I have mixed feelings about this book. The first half was pretty basic and I found myself losing interest. I didn't like Adalyn at first - she was a bit obnoxious. I know she was trying to assert her independence and prove that she could do this task they sent her on but she got on my nerves.

I guess from the title THE LONG GAME I should have known that this was going to be a slow burn but it was suuuuuuper slow. Like I was shaking my kindle because I wanted them to kiss already.

Once they finally did kiss, the story got really good! Those sex scenes were HOT! That scene with the pottery wheel...and that scene in the office. DAAAAYAAAMMM!!! Cameron knew that Adalyn needed for him to take charge in that area and boy was that sexy.

The second half redeemed the first half for me. Overall I would say I liked this book!

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥¼
⚠️: panic attacks, mention of breaking and entering/stalking

DNF @ 47%. I really wanted to like this book a lot better than I did. The characters fell really flat, and the plot was more of the same for the first half of the book which really made me not want to finish the rest. I wish the main character, especially Adalyn, could’ve been a lot more fleshed out. The writing was also choppy and hard to read with a lot of fragmented sentences which made it hard to follow.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. While there is a lot I like in this story, there is also a lot that underwhelmed me.

I felt the book tried too hard to be funny and it fell kind of flat to me, sort of forced at times. More silly than funny. There is a lot of repetition as far as descriptions and actions. Can’t tell you how often “hummed” “growled” and “groaned” is used as well as “darling” and “love”. And while there is obvious chemistry between the two main characters Cameron and Adalyn, they mostly just made eyes at each other and touched in innocuous ways. I don’t think they kissed until like 80%…talk about a slow, torturous burn. I also wondered why Adalyn constantly commented on Cameron’s hands and fingers, to me it was a weird repeated detail.

What I did like in the book is the storyline and side characters. I liked the small town vibe where the community all look out for one another. I liked how Cameron and Adalyn bantered and annoyed each other while slowly figuring out they liked each other. I enjoyed the inner dialogue both characters had as they started to surprisingly fall in love. I liked the growth of Adalyn’s character as she realized some hard truths about her arrogant father and in the process learned some important lessons about herself.

Overall, it was enjoyable, romantic and sweet but not my favorite from Elena Armas. The Spanish Love Deception still holds the top spot for me. But I was happy to read another book from this author and I thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2 ⭐️

I unfortunately really did not connect with this book. The writing felt very choppy to me. I struggled with the timeline and often felt like we were skipping over things that should've mattered. Sometimes a new chapter would skip ahead one week, and I wouldn't even be understanding what happened or where we were. The writing did not feel as well done as in previous Armas books I've read. The best part of the book was Cameron - by far. I actually really liked his character so much that I was desperate to love the story, but with every chapter it became more and more apparent that this story was not going to stick with me. I felt like the plot could've been stronger and more compelling, and the 3rd act conflict was too juvenile and over dramatic considering the context. I really struggled with Adalyn's character in some of those ending scenes. As a big soccer fan, I wanted to love this book, but it did not live up to my expectations at all and I would struggle recommending it to others.

This is my favorite Elena Armas book by far. Adalyn had an incident that caused bad pr for her fathers club so she is shipped off to the middle of nowhere. There she has to manage a soccer team for little kids with a famous ex soccer player as the coach. They have a horrible first meeting and it doesn’t get better from there. Will they be able to work together to help the team?

The romance between Adalyn and Cam is so freaking good. They have such a good meet cute, she almost hits him with her car. After that it’s a bit of a rough start but once they start working together it’s so good. All Cam wants to do is help Adalyn. He knows she doesn’t need the help but he just wants to support her.

Adalyn is so hurt by her dad and everyone around her that she doesn’t know how to accept Cam’s generosity. He is just the best person ever and only wants the best for her. He knows the pace that she needs to go at and he matches it perfectly.

Adalyn is such a strong character and I am in awe of her. It takes her so long so really accept Cam’s help but he is persistent. The part of the book where he takes care of her when she is sick is my favorite. It is such a pivotal moment for them and I love it so much.

I received an arc through netgalley.

The Long Game is a witty romance novel using an enemies-to-lovers trope. It is silly at times, but overall an easy and enjoyable read that delivers on all fronts: banter, passion, brooding, secrets, and drama.
I specifically enjoyed the female friendship part of the plot, with a local mayor who wears a lot of hats befriending the main characters and helping them assimilate into small-town life. The little girls in the books were wonderfully written. The goats are great as well.
It would make a great movie - Hallmark, where are you?

The Long Game
By: Elena Armas

5/5 Stars

Some quotes that I will forever love:

“You really are a fiery, competitive thing, aren’t you?”
“I’ve got you now, love.”
“You make me feel like I’ve never felt with anyone before, Cameron. You make me want things I Never wanted.”
“I would have protected you. Not anything else. I would have done anything to protect you.”
“I’m going to knock down every wall left standing. And once I’m inside, I’m going to bury myself so deep into you, that you won’t be able to tell where you end and I start.”


Once again, Elena delivers an incredible swoon worthy romance full of banter, deep emotion, and grumpy/grumpy interactions. This one will have you in fits of laughter, anxious with anticipation between the tension of our two main characters, and panting when things start to heat up!

Adalyn Reyes is the stubborn, overworked PR director for her fathers soccer club, the Miami Flames. Always dressed to the nines in impressive workouts and stiletto’s, she has a momentary breakdown that was captured on video and ends up going viral. Dealing with the backlash, she is forced to leave Miami and head to Green Oak, NC by her father until the media attention dies out. She leaves the demanding job of the soccer world to become the new manager of the Green Oak Warriors Youth Soccer Club, which consists of young girls ages 7 to 9. Taken aback by the absurdity of running a little girls soccer league, Adalyn believes that if she can make them a success she will be welcomed back to her fathers club and makes it her mission to make sure they succeed in winning the Six Hills Little League Cup.

Her neighbor and coach of the girls team is ex-superstar British soccer goalie Cameron Caldani. He’s a super hot, grumpy gus, who is half Italian and covered in tattoos. While he may be beautiful, he is also a huge pain in Adalyn’s side. Their first encounter goes disastrously wrong and fuels their fiery banter. While Adalyn recognizes who he is, the town of Green Oak only knows him as Coach Cam. Adalyn learns quickly that Cam doesn’t want to be recognized and although he frustrates her, she agrees to keep his secret. It’s also worth noting that every time Cameron talked, I only pictures Roy Kent from Ted Lasso.

Both Adalyn and Cameron have their own past traumas and insecurities that over time get broken down as they become closer. Their banter and jabs at one another shortly disintegrate as they start working together on the team as well as attending town events. Some of the best scenes take place as the two attend Goat Yoga, Pottery Class, and the local BBQ event. The growing attraction for one another begins to build as both note how the other makes them feel. Adalyn feels ridiculous for being so attracted to Cameron when she thinks all he wants is for her to pack up her bags and leave town. When in reality, Cameron sees Adalyn for who she really is and goes out of his way to make her feel safe and looked after.

The amount of detail and attention given to these characters is unbelievable. I found myself so engrossed in the story from even micro expression, deep breath taken, hand flexed, and small gesture of kindness. The level of respect and quiet intimacy that happens between Adalyn and Cameron shook me to my core. It was beautiful to watch these two show each other how much they understood one another and deepen their growing affection for one another. And the way they both fiercely protected one another time and time again. UGH. My heart.

Aside from the main characters, there were several side characters that warmed my heart. Josie, Cam’s friend and town baker befriends Adalyn right off the bat. She is full of charm, tenacity, and works behind the scenes to get these two together. Matthew, Adalyn’s best friend is not as prominent in the story but when he shows up via phone call, he is nothing short of hilarious and big brotherly. Mia, a girl on the soccer team is probably the funniest child ever written. Her quirky attitude along with her love for her family’s goat, Brandy, were always welcomed moments for laughter. The entire charming town was an added element to the story that just layered in the small town feel of community that both Cameron and Adalyn needed.

Once Cameron and Adalyn recognize their feelings for one another and their barriers finally come down, I was fist pumping in the air and screaming! After the nail-biting tension leading up to them finally even kissing, PHEW. My god. I was blushing! There’s a different level of trust and intimacy that comes with being able to be fully seen by someone else and this book delivered. I don’t think people realize how good a book has to be in order to build that much tension with a slow burn. It was a beautiful journey and I enjoyed every second of it.

I will say that I’ve seen other reviews that were disappointed with the lack of more involvement with the girls soccer team. For me, it was obvious that this is a love story and our main characters coming together was the goal. It was used as a device to get them together and find a common goal of making them successful, but it was not the purpose of the story. As there is an obvious second book coming that will follow Josie and Matthew, there might be more soccer in the future, but it was not the whole overall goal of this story.

Thank you Atria, Netgalley, and Bookclub Favorites for providing me with not only the digital ARC, but a physical ARC of this masterpiece. I know this book is going to be an instant favorite of fans of Elena!

A sweet and proudly trope-y novel of second chances and small towns. Adalyn messed up big- big- so her father has sent her (exiled her) to a small town where their company is providing financial support to the local soccer team. Except that it's a team of little girls. Cam is a big time soccer star who has more or less retired, quietly, to this corner of North Carolina where he's coaching the girls, drinking Josephine's coffee, and tending to his cats and a rooster. A slapstick meet cute finds these two squaring off until they break down their barriers for the sake of the girls (and the animals). There's a surprising twist here (but it's a good one). Nice characters (even if the girls convey as much older than they are) go a long way to overcoming a bit of annoyance with Adalyn. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A sunny outlook and good storytelling makes this a good read.

Elena Armas has done it again! She has a way of writing addicting love stories that are hard to put down--I read this in 3 days, which is unlike my usual slow reading pace. I personally liked this better than The Spanish Love Deception, and would put it as. very close second to The American Roommate Experiment,

I will say, it had similar vibes and tropes as TSLD. I didn't fully understand why they were being so rude to each other in the beginning of the book, but I did really like the progression of the romance as they really got to know one another and allow each other to grow on their own.

I liked the second half of the book better than the first as Elenas Armas definitely has a specific style of writing--I find each of her books to be a bit slow on the plot in the beginning and then a lot of happens very quickly at the end of her books.

p.s. Cameron Caldani is my new favourite book boyfriend.

After Adalyn is caught on camera behaving less than professionally, her father and owner of the MLS team that she works for sends her to rural North Carolina to manage a little league soccer team. The coach of the team is a recently retired MLS goalie and certified grump, Cameron.

I kind of struggled with this book - the first half was super slow for me and I almost DNF'd before 50% - it wasn't bad it, it was just slow and I was not invested. It did pick up at about halfway for me (particularly during the "Ghost"-esque scene with the pottery) and I was enjoying it and a bit more invested. The third act breakup (at around 90%) was incredibly frustrating to me given the growth that Adalyn had done at that point.

This is a slowwwww burn but that's not what made the first half of this slow necessarily. I actually loved the tension that I felt between the two characters even before they actually kissed and thought it worked pretty well for the story.

I thought Cam was a great character and had some really quotable and highlightable lines but I think because I was so not invested, some of what he was saying didn't hit me the way it felt like the author wanted it to. He ended up feeling just a little bit like a caricature of a "perfect man" versus something that felt realistic.

This was probably about a 3.5 stars for me, rounded up to 4.

Think: a Kids Ted Lasso (underwhelming soccer team) in a rural part of North Carolina. The set up: two hot members of the soccer industry come together to revamp a six year old soccer team. Ada, disgraced from an MLS team, was banished to the town by her father to rebrand the little league. Cameron Caldani, a famous goalie, needed an escape. They despise each other until they don't.

So this is the third book I've read of Armas' and it will definitely be my last. Unfortunately, I find each of her novels extremely slow with little to no character development. For example, there was one chapter in the book that was 16 minutes long about Adalyn and Cameron making pottery together, yet they didn't fall in love until 90% of the way in. I found the relationship dry between Cameron and Adalyn (except when you're almost done with the book). I felt they didn't even know each other as humans and suddenly they are saying I love you. Also, it was corny. Adalyn falling in goat poo and goat yoga was just too much.

Highly recommend if your looking for a fun read with a little spice!

The Long Game was just what I needed to help get back into the contemporary romance genre! Add in a grumpy tattooed British retired footballer, who also adores his two cats!? Yeah, you could not keep me away from this even if you wanted.

Adalyn Reyes finds herself in hot water with her employers the Miami Flames FC after a video of her attacking the team mascot goes viral. She is quickly sent to a small rural town in North Carolina to help a struggling local soccer team the Green Warriors and help redeem her professional career (along with distancing her actions from the Miami Flames). Not only does she soon finds out the Green Warriors are actually a team of nine year olds but the new coach is most definitely former goalkeeper virtuoso Cameron Caldani, even if he is trying desperately to hide who he really is.

Over all a 4.5 star rating from me due to some difficulty getting into the story in the beginning.

Tropes include: Dual POV, Sports, Slow Burn, Work Romance, Grumpy MMC, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers

Thank you Atria Books for giving me a chance to review an ARC of The Long Game! In accordance with FTC guidelines, please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first by Elena Armas and I have mixed feelings. I loved the small town vibes and charming kiddos in the youth soccer league, but I felt no connection between our main characters so I wasn’t excited to root for their relationship.

I liked guarded and grumpy Cam — he was working through his past traumas and was such a sweet hype man, but Adalyn always felt a bit over the top. It was a slow burn which is usually my favorite, but just seemed to drag out too long. The writing style was also choppy where you’d be in the middle of a scene and it just cuts off and moves on to the next day.

I liked it but not a favorite romance for me. Give it a try if you like small town romance with a side of soccer!

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary advance copy.

Adalyn Reyes has spent years perfecting her daily routine: wake up at dawn, drive to the Miami Flames FC offices, try her hardest to leave a mark, go home, and repeat.
But her routine is disrupted when a video of her in an altercation with the team’s mascot goes viral. Rather than fire her, the team’s owner—who happens to be her father—sends Adalyn to middle-of-nowhere North Carolina, where she’s tasked with turning around the struggling local soccer team, the Green Warriors, as a way to redeem herself. Her plans crumble upon discovering that the players wear tutus to practice (impractical), keep pet goats (messy), and are terrified of Adalyn (counterproductive), and are nine-year-old kids.

Goooaaaalllll!!!! Absolutely loved the backdrop of a little girls soccer team in a small town, but more so enjoyed the pride the town and these characters felt in coaching children's sports. Seeing children be themselves, try their best and experiencing growth and success is so heartwarming. Not to mention I’m a sucker for small towns, romance, games and goats!

Cameron is a tattooed hottie and so swoony. A patient hero in goalie form. Thank goodness he was patient because Adalyn exudes stubbornness and self importance - so much so she did not catch onto important clues right in front of her.

This was a slow slow burn which I typically enjoy but everything else moves so fast. Specifically, major life altering information was shared, addressed and resolved in the last 5% of the book and the family dynamic did not feel wrapped up. Perhaps that is for another book?

Readers who enjoyed Rock-Bottom girl by Lucy score or Elena Armas previous book the Spanish love deception would also enjoy this one I always shake my head at the characters who insist on wearing high heels shoes on to a sports field I mean, who does that only time I’ve done that is when I’m running right from work to go see my kids playing, I’m glad she adapted and got new uniforms and shoes Ola main male character

The Long Game
By Elena Armas
Pub date September 5, 2023
Atria Books
#TheLongGame #NetGalley
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Adalyn works for the struggling Miami Flames FC, owned by her father. When she goes viral after ripping off the head of the mascot, she is sent to rural North Carolina and put in charge of managing a youth soccer team. There she meets Cameron, world-famous goalie who is inexplicably coaching this team (& remaining anonymous). Mishaps occur, sparks fly, and eventually Adalyn and Cameron unite to bring the Green Warriors to victory.

I have loved Elena Armas' other works and this was not bad, but I had a hard time feeling chemistry between Adalyn and Cameron. Cameron was definitely a Roy Kent-like character, which I appreciated and enjoyed!

Elena Armas does it again!

The main draw of this book for me (besides me already loving the author) was the description stating that this book is a "smalltown love story in the vein of "Ted Lasso" and "It Happened One Summer." There could not have been a more apt summary of this book!

Adalyn, a previously high-ranking soccer exec, is forced to move to a smalltown to help their local soccer team succeed after a meltdown went viral. Expecting to encounter a team of fully grown men, Adalyn is shocked to see that her team is comprised of messy, impractical nine-year-olds.

Cam Caldani, once a goalkeeping prodigy, chose to live in the small town to get away from the stress and attention that comes along with being a soccer star. When Adalyn strides in, determined to get out as soon as she can, Cam is set on helping her do just that.

Neither of them expect to find friendship with each other after such an aggressive meeting, and more surprisingly, they don't expect to develop feelings for each other (and the messy, impractical nine-year-olds they are determined to teach).

This was a slow-burn romance done to perfection. I can't wait to read it again!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This romance didn't hit for me. I wasn't invested enough in the main characters or their story lines. I enjoyed the secondary characters but not enough to Propel me through the story.

*arc for honest review* this books started of so good it had me so intrigued, and the more i read it the more i just fell in love with it until the very end which was like the last few chapters. the last few chapters ruined it for me and i was so disappointed. it was just so unnecessary but overall i did. enjoy some parts of it just which the last few chapters didn’t happen it just felt rushed and so unnecessary.


thank you netgalley for the arc!

I have loved everything I’ve by this author. This book had me literally laughing out loud and the banter between Adalyn and Cameron. A grumpy ex Soccer player and a bad ass ice queen who also happens to be the daughter of the owner of a soccer club with a small town romance trope as well yes please. Being a lover of soccer myself this book was so fun to read. Love that this is dual POV. One of my most anticipated reads of 2023 did not disappoint I can’t wait to continue reading work from this author.

Armas is the QUEEN of slow burn romance. This is my third novel that I've read by her and this one is by far my favorite. The tension and "will they/won't tell" between Adalyn and Cameron was FIRE.

You've got hot soccer players, a sassy FMC that takes no crap, and goats. Did I say goats? Yes. Yes I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I can't wait to read everything this author writes next!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this one, I loved every page.