I read three sports romances or at least, that’s how we’re categorizing all three of these books. Played by Naima Simone is available via Kindle Unlimited if you’re interested in reading it and I believe it also gives you access to the audiobook with your borrow. I did read it that way as opposed to reading the e-ARC I was provided on Netgalley. Then Love and Sportsball is available as an audiobook on Hoopla, so I read it that way rather than with my e-ARC I was provided on Netgalley. And then finally, with my eyeballs, I actually read my e-ARC of Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope. So let’s hop into the reviews!
Played by Naima Simone
Plot: This book follows a firefighter, Adina, who finds someone’s personal journal when she responds out to a fire at the local hockey stadium. Instead of, I don’t know, not taking it, she takes it and reads it and discovers someone else (Solomon) who is grieving and his thoughts echo her own. Adina does return the journal to Solomon and he is understandably angry, but very slowly, the two of them wind up becoming a lot closer. Solomon’s wife died prior to the start of the book (hence the journal where he’s talking about grief) and Adina is grieving the loss of her fiancé. I wouldn’t say there’s a ton of plot beyond that set up, though it should be noted, there’s also a sub-plot of workplace harassment from a fellow firefighter that is heavily rooted in misogyny.
What I Loved About It: I like Naima’s writing a lot. She does angst quite well.
What I Struggled With: The characterization in this book just… Something about it meant that I never quite believed in these two together. But more than that, I really need authors to stop including harassment for no good reason in their books. It’s so hard to read. Plus, honestly, Solomon is such an asshole sometimes and 90% of the time it seemed like he wasn’t even trying to be? I just didn’t really love him.
Would I Recommend This: Yes, if you’re in the mood for an angsty read and the workplace harassment subplot won’t bother you the way it did me. And, well, if you have KU. The audiobook was a pleasant enough listening experience.
Love and Sportsball
by Meka James
Plot: Dijah is the new athletic trainer for the Atlanta Cannons and she and Shae (a star player) have a one night stand to start off the book, before they know that they’ll be in one another’s lives for a while. They try to fight their attraction because Dijah is adamant that she can’t date a player because it’s unprofessional, but their connection is pretty undeniable.
What I Loved: Shae. I thought Shae was fantastic. I loved her as a character, though I really felt like she seemed fully like a secondary character despite being one of the two love interests who ostensibly had her own POV. But honestly, Shae comes into the book feeling fully formed and so there’s less character growth that she needs to go through, which is probably why. Also the steam was very steamy and I enjoyed the way that was written!
What I Struggled With: Dijah. She was so frustrating. I understood her at the beginning, but then over time, her rigidity didn’t feel grounded in anything and so she hurt Shae without a clear explanation or with any sense of actual recognition that how she responded was hurtful.
Would I Recommend: Yes, definitely. I think if you want a sapphic romance, this is a good one. Is it perfect? Not for me, but I think it’s a solid sapphic romance and the steam was great. Also, book two in this series is going to be a marriage in trouble so I cannot wait for that!
Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope
Plot: CeCe moves home to Kentucky following a break-up with her long term partner (can’t remember if he’s a fiancé or boyfriend) when she discovers that he’s been cheating on her repeatedly. At home is her brother’s best friend, retired professional hockey player, Nash Carter, and he is quite shaken up by how grown up CeCe is now. Anyway, the two of them wind up giving into temptation eventually, but obviously, it’s quite the adventure to get there.
What I Loved: l really liked the connection between CeCe and Nash. I felt like it was really well done.
What I Struggled With: Once again, we bring in a toxic/emotionally abusive ex and I just… I want a book with no domestic violence. No violence against women. Also, sometimes I loved Nash’s dirty talk and sometimes it felt cringe. Your mileage is definitely going to vary on that one.
Would I Recommend: Absolutely. If you want a cowboy romance with a blend into a sports romance, then this could be the book for you. I liked this one enough to immediately request the ARC of book two, so that is definitely a good sign.
Closing Thoughts
All in all, not my favorite sports romances here, but not anything terrible either, so I’ll take it. Have you read any of these? If not, what sports romance have you read lately that you really enjoyed?
xx
firewhiskeyreader 