Abigail was an actress and Luke was a grumpy soccer player. His managers wanted him to date Abigail to basically fix his image and get more fans. He reluctantly agreed but he didn’t tell Abby that their relationship was fake.

This was a twist on the fake dating trope. But they both fell hard and fast. It seemed too fast though. I mean, Luke was very emotionally closed off. And they had hardly spent any time together before he decided he was all in and didn’t want it to be fake.

Also, he never told Abby it was fake, and she found out from someone else.

Abby was a little quirky and cringey at times, but she was always happy. The part where she tried everything she could to make Luke break up with her was hilarious. And Luke was actually so sweet and patient through it all.

His reaction after finding out why she was acting the way she was? It didn’t make sense. He shouldn’t have been so angry when he was the one who was lying from the beginning.

This was still a fun and cute story though. And I hope there’s more for this series.

I just loved this. I absolutely imagined Luke Wolfe as Roy and Abigail Hunt as Keeley (Ted Lasso iykyk) and it made me even happier reading this.

The start for their (Luke/Abigail) relationship is such a cop out (nicest word I can use online) from Luke's soccer team owners but I'm so glad it happened too. Don't worry, the owners get what's coming to them for their "hijinks" .

Luke was the perfect combo of grumpy and sweet. Abigail is hilarious. I love how dedicated they are to their friends. I love this couple's "safe words" and how they just get more ridiculous. I love when Abigail finds out accidentally what's being held over Luke's head... the ways she tried to get even with him for hurting her. 🤣

I flew through this read and hope to read a lot more of this author.

Thanks to for inviting me on the book tour!

I love a good sports romance, but I’ve never read a soccer romance. This is an entertaining book with lots of romance with some of my favorite tropes like fake dating and marshmallow insides.
Abby is an actress who’s in a movie about a professional soccer team. She’s hanging with the LA team to get a feel for the atmosphere. The team’s owners are blackmailing Luke (The Wolf) Wolfe to date Abby, using his mom with cancer as leverage.
Luke and Abby fall hard for each other, until she finds out about the blackmail scheme. Can Luke convince her that his feelings are real?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sports romance perfection. Brittany writes the best books that you just can't put down and find yourself carrying around with you through all your chores because you are so addicted to these characters and their story.

Thank you to @berkleyromance for free book and @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook. #berkleypartner #berkley All opinions are my own.

Abigail is an aspiring Hollywood actress asked to shadow the director of a struggling pro soccer team in an effort to perfect an upcoming role. What she doesn’t expect is for the team star player, and notorious grump, to ask her out and what she doesn’t know is that Luke only asked her out because the team owners pressured him to do so. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it) the two hit it off and what comes next is a whirlwind of epic proportions.

As a huge fan of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, I can appreciate the vibes but I do think that Abigail took things a little too far in her search for revenge. I have also seen this one likened to the show, Ted Lasso, and honestly besides the grumpy soccer player MMC, I don’t see it. That said, it is fun and flirty and definitely a quick read. There is tons of spice so be prepared for that going in. There is also a lot of instalove, which as you guys know is never my favorite but tbh I didn’t hate it in this one. The FMC is just quirky enough to be endearing and the MMC is sweet under all that grumpy so overall I would say that this one was mostly a win.

Read if you like:
✩ Grumpy x Sunshine
✩ Fake dating (kinda)
✩ He falls first
✩ Instalove
✩ Anxiety Rep
✩ Sports Romance

Audio Notes: The audio is well done! It’s a dual narration which is my favorite! Both Justis Bolding and Sean Patrick Hopkins did a fantastic job.

ARC REVIEW:
I absolutely love this trad debut of Brittany Kelley’s.
Abigail and Luke are like if you took Roy Kent and (a little bit of) Keeley Jones and put them in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. It is the perfect mixture of funny, sweet, and spicy. All of the supporting characters add to this incredible book. It touches on mental health and how to sit with your feelings when what you’re doing is irrational. Brittany put so much heart and research into this book. SUCH a great summer read!!

Thank you to Brittany and Berkley for this eARC!

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the complimentary copy!

This book is out now!

Ya'll this book was so fun! I thought this was a different take on fake dating. In more romances I read, usually both parties are involved in on scheme but for this one only the MMC Luke (our lovable grump) is involved. Poor Luke was put into an impossible situation where he was given the option to get out of his no trade contract unless he starts dating actress Abigail. It was very clear early on that Luke was charmed by Abigail but the cloud of knowing this secret just loomed. And once she found out, that was where some fun began!

Naturally when Abigail found out about the deal that Luke struck she was furious so I thought the inclusion of the hijinks made the romance even more fun! I thought the relationship was sweet to see how it played out on page. They both were instantly attracted to one another which made it all a good time. It was just such a nice quick romance and just what I needed this week.

I think if you are looking for a cute with a little spice soccer romance - give this one a try!

PS - I went to an author event and we are getting a 2nd book in this world!

Abigail was expecting to take a deep dive into the world of soccer to secure a breakout role. What she didn’t expect was the beautifully grumpy soccer star Luke Wolfe to ask her out. When the truth comes out about the origin of their relationship, Abigail decides to play Luke back.

Abigail is funny and impulsive, which makes her a super enjoyable FMC. Luke was her perfect counterpart as he is more reserved and introspective. These opposites were definitely made to attract. I would recommend this novel to fans of '90s rom-coms and fast & flirty relationships!

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the eARC!

I love when I can visual a book like a movie playing out for me and this book was exactly that. Abigail and Luke were hilarious and reading about Abigail making Luke squirm after realizing what he did was exactly like “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Their relationship was adorable though and for the sports aspect, I don’t read a lot of soccer romances but that needs to change after this read. Loved every second of it!

When love gets complicated...

My heart absolutely broke for Abigail and everything she's been through, so when she starts dating Luke, I found myself holding my breath, waiting for the moment she discovers the truth and starts plotting her revenge. And when she does? The results are hilarious and so fun to watch unfold.

There's surprising depth to soccer star Luke Wolfe, and with each layer revealed (in particular what he does in the off-season), I fell a little harder for him. The fact that he didn't want to fake anything made their connection feel all the more real, and their grumpy/sunshine banter? Top tier.

Also, stray animals are my weakness, especially when one shares my pet's name as well. Instant win in my book. This was such a cute, feel-good story!

I had the BEST time reading this absolutely hilarious rom com from Brittany Kelley that comes out TODAY (July 8) and is just such a perfect summer read. It’s equal parts funny, heart wrenching, sweet, and spicy and I’m so proud of my sweet baby angel for publishing her first traditionally published novel.

Abigail is an actress who has just caught a big break by landing the lead in a movie about corruption in soccer and to prep for the role, she’s gotta spend time with LA’s soccer team, including total grump Luke Wolfe. Luke has a very sick mom, a bad reputation, and the drive to do anything to be able to transfer back to where his family is - including dating Abigail for publicity as demanded by the team’s owners. When Abigail finds out that their burgeoning love started on a lie, she pulls out the most ridiculous stops to get him to break up with her as retribution. But both may be on the losing side of the games they play.

I loved grumpy grump Luke who is mad at himself the whole book, which is the appropriate attitude for starting a relationship on a lie. Our girl, Abigail, has adhd and anxiety and her struggles with that felt so real and beautifully handled. Both are dealing with the ongoing trauma of past relationships and work bullshit, so their poor decisions make total sense. I wish there had been a tiny bit more groveling, but also feel like these two idiots just wanted to be together more than anything.

The side characters in this were TOP notch and well rounded so I can’t wait to see them pop up in later works. If you’re looking for a fun and funny sports romance (that doesn’t have TOO much sports in it), you absolutely must check this out

If you’ve ever thought, “What if Roy Kent from Ted Lasso fell for Andie from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?”—this book might be for you. Unfortunately, I’ve never asked that question, and Relationship Goals didn’t convince me I should have.

The premise had potential: a grumpy, brooding soccer star is coerced into a fake relationship with a rising Hollywood starlet, only to catch real feelings. But the execution just didn’t land for me.

Abigail felt more like a collection of quirky traits than a fully realized character. Her behavior, especially after discovering Luke’s deception, veered from cringe to completely over-the-top (see: the full Gollum cosplay). I struggled to feel any real chemistry between her and Luke, making the emotional beats feel unearned and rushed. The romance relies heavily on insta-love, and with minimal build-up, their heartbreak and reconciliation lacked impact.

The book also tries to touch on mental health, but those scenes needed more care and realism. Abigail’s panic attacks are brushed off and poorly handled, and the sudden prescription drug access via a friend calling a doctor felt unrealistic at best, insensitive at worst.

Luke’s motivations—mainly his sick mother with stage 3 cancer—felt like emotional shortcuts rather than genuine character development. And the supporting cast? Broadly drawn caricatures that made it hard to invest in anything beyond the central plot.

While I appreciated the ambition of blending sports, fake dating, and celebrity drama, the pacing, writing, and dialogue didn’t hold it together. A running joke about Yo-Yo Ma and masturbation missed the mark, and the final act courtroom-style showdown left me more confused than satisfied.

Tropes:

Fake Dating

Grumpy/Sunshine

Sports Romance (Pro Soccer)

Celebrity Romance

Insta-Love

Revenge Scheme

Found Family

Sick Parent

Quirky Girl™ FMC

Workplace Sabotage

This one didn’t work for me—but if you’re drawn to chaotic rom-com energy and don’t mind suspension of disbelief in both plot and character logic, you might enjoy it more than I did.

Content Notes: MMC’s mother has stage 3 cancer, FMC experiences panic attacks, toxic workplace dynamics, abandonment issues, some mental health misrepresentation.

Dual POV, Actress x Soccer Player, Instalove, Grumpy x Sunshine, Fake Dating (with a twist), Revenge Plot, Anxiety Rep, Care Taking

A grumpy grunting soccer player with a heart of gold and a quirky actress who brings out his softer side. Luke and Abigail have instant chemistry despite his lukewarm welcome of her. There's something so swoony about seeing a reserved grumpy man soften because his woman makes him see and interact with the world differently and this book delivers those vibes in spades. Expect teammate shenanigans, care taking, Gollum impersonations, a touch of jealousy, an adorable rescue cat, and the struggle of making friends as an adult.

To all of the soccer fans/readers, you are going to enjoy reading this romance book. It’s perfect to read since we have a soccer tournament at the moment. Plus, I truly enjoyed reading the grumpy sunshine trope with a bit of fake dating in the mix. And the drama between Abigail and Luke is too ridiculous. It reminds me of the movie She’s the Man, with its endless funny chaotic drama.

Let me explain the drama between Abigail and Luke real quick. Luke made Abigail fake date him because the soccer team needs ticket sales and Luke needs the management team's help to transfer when the season ends. However, Luke never gave the heads-up to Abigail when she was the tour guide at the soccer stadium. Luke acted a bit of a jerk and made Abigail fake date him because the news caught on with their date (fake date from Luke's part). Well, Abigail is no pushover, so she will act the perfect girlfriend by dragging him to endless dates or functions and befriending everyone along the way.

I truly enjoyed reading the pettiness from Abigail. It made the read so entertaining that I didn’t know that I had finished the book until I saw the last page. Besides the drama between Abigail and Luke, I enjoyed their tension with each other. Abigail and Luke may not know it, but they need each other. It just makes sense. And you can tell slowly that Luke starts caring more and more for Abigail as she endlessly teases or provokes him while they keep fake-fighting each other.

I LOVED this romance book, and maybe I’m coming into my sports romance era?!

I loved everything about this book. It sucked me in from the beginning and when some of my most hated tropes came into the picture I got hesitant, but Brittany Kelley made the characters address those tropes. I’m so glad she did. It won the book back over for me. I really enjoyed the banter and spice in this one. I also enjoyed how the FMC deals with anxiety. I felt the representation was realistic and I appreciated it. I also loved how the MMC was grumpy only to everyone else. Both character growths were well done. All in all, this is a solid romance that everyone needs to go read!

Rating: 4.5 rounded up to 5

I was drawn to this romance because hello! It’s a sports romance and I have a fondness for those, especially involving soccer players. I loved the fake dating premise and the fact that Luke was the grumpy hero. What I ended up liking about the book after reading it was how sweet Luke actually was. Abi was so easy to like and her bubbly personality easily broke through Luke’s walls and I very easily fell for this couple. The reader was let in on the fact that Luke didn’t ask Abi out willingly so her foray into revenge was a letdown. I hated seeing her character lose that sparkle in her eye.

Sometimes I’m just in the mood for a sweet, slightly surly romance that won’t take me too long to get into and not long to finish. This novel exceeded my expectations and I’ll be sure to take a look at this author’s other novels. This was my first Brittany Kelley novel and it was enjoyable!

Relationship Goals is a fun, fake dating romance with a twist.

Abigail is shadowing Luke's soccer team for research for her next film role. It's surprising when she and Luke connect, but she doesn't know the team managers asked him to fake date her to create publicity and increase ticket sales. Of course, things get complicated when she finds out as he starts to truly fall for her.

This is my first book from Brittany Kelly and it hooked me in the first couple chapters. Abigail and Luke were both interesting characters and I liked the dual POV. It allowed me to get inside their heads as they both tried to work out what's real in their relationship. The story was nicely paced and I liked Brittany's writing style. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to trying more from this author!

Ted Lasso meets How to lose a Guy in 10 Days in this adorably hilarious rom com between a quirky actress and a grumpy soccer player! Abigail Hunt's Hollywood career has been through it, she's still reeling from her last scandal/fall out with a show and is determined to make it work for her new role under an esteemed director who tells her to shadow a soccer team to learn more about her potential role... the guy who's going to be her guide? Infamous extremely grumpy and talented Luke Wolfe who is known for being blunt, grumpy, and a villain. Luke can't help it that he's a bit of a grump... but with his mom being sick and the owners of the team refusing to let him transfer teams so he can be closer and look after his mom, he's definitely not happy. He's even less happy when the owners of the team tell him if he asks Abigail out and date her to boost sale tickets for games and they'll let him off the team for the transfer... he really doesn't want to hurt Abigail especially when he begins to fall for her for real. Yet the longer he keeps it a secret and the more serious they get, the harder it gets to tell her and the worse it'll become. But when Abigail finds out... she's definitely not going to let him off the hook and is determined to make him dump her... yet despite how far she goes with her shenanigans, he doesn't seem ruffled at all and seems to genuinely be in love with her... whats a girl to do? Oh this healed my Roy x Keeley heart so much. This was such a cute read and I loved just how down bad Luke was for Abigail. I adored their relationship and it gave me everything I could ever want in a grumpy x sunshine romance!!

Release Date: July 8, 2025

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thanks to @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for the gifted e-ARC and to @prhaudio for the ALC!

Roy F***ing Kent! That’s it. That’s the whole review. Not really. But Luke and Abigail totally had Roy and Keeley vibes. If they were American and Keeley (Abigail) was an actress trying to learn about soccer and Roy (Luke) was being blackmailed into dating her?

I loved both Luke and Abigail. They both experienced such growth. The grumpy sunshine was perfect. Abigail’s chaotic ADHD energy was endearing. And Luke’s grumpy for everyone but you was lovable.

There were very steamy spicy scenes. And the audiobook had great dual narration.

This is a fun read with great characters and a bit of an unusual story that made me laugh and cheer.

I like this story, however to me it just fell a bit short of the potential

It has How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days crosses over with Ted Lasso vibes - but it just lacked that.. oomph, that extra spark that would just tip it into really good.

Luke and Abby did give off the Roy Kent and Keeley feel, and I did like their interactions for the most part.

I did laugh at some of Abby's antics, trying to get Luke to break up with her, they were outrageous at times.

Luke was a saint, and she did not deserve him in my opinion.

Then the miscommunication part of the story came along *insert eye roll lol* and it lost me a bit.

It was a good enough read, I just found it to be left wanting.