I devoured this book! I know very little about soccer as it’s not my favorite sport. Yet, as a queer athlete myself, I found myself relating to the characters in this book so much it brought tears to my eyes. I giggled at the conversations between the teammates, my hurt clenched when things got intense, and I was left feeling seen and recognized rather than overlooked.

I have already raved about this book to anyone who will listen and I intend to continue to rave about it. I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy of this book once it actually comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for choosing me as an ARC reader. This book has given me immense joy to experience.

Is it possible to like a book TOO much? Meryl Wisner has written some of my favorite books so I was delighted to get early access to "Cleat Cute." I'm not a "sports gay" but Wilsner had me invested in every aspect of this sweet, spicy, sapphic soccer story. The fun banter between perfectly imperfect teammates Phoebe and Grace as they navigate their "situation" and life's obstacles made it hard for me to put the book down.

Oh, boy. Consider me a Meryl Wilsner stan!

After reading Mistakes Were Made and finding out a new book by Wilsner was in the works, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy ASAP. Luckily, this book did not pale in comparison to my hype. Cleat Cute follows two at-odds teammates, Phoebe and Grace, as they work through the world of professional soccer playing. Phoebe Matthews is new to the team, being drafted right out of her last year of college, and Grace Henderson is the team's star player, a wunderkind who is starting to wonder if soccer is still her passion. Phoebe is flirty, high energy, and too good at what she does to ignore; Grace is stoic, solitary, and doesn't like to lose.

It's a match made in heaven.

This book has it all: steam, sweaty, dirty talking, typical sapphic I-didn't-know-we-were-dating plots, and a lot of fun. Fans of Wilsner know she doesn't disappoint when it comes to that "unhinged cartoon cover" romance and this is no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed a solid 85% of this book, though I have to there is a underdeveloped plot like about Phoebe's possible ADHD that pissed me off a little bit (I don't like the idea of someone suggesting a person be medicated).

Overall, this takes home the gold. Get it? Because sports?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

A Sports romance with sapphics and grumpy/sunshine? Love! Overall, I really loved the characters and the setting and how the characters developed. I personally thought they had great chemistry and spice! All that to say, I wanted more conflict! I wish they’d leaned in a bit harder to the jackass coach being bad at his job or the poor miscommunication about their relationship. Like I kept waiting for that shoe to drop and it just didn’t. Overall, I still loved it though!

Meryl Wilsner does it again with a sweet and spicy sapphic romance where the conflicts aren't contrived or solely based on miscommunication! If you enjoyed their previous books, this one should be next on your list.

I'm a sucker for FWB to lovers so I absolutely loved this story. Grace and Phoebe's romance was tender and messy, the steamy scenes were plentiful and hot, and the supporting characters—specifically their teammates—felt like they were well-integrated into the story (which is usually my main gripe about romance novels). I'm not a sports dyke at all so was a little worried that everything related to the setting would go over my head but thankfully that wasn't the case (nor did I feel like things were being overexplained for my sake).

CW for explicit sexual conent, some familial bullying (challenged), alcohol use, panic attack, toxic relationship (past, off-page)

Thanks to NetGalley and Rivka Holler at St Martin's Press for the digital ARC!

First of all let me state that when I leave reviews I tend to focus on the writing and how I connected to the story emotionally vs summarizing the story, especially if it is already well done in the description (which this book is).

With that being said, Cleat Cute is a well-written grumpy sunshine rom-com with low angst and plenty of adorable and swoony moments. Wilsner’s writing is sharp and comedic, with fresh and witty dialogue and a fleshed out cast of supporting characters. Oh and props for the trans/enby representation too!

The spice level was perfect for this kind of friends with benefits to lovers story. I love how the author still maintains somewhat of a simmering build up due to an interesting kissing bet that backfires. And that locker room scene?!?! *chef’s kiss*

The only critique I really have and the reason I didn’t give it a perfect score is at times I felt that the book relied on humor a little too heavily and some of it was a little repetitive. Also (minor spoiler ahead) there are mental health issues mentioned for both characters but I felt that more focus on Grace’s possible autism diagnosis could have been expanded upon earlier in the book. It would have lent to a deeper emotional connection and understanding of her decisions and personality early on and a more fleshed out character overall.

Meryl Wilsner delivers big with her 3rd published novel, a sports themed romcom Cleat Cute. Sports romance’s are my absolute favorite and this was a treat to read. We are introduced to Phoebe Matthew’s a fresh out of collage and newly drafted NWSL player just getting her first taste of USWNT and Grace Henderson a USWNT veteran and Phoebe’s NWSL Captain to be.
I really connected to Phoebe’s character because i have ADHD myself and struggle with so many of the things she does it was an unexpected pleasure to read about. Phoebe and Grace’s chemistry was great from the start and the evolution and growth of these two wonderful people was a joy to experience.
10/10

Cleat Cute is the first book I’ve ever read with a sports theme to it and I’m not going to lie I was worried I wouldn’t be into it. Let me tell you I loved it. Now I am not coming from a big soccer background, I’m not sure I’ve ever watched a soccer game outside of taking pictures for my high schools yearbook. I was hooked though! Meryl did a wonderful job at making the soccer aspect easy to understand even if you’re like me and don’t know much about the sport. Cleat Cute has in my opinion amazing neurodivergent and queer representation. I really related to Grace and felt so seen in ways that I have not experienced in other books and believe me I’ve been looking for this type of representation for awhile now. If you’re looking for a sapphic romance that tackles the undiagnosed neurodivergent experience (not the main theme, but it’s there), or love friends to lovers, and a grumpy/sunshine dynamic I highly suggest picking this one up!

Cleat Cute is a super fun sports romance of telling the story of the rookie soccer player Phoebe joining the team of her idol, Grace, and their discoveries and growth as they fall in love with each other and redefine their relationship to the sport. This book was super steamy, which I loved! What starts out as a vaguely defined, smoldering friends-with-benefits relationship grows into something more, and the characters definitely explore that through their sexual dynamic.

I think this book is really a love letter to queer sports fans. I also love that it includes topics such as neurodiversity, with two main characters whose brains work in different ways. I do with that Phoebe was given a little more space around her ADHD, it felt like others were making decisions for her.

I reduced. a star because of pacing. I felt that things were a little stop-and-go. I think its good when sports stories build momentum around a particular tournament or season, but this didn't really have that through line. If you're more into soccer than me it might not matter, or if you're really into the steaminess (haha).

Thank you to Net Galley, Meryl Wilsner, and St. Martin's for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I loved Mistakes Were Made and I don't want to compare books at all as they're completely different, that said, MWM felt like a more centred novel. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Phoebe and Grace was sweet and they complimented each other well, yet Grace felt developed at the start and then underdeveloped by about 70% through when the miscommunication trope came in. I felt like we didn't have enough context with Grace's sister to understand why Grace would assume Phoebe was on medication; that was a conversation that didn't feel set up by the previous chapters. Additionally, the miscommunication was not solid here - it went so fast I didn't realise Phoebe had assumed they were girlfriends and this miscommunication lasted a full month before the word girlfriend was said aloud? I found that hard to track given that the start had such solid bones.

I'm excited to read this book again once it's released and will purchase it as I'm a Wilsner fan and know I'll enjoy the reread!

I'm usually not someone who picks up sports romances, so I was surprised with how much I enjoyed reading this story. Meryl Wilsner is quite talented at making miscommunication as frustrating as it can be in real life, but the end made all the tensions ease. While the story involves playing for a women's soccer team, it's not the main focus by any means. I had a lot of fun reading this — cried a little, laughed a lot, and also blushed a bit at the spicier scenes. My only complaint is calling the labia "wet folds." Something about that particular phrase instantly turned me off.

A huge thank you to Meryl Wilsner, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Cleat Cute comes out September 19,2023!

Cleat cute was another amazing sapphic novel from Meryl Wilsner!!! It was funny, fast-paced and honestly super steamy. I have loved the other novels I have read by Meryl Wilsner but I have to say this one might be my favorite so far. I loved all of the queer characters that were featured in not only the main characters but also her side characters. Also, it was to read about neurodivergent characters. Overall, I though Grace and Pheobe were lovable main characters, who really had to grow both emotionally and personally. The spicey scenes were great lengths and very well written. I absolutely adored the side characters and wished we would have got more page time of them. The only thing I was unsure of at first was there is a lot of miscommunications but when you think about their neurodivergence it kind of made sense. If you are looking for a fun, well written sapphic novel full of romance and found family, Cleat Cute is the book for you!

This was the fun, smart, sexy read I expected from Wilsner after her debut "Mistakes were Made." What I didn't expect was to love it way more than her debut! This book is described as a 'rivals to lovers' but I don't find that rings true. Rising soccer star Matthews has always been in awe of Grace's poise on the field - and maybe harboured a bit of a crush. When their worlds collide on the pitch it's no time at all before the two takes things further!

There's a lot I didn't expect to encounter in this novel but truly enjoyed, such as (but not limited to): references to Finding the Mother Tree, stuffed hashbrowns (is this really a thing?) and some good ADHD rep. I was however surprised to see the ADHD rep only come up towards the end of the novel - which in some respects makes sense, but I think it could have been a bigger piece of the story and would have loved to see that.

Another steamy romance from Wilsner! This time in the world of women's soccer. A friends with benefits situation between teammates turns into something more in this queer romance. I loved this! From all of the excellent characters - especially our two protagonists Phoebe and Grace, but also the teammates - the wit, the humor, the romance, to the New Orleans setting, this book had it all!

4.5 ⭐ (this is rounded down only because I believe it's not a full five stars, and I don't give out five stars all too willingly)

I really enjoyed this book it was cute and fun I read it really quickly I recommend it completely.

There's one thing I want to mention before I get into some other things and that is something that made me uncomfortable that was said in the book. One of the main characters said she couldn't have ADHD because that was a thing that middle school boys have and not adult women. Now I fully acknowledge that she said this before she came to terms with the fact that she had ADHD, but it's still something that made me uncomfortable to have been said just like it was nothing.

Now I wanted to get into some niche things that I thought some people might want to know.
1.) This book is written in third perspective which is part of the reason that I didn't give it a full five stars. This is obviously not anything that I want to change about the book it's just I find it hard to connect to a romance book that's written in third POV. I'm not completely against third POV just my thoughts.
2.) Something I know that not a lot of people enjoy in books is springing up TikTok. So I thought it might be important to inform people that this book brings up TikTok.
3.) Something I really loved about this book that I don't see and a lot of books, is that the author will write a chapter and in a scene and then the next chapter starts in that scene but with a different POV. And then other books I would see this happen but we just never got to see the rest of the scene, so I got really excited when that wasn't the case with this book.

All in all these are just my opinions and that's all they are.

Thank you so much to the publishers and netgalley for giving me this Arc.

I am completely obsessed with this. Like had a laundry list of tasks to complete and instead convinced myself I'd do them after one more chapter only to end up realizing that it was way too late to do anything other than read so I miiight as well just finish the book obsessed. I loved how unique each of the characters felt, and I loved how the relationship grew while each of the women individually grew into themselves as well. It felt like a standalone, but I would love to see side characters get their own books just so we can check back in on Grace and Phoebe!

A solid 4 star read. At the beginning and end easy and nice to read. but had trouble keeping my interest throughout the middle. Nevertheless a good read, loved the setting of New Orleans, made me want to go back for a visit again and have some lovely beignets.
Also enjoyed the grumpy and sunshine trope and the depths of both characters and their own flaws.
All in all, a good enjoyable read. Can recommend!

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

meryl wilsner finally writes about an untold part of sapphic culture: braiding hair as flirting

I know I should write more, but that sentence alone has convinced at least two people to read this book on my Goodreads and TikTok, so that should count for something.

3.5 stars!

I really enjoyed this book, it was super cute and I can’t turn down a spicy LGBTQ book. The spicy scenes were long and written well and not just small 1 page fluff which is so nice for a LGBTQ romance book. This is my first book by this author, and it wants me to continue to read more books by her. The beginning of the book had me hooked, but need the middle it got a bit slow for me. The end really picked up and the information of ADHD with Matthews seemed as accurate as it could be (I have been diagnosed with it). I appreciated the openness of this topic- makes me think maybe the author has been diagnosed with it too. It was super cute and I am glad I got the chance to read this arc!!

Thank you to Netgalley & Meryl for the opportunity to read this arc and give an honest review!

I was so excited when I was approved for an ARC. I love Meryl Wilsner's book "Mistakes Were Made", and it is one of my favorite romance books that I've ever read. Unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations.

One of the strengths of Wilsner's writing is their ability to write steamy scenes with lots of visualizations, descriptions, and dirty talk. They are always able to show the passion and heat between the characters, and they brought it in this book too!

As I was reading, I kept waiting for conflict or something to happen. Much of the story was surface level, and I think that the description/summary of the book pretty much told me everything about the story. I was hoping for more of a conflict between Phoebe and Grace. I thought that they might be competing for the same position on the World Cup team, and I was hoping for some World Cup action. It didn't come, and i was disappointed by that.

There were so many parts of the story where I wanted more: I loved Phoebe's brother, Teddy. I'd love to read a book about him! I also loved the other soccer players on the team, and I would have liked to read more about their romances too. I wanted more soccer: more of Phoebe's journey starting her professional soccer career and how Grace coped with and came back from her injury. Injuries can really change a person's outlook on life and their career, and I wanted more on that. I wanted more about Phoebe's ADHD and how it can impact a professional athlete. There were so many threads and pieces that left me wanting more, but it never came.

The main conflict was that Phoebe and Grace didn't know how to define their relationship. Were they hooking up, friends with benefits or dating? I expected conflict about being athletes and competing together or conflict with a rookie and a veteran or conflict with dating/hooking up with someone you've admired and crushed on for a long time. The conflict didn't come, and it was just lacking.

Overall, there were so many ways that this story could have gone, but it just fell flat.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book.