be still my sapphic, women's soccer loving heart. This story grabbed my interest and kept it, I finished it in less than 24 hours. Both characters felt full fleshed out, with more to them than just an instant love connection. I appreciated the slow burn of feelings, both being hesitant to get into anything serious with a team mate, while also being incredibly fast burn with the spice. the sex scenes were some of the best f/f sex scenes I've ever read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

This was definitely out of my normal wheelhouse, but it was pretty fun. I don't gravitate towards romance often, but this one looked like fun.

In the story we follow our main characters Grace and Phoebe, both professional soccer players for the AWSL. Grace is a long time career athlete, and a big star, Phoebe is a rookie, with this being her first year playing out of college. The two meet, and sparks fly almost instantly. The story is fun and very spicy, and served every purpose I was looking for, nothing too serious or intense, just a fun romp. The characters were likeable, and the spice was really well written, which is sometimes hard to come by when you're hunting for good wlw content. I wouldn't say this is the book for you if you're looking for something very plot and content heavy, while we do see some plot development and progression, the story centers the romance, which I think is just fine. I enjoyed it overall, and will likely pick up Meryl Wilsner's books again. I rate this 4/5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was a cute sapphic sports romance between grace and phoebe! It’s marketed as a rivals to lovers but I didn’t see that, it’s more a friends to lovers. It reminded me a bit of Kulti by Mariana Zapata with a mix of Chloe Liese writing style.

The biggest thing was the amount of inner dialogue. It was a lot and tbh I skipped some of it throughout. There was also a bit of unnecessary drama but not a third act breakup.

But the SPICE holy wow🥵 it was spicing for sure. Probably one of the biggest reasons for not rating it lower was the absolute masterpiece the spice was.


I will be posting on my Tikok and Instagram 2 months, 1 month, and one week before release!! I will add links here after every post!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this advance copy in exchange for honest feedback. As the title says, this was cute!

This book is a compelling and nuanced romance! With its vivid characterizations and storytelling, it delves into the challenges faced by those who dare to be themselves in a sport that can be unforgiving to those who don't conform to traditional gender norms. With its powerful themes and engaging narrative, Cleat Cute is sure to resonate with readers of all backgrounds and interests.

SO OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!!!! Wilsner made me realize that I should’ve been a passionate women’s soccer fan all along. Such a beautiful grumpy/sunshine, rookie/veteran love story. “Cleat Cute” was an effortless read with gloriously steamy wlw scenes. Within the first few chapters, I was equally in love with Grace and Phoebe. My favorite part of the book was how well Wilsner wrote about neurodiversity. I absolutely CACKLED when Grace mentioned autism TikTok because that’s what I was thinking the entire book.

Fantastic read and I can’t wait to read the rest of Wilsner’s backlog!

Cleat Cute read a bit differently than Meryl Wilsner’s other two novels. I just didn’t like it and found it quite difficult to be engaged. At 60 percent complete, I really struggled to not DNF (I stayed up really late, not because the story thus far was so enthralling, but even with all the spicy very consensual sex, the story gave me a feeling of sadness and I wanted to keep reading hoping for it to become better/more positive). Sure Phoebe is super bouncy an energetic and always smiling – but the story as it came together, was just, depressing.

The main issue is all the inner monologue and telling rather than showing. Sure, this is a soccer rivals to lovers to friends with benefits to I don’t know what --- the writing was a turn off, and I really didn’t feel connected to the main characters at all and wasn’t particularly hoping for a HEA for them.

I appreciated that both characters were neurodivergent and played significant roles in interactions amongst the characters and to see how they navigated their difficulties. But I did find major problems when it came to medical disclosures and consent. That wasn’t cool.

I was hoping for more, especially with all the openings the story made way for in which direction it could have gone. But it just didn’t hit for me.

I loved Something to Talk About and Mistakes were made. I will definitely pick up whatever else they write even though Cleat Cute wasn’t for me

Really cute sapphic romance! Meryl Wilsner strikes again! I loved the grumpy x sunshine between the two main characters and their progression throughout the story. Like the touch at the end, with the miscommunication in the relationship, came off as really fun and the perfect ending for the book. The only criticism I had was that the blurb gave off rivals to lovers, while the books read as teammates to lovers. I think it was really confusing going into the book thinking that the characters would hate each other , then fall in love. But besides that I loved this book!

This book was a bit more superficial and surface level, with very light rivals tension. There were several plot lines that felt under developed and I wish we could dig deeper to know the characters and their situations a bit better. Overall it is a fun, quick read & set in New Orleans!!

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
This book had me obsessed!
I flew through it, and could not put it down.
It has:
-sports romance (obviously)
-sapphic
-FMC with adhd
-grumpy sunshine
-top tier spice
And truly what more could you want?
This book was so so cute, I really enjoyed it!

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did as this isn’t my typical type of read. The characters felt unique and real. The plot had me hooked and I loved every part of this book. This will definitely be one I will be recommending.

I tried. I really tried but I just can’t. Cleat Cute isn’t as bad as Mistakes Were Made… but it’s still pretty high up on the cringe scale. It just doesn’t feel like reading an adult novel. This feels like YA with characters in their twenties just so there can be smut.

Third person present tense was an extremely odd choice for POV. The whole time I was reading I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters. There’s no voice, no tension, no passion… nothing,

And I agree with other reviewers about the questionable ADHD rep. I don’t think it’s problematic—I don’t think fiction is ever obligated to portray real life issues 100% accurately, because it’s all subjective, anyway. But it felt forced. Felt like Wilsner was trying to write this empowering message about mental health but it was just cringy.

I expect Cleat Cute to be very successful and make many readers very happy. I’m thrilled to see more sapphic romance achieving mainstream success, and although I think this book is extremely mediocre, I know it will be the perfect read for a lot of people and I do look forward to recommending it.

I think it’s important to know a few things about me before you read this review: 1. A Meryl Wilsner book is an automatic read for me; 2. I LOVE soccer and was an athlete into my college years, but don’t typically enjoy sports romances; 3. I love neurodivergent characters; and finally 4., bring on the steam.

There are many things I liked, especially the depiction of the characters. The neurodivergent characteristics were written so vividly that you could feel the adhd behaviors and panic attack… even though the attack went largely unaddressed.

I really appreciated the focus on communication in the romantic relationship. it was ironic that most of the conflict in the story seemed to come from miscommunication, but the focus on talking through things- especially during the steamy sections- was a great highlight.

The older main character- who had the panic attack- goes through a bit of an existential crisis. I love the support of her family as she figures out what she likes- and doesn’t like- about her job. It seems important to reassert that we can make choices… life isn’t all or nothing.

While the novel was solid- my personal preferences brought down my rating of this one. Things I didn’t love? There is a “telling” style of storytelling… much different than the previous Wilsner narratives that I’ve read. It also took me awhile to feel engaged - partially because of the extended explanation of professional soccer in the beginning, and partially because of the “telling.”

Another challenge for me was the lengthy internal monologues. I recognize that in some spaces it would be more difficult to depict the neurodivergence without the extended introspection, but this took it a little too far. It was disconnecting. Also, the characters seemed so… immature. I almost stopped reading at one point.

There were a few sex scenes and as I said earlier, I appreciated that they checked in with each other regularly. But I did not love some of the cringey aspects of their conversations. It added to the immaturity and I didn’t feel their connection. It was especially difficult to infer the attraction from one of the characters. Did she like orgasms? Of course. Even though they were having sex the same way again? Yep. But did she like the other main character? I honestly wasn’t sure until close to the end.

There are some violations of trust, especially related to medical issues. I was really uncomfortable when a parallel was drawn from a father making an appointment for his daughter without her consent to a friends with benefits partner- who also occupies an employment position of authority- doing the same. It just wasn’t ok.

Finally, there are so many things that are not fully explored. From the ex who is back in the picture and then suddenly disappears to friendships and familial relationships that are just teased. There’s also a socioeconomic class stratification that creates conflict… but in a superficial way. It definitely could’ve been expounded upon.

3.5 stars. Overall there are definitely some cute moments, and if you like sports romance, this would likely be a hit for you! Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and author Meryl Wilsner for the e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

Yet again, Meryl delivers one of the best books! This book is every sapphic persons dream - and it is written perfectly!

Wilsner does it again, bringing us yet another super sexy romcom with delightful queer characters getting in their own way. With a deft hand, Wilsner manages to create two complicated, neurodivergent characters without making the story about their neurodivergence. As they navigate their unexpected romance, both Phoebe and Grace are endearingly chaotic and earnest, leaving the reader cheering them on while also screaming, "Just use your words!" Steamy sex scenes round out this delicious sapphic romance and will keep readers turning the pages until the end.

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner is a really cute rivals to lovers sports romance. As a big fan of the USWNT, I was intrigued by this book and really enjoyed the similarities to the real team weaved throughout. This book feature Phoebe and Grace, Phoebe a rookie on the USWNT, and Grace a veteran star. Initially, Grace is quite annoyed by Phoebe's hyper new kid antics but they slowly forge a bond and become quite important to each other.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. I highly recommend this book for anyone look for a sports, specifically soccer romance!

Thanks NetGalley for the chance to read this book! It’s a great 5 star book. I love Phoebe and Grace intersections! Their difference makes it work and their chemistry is to die for!!!

Cleat Cute had me laughing, swooning, and cheering for Grace and Phoebe from beginning to end.
Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, and their witty banter and competitive spirit make for a fun and engaging read in the most entertaining way possible, as they constantly try to outdo each other in every drill and practice.
And while I'm not that much into sports, I found myself enjoying it as exciting and dynamic backdrop to their story.
The supporting characters were also great, especially the other members of the soccer team. Each one had their own distinct personality and backstory, and I appreciated how the author gave them all moments to shine throughout the book.
Can we please get Madeeha, H, and baby Khadijah's story next? Thank you!
*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for an eARC of Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner in exchange for my honest review!

If there is one thing Meryl Wilsner is going to do, it’s write some steamy smut. This book was extremely fast-paced and the characters were entirely endearing! Phoebe and Grace were way different but eventually those differences began to compliment one another. Unfortunately, where the book lost me was all of the excessive internal monologues. There were so many thoughts. Which wouldn’t normally be a bad thing, but it felt really exhausting. The writing felt a touch lazier in this one compared to the author’s other books.

Overall, not my favorite book, but still fun if you enjoy sports romance.

I went into this hoping for a sapphic romance, and that’s what I got. I love a sunshine cinnamon roll with a grumpy love interest. Give me that any day.

This book is funny because these two women are a little clueless about the relationship. What starts as a friends with benefits situationship gets a little muddled. It does have miscommunication but not as a major thing that tears them apart (my least favorite trope). Their relationship is sweet and funny.

HOWEVER, their relationship is also not developed as much as I would like. As it’s friends with benefits to lovers, it makes sense that it would focus on sex in their relationship. I just wanted more of the actual relationship itself. I feel like I would have liked just a little more development of the relationship itself.

This book has ADHD rep while also discussing that the diagnosis rates for women is low. It also shows how a partner could help mitigate some of the more problematic symptoms of ADHD which I thought was really sweet.

This book was a fun read, and I loved having sports and women in professional sports represented in a sapphic book!!