Top Of Her Game

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!

This was the fluffy (though not always fluffy) sapphic romance I needed. I was cheesing hard throughout reading this book and I loved it.

I mean, obviously, we all watched the Women’s World Cup this summer and Megan Rapinoe did some amazing things for women everywhere and it is my humble opinion that Sutton Flores, one of the main characters, is inspired by her.

What I loved most about this book was that there was no immature or childlike drama, the drama that happened was real, adult, and plausible. The adults spoke to each other like adults and like actual grown women. I sadly can’t remember the last time I read a book where I truly felt like the women were real and emotionally intelligent like this. It’s not that they were perfect and said and did the right thing every time, it’s that they learned, listened to their friends and loved ones, they respected themselves, their friends, and their partner’s opinions, emotions, and beings. That’s amazing.

Kenzie, the other main character, is new to the New Jersey women’s soccer league team and is immediately nervous for several understandable reasons. One, it’s her first time going pro. Two, she’s shy and meeting a bunch of new people is tough. Three, the person she’s had a crush on for years is also on the team. Sutton Flores is nice, funny, and super hot and Kenzie is trying to tell herself that her feelings aren’t there anymore, but this is a romance novel and we all know that’s not how this story ends.

I really can’t emphasize enough how wonderful it was reading this story through a female lens. Similar sports stories have dealt with these topics but it’s so clearly written by a man or the story is told through a male character and it just does not work. M. Ullrich though clearly understands the nuance that comes with being a queer woman. Just.. yes.

If you’re looking for a fun, queer, f/f romance, please pick this up you will not be disappointed. Especially considering the talks of consent, respecting boundaries, and the good things that come to those who wait.