I was eagerly waiting for The Long Game and it did not disappoint! This is my favorite book yet from Elena Armas. When Adalyn Reyes is exiled from her beloved soccer job, she is sent to work towards redemption in rural North Carolina. Helping a soccer team succeed doesn’t sound so bad until she realizes the team’s average age is six. Enter grumpy and reclusive Coach Cam, coerced into helping the team by the friendly mayor. Adalyn immediately recognizes him as a soccer star and Adalyn and Cam instantly dislike each other. Can they work together to help the team succeed or is the team’s last hope already gone? 

The Long Game was such a fun and sweet romance! I immediately preordered a hard copy after finishing this ARC. Cam is swoonworthy and readers who enjoy protective heroes will love him. Cam and Adalyn start off very against each other (grump x grump) and I loved how their relationship grew and evolved. Adalyn’s personal journey was also excellent to see- she learns to find value in herself and outside of her job. Armas’ dialogue is hilarious and the situations that Cam and Adalyn find themselves in use all the best tropes, especially forced proximity. The crew of girls on the soccer team and the many animals, from Brandy the goat to Cam’s cats, were very cute. The town itself felt warm and welcoming, so I hope there are more stories to come in this world. 

Readers who enjoyed Mariana Zapata (The Wall of Winnipeg & Me), Chloe Liese (Bergman Brothers), and Ted Lasso will love The Long Game. If you like enemies-to-lovers, grumpy athletes, a multitude of cute animals, and found family then you need to read this book! 

 Thank you so much to Elena Armas, Atria Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.