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frantically's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I adored this! Tate and Grant make the cutest couple and you really can't help but root for them.
What really sells their relationship isn't cute-y moments (although there are some) but their chemistry, which is off the charts. It's "will they, won't they", "I can't date you but god, you're so hot" all day round and while that might not be every reader's cup of tea, I drank that shit up.
I wouldn't exactly call this reverse grumpy x sunshine because Tate isn't really that grumpy and Grant isn't that much of a sunshine but I'd say that Tate definitely encompasses a lot of the traits we usually see in romance heros and not heroines and I think that's why some reviewers might not vibe with her (go check your prejudices babes). She's got her own set of rules for dating that's her for to break, she's obsessed with her routine, with making sure everything's going perfect while Nate is much more easy-going and able to profess his feelings for her more easily. I thought this was a dynamic that actually really makes this book standout among the dozens of sports romances we've been seeing and I really recommend giving it a chance!
While R.S. Grey mainly writes standalones, I feel like we've been seeing a bit more of her getting into (short) series lately and I've been loving this one, especially. "Three Strikes and You're Mine" is in my Top 3 Grey novels and Luke, Chloe and Harper were incorporated so seamlessly into this book and I loved how close Tate was to all of them, while still showing her separate relationships to all three. Harper is a delight and seeing her childish (in the literal sense) enthusiasm for Grant and Tate's relationship felt very realistic to me and it was so adorable.
What I didn't really like is the trope of Tate stringing along this other guy she was casually dating from work while she basically already knew that she was into Grant but then her work guy turned out to be a bit of a dick (imo) and I didn't really care about Tate stringing him along anymore 🤷🏻♀
Is R.S. Grey the author that will finally turn me into a proper sports romance girlie? Only time (and hopefully a sequel to this) will tell...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Death of parent
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