With Katie Chandler's debut comes Backhanded Compliments, a new spin (pun intended) on sports romance. 

After Luca Kacic and Juliette Ricci end their match at the Australian Open and shake hands, their worlds turn upside down when they realize they're each others soulmates. Two top rival tennis players now forced with the realization they're soulmates. 

I am a huge fan of tennis, and grew up playing, so when I saw this, I RAN. And it did not disappoint. This came out to be my top sapphic sports romances, and if not one of my top sports romance in general. 

Seeing the impact of social media and the public on the two girls is so powerful, especially when stan twitter runs rampant with theories and shipping. Having the tweets shown in the novel was a fun aspect.

The twist of the soulmate!au is done so well and a unique take with romance novels. It reads more as a fanfic with that, and I love it. I enjoyed seeing the insecurities and different takes on romance, and even soulmate romance, and I cannot wait to see where the other characters go from here.

Tennis enthusiasts will truly appreciate this fantastical debut by Chandler. 

OUT June 10, 2025

Tropes:
🎾 Rivals to lovers
🎾 Dual POV
🎾 Anxiety & Panic Attacks rep
🎾 Sapphic
🎾 TENNIS
🎾 soulmates!au
🎾 sports romance
🎾 BOTH are pro tennis players

A huge thank you to Atria Books, Katie Chandler and Edelweiss for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.