This morning I made a post about how I was disappointed I hadn't found a romance with ADHD representation that I liked and now I have! This book is funny, sweet and actually described New Orleans fairly accurately which is rarer than you would think! I loved Grace and Phoebe's relationship! Grump sunshine is always a trope I like but Meryl Wilsner did a great job showing how Grace and Phoebe complimented each other and why that made their relationship work. Another thing I liked about this book is how Phoebe and Grace talked about money. I have seen these issues in relationships often but rarely see them talked about with this much verisimilitude in romance. I am one of those sports romance readers who is in it just for the romance but I enjoyed reading about the soccer even if some references went over my head. I did like that for the most part the teammates were supportive even in as competitive an environment as professional sports. The psychologist in me has to say one thing about mental health tictok. If it raises awareness for mental health issues that's amazing but not all the information on it is accurate. As the characters in the book did you should always seek professional help if you think you have a disorder. This one is a 2023 must read that I know I'll be recommending for a long time!

I listened to the audiobook version of Cleat Cute and really enjoyed it. It is duel narrator which was very helpful in following switches between Grace and Phoebe's perspectives! I appreciate this decision because I have read other sapphic romances with only one narrator that were confusing with duel perspective.

This book has so much potential but for me it just missed the mark. I felt like there was no plot just the two characters constantly dodging sex or flirting or talking about it. I also didn't like either narrator. This book was not for me. Grace was frankly quite a bitch and Phoebe just came.off as.slutty and non relatable. I can't stand people that are late all the time. I mean this was just a recipe for me to not like.

<i>Cleat Cute</i> is billed as a rivals-to-lovers romcom, perfect for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own. It does not live up to the expectations set by either of these descriptors.

Wilsner’s third sapphic romcom follows Phoebe, a new upstart soccer player in the professional game, and her idol, Grace, the long-standing star of the US Women’s National Team (henceforth referred to as the USWNT). While Phoebe’s jokester personality initially annoys Grace, soon the two become entangled in a spicy friends with benefits relationship. As they spend more time together both on and off the field, feelings also begin to take root. All the while, Phoebe is vying for a spot on the USWNT—a spot which could be Grace’s.

From that brief description, you might be thinking that this sounds spicy and fun, and the rivals to lovers trope could add some much-needed stakes to the story. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t live up to the marketing.


<b>RIVALS TO LOVERS? I THINK NOT.</b>

The most important component to this story would have been the use of the rivals to lovers trope. It would have given the story actual stakes and tension, and given the relationship at center stage more of a roadblock to its fruition.

Unfortunately, there is only an attempt to include that component, one that ultimately fails. Phoebe is vying for a spot on the USWNT, yes, however, it is not Grace’s spot specifically. The two aren’t coming into training camps as rookies together, trying to win the one open spot. They barely even play the same position to make the argument that Phoebe could try to outplay Grace and take her place on the USWNT.

There are only a handful of times where it comes up that Phoebe could take Grace’s spot if Grace’s injury persists, and then again when their coach keeps trying to make Phoebe play Grace’s position which is not her actual chosen position. Because of this, it was really difficult to ever feel like Phoebe is a true threat to Grace’s continued existence on the team.

In essence, the rivals to lovers setup this is billed as felt contrived via a handful of throwaway lines just so the marketing department could flaunt a popular trope in the synopsis. Unfortunately, had that trope been done well, the story would have been a lot more successful.


<b>LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX</b>

Another failure of this novel is the way the romance is written. The romance-to-spice ratio is not up to my preference. While the scenes were written well, I always cringe at porn dialogue and there is a lot of it in this book (seriously, the “baby girl”s were killing me). These are just remarks on my personal preference, however.

An issue that isn’t personal preference lies in the progression of the relationship and how it was written. Grace and Phoebe spend most of the book in a fuck buddy relationship, and then the rest of the book with one of them thinking they’re exclusive and the other one not realizing that they are because they never have a clear conversation to define the relationship. Because of this set up, there is a lot of sex, and very little of them actually being vulnerable with each other. When they confess their love for each other by the end, it felt very rushed and difficult to buy as a result.


<b>YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT…JK, WHAT DO THE ROLLING STONES KNOW ANYWAY?</b>

The last glaring issue in this novel is really threefold: There are no stakes or tension, and the characters get everything they want with little to no effort or barriers. Ultimately, this is a book without a plot.

Phoebe starts out the novel wanting a spot on the USWNT. Her pervasive desire for this disappears completely when she enters into a relationship with Grace. She does next to nothing out of the ordinary to work toward that goal. It just exists in the background and she is stagnant around it.

You could say she also wants Grace, but they start hooking up at around the 25% mark, and they only have a few quickly-resolved conflicts that never feel like true threats to the success of their relationship.

As for Grace, she wants Phoebe, but no relationship. This changes over the course of the book. But again, because she gets Phoebe in exactly the way she wants her almost instantly, she doesn’t need to actually take an active role in the story to make that want come to fruition. The only time she switches from a passive role to an active role is when she realizes she wants to take steps to show Phoebe she wants a real committed relationship. This takes place in the last 15% of the novel. At that point, it was too little too late.

These issues ultimately lead to Phoebe and Grace taking on rather passive roles in this story, completely erasing any of the juiciness that stakes and tension bring. I never once worried if they would get together because there are no super big glaring issues in their relationship, no will-they-won’t-they, and no outside forces that could threaten their success. As a result, the story just kind of meandered along without an actual focus. It felt like more of a slice of life story than an actual novel. There was no plot to be found.


<b>FINAL THOUGHTS</b>

I picked up <i>Cleat Cute</i> hoping for a cute sapphic soccer romcom. Technically, all of those things were executed in this novel, but they were not executed well. Ultimately, there were no stakes, no tension, and no plot; Grace and Phoebe got everything they wanted with almost no effort; and the romance was 95% sex and then 5% them actually being vulnerable. In the end, this just didn’t work for me.

I know from looking at reviews of Wilsner’s previous romcoms that they had the same issues in this novel present in those. It’s disappointing to see that they haven’t remedied these problems in their plotting and storytelling. Hopefully their next novel can avoid these pitfalls.


<b>Overall Rating:</b> 1 star

<i>A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!</i>

I really liked this sapphic soccer romance! The two main characters each had their own issues which were well-developed over the course of the story, and their ability to get beyond those issues to love for each other was endearing. I loved the representation of the personal and emotional strength of the women soccer players, It felt very empowering. The audiobook narrators captured the essence of the two lead characters really well. I would recommend this to readers who like LGBTQIA+ and sports romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC!

That was a super cute book. The tension was nice although I wish there was a little more nemies to lovers, but still cute. Grace got a little annoying at points. I liked the representation, but didnt like how much soccer there was. i know i know lol. Im not a fan of sport romances usually but the spice was great which is what i expect from Wilsner.

I enjoyed the narrators, although i wish there was a little more difference between the voices.

4 stars

I've yet to read a Meryl Wilsner book I did not thoroughly enjoy, which is why I couldn't wait to tear through this, even though the only soccer content I've been able to consume previously is _Ted Lasso_ and Megan Rapinoe interviews. So, I'll keep my sports "expertise" in mind, avoid a poorly played metaphor, and just reaffirm that this is absolutely another win for an undefeated author (oops).

Grace and Phoebe are on the same soccer team, but they're also on a team of two, though they have different ideas about their goals and rolls in that pairing. Their burgeoning relationship is apparent to all (readers, characters, and so on) but one of them, and their internal thoughts about the state of their bond and themselves are pretty charming overall. This runs a little more R-rated than PG-13 at times (which, live your lives!), so don't make the mistake I did and pull out an earbud to say hi to a neighbor while walking your dogs, so that you could BOTH unintentionally hear part of a steamy scene. LOL.

There's some nice rep happening here in terms of queer identity, and that is an added bonus.

This is a pretty easy, lighthearted (overall) read, and I'm already looking forward to whatever Wilsner gives us next!

This is a cute, sexy, sapphic romance. It’s what I imagine if Ted Lasso & Bend It Like Beckham had a baby.

I did like the ADHD & Autism representation. I didn’t like that Phoebe idolized Grace which seems weird considering I’d love to meet someone I idolized. Idk why it bothers me in this book.

An easy and interesting read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meryl Wilsner has nailed it once again. I feel as though their books get better every time they write one. I absolutely loved Cleat Cute. This fun sports romance had me hooked from the first page with the witty banter between the players with Phoebe Matthews, a young hot shot rookie, and experienced women soccer player Grace Henderson playing front and center. With lots of banter and the sexual tension that Wilsner is known for this book did not disappoint. Wilsner also very subtly reminds the reader of the inequities between men and women in professional sports and the resources and pay female athletes face every day.

4⭐ (audio) Both narrators for this were fine. I listen to A TON of audiobooks, and sometimes romance books are read by subpar narrators, especially compared to fiction and fantasy (my other two favorite genres). I didn't notice the narration one way or the other, just as a medium for telling the story. Which is the way it's supposed to be! 😂

5⭐ (story) This book is stupid good. Phoebe and Grace are both adorable in their own way. I love how soccer is such an important part of the story, but the story isn't about soccer at all. It's about these two vulnerable, flawed, quirky women who discover that - against all odds - they fit together like puzzle pieces.

I was really impressed with the way Wilsner treated mental health issues (ADHD and autism) in this book. It's realistic, showing the flaws these ladies have, and finding respectable ways to help each other and support each other. She does a great job of showing that these flaws are things that can be addressed and worked on. So many of us struggle with with feeling like something is WRONG with us, when in reality, sometimes we just need to realize we all have flaws - flaws that we can work on and improve, when given the opportunity. Or when we decide to make the opportunity!

Also, Wilsner writes great sex scenes. Not just the sex part, but the emotion, in a way that very writers actually pull off. I love how accepting they are of each other and of themselves as they go through their emotional roller coasters.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced audio copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Adorable.
What a sweet soccer sapphic romance. I loved the characters and the drama and the spiiiice. I’m not usually into sports but this this is what I’m into.

Phoebe wants to play soccer professionally and finally has an opportunity to get on a World Cup team with her childhood crush. They say don’t meet your heroes but in this case 👀 they both can’t stay away.

Lightly grumpy/sunshine more like serious/jokester
Loved.

Narrators were fine. Any format is good!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an eARC.

4/5 ⭐️

Honestly, this book was incredibly wholesome. the characters were beautifully represented. It was a spicy sapphic sports romance. The spice in this book was utter perfection. Grace and Phoebe are exactly what I would have pictured Jess & Jules to be like had Bend it Like Beckham been a sapphic romance. It was charming in every way. I completely devoured this book and I am so excited to check out more books by Wilsner in the future.

Definitely recommend this one. I listened to the audiobook version of this novel and I couldn’t recommend it more. The narration was perfect!

Please read if you like:
-sapphic romance
-sports romance
-neurodivergent representation
-extra spicy ghost pepper scenes
-rivals to lovers

Thank you so much NetGalley, Meryl Wilsner and Macmillan for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cleat Cute is a new contemporary, sapphic, sports romance from author Meryl Wilsner. This was described as having Ted Lasso vibes and I can totally see that energy in this book.

Grace is a veteran of the US Women’s National Team and somewhere in her decade of playing has seemed to have lost her joy for the game. When she’s sidelined with an injury before the World Cup, Phoebe ends up joining the team. Once rivals, now teammates, Phoebe and Grace find themselves in one another’s lives. To Phoebe it’s a dream come true to be on the same team as her idol, Grace. She’s looked up to Grace for years and even had her poster on her wall. She’s also crushed on Grace, so when a friends with benefits situation arises, she’s all in.

I thought this one started off really strong, but it just felt way longer than it needed to be. We do spend a lot of time with both characters working through things in their life and with their careers, we do get some discussions about ADHD for one character and the potential autism diagnosis for the other. I liked seeing those discussed but I felt like the romance and plot of the story was just unbalanced and too long in the end. I’m glad I had the audiobook because it did help to get through some of the drawn-out parts of the story. I did really enjoy all the soccer time added to the story, we need more soccer-centric romances!

Thanks so much to the publisher and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook ARC via NetGalley, all thoughts in this review are my own. Cleat Cute has a pub date of September 19, 2023.

As usual, Meryl did such a great job of making me love these characters. Phoebe and Grace were fun, funny, and so damn hot. I love a good opposites attract, sports romance, and this was so well done. There’s tension, angst, pulling the other out of comfort zones… it’s just such a great comfy read or listen.

I happened to listen to this book, and I loved it! I think Dana Varden and Zim Avaltrades did a great job! The only thing I’d change about this book is the fact that it’s dual POV, but third person. Otherwise, absolute perfection!

This was a fun, spicy, and entertaining character-driven read. Cleat Cute was my first soccer romance, but definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed the references to soccer. I also enjoyed the New Orleans setting. It’s one of my favorite cities to visit.

Grace and Phoebe made a sweet couple, but boy did all that miscommunication drive me nuts. The communication problems did allow for growth for both characters. So that was nice. Friends with benefits is always messy if you can’t communicate.

I really enjoyed the narration of this book. I thought both narrators did a great job bringing Grace and Phoebe to life.

If you’re a reader who enjoys character-driven plots, fun banter, rival lovers, spicy sapphic romance, and sports, then I definitely recommend you check this book out.

I look forward to diving into Meryl Wilsner’s backlist.

✨Thank you @macmillan.audio for an ALC and to listen and review.

4+ stars. A totally delightful autistic/ADHD queer women romance set in professional women's soccer. The writing was solid and the characters grew individually over the course of the book. The audiobook performance was excellent. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a fluffy read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

good, sports romance, steamy. Not so great, the leads had a lot to work through individually before getting together and the resolution of those things didn't work for me. I liked a lot of the other characters!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio ARC. This was such a great read until it wasn't. Why on earth was one of the characters diagnosing the other with ADHD? The way it was in there was abrupt and not handled in the best manner. This book would have been so much better without this piece.

Updating my review because I've been fairly good about watching games this WC. Go USWNT!

--

I ate this up on a plane ride this past March. I eat up everything Meryl writes. I've been lucky enough to win ARCs of each of their three novels, but I couldn't tell you which one I like best. I love them all, although Mistakes Were Made holds a special place in my heart.

I began watching men's soccer/football in 2010. Blame the eye candy. And no, I certainly don't mean the USMNT. I know the USWNT is better. I'm being more proactive this WC and will try to make the games in my time zone.

What I came here to say is for a person that doesn't watch women's soccer regularly, I was riveted by each and every plot point in this book.

Also, I guess everyone has issues dating? Thought it was just straight women confused about men. Partially happy to be wrong. Mainly sad that we're all so confused.

Real life update. I met Meryl at the LA Times Festival of Books and they signed my copy of Something to Talk About. Not surprisingly, they are very funny and super nice. Go follow their work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

Grace is on the US Women's National Team, and she is now injured. When peppy rookie Phoebe takes her spot, Grace refuses to become teammates with benefits. And Phoebe will not make a move on her idol…
I adored Mistakes Were Made last year, so I had to pounce on this one! It's a grumpy sunshine, rivals to lovers, sports, celebrity crush, sapphic steamy and witty romance. And listen, I do like me a good grumpy sunshine, but Grace was so grumpy it made her unlikeable, and Phoebe was so sunshine and all over the place it made her annoying. I also didn't like how rush and questionable the ending was and how much it came out of nowhere. It would've been nice for such a topic to be sprinkled into the story along the way. It still was a very cute and entertaining read, and Grace did have very good character development. And there was a final grand gesture even if there was no third act break up, which I of course loved. The audio book narration was amazing.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a cute and heartwarming queer sports romcom! I loved the neurodivergent rep. included as well! Meryl Wilsner writes incredible steamy scenes and this book did not disappoint in that area!