem is that her school's rival team has a new talented recruit... Rosa Alvarez, a stunning, talented, and sweet girl who gets under Evelyn's skin in a way she never expected. Evelyn finds her game thrown off when she begins to fall for her and yet this means facing her team, facing everyone else in her life, and finally falling for a girl for the first time in her life. This one was okay, but it just wasn't for me. The romance didn't really feel there and I just wasn't as invested as I had hope. The story just kind of fell off for me and the third act breakup was meh. I really do think that Rosa was too good for Evelyn. Overall, I think maybe some younger YA readers looking for a sapphic hockey romance will like thi8s.

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Romance for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to Netgalley for the free Arc!

A fun sports romance book. Evelyn's goal her entire life has been to go to Duke for field hockey . She has been obsessed with field hockey ever since her mom passed away from cancer when she was 12 and her mom wanted her to follow in her footsteps. This makes her feel close to her mom. During her senior year, a new field hockey player starts at a rival school, Rosa, who is the first to challenge Evelyn's field hockey prowess. She also gets under Evelyn's skin in a way that makes her question her relationship with her boyfriend, Caleb.

Overall, All's Fair in Love and Field Hockey had wonderful potential and set up, but it fell woefully flat for me. Having been a queer and confused fifteen-year-old ice hockey player at one point in my life, a sapphic romance between a forward and a goalie on rival teams couldn't have been more up my alley. The story was engaging and I finished it in one sitting. Evelyn's backstory was touching, the conflicts were interesting, and the character's voice felt spot-on for a teenager. I just had too many issues with the book to rate it highly.

Firstly, I am exhausted of bisexuality being portrayed as merely a stepping stone to becoming "real gay." Evelyn struggles with this terror that she might be gay, "or even worse, fake gay, and I don't even like the idea of being bi anyway" (Ch 12). I hoped that the sentiment would eventually get addressed through the course of the story's development (we all have to start somewhere), but it doesn't. Not adequately, anyway. Instead, the novel is full of off comments like Evelyn asking Rosa, "'You put a queer icon on your thigh that only partially shows under a field hockey uniform. Isn't that, like, the definition of queer baiting?' 'Ah, no.' Rosa wags a finger. 'It's only queer baiting if I don't follow through. But I always reel in my catches, viejito" (Ch 18). Like… excuse me? I hate to break it to everyone, but queer-baiting is not a thing that real people can do, in real life. It's a misleading marketing strategy whose purpose is to sell fiction. This idea that bisexuals aren't "really gay" or are "baiting" people if they don't prove themselves via specific sexual acts or by suffering in a particular way is ludicrous. All of this was explained away with one line at the end: "It was homophobic… and it's harmful to dismiss bisexuality" (Ch 28). No way, really? This resolution served as more of a tell than a show, since there was no scene or inciting incident that led Evelyn to this conclusion. It just came out of nowhere, like an afterthought meant to tie everything up neatly, except it was not compelling or convincing.

This undealt-with internalized homophobia is not a good example for young queer teens. As an aside, the emphasis on an aversion to labels, which does have its merits in certain contexts, begs the question why the term lesbian is treated like a dirty word that is only suited to the unsavory, one-dimensional characters in the book.

Secondly, this was uncharacteristically sexually explicit for a YA novel. My usual opinion on this neverending contentious debate is that teens deserve education. That could look like many different things, whether it's demonstrating what consent looks like or helping to identify and navigate unfamiliar feelings. But sex whose only purpose is the readers' titillation belongs in the adult aisle. It's hard to understate how uncomfortable it was to read about how minors are grinding on each other, or moaning into each others' mouths, or biting each other's bare hips. I feel that a lot of those scenes or descriptions were mostly unnecessary, and therefore inappropriate. There are many ways to reflect teens' experiences with sexuality and provide them with insight without treating it like erotica.

I think that this story would've done significantly better if it were aged up to New Adult, as a college-aged sports romance. The tone and many of the events, like the incessant swearing, the graphic dorm-room sex scenes, the tattoos, and the complete autonomy the characters enjoy already read like this was intended for an older age demographic. All that would have needed to be replaced was the "which college will I get into?" issue with a "will Evelyn make it pro or not?" issue. Rosa could still attend a rival school and retain her ambivalent attitude about the sport if she needed to play field hockey for scholarship money, which would've retained the conflict she and Evelyn have about their differing investment in the game.

Anyway, I have more to say, but that's probably enough from me for now. If you're looking for a story about queer teens dealing with heavy issues in a healthy way, you're better off with Alice Oseman's Heartstopper. If you're looking for a book that digs into what it means to be a woman and Latina in professional sports, Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is wonderful. And if you're looking for a YA coming-of-age sapphic rom-com about a bisexual girl trying to figure out what it means to fit into the queer community as a questioning or closeted person, Imogen Obviously by Becky Albertalli is a fantastic choice and a personal favorite of mine.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest voluntary review. Quotations were checked against the final printed copy.

"All's Fair in Love and Field Hockey" was a very enjoyable YA read. I enjoy Kit Rosewater's writing style. It's engaging and heartfelt, and I absolutely flew through the book. I really loved the characters and I was rooting for them all! This is more than just a fluffy queer romance. The tension was palpable right from the start. I liked that this didn’t really have the enemies vibe these kinds of books often have. They were rivals AND lovers, and they also had so much else going on outside of their secret relationship. I especially loved the parts where Evelyn was finding herself and realizing field hockey wasn’t the only thing she could do. I loved her and Rosa together. I loved that Rosa challenged her to view things differently, to really think about what she wanted. I also really enjoyed her brother, Seth, and the relationship they had. Thanks to Netgalley, Kit Rosewater, Random House Children’s and Delacorte Press for an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts. I look forward to reading what Kit writes next.

A lovely YA romance featuring the importance of women in sports.

I definitely struggle with miscommunication tropes, especially being outside of the target audience and wanting to gently push characters back together. However, I pushed through it, and it felt rewarding.

This was an interesting book. I enjoyed the romance and it was cool seeing her accept the fact that she liked girls pretty easily. My one thing with the book is the fact that it had random time jumps. They hung out once and then all of a sudden it was a regular thing but we weren't being shown it. Overall I had a good time.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Evelyn's whole life is field hockey. It's in her blood and it's her family legacy. Even more so in the wake of her mother's passing. Now it's her senior year and her time to shine on the field. Only she never counted on a distracting player from a rival team.

Read if you like:
-YA Coming of Age
-Finding Your Own Path
-Rivals to Lovers
-Queer Romance

All's Fair in Love and Field Hockey was entertaining but it wasn't deep. It stayed very surface level until almost the very end. I wish there had been stronger emotions because the setup would have lent itself well toward some great teenage angst. The third act was the strongest part of the book and I really enjoyed reading about Evelyn finally forging her own path.

There’s a lot to love about this. The rivalry and sexual tension between Evelyn and Rosa was great. I was rooting for them to get together from that first cheeky wink. The development of their relationship from competitors to training partners to lovers was so much fun. I got a kick out of their banter and thought the way they were able to open up to each other was very sweet.

One thing I didn’t buy was that a teen with an LGBTQ+ sibling, sapphic friends, and full access to the internet would have no idea how two girls have sex, even if I fully believe her ex boyfriend was the type not to take care of her needs beyond getting his own met. At the very least, I’d expect her to Google sapphic sex before her hot date with the girl she’s super into, even if reading about something isn’t exactly the same as doing it.

I also was a little thrown by a high schooler having a tattoo. Though, I don’t remember Rosa’s age being given, so maybe she was eighteen?

The last quarter of the book went a little off the rails for me. The breakup felt a forced, and I didn’t agree with Katie being forgiven. But I did like the Evelyn’s epiphany and her reconciliation with Rosa.

Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone who enjoy sporty sapphic YA romance.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

Thank you Kit Rosewater, Random House Children’s, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This definitely reads YA especially for the third act break up due to miscommunication. I unfortunately didn't feel much chemistry between the two FMC.

This is a book depicted for 12+ anyone who may be reading this review and wondering if it's right for your preteen, there is detailed sexual scenes between these two minors.

Evelyn, a senior in high school, is hyper-focused on field hockey and getting a slot on the team at Duke University. This is what her mother did, and Evelyn made a promise right before her mother died to follow in her footsteps. All of this gets thrown off when Evelyn goes off her game and loses to her school's rival team because she becomes fascinated by Rosa, their newest player. What started out as a rivalry becomes a friendship and then more, leaving Evelyn at a crossroads between Rosa, her team and the shared dreams of her mother.

This book is well written and well plotted. Rosa's Chicana heritage is portrayed with good details and not swept under the rug. For some reason, I'm seeing more YA books with deceased parents and the fallout from this kind of tragedy. It definitely adds tension and conflict, but I hope it doesn't become unrealistically popular.

I'm going with 4 stars instead of 5 based on the final chapter before the epilogue. I found the snowy day metaphor and the interactions of the two MCs a bit contrived where previously their relationship felt realistic.

I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.

All’s Fair in Love and Field Hockey by Kit Rosewater was a very enjoyable read. The book focuses on Evelyn, whose whole life is wrapped up in field hockey and living up to the memory of her deceased mother by attending the same college and becoming a professional field hockey player. That’s a lot of pressure for anyone, but especially a high schooler. Evelyn’s clearly laid out path meets a stumbling block in the form of Rosa a soccer player turned field hockey star from an opposing high school. Evelyn is captivated by Rosa and has to consider what that means for who she thought she was and who she is going to be.

I really enjoyed the character growth and maturity in this book. Evelyn wasn’t perfect and there were several missteps made by her throughout the book but by the end she was taking ownership over her feelings and actions and that’s always great to read about.

I do wish that there has been more scenes with Evelyn and Rosa where we could see them connecting. It did feel like time jumped ahead and their feelings were stronger than I would be expected given what we’d already read.

Overall, I really liked this book. It captured a lot of the feelings of trying to figure out who you are and for anyone who’s felt like you’re carrying other people’s expectations this will hit home.

Thank you Kit Rosewater, Random House Children’s, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks so much to Random House Children’s and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this rivals to lovers romance. The tension was palpable right from the start. I liked that this didn’t really have the enemies vibe these kinds of books often have. They were rivals AND lovers, and they also had so much else going on outside of their secret relationship.

Evelyn‘s journey over the course of this book was so emotional. Dealing with her grief, the pressure she put on herself and that has been put on her, the way she didn’t even really know who she was outside of field hockey and living her mum’s dream. All of it was so heavy and palpable.

I loved her and Rosa together. I loved that Rosa challenged her to view things differently, to really think about what she wanted.

I also really loved her brother, Seth, and the relationship they had.

This book felt really hopeful by the end and I really hope it helps some scared, uncertain kids who pick it up.

DNF because there is a line in an early chapter that the player from the other school shoots lefty.

Guys, you can't shoot lefty in field hockey. The sticks are right handed. If you are a lefty you learn to play with the right handed stick. It's a whole thing.

This is embarrassing.

DNF at 35%. I like the idea here, but this book feels woefully mismarketed and executed. I’m all for exploring sex in YA in a sensitive way, but was taken off guard by what can only be described as a “spicy” scene between minors. It’s not the most detailed or even erotic, but it toed the line to being really awkward.

This one just wasn’t for me.

I did appreciate the coverage of the pressure on teen athletes and the over all diversity, including a trans secondary character.

I didn’t appreciate the slut shaming, biphobia/lesbophobia, or just general hyper-sexualization of teens.. I’m definitely a sex positive person but this one was just too much. If they had been college aged I would’ve found it more appropriate. It’s also marketed as YA but personally this was way more sexualized than any other YA romance I’ve read..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Kit is such a nice person and I enjoyed this book! I’m a big nerd for a sports romance so this was a fun read. Probably better for older teens because of the sex topics, but teens do get involved with each other so it’s not surprising. I love a good rivals to lovers plot as well. Awesome debut and I’m excited for more!

I absolutely loved this book! From start to finish I was completely invested, and could not put it down! The main character is flawed and makes mistakes, but it’s easy to figure out where she’s coming from and I was still rooting for her the entire time. The dialogue felt very natural, and the relationship progression between Evelyn and Rosa wasn’t too rushed or too dragged out.

This was such a heartwarming story! Yes, you have a sort of third-act breakup due to communication issues, but I feel like the story as a whole was so relatable and sweet. Evelyn is a high school senior who is getting to a point in life where she has to figure out what she wants her life to be instead of going solely on her late mother's wishes. This was written so beautifully. She had lots to learn, and really only two people, her brother and her rival of all people, to get through this with. Amidst coming to terms with coming out as LGBTQ+, minus a label, this was a well written coming of age story that I would highly recommend.

All's Fair in Love and Field Hockey is not the most original title, but still aptly named. The story follows our protagonist, Evelyn, whose whole life revolves around her place as a goalie on the school's field hockey team. Her mom, who tragically passed away a few years prior, had laid out the path perfectly for Evelyn, who strives to follow through. The problem ends up being that the one person in the way of her goal happens to be the main player, Rosa, on their biggest rival team. Chaos ensues when Evelyn and Rosa end up spending more time together . . .

I found this story to be very sweet. I think the little childish moments played out well, in a way that wasn't annoying like you sometimes find in these kinds of YA books. The story tackled many touching themes like family, survivor's guilt, balancing academics, planning for the future, and handling stress. There were almost too many themes, and I think sometimes that detracted from a more focused story, but I'm not going to hold that too much against the story.

The characters are all pretty real and human in their own way. Their youth also shows in their rash decisions and the way they may speak first and regret later. The way the characters learned and grew from their actions was mostly quite a natural progression, and I enjoyed the story in that sense. The whole "secret relationship" kind of vibe to the story also gave it quite a thrilling element, which I also enjoyed.

One gripe I did have though, was that at some pivotal intense moments, the youth suddenly talked the adults—using big words and language that felt a little bit too sophisticated for the level of thoughts I was expecting from the characters. May this is me just reading a little bit too much into it, but ultimately it did take away a bit from the intensity of the moment when it feels like lines are out of character. Ultimately, this didn't happen too many times though, so not something I minded too much.

Overall the story arc was quite satisfying, and I found it easy to read through it. The story was nothing crazy unique, but I felt that it was pretty well executed and I had a good time reading it. The romantic element was as expected, and I think was tackled well. The relationship felt realistic, and I think the interactions were fairly genuine and suitable for the characters. This definitely made the story feel more genuine, which I enjoyed.