Content warning: homophobia, misogyny

This was a fun one! It definitely wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but I still really enjoyed it. It's a dual first-person POV focused on the two main characters; Amber, the cheerleader, and Jack, the school's new quarterback. I really enjoyed that the narration was from both characters, they were both developed really well and it was easy to understand their motivations, even though the decisions they made were sometimes frustrating. The focus of the plot is on Jack attempting to succeed at her new school and on her new team, and on Amber vying to be next year's cheer captain while attempting to strike a balance between her relationship with Jack and still staying in everyone else's good graces.

While I did really enjoy this book, it was extremely frustrating to read at times. This was mainly because of the sheer amount of misogyny and homophobia featured. I was expecting some degree of it, but I guess I've been coddled by the LGBTQ+ books I've been reading lately because I wasn't expecting the vast majority of the supporting characters to be absolutely AWFUL. That doesn't mean there isn't character development for some of them, but if you're looking for a book where the characters are out and accepted from the get go, this probably isn't the one for you unfortunately. However, even with this frustrating aspect, there were some satisfying moments and good character development that came out of it.

I would definitely recommend this book, but keep in mind the content warnings if you decide to pick it up!

Home Field Advantage is a quarterback/cheerleader romance with a twist. It is a wonderful coming of age story that touches on many heavy topics. The overall message is positive and focuses on being true to yourself.
I love how the MC have wonderful support systems within their own families. While the world inside the walls of high school is cruel enough for straight teens, it is even more difficult for LGBT teens. I was happy to see a few teammates finally stick up for Amber, Jack, Miguel, and Malcom.
I paired the eBook with the audio, and I am glad I did. The narrators did a wonderful job with the voices. I especially enjoyed being able to hear the emotions during Jack’s chapters.
Thank you to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Publishing Group and OrangeSky Audio for my eArc and audiobook copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this! Dahlia Adler has proven to be a reliable pick for fun wlw romances with well developed characters, and this one did not disappoint. I love that it takes an old hetero trope of the quarterback and cheerleader falling in love and makes it feel completely new. Heads up that a good deal of the angst in it does have to do with coming out (even though it's not coming out to family) which does feel a bit tired, but I still enjoyed the rest.

I thought this book was so sweet. I loved the lgbt representation as well as showing that females can play football also; that was a huge debate at my high school!

CONTENT WARNING: homophobia, bullying

After reading Cool for the Summer and falling in love with Adler’s writing, there was absolutely no questions about wanting to read this book. And despite the fact that sports romance is most certainly not my jam, turns out when it’s a sapphic sports romance, it is absolutely my jam! Especially in the talented hands (or keyboard) of Dahlia Adler.

I adore the way that this book combines the difficult topics of homophobia, bullying, grief, the pressures of high school, and how religion influences people, with lighter topics such as friendship and romance. Amber is in a tough place—she’s queer and in the closet, and is focusing all of her efforts on becoming cheer captain so that she can snag a scholarship and escape her small-minded Florida Panhandle town, and finally be free to express who she really is. But everything gets thrown off track when the recently deceased quarterback is replaced by a new player, who happens to be a girl. There’s so much going on in Amber’s head, and I honestly liked her so much, even if I didn’t like all of her actions. But then again, she’s in high school, and all of us did some stupid things back in those days, right?

Jack is in a completely different place from Amber. She’s comfortable with her sexuality, although she doesn’t flaunt it in a place that isn’t very welcoming to LGBTQ people. She and her mom have uprooted their lives to come and play football at Atherton, leaving all of her friends and most of her family behind for this opportunity. But when things don’t work out as she had hoped, she’s in for a rough, lonely road. Her teammates have completely rejected her, and she’s the subject of some hurtful bullying. The only bright spot in her new life is Amber, the only person at the school who has been marginally nice to her.

I loved the way that these two interact with each other and the others in their lives, and there are definitely some funny moments in this story. It prevents it from getting too heavy, and I became quickly engrossed in these two girls and their lives. It isn’t heavy on the sports talk, although it definitely made me appreciate all the work that goes into cheerleading, and why it’s viewed as a sport. And the one chapter involving the big game was amazing. I was so amped up for it, in a way that I never am for actual football. Maybe if more women played I’d be more interested. By the end, I was tearing up at how beautifully this story was told, and Dahlia Adler has cemented her place in my personal list of favorites.

I’m really digging the diversity in romance and YA books this year so far. Home Field Advantage is the story of in-the-closet cheerleader Amber and the new female quarterback, Jack. I thought the story really showcased the misogyny and homophobia that can come from a small, southern town.

Jack moved specifically for the first (and likely only) chance to be a quarterback for a school-based team and she shows up to learn that the previous quarterback passed away that summer and everyone has a massive grudge against her for taking “his place.” Amber is working towards being cheer captain next year and struggles with her attraction and affection for Jack versus her need to be one of the herd.

Amber was a character that really disappoints you at times, but that honestly felt like the point of Home Field Advantage. She’s still just a kid and is learning and trying to navigate her sexuality while living in a small, close-minded town. I love her interactions with Jack—everything felt realistic.

Great characterizations, surprisingly darker plot points, and sweet romance, Home Field Advantage is a great summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy.

I loved this one a lot. I think it was such a cute sapphic romance where I actually loved both characters and thought it was very cool how it addressed specific issues that the LGBTQ+ community faces. Overall I had a very good time reading this one.

A closeted bisexual cheerleader falls for the new girl quarterback in this charming queer YA love story set in small town Florida. I loved this book on audio narrated by Natalie Naudus and Lori Prince. The narrators did SUCH a great job bringing these characters to life. If you enjoy fake dating, coming of age stories and seeing characters find the courage to stand up for what's right against hatred and homophobia, this book is for you. Perfect for fans of I kissed Shara Wheeler, She gets the girl or Throw like a girl. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies.

I loved how sweet this was! Sapphic books for teenagers are so necessary and this healed my inner queer little teenager. I loved how lighthearted yet grounded in emotion and struggle this story was. It made the book so much more real and full of feeling. I can't wait to have a classroom of students read through this!

4 stars

This is a cute, quick, charming YA romance with some solid LGBTQ+ rep: a great read!

Amber and Jack share perspectives in this novel, and as a cheerleader and QB at their high school, they might seem like a cliche pair. What's distinct about them is that Jack is the only feminine presence on the football team, and Amber is NOT out; neither is her boyfriend, who is also queer and has a fella of his own. Both central characters experience different kinds of bullying because of their identities, and this is more pronounced because they are in Florida and surrounded by some extremely conservative/religious individuals. They also have the benefit of Amber's mom being openly bi and several other members of her circle being part of the community. In other words, there are folks who support and folks who don't, but as always, the expected hypocrisy of those who don't is one of the greatest rewards here.

The ongoing trend of mega YA novels gets exhausting, and it's so refreshing to encounter a well-devised plot, layered characters, and palatable but difficult social issues in such an appealing and succinct package. I'll be recommending this one to students for the long haul.

While this was one of my most anticipated reads of this year I have sadly not been able to get into it as much as I thought I would.

However, I know several of my students who I'd recommend this to as it is exactly their cup of tea!

This book was a quick read and it kind of irked me a bit. There was just SO MUCH misogyny and homophobia and very little romance. All the homophobia just became too over the top. I also thought Amber was super selfish at times and I thought the ending was a little rushed. I wanted more character growth from Cara, but it was very lukewarm at best.

The insta lust was annoying. Amber and Jack liked each other from the beginning, but there were so few interactions of them together that I couldn't really root for them as a couple. Also, how is it that the ENTIRE football team hated Jack, even after she started winning games and that she couldn't find one person in the entire school who would stand by her in public. It was over the top and unrealistic.

I will say there was one line that irked me. Amber said that she was attracted to trans guys, but not cs guys. First of all, how would she know? Second of all, that was just unnecessary and I didn't understand that at all.

This book was so pure, well-written, incredible story line, and just an all around enjoyable read. Amber and Jack’s banter throughout the book was so realistic. As were the relationships and situations that each character went through. I was honestly tearing up at the end. Really wonderful LGBTQIA+ YA read that I’ll recommend to all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

i am *obsessed* with this book. first of all, a sports romance. second of all, a high school cliché romance of quarterback and cheerleader. third of all, subverting that trope by making it sapphic?? *and* there’s some enemies-to-lovers tones to it?? sign me the f—— up. jack and amber are both such great, compelling characters, and the drama in this book is just believable enough without leaning into depressing territory. you empathize with the characters struggles but never feel like it’s too bleak. the characters all feel like real teenagers, too, which is a great bonus. to summarize, i would die for this book.

taylor swift vibe: end game

recommended for: sapphic loving sports bitches/sports queers in general (👋🏻 it’s me)

Lovely, heart-warming, but mildly infuriating (homophobia sucks) YA tale! Perfect for sports fans who want that queer twist--gorgeous cover!

Very cute YA romance between a high school cheerleader and football quarterback - both girls! I thought the dual POV was great, and helped to provide more clarity as to each character’s motives.

Home Field Advantage is a YA contemporary sapphic romance. There is a twist of fake dating, but not quite in the way, one might expect. The book’s focus is on Jack and Amber, but some of the other relationships are more interesting. I found myself cheering more for Miguel and Malcolm than I did for Jack and Amber. While Jack and Amber were following the “stereotype” of quarterback and cheerleader, it felt too rushed and disjointed.

As for the way Jack is treated by the team, being a girl in a “boy’s” world, I understand that and feel it was well written. Being the first girl to play football in a high school’s history isn’t easy. There is bound to be teasing from the guys on the team and challenges to determine your suitability. Schoolmates are either going to be on your side or not. Of course, stepping into the shoes of the former star player who passed away in the spring wouldn’t be easy for anyone. Add to it that her family made enormous sacrifices for her, and Jack was not in a comfortable position.

I know that I am not the target audience for this book, as I have been out of high school for a while now. But I have experience playing high school sports and thought I would give this a try. Overall, I found this to be an okay read. The beginning is a bit slow, but the pacing picks up the further you go.

First, thank you to St. Martin’s Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely love sports romance books and to see a sapphic sports romance? What else do I have to say except my sapphic heart really liked this book. This book was a super quick read that had me smiling and laughing almost constantly. Even though this is a romance that's funny and light-hearted there was still conflict and hard conversations involved in the book. I love the characters, amber, and jack, even though they did certain things that just pissed me off. Jack is definitely my favorite and I related to her the most. I also loved being able to see both MCs' points of view! Overall 4 out of 5 starts, I love a good QB x Cheerleaders wlw book!

This is the first Dahlia Adler book I've read but certainly won't be the last.

This was such a great read. I was hooked on the book after getting into it a little bit and I couldn't put it down. Amber and Jack had such a great relationship and I loved how they really were able to connect with each other. I was so sad that their high school community was so unwilling to push out anyone who was different and didn't fit the straight, white person mould. I didn't love that there was so much miscommunication in the book and the characters didn't even bring up certain issues, which would have solved a lot of the conflict in the novel. But the relationship and the growth that you see from all of the characters was just so great to read.

~Field Advantage Review~
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4/5
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I really loved Cool For The Summer when i read it last year, so i have high hopes for this book! I always love a queer romance!
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Pros:
+we love sapphic cheerleader football player shenanigans
+okayyyy rainbow alliance let’s go
+also the “queer girl dance” is too real
+YES BI MOTHER!!!!
+they’re so cute tbh
+honestly had a plot twist i didn’t see coming
+drama drama drama
+i love miguel
+cliche but in a fun way
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Cons:
-not a cute meet cute
-ew i hate misogyny and homophobia idk why this whole school is being this way like get over it
-lying liars that lie
-high schoolers are so dramatic and for what
-dude bros
-a bit too much of a quick happy ending out of nowhere
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obviously this one was a bit cliche but i had such a fun time reading it! i couldn’t put it down and i enjoyed the witty banter and cute moments!! def gonna keep dahlia adler on my radar for cute queer books!