Meryl Wilsner writes great rom-coms that readers of sapphic romance continue to love. I have never been a romance reader, but Meryl Wilsner has made it easier for me to branch out into a genre I don't usually enjoy. This is a fun, enjoyable story that I ate up quickly and will delight both soccer fans and sapphic romance fans (and hopefully even just general romance fans). I'll always be quick to jump on what Meryl Wilsner delivers, even if not every single one is my favorite.

Honestly, it's been weeks since I finished this, and I'm still not sure I have my emotions together enough to write anything resembling a coherent review. Everything about this book is perfect. I am so deeply validated as a queer, neurodivergent person. It's sweet and lovely and sexy and wholesome and filled with care and sapphic yearning. To see 'diagnosed' neurodivergence is one thing, to see two people unaware of their own and muddling through until finding each other is quite another. The miscommunications were absolutely on point for the AuDHD relationship, as was the deep tenderness that came in reconciliation. But more than that, these are two whole characters with such beautiful histories finding themselves. I just... squeeeeeee. Meryl has officially ascended to the ranks of auto-buy author for me.

The chemistry between Phoebe and Grace is unmatched! I found some of the pacing of this book to be off but overall I enjoyed the ride. Phoebes character struggled to find footing for me, once she landed I was all in. Grace is such a dummy I love her. I would’ve loved to see more of the people around grace and phoebe.

Pub date: 9/19/23
Genre: romcom (f/f, grumpy/sunshine, sports romance)
Quick summary: Freshly minted US national team/New Orleans Crewe soccer player Phoebe is eager to prove herself to her idol, team captain Grace. But these teammates will soon become more...

I loved Meryl Wilsner's last book, MISTAKES WERE MADE, so I had to read this one..more than five months before publication. I loved the NOLA setting, the grumpy/sunshine vibes, the teammate dynamics, and the soccer. Phoebe and Grace complemented each other so well, and I loved seeing them bring out the best in each other. Steam fans will find plenty to love here as well, but the steam is balanced by character exploration and personal development, including mental health themes.

I think romcom fans will enjoy this one a lot!!

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meryl Wilsner does it again!

My favorite thing about Wilsner’s writing is their character development. I KNOW Phoebe and Grace - they are so richly rendered that they are full-on people who will live rent free in my head for a long time.

Grace is a trailblazing soccer player, playing professionally and on the national team since she was a teenager. She’s quiet and closed off, an introvert to the nth degree. Phoebe is a rookie player, with an incredible intuition for the game, drafted to Grace’s team. She is also loud, funny, lacks filters, and has a hard time focusing on tasks that are not soccer (good ADHD rep). This book is very much about soccer - it’s a sports book through and through. I can’t say how accurate any of it is, but I enjoyed entering the world of pro soccer while experiencing Phoebe and Grace falling in love.

In lots of ways this book reminded me of Something to Talk About (with a lot more very hot sex). There are interesting plot points that are important to move the story forward, but the book is really an exploration of human behavior, of human motivation and struggle, about self-realization and actualization, about the ways we know ourselves and interact with each other. Other authors try for this, but very few actually achieve the depth and understanding that Wilsner gets to. It was delightful. You should read it.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sport romances are not usually my favorite but this adorable book is definitely helping to change my mind. Grace’s and Phoebe’s chemistry worked really well for me from the get go and I loved their rivals-to-friends
-to-lovers journey. There were just enough spicy scenes to make it fun without overshadowing the importance of the growth of their feelings and the character growth more broadly.

I am often wary of and easily frustrated with miscommunication tropes but I will accept it in this case because they had actual conversations when they discovered the misunderstandings and resolved them in a way that made sense (as opposed to having a dramatic break up before getting back together without really talking about it which happens too often).

All in all I was engrossed til the end and would have gladly kept reading about these two and the entire soccer league if it had continued. A sequel focusing on other characters in the universe could also be interesting (especially if we get to see Kelsey and/or Coach Eric humbled a bit more)

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher.

Cute, sporty, gay. In three words that is how I would describe this book. Who doesn't love a good easy-read romance? I certainly do. I thought that the book played out the story line in a really fantastic way, and the perspective shifts between which character was narrating really allowed for you as the reader to be rooting for them, calling them idiots when they were acting like ones, and feel like even though it is a romance book - it is real. Real people perceive the same things differently, and this book displays that so well while taking you through this love story.

This book is a cute quick read that got me out of a reading slump. I enjoyed the characters but did spend most of the book wishing they would talk to each other instead of the constant internal monologue. With that said the story is fun, the spice is good and the topics discussed are important.

I liked this book because it was funny and i could not believe how much miscommunication was going on. Grace has no clue on how to be in a relationship. Her whole life has been about soccer, so she missed all the growing up and dating parts of life. Phoebe is a soccer Phenom and just wants to do well. She kind-of pushes Grace into a friend with more relationship. Phoebe is like a new puppy. Everything is fun and new, and Grace does not know how to relate. They eventually work it out, but it takes a long time, and the journey is great. I like Meryl Wilsner's writing. I got this book because i have read her other books and this one did not disappoint. I did not know anything about soccer, but it did not detract from the story. Well worth the time and effort. Really enjoyed this book.
Received a copy for an unbiased review.

There is so much to love about Meryl Wilsner's Cleat Cute, a sapphic romance between a USWNT veteran and an aspiring professional soccer player from a small college in her hometown. First of all, the premise is fresh and oh so gay. Women's soccer is more popular than ever, and also more openly gay than ever. I loved how much actual soccer was in this book, the shout-outs to lesbian legends of the sport, and how right Wilsner got the stan culture around the USWNT. (The reference to L Chat had me howling.) The chemistry between Grace and Phoebe is off the charts, the sex scenes (which start much earlier than I anticipated!) are hot hot hot, and the alternating POV's really make this a page-turner. I gobbled it up in one day.

The struggle I had with Cleat Cute is that it was trying to do SO much, especially when it came to Grace and Phoebe's differing neurodivergence. Grace is on the autism spectrum, Phoebe has ADHD, and neither of them know it when the book kicks off. (Ha, get it? Kick off?) So there's just so pages and pages of each of them acting out — or internally monologuing — lists of symptoms to drive home the point. Sometimes it feels like lists of symptoms are their characterizations. Grace clocks that Phoebe has ADHD and just assumes she knows and is medicated, and when Phoebe explains why that's not true, Grace just sets her up a doctor's appointment? Kind of a toughie for someone you've been dating a month. Grace also never really gets into her own autism. This wouldn't be as big of a deal if both of their neurodivergent traits weren't constantly causing misunderstandings and conflicts that get resolved without any real conversations or strategies, but because Phoebe is quick to forgive. It's hard to feel like you're sending these two off into the sunset, when it's clear they are going to have MAJOR issues that haven't even been touched on because the sex is so good.

I also wish their misunderstandings weren't the main things driving the plot forward, especially in the third act when they both don't even realize they're dating.

So much to love! A few things that take me out! Definitely excited to visit Wilsner's other books!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the chance to review this book.

This sapphic romance book is really cute with some nice ADHD Rep and possible autistic Rep. it’s a sports romance but the sports has very little to do with the plot. The sex scenes are very hot!

My biggest complaint is that the author wrote too much inner monologue. I wish she showed up their struggles through either dialogue or their actions.

This is the perfect combination of sports and steam. And from a traditional publisher???!!! Love to see it.

Absolutely loved the sports aspect of this book. I hate when a sports book just barely hints at the sport, but soccer was the absolute main focus of this book and I loved that!

The romance/steam was 10/10. And from the beginning?? Love it.

I love soccer, so add a good lesbian romance to the mix, and I'm sold. Cute story, fun characters and a quick read. My main issue with the book was how quickly the romance escalated and how poorly the main characters communicated about their relationship. Overall, however, I'd read it again and will be looking for more books by this author.

I went into this one already a big Meryl Wilsner fan, and this one didn't disappoint!

Cleat Cute tells the story of Phoebe Matthews, a 22 year old rookie with the AWSA who has been drafted to the New Orleans Krewe - which just happens to be the team that her long time idol Grace Henderson plays for. For her part, Grace is 26, and after ten years playing professional soccer, she's starting to wonder if it's all worth it. Grace and Phoebe meet at the National Camp just before the season starts, where a bet showcases exactly how much chemistry the two share. Nothing really happens, but it's on both of their minds when they travel to New Orleans and interact before the rest of their team arrives. Grace is trying to hide her growing attraction to the rookie just as fiercely as she's trying to hide her recent hip injury.

The story follows on from here mostly how you'd expect. It covers a decent period of time, and showcases the various levels of professional play for women soccer players (as well as highlighting just how hard it is to make a woman as a female athlete in this sport). Grace and Phoebe's romance also unfolds mostly as I've come to expect from sapphic romances: there's lots of communication, vulnerability, and respect. Plus - loads of sex.

I loved a lot about this book - it was definitely my favorite of the author's books so far (which is saying a lot, since I really enjoyed her last two!). Both Phoebe and Grace are neurodivergent, and I think the author articulated their various struggles respectfully and honestly. It's dual POV (which I love) and both women are written so clearly that I never had any trouble following along with the flow. Also - there's a third act miscommunication that takes the trope and turns it on its head in the best possible way. It's the only third act miscommunication style I will accept moving forward.

If you're looking for spice on the level of Mistakes Were Made, there are definitely fewer sex scenes in this one, but the ones that are in this book are all pretty steamy. And full disclosure: I know next to nothing about soccer of any variety, so there's a chance she got it all wrong and I just had no clue. But this was a delightful read and one I will revisit when it is published! 4.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the ARC.

I've read Meryl Wilsner's two previous novels, finding them both engaging and fun, particularly, Mistakes Were Made, which was one of my favorite romances last year. Wilsner's sex scenes are great and they create characters that are messy and complex, with the pages breezing by.

Cleat Cute is an easy read and is set in an interesting world, populated with real New Orleans locations, foods, and moments. It doesn't gloss over issues like women's athletes' paychecks, which is refreshing and sincere.

I didn't love the characters or their dynamic. When speaking about the romance between Phoebe and Grace, it didn't feel earned. And while I appreciate neurodivergent characters because they're an all too rare occurrence, Grace and Phoebe's issues felt like they arose solely out of their neurodiversity, resulting in a jumble of miscommunications that dominated the majority of the novel. The story ended up feeling contrived. I never understood why the characters felt drawn to each other aside from their looks.

Thank you for the opportunity to review the book early!

For anyone who is a fan of the USWNT and sapphic rom coms this book is perfection! The characters are developed so well and as a reader you cant help but fall in the love with them. All the nods to past USWNT players was fantastic. Of course Meryl nails the spicy scenes as they have with any of their previous books! Would highly recommend!

This author's previous titles focused on adult women, which was refreshing from the typical new adult/younger adult characters fronting most WLW romance novels on the shelves today. Cleat Cute, on the other hand, focuses on younger college aged women athletes. At times I did feel like the dialogue and plot points felt disjointed from the canon ages of the characters-- they were either exclusively using 'internet speak' or they sounded like much older adults. This took me out of the book a little bit.

But of course, Wilsner is capable of writing engaging romantic arcs and this book is no different. I was rooting for the characters the entire time, and loved reading about them come together. Overall, I would recommend this book.

First, a moment of appreciation for this gorgeous cover! 😍
Once I calibrated to the third person POV, I tore through this story! Cleat Cute features a lovable, diverse, well-developed cast of characters. While neither lead is confident in their ability to sustain a relationship, I really enjoyed watching the characters realize that with the right partner it doesn’t have to be work to invest in each other.

Grace Henderson is a veteran player for the US Women’s National Team, but when she is sidelined with an injury Grace can’t help but be wary of the rookie brought on in her position. Phoebe is ready to dive into her professional soccer career and is eager to learn everything she can from her long time idol. When they can’t stop pushing the boundaries of their relationship, Grace and Phoebe have to determine how to make their relationship work on and off the field.

You’ll find —
Rivals to Lovers
Grumpy x Sunshine
Friends with Benefits
Steamy Sapphic

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Meryl Wilsner for the gifted digital review copy!

An extremely cute queer romance between two soccer players. I would highly recommend to fans of queer romance, soccer, Ted Lasso, etc!

Cleat Cute is fighting for a top of my favorite Meryl Wilsner read.

Phoebe is a rising soccer player who was drafted to play for New Orleans in the first round. With spunk and grit, she's someone who won't take no for an answer. Grace is a soccer player who's been in the game for a bit. Also playing for New Orleans, she's team captain and won't let her team down.

Phoebe and Grace meet at the women's national team practice. What started out as a quick bet, later turns into a friends relationship. With Grace sidelined with an injury, Phoebe has the door wide open for a position with the national team. Turning from rivarly to friends however; both players want to work together. But will everything stay "cleat cute?"

I enjoyed reading Meryl Wilsner's latest novel, Cleat Cute. This latest lgbtqia + romance has all of the spicy scenes but also depth of characters. It was fun to get into spunky Phoebe's point of view and you couldn't help but root for Grace to find her voice with others. The pacing of this story had me turning the pages and not wanting to put the novel down.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin & NetGalley for this advanced copy.