oh my G-d i LOVED this book. one of my favorite reads of the year so far. i'm so glad i had the chance to read it. i don't usually care about sports at all but this made me actually want to give a damn about soccer. the characters were super well fleshed out and had amazing development and they really meshed well together. also i just need to say that they are such an autism x adhd couple. the sex scenes were brilliant and so hot. i really liked the way things were resolved although i felt like the ending was very sudden and i wish it was a little longer. overall, i would highly recommend it to anybody looking for an amazing romance with lots of spice although i definitely don't recommend it if you don't like the miscommunication trope (it was so stressful at times)
4.5 stars
taylor swift lyric: you should think about the consequence of your magnetic field being a little too strong

ARC was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So, this hurts me to write (almost as much as it hurt me to read this book) but I have to ask - what happened, Meryl Wilsner?

I went into this book optimistic; I have enjoyed both of Wilsner's previous works, especially Mistakes Were Made, which is in the very top ranks of my favorite romance novels. I don't like soccer (or sports in general) very much, but I thought that I could still enjoy this because of the signature charm Wilsner brings to all their novels. But this... just wasn't it. There was no plot. There was no conflict - or, I should say, there was no conflict that didn't arise from the characters miscommunicating. There are some vague hints of what the story might have been - a difficult manager, a sports injury, one character coming to terms with her ADHD - but these never shape up into any kind of overarching story. I finished this book less than an hour ago and I'm already struggling to remember how those 300+ pages were filled with straight-up nothing. In a story with no plot and no conflict, the characters will have to carry the narrative, and that's a difficult thing to do.

I thought Wilsner could do charming characters. Previous to this, their characters have been pretty good. Grace and Phoebe were disastrous, and the background characters were flat, boring, or pulling mysterious disappearing acts in the middle of the book. (Why didn't we see Gabby get together with that girl she likes? Why were we just INFORMED of that? Why did she and Phoebe, her supposed friend, have only a couple of scenes?) Phoebe is good enough, at times, and her relationship with her brother is nice, but Grace is a travesty. When she isn't being antagonistic, she's just bland. Later on in the story, she offhandedly mentions in her narration that she "can't trust Phoebe" and I was taken aback because there had been no lead-up to that loss of trust. Grace just didn't act real. She agonizes over being "just" a soccer player, dreads her family and is rude to her sister because of a single miscommunication she could have cleared up AT ANY TIME, has no sense of humor, isn't charming, and constantly acts either 20 years older than she is (she's 26, and at one point says that her body is "nearing its expiration date) or like a spoiled teenager. My favorite part of the entire novel was the part where Phoebe and her coworker Dallas discuss their theories about DB Cooper - which is not a good sign in a romance novel that has to have two leads, not just one.

The characters were shallow. The writing didn't help this. Informed qualities are shoved down the reader's throat at every opportunity (some examples: "Grace is trying to ignore these feelings." "Grace hates small talk." "She'd always loved being the center of attention.") The writing throughout was such a staggering drop in quality from Wilsner's usual work that I almost couldn't believe what I was reading. The prose was competent, but it was also dry and not entertaining. I did not laugh once throughout reading this. It was a miserable slog with characters I at best didn't care about and at worst outright hated. And, most damningly of all, the characters simply did not have any chemistry. Granted, it's difficult to have chemistry when you don't have any personality, and even more so when you don't have any plot to live in. The setting of this book was so empty that I felt as though I were staring into a pure void, anchored only by the enormous monologues of the characters. Seriously, the monologues were incredible. I guess you have to make up the length somewhere.

I don't want to give up on one of my favorite romance authors, but this book has left me feeling almost betrayed; if Wilsner intends to write more novels like this one, I'll have to jump ship.

HOW is this the first queer pro soccer romance i have read??? This was a joy to read, I wanted only good things for Grace and Phoebe--they were sweet and the chemistry was really good. I don't know anything about the USWNT except for that there are lots of gays so that felt right! I'm going to try to convince many people to read this--easy and fun!

4.5 Stars Grace Henderson and Phoebe Matthews must be protected at all costs! I loved this sapphic rom com about soccer rivals/teammates turned lovers.

Grace Henderson has been the star player of the US Women’s National soccer team since she was 16; now ten years later, Grace is temporarily sidelined due to an injury and is unsure what to make of her new teammate, Phoebe Matthews. A 22 year old rookie, Phoebe is like literal sunshine: she’s always smiling, laughing, smirking, and flirting, especially with Grace. Grace is worried that Phoebe might be aiming to take her spot if the injury keeps her out for more time, but Grace is even more worried about her attraction to Phoebe. Having been burned before by a relationship with a teammate, Grace is hesitant to act on her feelings. Luckily, Phoebe has no such qualms and makes her attraction to Grace perfectly clear. The two start a friends with benefits relationship, partially because neither wants a relationship and partially because Grace isn’t publicly out, preferring to keep her life private despite her celebrity status. Grace starts to catch feelings for Phoebe and both can feel the tension surrounding their relationship grow.

I absolutely loved these characters! The story did a wonderful job balancing the romance between Grace and Phoebe, while also highlighting Grace’s and Phoebe’s growth as individuals. They were both perfectly imperfect people, with many wonderful qualities but room to grow and change. Both characters clearly cared for one another and went about making sure the other knew how they felt in a way that fit with that character’s love language. For instance, Grace clearly doesn’t like to talk about her feelings much, but she vocalizes it for Phoebe, who loves to talk and get words of affirmation. Meanwhile, even though Phoebe can talk a lot and even says I love you at one point to Grace, Grace needs action and Phoebe demonstrates that by being the one to take care of Grace, who usually is too busy taking care of others that she doesn’t take care of herself. I loved this story and didn’t want it to end!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. If you like queer romance, you will like this book. You will probably also like the storyline of professional soccer players falling in love. The sex scenes in this one are definitely x-rated, but the rest of the story is both cute and relatable.

I am grateful to have received an ARC of Cleat Cute (publishing Sept 2023) written by Meryl Wilsner. Her last book, Mistakes Were Made is one of my favorite books from 2022. I own a physical copy and also have it in digital and audio formats. I rewarded myself for catching up on my monthly reads list by reading this book.

Cleat Cute is a workplace/sports romance set in the world of women’s professional soccer. Phoebe Matthews (22) is fresh from her small college and is a first round draft pick for a pro team in New Orleans. Before arriving there she is invited to work out with the US Women’s National Team as they are preparing for a World Cup Season. At the work out she meets her idol and National Team star Grace Henderson. Grace has played for the US National Team for ten years. She is only 26, but started playing professionally at 16. She played previously for Lyons and is currently the captain of the team in New Orleans.

Both Phoebe and Grace love the game and it is where they are their best selves. When Phoebe arrives to New Orleans a week before training begins she gets Grace to work out with her and show her some local sites. These two are delightful opposites. Phoebe is loud, impulsive, joking and flirty. Graces is quiet and careful. And yet they are attracted to each other.

There are major miscommunications as they navigate their relationship. And it doesn’t help that they are vying for similar spots on the team(s). Wilsner carefully shows the reader undiagnosed ADHD and neruodivergent representation. There is spicy times but not nearly as much the previous book. I had a harder time understanding these characters, so it was a slower start for me. But I was drawn into the story and didn’t put my book till I finished well after 1am. I think the only thing missing for me was a little more exploration of Grace’s discovery and what that means for her. I will add that I’m not fond of the use of “baby girl” as an endearment. But that is a personal preference and I don’t mark down for the usage.

I recommend highly recommend this book. I don’t have the same level of love for it as I do for Mistakes Were Made. But the author delivers a fun romance with memorable main and side characters. Put me down for whatever Wilsner writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review.

I fell in love with Meryl’s writing after reading Mistakes Were Made so I went into this one with high expectations and I can say I was NOT disappointed! Phoebe and Grace are badass women, they’re funny, sexy, complex, and well rounded characters I immediately wanted to see end up together. From the start I’m rooting for them both off and on the field and seeing a relationship that allows for people to be messy is such a breath of fresh air. Also, seeing neurodivergent characters on the page made me feel seen, as an AuDHDer myself. Seeing characters who struggle the same way I do and still being successful humans made me so freaking happy. Seriously, I can’t wait for this book to drop so I can read it all over again! Thanks so much to Meryl and St Martins Press for the ARC!!

Meryl Wilsner has become an instant read author for me, but I do have to admit I preferred the first two books they read over this one. I still thoroughly enjoyed this read, but it wasn't the 5 star read the previous two were. I wanted more of Phoebe and Grace after they fully commit to being in a relationship. There was so much of the book doing the build up to it and then it just ends. I had fallen in love with them by the end and I was expecting more time but the third act just went way too fast. There was also quite a few moments that led me to think we'd get some more time with Grace discovering who she is and discovering her own diagnosis, but it was just alluded to.

Pro women’s soccer and Meryl Wilsner level hotness? Hell yeah!
Phoebe is an outgoing, funny rookie, and Grace is the seasoned star who keeps to herself mostly. As Phoebe barges into Grace’s world she has her looking at everything differently, seeing life from this strange new extrovert perspective. There’s some good meaty soccer content that I savored, along with all the team politics and interactions that lend authenticity to this story.
I love these two together, but I was bothered by all the misunderstandings they share. It was frustrating if not annoying, but I was really rooting for them, so. I’d definitely recommend this book, though. Especially if you love sport romances, hot queer athletes getting hot for each other, and good storytelling.

a fun soccer rivals to lovers story. As a Phoebe gets her big break joining the New Orleans women’s soccer team but also getting called to train at the US National teams camp. When she meets her soccer Idol, Grace it’s not everything she was hoping or maybe it’s more.

This was a witty fun sapphic romance and both fmc’s are neurodivergent and it honestly adds so much to the story. I couldn’t put it down, when I had to it was honestly all I could think about. I related so much to Phoebe at the start of the book. She’s so energetic and impulsive and always speaks her mind. From the first page you knew exactly who she was.

As the story went on and Grace began to open up and show who she was I honestly couldn’t put the book down I wanted nothing but happiness for both of them.

If I’m being honest the only reason this wasn’t a 5 star romance for me was the amount of times that the author uses c*nt word in a two chapter span. It was honestly too much it pulled me completely out of the scene.

I have been a fan of Meryl Wilsner's books since the first one I read, but I think that Cleat Cute is their best yet. Grace and Phoebe are delightful characters, full of fun and flaws. Wilsner's specialty of idiots to idiots who are also in love is present here to its fullest extent. They're so stupid (affectionate). The soccer information is incredibly well done. People who are already fans of the sport will delight in the myriad of references to real life WOSO events, though readers without the background knowledge will still understand the structure of what is happening.

As usual, Wilsner juggles a variety of identities and life circumstances with ease, flowing them naturally into the plot and characterization of the main cast and supporting characters. The world feels well-rounded and fully descriptive. And the sex scenes--scorching, unsurprisingly, as well as touching and enlightening.

Cleat Cute is hot, funny, romantic, and engaging. It's a home run. Or a bicycle kick, or something soccer-y and extremely cool and good.

3.5 stars.I need to start by saying I love Meryl Wilsner for giving us (sapphics) the smutty cheesy rom coms we deserve. I received an ARC for their last book, Mistakes Were Made, and loved it sooooo much. I went into this one a little more skeptical because I’m not a sports girly but still had high hopes. I loved the sunshine/grumpy trope and the spice was good, but overall, the writing felt so chronically online and made the whole experience a little cringey/YA for me. I didn’t really connect with the story but if you like A League of their Own and Bend it like Beckham, i feel like you’d really enjoy this. While it wasn’t for me, it was still a fun read, thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Before I start my review of Cleat Cute I need to say a few things. One: Mistakes Were Made and Something To Talk About by Meryl Wilsner, are two of my favorite books. I am a huge fan of their work so far! The second: I am a women's soccer fan, have been for a few years now. While I didn't/don't personally do this, I remember when people would ship members of the team, a little odd and weird but people are gonna people.

Now on to the main review:
Cleat Cute is a new sapphic novel about two soccer players each dealing with their own personal struggles. This was a hard read, I don't know if its because of the startling similarities to real life soccer but the not quite thereness, or just way the plot carried but I couldn't really get into it until about 75%. That is not a great quality to have in a book, but I think the only reason I pushed through was because I have faith in Wilsner and their works. It came true but not without some secondhand embarrassment. I think it helped that the first half and the second half were two different books in my eyes.

More about the startling similarities, some characters shared the same name, which was odd (Ash the non-binary GK seems eerily similar to Ashlyn Harris) and Dawn the trainer for the fake team is very similar to Dawn the (former?) trainer for the USWNT. That and more of just the general interactions between different characters felt realistic too, it may just be personal opinion, but this book would've been more enjoyable for me if it was further from reality. If I didn't have the WoSo background I have, this book would be around 4.5 stars but with my background I think I have to round it down to 3 stars. Maybe 4 on a different day, simply because I love Wilsner's works. I hope to see more from them!

Side Note: Mistakes Were Made is one of the best books ever written and I love MILF BOOK. Everyone knows how much I love the milf book.

3.5/5⭐️

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I had really enjoyed both of this author’s previous books and I wanted to love this one too! I am a big fan of the NWSL and the USWNT so I was super excited for an adult wlw romance to focus on woman’s soccer. However, I didn’t really get the connection between the two main characters. Additionally, the pacing and plot seemed a bit off at times and the overuse of awkward nicknames like “Phenom” made me cringe. I did think the intimate scenes were sexy but due to a lack of connection for me made them feel awkward.

I still love Meryl Wilsner and will read everything she writes but this one just wasn’t for me and that’s okay! Seeing many positive reviews makes me hopeful that other people will enjoy this a lot more than me!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I love soccer. When you throw in relationship drama between an automatic starter and an up and coming star in the mix, this book was an absolute shoo in for me. Especially when it’s of the opposites attract, wicked pairing, juicy and delicious chase kind.

Soccer is all Grace Henderson is about; or so she thinks. For more than a decade in the limelight, she knows the game and it’s role but when a tardy, loud and all sunshine and rainbows newbie is drafted into the team; she tries, but there is simply no escaping Phoebe Matthews.

Oh the banter, tease and chase. With as much self control one possesses, you need that special someone to break down walls. The route to winning a guarded heart might take a gargantuan effort for some, but when it’s in the form of one who simply does not back down, there are excitement, glory, fireworks and victory both off and on the field.

I just reviewed Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Meryl Wilsner has done it again! Cleat Cute is an adorable romance that combines some of the best aspects of her previous work; with amazing steamy scenes like in "Mistakes Were Made" and heartfelt "workplace" romance like in "Something to Talk About" (if you count a soccer field as a workplace) Grace and Phoebe are the best characters. I loved the undiagnosed ADHD x undiagnosed autism power couple representation, as well as the (not-so) hidden themes of prioritizing what you want in life. Overall, so cute, perfect amount of steam, and you will be sucked into this story- I read this in less than 24 hours! Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy!

thank you, st. martin’s press and netgalley, for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review :)

meryl wilsner has done it again folks... they wrote the book of my heart!!! i've been looking forward to reading cleat cute since before the cover reveal because a. if meryl wilsner writes it i'm gonna be obsessed and b. soccer sapphics (need i say more).

phoebe my sunshiney, talkative, flirty girl is the love of my life hands down!!! reading her dreams coming true was so heartwarming, and you can bet if she was real i'd be at every game cheering her on until i lost my voice. also, when the audiobook comes out and i can hear her saying baby girl it will alter my brain chemistry completely *swoons*

i need grace to be my baby girl so i can just hug her and love her and tell her how special she is everyday <3 reading as she fell in love and set healthy boundaries was so powerful and inspiring. also that 4-peat scene is you know, you know ;)

obviously the characters felt so real to me and their romance so heartwarming especially bc friends with benefits is just such a fun trope to read. but, also, they were constantly trying their best to communicate what they were thinking and experiencing which felt so fresh in romance!!

begging everyone on my hands and knees to read this and fall in love with these characters too <3

As my most anticipated book of the year, I had the highest of high expectations for this one. Which is almost comical considering I know negative zero about sports. Truly Meryl Wilsner is the only human who could write anything about the sports ball and I get so excited to read about it. You'll be happy to know that they absolutely knocked it out of the park!


Grace and Phoebe were both such well rounded characters. While each dealt with either ADHD or autism, it wasn't harped on or made to be a huge barrier to their relationship. If anything, it was truly done with such care and wholesomeness. While keeping the usual Meryl-sizzle, we also see them showing love by assisting each other with doctors appointments, schedules, and various other things they struggled with. The LGBTQ+ representation was also perfectly done! Inclusion of transgender, bi, etc characters just added an extra layer of inclusion to an otherwise normal sapphic romance.

Did I mention the 🔥🔥?! All I can say is good thing it's hot here because I needed a cold shower after some of Grace and Phoebes encounters!! This is truly one of if not the very best Sapphic romance of the year! The only downfall is another year or so until their next release. 😭

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Meryl Wilsner, and St. Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I've loved Meryl Wilsner's earlier books so my expectations for this one were incredibly high. This more than surpassed them.

Grace and Phoebe are great for each other...if they can get over themselves long enough to see it. It's steamy like Mistakes Were Made, but it's also sweet and intense and just a wonderful story. You don't have to love soccer to like this (I did, and all I know about soccer, I learned from watching Ted Lasso).

This is the early contender for my favorite read of the year. And they're officially a must buy author for me.

I really enjoy Meryl Wilsner’s books. Especially because there’s no formula that their following, they all feel so different but are so great in their own ways. Meryl writes from the perspective of each character in alternating chapters, so I found it a bit frustrating that neither of them was sharing their real feelings for so long, but I’ve wanted to yell “just talk to each other” in many other books or movies before. In the end, it’s a fun, sweet (and a little steamy) book about two women who love each other. I really enjoyed it.