I was intrigued by this book about women 'soccer' players (Women's Aussie Rules) and I always enjoy books with an Australian setting. Cress moves to the city from her hometown Grong Grong after she is signed on the WAR team the Sirens. There she stays with childhood friend Quin Fitzpatrick, who has done the same thing (but the men's team of course). Nice 'best friend's little sister' trope.

I did like the story, but I expected a lot more from the romance I must say (and the ending). The writing is pleasant and kept me reading. An epilogue in the future would have been nice!

Long Game by Catherine Evans
Subgenre: contemporary/sports romance
Series: Women of W.A.R.
Release date: 1 Feb 2018
Publisher: Escape Publishing
Format: ebook
Length: 145 pages
RRP: A$4.99
Cressida Kennedy is a mad keen footy (read Australian Rules) player, and I mean mad keen. Her one dream was to play in the women’s footy competition, when one was created. She comes from the country and has four older brothers, so footy was a natural part of her younger, and adult, years. When she is in the off season, she helps on the family farm. Cress is a physical worker and even found a job while she tries out for the Sydney Sirens. She is determined to make it. When she arrives in Sydney, she is amazed at all the different places and sights, including hanging out of the car to get a photo of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, while in a traffic jam. It was nice to see Sydney from Cress’s point of view as we can become somewhat blasé about what we see each day. Quin makes a point of taking her to different places, so she can experience Sydney. But she is determined to make the team and play each year there is a season. Footy is her goal. Footy is her life.
Grong Grong’s best export is Quinlan Fitzpatrick. He was selected to play for a Sydney Aussie Rules team straight from high school. He thinks of Cress, or Watercress as he calls her, as a little sister, mostly. She is staying with him during selection trials and the season. Quin becomes the focus of some of Cress’s team members especially when he does yoga with them. Quin has an issue that in some senses has spooked him and feels he is scarred for life. One date, and a return to the scene, helps him overcome his fear of the place and event.
The relationship between Quin and Cress is a slow burn. Cress liked him from his country days even having his poster on the wall. Quin really liked her family atmosphere and was Cress’s older brother’s best friend. He thought of her as a sister, but he learns that Cress has grown up and he needs to pay attention. The relationship turns from family friends to lovers.
I really liked Cress’s focus to get what she wants, to play footy, and Quin. There are also some interesting characters I hope get their own story.
Reviewed by Heather

***2.5 Stars***

Writing this review seriously bums me out. Why? Because the bones of this story are really great!

Older brother's best friend/friends to lovers trope, both the hero and heroine are athletes, there's a great family dynamic, awesome team spirit and friendship, and the backstory for each MC is interesting and engaging.

Unfortunately, the execution of all of this failed for me. The writing is clunky and choppy. The entire time while reading, I couldn't find a flow or rhythm.

Quin and Cress definitely have some chemistry and I enjoyed the bubbling attraction, but this ended up being overshadowed with awkward and stilted dialgue. Conversations were had, but nothing was ever really being said. They talked around topics a lot.

And the evolution of their relationship was beyond weird. They'd share a kiss...then nothing was mentioned for weeks. Then they'd share another, more passionate kiss...then nothing is said for a period of time. Plus, they're super touchy feely...way beyond a brotherly/sisterly relationship, but no one is saying anything. Except in their head...because there's a lot of internal dialogue here. Sigh.

The best way I can describe this story is rambly. It's as though someone sat down and just started rambling out a story.

There's no real focus, important details are underdeveloped, too many internal thoughts and not enough meaningful conversations, the characters lacked depth in relation to their backstories ...just an overall miss at building something on what started with a solid foundation.

Sadly, when we FINALLY (I'm talking last 10% of the book) get to the transition to something "more," it's rushed, forced and feels slapped together. And the ultimate disappointment....we don't even get a solid HEA. In my opinion, it's a shaky HFN.

Like I said in the beginning, I'm really bummed this book didn't work out for me because that blurb is great and that cover is badass. Unfortunately, for me, that's where the positives end.

My first read from this author. Really enjoyed this story. Will read more

One of a new series about the professional sportswomen of the Women's Australian Rules football league (and yes - there really is a professional women's league, though the team names aren't the same as in this fictional version) Long Game is the story of Cress Kennedy, a country girl through and through, who moves to Sydney to follow her dream of being a professional footy player.

Fortunately, she has a ready-made mentor, best friend and place to live all in one. Quin was her big brother's best friend and her idol, a pro footy player himself. And also the guy she's had a crush on since, oh, for ever.

Cress was a fantastic heroine, tough and naive all at the same time, a country girl lost in the wonder of the big city but never losing sight of her roots. Quin had his own demons to fight, and I though he and Cress were absolutely wonderful together. Even if you know nothing about Aussie Rules football, you’ll enjoy this one; there are some fabulous female friendships in it too. It’s as Aussie as shrimps on a barbie, but there’s not too much slang to confuse our international friends. Come join the party, you’ll love it here Down Under.

I think my absolute favourite thing about this book is that the happily ever after wasn’t your conventional picket-fence type of ending. Instead, Cress and Quin find a solution that works for both of them, and choose to trust each other enough to make it work. It’s a beautiful way to showcase that all happily ever afters aren’t the same. Five stars for a fantastic sports romance!

I've always loved the idea of competitive women sports and Women in Aussie Rules - women playing Australian Footy - is the perfect platform build budding romances in each regional team in the series. Catherine Evan takes on the Sydney Sirens with Cress Kennedy and her longtime childhood crush Quin Fitzpatrick, who was the first to leave their hometown of Grong Grong nearly a decade ago to follow that very dream they both shared.

The friends-to-lovers trope has always made me wary, because for me, there always had to be a set of criteria that should ideally be met; otherwise, I'd start questioning the validity of the pairing. Nonetheless, Quin/Cress do sort of work under the very specific circumstances that Evans has laid out: Quin left Grong Grong way before Cress really grew up, so their meeting again simply set the stage for a childhood friendship that deepened in the weeks they spent together in Sydney. 

The setting couldn't be more perfect - the Sydney harbour bridge climb was something I wanted to do, then balked at the horrific prices - and Evans's way of writing Quin's and Cress's relationship did pull me in, despite the slow, slow burn. On the flip side of the coin, their hesitation to get involved any more deeply with each other was a source of frustration when the rushed conclusion and their less-than-ideal circumstances made for a HFN ending that made me wonder if this pairing would work out. 

'Long Game' ended on a note of hope instead of a guaranteed Quin/Cress future when everything was still up in the air. And while I loved their commitment to each other because of it, the last bit proved somewhat dissatisfying especially after the long wait for Quin and Cress to finally end their dance around each other. In all, it was a mixed read for me - I certainly enjoyed myself, but definitely wished things could have turned out differently.

This is a story to be savoured, this is a romance of friends to lovers, it is beautifully written and you will not want to put it down as you journey with long- time friends Cress Kennedy and Quin Fitzpatrick from the town of Grong Grong in The Riverina District of N.S.W. to Sydney and the most beautiful HEA it is sure to leave you smiling and feeling very pleased.

Cress loves working on the farm with her Dad, she has grown up with four brothers and their friend Quin who is like the fifth brother, Quin has moved to Sydney to play Aussie Rules with the big Sydney club but Cress has never forgotten him, she has had her dreams as well, yes Cress is a mad Aussie Rules player and wants to play in the big league and now her chance has come with the inaugural season of Woman’s Aussie rules competition and yes this means staying with Quin while in Sydney. Will all of her dreams come true or will she put footy first as she should or can she handle both love and footy?

Quin always felt part of the Kennedy family and is still close to them even though he moved away eight years ago to play in the Sydney Aussie rules team and now Cress his Watercress is coming to play as well. This is going to be good and bad for Quin you see he has always had feelings for Cress but she is his best friend’s sister he grew up them all she should be off limits but being close for months pulls at his emotions and feelings and soon he is wondering if Cress feels the same way about him.

I love sport and this story had me cheering The Sydney Sirens on in their games MS Evans made me feel like I was in the crowd feeling every hit and catch it was fabulous, but of course there is also this gorgeous romance oh my Quin is a hero to die for caring, loving, protective and Cress what amazing heroine fit, thoughtful, loving the best and they were made for each other, this is one of the best friends to lovers stories I have read for a while and I highly recommend this one. You rock MS Evans thank you for letting me get to know Cress and Quin.

I just never clicked with this book. I found it hard to get into and to follow the story. I tried to read this book a couple of times but still couldn’t connect with the story, and the characters at all. Which is a shame as I thought this would be a good book to read and I did like the sound of the blurb which is why I wanted to try this book

Long Game moves us to Sydney and features Cress who plays for the Sydney Sirens. As Cress adjusts to city life and her best friend Quin, she needs to decide, does she focus purely on the game or does she also open her heart to love?
I've never been one to read too many sports romances although I think I'd like to but I'm not much into sports in general aside from enjoying the Austalian Open tennis season a great deal. I enjoyed learning more about Aussie Rules football and getting a deeper glimpse into the life and training of the players who are dedicated to the game. Ms Evans certainly shined a light on the dedication, athleticism and training required to be a successful, top player. And of course, showcasing the support of women players joining the ranks of a predominantly male-oriented game.
Cress was a great heroine. She's down-to-earth and dedicated. She's also crazy about Quin but she keeps her feelings to herself for a very long time - not wanting to jeopardise their friendship and wanting to focus on the game and her training. I, at times, wished that the romance between Cress and Quin had moved along faster and they both grasped the opportunity to be a couple sooner instead of shying away from their feelings. However, seeing them as friends was also wonderful. They understood each other and supported each other like no one else could.
I liked Quin a lot. He's put together, sensible, gorgeous and an all around nice guy. Solid and dependable. Quin hasn't let the fame get to his head from being a famous sports personality, except for one unfortunate incident. It takes Cress's understanding and support to help him get over his anxiety that arises from that incident. Quin and Cress were great together. I was so happy when they finally worked out how they felt and Quin made a move.
This story has a happy ending although a happy for now rather than a happy ever after. I understand why that was the case given both Cress and Quin's careers but I have to admit I'm pretty much a happy ever after kind of gal so I wanted more but Cress and Quin were committed to each other that would have to do me.
I'm enjoying this series and learning more about these women playing a sport that was traditionally dominated by men. It's liberating and empowering. Looking forward to the next book.

You don't have to be a fan of womens' sport to enjoy Long Game, but it will help. This book is set in the very recent past when the first series of AFLW (Australian Football League for Women) got underway in February 2017. The womens' series was a great hit with audiences all around Australia and I particularly love the pathway it provides (along with many other sports now) for young girls.
I cannot help but wish that when I was a girl, these pathways were available. If I'd had my choice it would be cricket that I would have played, but at my school, girls weren't even allowed to play cricket.
These days we have our Matildas (womens soccer); womens rugby, womens cricket and the AFL branching into womens sport. It feels like an uprising led by strong, healthy, dedicated women ... and I'm loving it.
So to the book - we have Cress and Quinn who have been friends forever, with Cress always wanting more but resigned to knowing she can only ever see Quinn as 'like one of her brothers'. She's the only girl in a family of 4 boys, but she's better at football than all of her brothers. Quinn is a footy player in his own right and has moved to Sydney and when country-girl Cress gets drafted by the Sydney Sirens womens' football team, she moves in with Quinn and he helps her find her feet.
From the get-go we know how much Cress loves Quinn, but she's determined to make a go of her football career - sees it as so much bigger than just her own game - it's for all girls and women who've wanted this chance, and she won't let emotions get in her way.
It's a slow burn toward the chemistry and romance, because both characters hold that emotion back from the other along the lines of believing that their sexy feelings aren't reciprocated. There is much mention of loving each like a brother/sister, and that anything further is wrong and acting upon these feelings will jeopardise the friendship.
I guess this is true of all friends to lovers stories in that trope. I get ever so slightly frustrated by it, I must admit, and I did tend to want Quinn and Cress to get things moving just a touch faster.
That said, I like the slow build - it's obvious they are great friends. It's also obvious they are perfect for each other. They like similar things, they have a great sensitivity toward what the other is feeling and thinking.
Eventually these two get their happy ever after, with a little bit of a push from Cress's Dad and her brothers, and the girls in Cress's new football team.
I like the description of the footy games and the effort all the women put in. I watched many of the AFLW games last season and I will remember the grand final for a long time. It was a brilliant game and these girls have so much guts and skill.
Long Game brought me back to the debut season of the new competition in a great, nostalgic way, and it's left me hanging out for the new 2018 season of womens' competition.
It's a high quality read and while fans who know their football will probably enjoy this most, it isn't just about training and games. The interactions between Cress and her family are gold, and Cress is a character I felt immediately warm towards.
Quinn is just gorgeous.
It's a whole lot of fun from Catherine Evans.

I was intrigued by this book about women 'soccer' players (Women's Aussie Rules) and I always enjoy books with an Australian setting. Cress moves to the city from her hometown Grong Grong after she is signed on the WAR team the Sirens. There she stays with childhood friend Quin Fitzpatrick, who has done the same thing (but the men's team of course). Nice 'best friend's little sister' trope.

I did like the story, but I expected a lot more from the romance I must say (and the ending). The writing is pleasant and kept me reading. An epilogue in the future would have been nice!

Long game by catherine evans.
Cressida Kennedy has been picked to play Women’s Aussie Rules team, the Sydney Sirens.’
Quin Fitzpatrick is like a brother to her she is staying with him while training.
A very enjoyable read. Loved the characters apart from hayley. I liked the ending too. 5*.

Unfortunately the book was not for me, no review was publicly posted on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads or Twitter etc, so no ratings were affected in relation to it.

Zero chemistry, and constantly calling him brother, killed this one dead for me from early on. And although I don't expect a perfect manuscript, getting a (football) Jersey mixed up with Guernsey was a little confusing, so much so I had to go check it wasn't Aussie slang for something.

I really liked reading about Cress and Quin’s characters in Long Game by author Catherine Evans, the second instalment of the Women Of W.A.R series. The story focussed around Cress and by extension her friendship with Quin. The story also gave readers further snippets of some of the other characters in the series. I would have like to read more of both Cass and Quin’s characters as they had so much history, but nevertheless, the story was still a good addition to the series.
Review copy received from Escape Publishing via Netgalley