Amazing. Simply amazing. Wilsner, as a friend of mine pointed out, really hit their stride with this novel. It has amazing humor, great emotional bits, some very spicy scenes, and overall some great characters and growth. I'm a very big fan of the adult woman ADHD and Autism representation in the novel. I may have said this before but I'll say it again: I'm a Wilsner reader for life! ( )

Honestly kinda meh. Was intrigued by the soccer premise, but the characters didn’t really feel well developed and the story not compelling. Sex scenes were pretty hit, although the term “baby girl” is not at all sexy. ( )

I was expecting a bit more tension especially concerning the replacing part and the injury. Both didn't really have any effects on the story in the end so I was just expecting something different going into this.

If I had been more aware from the start that they fall into this friends with benefits situation right away I might have had an easier time with my expectations. ( )

Phoebe, an up-and-coming soccer star from middle-of-nowhere America is star-struck when she meets her long-time idol Grace Henderson. Grace, however, can’t be bothered to get close to anyone, let alone another rookie…not after what happened last time. But when they end up on the same Women’s National Team they realize they’re going to have to get along or risk screwing their chances at the World Cup before it even begins.

As the pair grow closer despite their obvious differences, they find their chemistry is undeniable, both on and off the field. But after an injury sidelines Grace and Phoebe is poised to take her place their already rocky friends-with-benefits situation finds itself in a tricky spot. Can Grace see past her own insecurities and actually let Phoebe in? And can Phoebe listen well enough to support Grace in the ways she needs? All while learning how to work together instead of against each other on the field?

Meryl Wilsner does it again! I knew going into this it was going to be a steamy one and this read did not disappoint. But as I’ve come to appreciate with Wilsner’s writing the spicy scenes serve a purpose in the plot and aren’t just forced in. The story and characters would have different outcomes without those scenes and they push the narrative compared to hindering it...

Often in romance, it feels like there’s a trade-off between plot or character development. But Cleat Cute left me with both a high-stakes plot and characters I deeply cared about. And I learned a ton about professional soccer. I did truly believe too that these characters were real because of how well the backstory was woven in. After reading it I wanted to google “Phenom Soccer” or look up Grace Henderson’s many interviews. And it was a bit of a disappointment when I realized I couldn’t but that’s a testament to the quality of writing Meryl gives us.

One of my favorite things about the book is its treatment of lesbianism. I rarely ever see the word “lesbian” even in WLW romance novels so to see two lesbian-identifying characters was so exciting. Not only did we get lesbian-on-lesbian action but we got two vastly different approaches to lesbianism. Phoebe, an out and proud lesbian who weaves being queer into every part of her identity is far more like me. However, Grace is much more reserved in her sexuality. And although she isn’t closeted, her identity does not crop up in her life much more than who she chooses to be with romantically. I know it’s a small aspect of the overall book but having characters that truly feel queer really does elevate the story.

This book is also what I call a queer WLW book. And what I mean by that is the only thing gay about Cleat Cute isn’t just that the lead characters are AFAB and into each other. But there are a variety of queer characters and multiple queer topics are discussed. It is a queer book for queer people and doesn’t try to make its content more “digestible” or heternormative. Which is a huge plus.

All in all, I would definitely recommend Cleat Cute if you like complex opposites attract romance and hot sex scenes. You’ll find yourself relating to both Phoebe and Grace at different times and rooting for them throughout the whole story. Plus there’s a World Cup to win! Happy reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending this eARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I don’t play soccer, but grew up on the sidelines of soccer fields. All my siblings play soccer competitively, and while I moaned about our life revolving around soccer growing up, today I love a good soccer story. This was an enjoyable romance with interesting and diverse characters. While it took me a bit to get into the story, once I did I really enjoyed it. Now I can’t decide if I’ll pass it on to my sister or hoard it for myself. Either way, I will definitely be recommending it to her and all over my other rom-com reading friends.

Reading if you like:
⚽️Sport romances
⚽️LGBT stories
⚽️Romcoms
⚽️Diverse characters ( )

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilser
Contemporary sapphic (F-F) sports romance. New adult.
Phoebe Matthews gets her greatest wish and is drafted to play soccer on the U.S. Women’s National Team. She develops a crush on the Captain of the team, Grace Henderson, and the two start a relationship as they manage life, career and outside pressures.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this story narrated by Dana Varden and Zim Avaltrades. Each did the chapters from their character POV. The voices are close in tone and rhythm while different enough in pitch that you can hear when the POV changes. Both did a great job portraying a twenty-something female with changing emotions and career concerns.

New adult romance is not a regular genre for me as I don’t appreciate the angst or roller coaster confidence issues. I was pleasantly surprised by the two women and their specific personalities as they kept their professional lives separate from their personal issues. Phoebe kept her joy of playing front and center even while other parts of her life were chaotic.
I would recommend this for any romance reader that likes a bit of sports and teamwork in a story. And passion, because that’s included as well as an hea.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher. ( )

I think Meryl Wilsner is really finding her groove. This was my favorite of her books so far—all the sexy mutual attraction and steamy romance with much less of the scoffingly implausible scenarios of her previous novels I've read. This one was two hot, dedicated, neurodivergent athletes meeting each other at work! Totally believable! ( )

A lighthearted story about two women who love soccer and maybe each other. Phoebe is ready to make her professional soccer debut and meet some of her heroes, including Grace. Grace is a veteran player who still loves the game but not everything associated with the fame. Phoebe and Grace make a bet that sets off an entire friends with benefits situation, but both find it's not so easy to keep feelings at bay. The neurodivergent rep in this story is so wonderful! Phoebe has undiagnosed ADHD, and Grace is probably autistic. The story itself made me laugh a few times, especially towards the end. There is no third-act breakup which is refreshing. It felt like the writing was a little repetitive and not in a way that showed anxiety. I loved how much soccer was actually integrated into the story since it meant so much to both women. This is the third book by this author I've read and definitely my fave of them. ( )

I have no words for how much this book touched my heart and soul. Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this before publication - I just finished it and I still have happy tears running down my face.

Meryl Wilsner has created diverse characters who are as real as your friends, neighbors, and coworkers, flaws and all, and placed them all in a story that - despite being about professional soccer - at its core, is something to which everyone can relate. Soccer is the thing that keeps the story going, but the personal hardships, struggles, and victories are what bring it all together.

As a person with ADHD and anxiety, Phoebe's twist at the three-quarter mark of the book hit home really hard and really accurately. (Granted, I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of four, but the struggles remain the same.) Watching Grace learn to navigate the unfamiliar in so many ways, to learn and adapt in a way that is positive and helpful - Ms. Wilsner, I cannot thank you enough. I felt like you were telling MY story as part of Grace's and Phoebe's.

This book is about so much more than romance. It's friendship, learning to trust again, opening yourself up to new experiences, love in many forms, and a reminder that there are always people in your life who will forever have your back. Cleat Cute is a phenomenal story that I cannot wait to pester my friends to purchase once it's released (after I get a copy for myself, of course!), and it's one you'll want to read again and again. It's finding your place and coming home. ( )