Thank you so much to Atria Books for an advance copy of this book! 

This book will be published on September 5th.

"I can hardly see you underneath the mess."

Oh where do I begin. I was really excited to read my first Elena Armas books and I know people have felt one way or another about her writing style and books.

I don't want to be super negative for this review but there were things that just didn't work for me. I know I'm not a fan of slow burn but this was a bit much.

The characters didn't kiss until 3/4 of the way through, then we had to wait more for them to be intimate for the first time and not even a day later there is the conflict which now led them being apart.

It was just too much at once. Cam joked that he was playing the long game but I just wish the long game started earlier and gave more of a tease earlier on then having all the action right in the last quarter of the book.

I also just thought that Armas tried tooo hard to make them enemies. It just felt force and wasn't natural. I haven't read many soccer or sports romances but I already feel the Roy Kent effect has already been overdone. There was a lot of grunting from Cam in this and all I could think of is Roy Kent.  I understand why Adalyn was immature as she was kind of in this rich girl bubble and needed an awakening. But even with that I still found some parts hard to follow and understand? 

"Fuck everyone who has made you feel like you're not worth everything you desire."

Once Cam and Adalyn got together, those sex scenes were so good! I just wish I had more of it! There was a moment where they connected out in a tent and I was just waiting for it to happen and then nothing. And I really thought they complimented well with one another once Adalyn put her angst aside. I just really wish it would've happened sooner at least with the flirting and the gentle touches. Granted I know we got small teases like when Cam was assisting Adalyn with goat yoga and I just wanted more of that! Sorry for repeating myself but I really just needed a tad more. 

One thing that I loved about this book that I kept wanting more of is the conversations with the kids. It made me smile and laugh every time they interacted with the kids. One of my favorite moments came towards the end of the book between Cam and Maria that I thought was so genuine and reminds you that kids are smart and are aware of things. 

I have heard Armas prior books are also slow burns and now I am debating on whether I should go back and read them? Perhaps I will but I am not in any rush at the moment. 

This may not have fully worked for me but that doesn't mean it won't work for you.  If you are a fan of a slow slow burn mix with small town, soccer & forced proximity - this may be for you!