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Be My Endgame
Sometimes the endgame is only the beginning. In the heated world of the Premier League, Earl Alex Beaufort, a charming Liverpool midfielder, collides on-pitch with Lee Taylor, Manchester United’s top striker. But when England’s World Cup dream brings them to sunny Spain, the real game sharing a room. Rivals to teammates to … more?
Dive into this banter-filled MM sports romance where football meets unexpected feelings. A tale where a “pretty boy” comment isn’t just playful teasing, and a kiss isn’t just a kiss. As the tension of the World Cup escalates, so does the connection between Alex and Lee.
But amidst the drills, goals, and growing team camaraderie, shadows of family legacies and personal battles loom large. Can Alex, struggling with duke-sized expectations and his bisexuality, embrace his true self? Will Lee learn to dribble past his trust issues? Get ready for emotional offsides, family fouls, and a journey of self-discovery as thrilling as a last-minute goal.
With doses of British humour and heartwarming honesty, Be My Endgame serves up a pitch-perfect contemporary MM romance against the electric backdrop of the World Cup. Expect the unexpected—because when it comes to love and football, anything can happen in 90 minutes (plus injury time).
Dive into this banter-filled MM sports romance where football meets unexpected feelings. A tale where a “pretty boy” comment isn’t just playful teasing, and a kiss isn’t just a kiss. As the tension of the World Cup escalates, so does the connection between Alex and Lee.
But amidst the drills, goals, and growing team camaraderie, shadows of family legacies and personal battles loom large. Can Alex, struggling with duke-sized expectations and his bisexuality, embrace his true self? Will Lee learn to dribble past his trust issues? Get ready for emotional offsides, family fouls, and a journey of self-discovery as thrilling as a last-minute goal.
With doses of British humour and heartwarming honesty, Be My Endgame serves up a pitch-perfect contemporary MM romance against the electric backdrop of the World Cup. Expect the unexpected—because when it comes to love and football, anything can happen in 90 minutes (plus injury time).
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2023
139 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Zarah Detand
19 books441 followersWriter of M/M romances. Chaos monkey. Coffee snob. Cheese is her love language.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
September 29, 2023
I had two reasons to give this book a shot and those were that it was about soccer (books with this particular sport are quite rare probably because shamefully, irl “gay” and European football don’t go together ) and the second reason was because I have a weakness for this author. She’s usually a hit or miss but I’m very fond of the books who’ve been hits (coincidentally , they’re both related to this one here).
As for this book, I’m very sure it will be a hit for sports romance fans or readers who enjoyed Tal Bauer’s latests or Rachel Reid’s latest. It doesn’t really bring anything new to the table , it’s the classic rival teams enemies, forced proximity (having to room together) , bonding over totally opposite but shitty childhoods and mommy/daddy issues and then friends to lovers.
It’s sweet , low angst and the sport bits are not overwhelming but not totally ignored either, they’re done just right. The smut is not out of this world but it’s ok-ish.
What you can find in this book :
Bisexual-gay (out for you)
Enemies to lovers and later friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Cool side characters
Family baggage
Rich/poor
Low angst
It’s a sweet book and I enjoyed reading it -the guys are good together and for each other .
3.5⭐️ from me because I’m not a fan of no angst sweet books,they’re a bit boring .Also these guys talked A LOT and they drove me crazy with the banter (although it was a witty banter) and their bla bla bla. And
the whining, OMG both with their mommy/daddy issues ..It was too much for me but it’s the perfect book if you want a low angst sports romance . The writing is good, but I already knew that with this author.
As for this book, I’m very sure it will be a hit for sports romance fans or readers who enjoyed Tal Bauer’s latests or Rachel Reid’s latest. It doesn’t really bring anything new to the table , it’s the classic rival teams enemies, forced proximity (having to room together) , bonding over totally opposite but shitty childhoods and mommy/daddy issues and then friends to lovers.
It’s sweet , low angst and the sport bits are not overwhelming but not totally ignored either, they’re done just right. The smut is not out of this world but it’s ok-ish.
What you can find in this book :
Bisexual-gay (out for you)
Enemies to lovers and later friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Cool side characters
Family baggage
Rich/poor
Low angst
It’s a sweet book and I enjoyed reading it -the guys are good together and for each other .
3.5⭐️ from me because I’m not a fan of no angst sweet books,they’re a bit boring .Also these guys talked A LOT and they drove me crazy with the banter (although it was a witty banter) and their bla bla bla. And
the whining, OMG both with their mommy/daddy issues ..It was too much for me but it’s the perfect book if you want a low angst sports romance . The writing is good, but I already knew that with this author.
October 12, 2023
3.5
This is a very light, fluffy, low steam, kinda ya book - not my cup of tea but I’m sure there are people who will love it
This is a very light, fluffy, low steam, kinda ya book - not my cup of tea but I’m sure there are people who will love it
March 30, 2024
3.5 stars
So this is a difficult one, though the tl;dr is "This is good fun—read it."
First off—Zarah Detand could write a shopping list and make it wryly funny and genuinely emotional. She's an auto-buy of mine (which makes it more than decent of her to let me have this ARC). In "Be My Endgame", she's taken the enemies-to-lovers thing out for a really good ride and made it work for its HEA, with a couple of sympathic MCs who don't belabour the Enemies thing past common sense. On top of that, there's a thoroughly 2023-relevant sub-plot involving corruption in high places. It's also good to see input from the MCs of Wear It Like a Crown and Pull Me Under.
A particular shout-out for strength of character it must have taken to write the resolution of the final football match - I was actually on tenterhooks. Real spoiler ahead, so really don't read it before you've read the book!
So with all the positives (and this is definitely a book I'll re-read), why four stars? Well, I think it's about my reality being warped in a couple of very specifc ways.
I read a lot of US-set sports books; I know less than nothing about e.g. ice-hockey teams in the States; it doesn't matter to me whether a team name is real or fictional because I can't tell the difference and I have zero expectations to mess up as a result. A story's about the "Utah Underdogs", say, and I go, yeah, yeah, bring it on.
But here, because I'm in the UK, and Detand has MC1 playing for Manchester United (a very real, very famous football/soccer team) and MC2 for Liverpool (very ditto), I was thrown out of the fictional world almost before I started. I've got expectations of the sort of players who play for those teams, which the MCs don't altogether fit so I'm holding real and fictional in my head at the same time, in a disconcerting way. It's as if I were reading a book about the Queen doing karaoke: it's not that she couldn't but more that she wouldn't.
I absolutely get that this is a totally "me" thing—other UKers might not take it that way, and non-UKers may never have come across Man U or Liverpool in the first place, so it simply won't be an issue.
The second I'm-not-sure-about-this issue was Alex's status. He's the son of the Duke of Eastwyck. Now I don't know if that's a tongue-in-cheek reference to the 1987 supernatural comedy filsm "The Witches of Eastwick" with Jack Nicholson & Cher, but the duke's title was another little detail that derailed my reading. (Props to Detand, incidentally, for nailing "how to address a duke's eldest son" & knowing it's a courtesy title.)
To be fair, the "my dad's a duke" bit was actually integrated into one of the plots, so it wasn't just a "sprinkle glamour" moment. And, yes, I know the UK's Premier League is trying hard to increase its diversity profile and you could argue, I suppose, that a duke's son is a member of a minority group... (Even so.)
Anyway, long story short—this is an enjoyable read, told with Detand's usual panache. Recommended.
Note—this is the third book in a loosely linked trilogy that starts with Pull Me Under, though it can be read as a standalone. If you haven't read any Detand before, then you could start with Bring the Fire which I loved.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my unbiased review of the book.
So this is a difficult one, though the tl;dr is "This is good fun—read it."
First off—Zarah Detand could write a shopping list and make it wryly funny and genuinely emotional. She's an auto-buy of mine (which makes it more than decent of her to let me have this ARC). In "Be My Endgame", she's taken the enemies-to-lovers thing out for a really good ride and made it work for its HEA, with a couple of sympathic MCs who don't belabour the Enemies thing past common sense. On top of that, there's a thoroughly 2023-relevant sub-plot involving corruption in high places. It's also good to see input from the MCs of Wear It Like a Crown and Pull Me Under.
A particular shout-out for strength of character it must have taken to write the resolution of the final football match - I was actually on tenterhooks. Real spoiler ahead, so really don't read it before you've read the book!
So with all the positives (and this is definitely a book I'll re-read), why four stars? Well, I think it's about my reality being warped in a couple of very specifc ways.
I read a lot of US-set sports books; I know less than nothing about e.g. ice-hockey teams in the States; it doesn't matter to me whether a team name is real or fictional because I can't tell the difference and I have zero expectations to mess up as a result. A story's about the "Utah Underdogs", say, and I go, yeah, yeah, bring it on.
But here, because I'm in the UK, and Detand has MC1 playing for Manchester United (a very real, very famous football/soccer team) and MC2 for Liverpool (very ditto), I was thrown out of the fictional world almost before I started. I've got expectations of the sort of players who play for those teams, which the MCs don't altogether fit so I'm holding real and fictional in my head at the same time, in a disconcerting way. It's as if I were reading a book about the Queen doing karaoke: it's not that she couldn't but more that she wouldn't.
I absolutely get that this is a totally "me" thing—other UKers might not take it that way, and non-UKers may never have come across Man U or Liverpool in the first place, so it simply won't be an issue.
The second I'm-not-sure-about-this issue was Alex's status. He's the son of the Duke of Eastwyck. Now I don't know if that's a tongue-in-cheek reference to the 1987 supernatural comedy filsm "The Witches of Eastwick" with Jack Nicholson & Cher, but the duke's title was another little detail that derailed my reading. (Props to Detand, incidentally, for nailing "how to address a duke's eldest son" & knowing it's a courtesy title.)
To be fair, the "my dad's a duke" bit was actually integrated into one of the plots, so it wasn't just a "sprinkle glamour" moment. And, yes, I know the UK's Premier League is trying hard to increase its diversity profile and you could argue, I suppose, that a duke's son is a member of a minority group... (Even so.)
Anyway, long story short—this is an enjoyable read, told with Detand's usual panache. Recommended.
Note—this is the third book in a loosely linked trilogy that starts with Pull Me Under, though it can be read as a standalone. If you haven't read any Detand before, then you could start with Bring the Fire which I loved.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my unbiased review of the book.
October 12, 2023
3.5 - sweet, very low angst, YA/NA vibe. The relationship is kind of slow and the characters are a bit cheesy and cute. Calling it rivals to lovers is rather a stretch. Personally I wanted more from this but it wasn’t bad. I really liked reading about English football/soccer for a change and there was a good amount it without being too much.
January 13, 2024
4.5 stars. This was a very good read and I really enjoyed it. Loved both Alex and Lee, how their relationship grew, the pace of their getting to know and liking each other was a good one and even though there was no big drama it was never boring and I just couldn’t put it down. I just love British atmosphere.
May 12, 2025
There’s something about professional athletes falling in love that I just can’t get away from. I really liked this book, liked the ending, and liked that it was about football. Even if it’s not my preference, it’s the sport I know the most about LOL, so I actually understood the plays and rules when the sporting stuff was happening.
Both Lee and Alex had the best luck with fun and supportive best friends, even if there were some pretty crappy family dynamics involved.
Maybe I’ll write a full review later on, but if not, I just want to say this is a good romance that goes from somewhat rivals to friends to lovers. It features two guys who, for once, talk a lot about their relationship and have no miscommunication once they’re actually nice to each other.
I can’t wait to read more books from this author, especially the one about Prince Joshua and Lee’s coach!
Both Lee and Alex had the best luck with fun and supportive best friends, even if there were some pretty crappy family dynamics involved.
Maybe I’ll write a full review later on, but if not, I just want to say this is a good romance that goes from somewhat rivals to friends to lovers. It features two guys who, for once, talk a lot about their relationship and have no miscommunication once they’re actually nice to each other.
I can’t wait to read more books from this author, especially the one about Prince Joshua and Lee’s coach!
Read
September 29, 2023Out today! 😃
Rivals to lovers! Forced proximity! Football! Emotional offsides and family fouls!
It's a fairly light-hearted read, with dashes of banter and strong friendships, all against the backdrop of a World Cup in sunny Spain. While meant to work as a stand-alone, it features cameos from Pull Me Under's Ben Jimmer and Wear It Like a Crown's Prince Joshua and Leo.
I hope you enjoy it!
Rivals to lovers! Forced proximity! Football! Emotional offsides and family fouls!
It's a fairly light-hearted read, with dashes of banter and strong friendships, all against the backdrop of a World Cup in sunny Spain. While meant to work as a stand-alone, it features cameos from Pull Me Under's Ben Jimmer and Wear It Like a Crown's Prince Joshua and Leo.
I hope you enjoy it!
August 5, 2024
This was fantastic! I was looking for palatable fluff and this was way better than that tbh. The characters’ miscommunications and differing expectations were done really really well, they felt way more their age than romance characters often do, and the plot/setting/side characters just felt super organic.
Yes, I kind of sped-read through the final chapter and epilogue, the extended ending isn’t really my thing, but I enjoyed even the speed reading more than I expected haha.
Yes, I kind of sped-read through the final chapter and epilogue, the extended ending isn’t really my thing, but I enjoyed even the speed reading more than I expected haha.
October 2, 2023
Wonderful
I’m not generally overly fussed about football, although I don’t hate it, but this book made me care not only about the characters in it, but about the game.
Lee and Alex are fantastic as they navigate so much on and off the pitch. Recommended.
I’m not generally overly fussed about football, although I don’t hate it, but this book made me care not only about the characters in it, but about the game.
Lee and Alex are fantastic as they navigate so much on and off the pitch. Recommended.
January 23, 2024
5 stars
I always love Detand's novels. This one was no exception to that rule. She does such a great job of building her characters. This book had the bonus of giving us a cameo of Ben from Pull Me Under. Just loved this.
I always love Detand's novels. This one was no exception to that rule. She does such a great job of building her characters. This book had the bonus of giving us a cameo of Ben from Pull Me Under. Just loved this.
January 19, 2024
4+
Ależ słodziaki mi się trafiły 😁 Historia sportowa, bez zbędnej dramy, z delikatnym tropem enemies to lovers. W dodatku autorka idealnie wyważyła sport i romans - sport oczywiście było obecny właściwie cały czas, ale szczegóły typowo sportowe nie przytłaczały i nie było ich za dużo - choć po pierwszych stronach bałam się, że tak właśnie będzie.
Świetnie mi się czytało i miałam czytać teraz te polskie papierowe wydania, ale nabrałam ochoty na kolejne historie Zarah Detand - co poradzić 😜 Plany są od tego, aby je modyfikować 😁
Ależ słodziaki mi się trafiły 😁 Historia sportowa, bez zbędnej dramy, z delikatnym tropem enemies to lovers. W dodatku autorka idealnie wyważyła sport i romans - sport oczywiście było obecny właściwie cały czas, ale szczegóły typowo sportowe nie przytłaczały i nie było ich za dużo - choć po pierwszych stronach bałam się, że tak właśnie będzie.
Świetnie mi się czytało i miałam czytać teraz te polskie papierowe wydania, ale nabrałam ochoty na kolejne historie Zarah Detand - co poradzić 😜 Plany są od tego, aby je modyfikować 😁
April 6, 2024
I read a couple of Detand's stories before... and they were both only "okay". But I also realized those stories were her ealier ones.
Be My Endgame
is one of her more recent titiles... and I loved this one ❤️
First of all, FOOTBALL (the world's definition, not the American one). Yep, these are football players. Liverpool. Manchester United. World Cup. Terms I am familiar with (compared to baseball or hockey, like most of the sports romance out there). Second, the progress from rivals to friends to lovers between Lee and Alex is so, SO GOOD!
I definitely loved how Detand wrote about both Lee and Alex. There were more than between the eyes for these two. Each have their own baggage and family issues. Each learned that they were wrong about the other before they had to be roommate during the World Cup. I loved those moments of understanding.
Then when Lee and Alex finally acknowledged their attraction, they also acted better and more mature than some MM romance featuring older characters. So YAY for these two.
The rest of the secondary characters, like Alex's best friend Jeff, the captain Oliver, and the coach Kieran... they were all fantastic supporting casts. I liked that there wasn't exactly drama about coming out or homophobia in the sport, because it could be tiresome to read.
I think I probably will check out other Detand's recent books!
First of all, FOOTBALL (the world's definition, not the American one). Yep, these are football players. Liverpool. Manchester United. World Cup. Terms I am familiar with (compared to baseball or hockey, like most of the sports romance out there). Second, the progress from rivals to friends to lovers between Lee and Alex is so, SO GOOD!
I definitely loved how Detand wrote about both Lee and Alex. There were more than between the eyes for these two. Each have their own baggage and family issues. Each learned that they were wrong about the other before they had to be roommate during the World Cup. I loved those moments of understanding.
Then when Lee and Alex finally acknowledged their attraction, they also acted better and more mature than some MM romance featuring older characters. So YAY for these two.
The rest of the secondary characters, like Alex's best friend Jeff, the captain Oliver, and the coach Kieran... they were all fantastic supporting casts. I liked that there wasn't exactly drama about coming out or homophobia in the sport, because it could be tiresome to read.
I think I probably will check out other Detand's recent books!
September 30, 2023
This was my first book from Zarah and I absolutely loved it. The way Alex and Lee initially butted heads (hello miscommunication), then dedicated themselves to fake-it-till-they-made-it friends, then real friends into lovers was such a pleasure to read. Plus the love and LOVE (wink wink) were great.
I’m also a sucker for a great cast of side characters… Jeff, Oliver, and Kieran were great!
I’m also a sucker for a great cast of side characters… Jeff, Oliver, and Kieran were great!
September 25, 2023
I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. Having read many of the authors other works I was looking forward to reading this. Although was a little unsure if I’d enjoy it as it was football based and I know next to nothing about the game.
I needn’t have worried. It was fun and engaging, and the chemistry between the two main characters literally oozes off the page. It’s a perfect build of a relationship and it makes total sense for the characters and story development. It’s well paced. Intense at times because you kinda want to shake them both and say get it together, but having feelings like that while reading to me is the sign of a good book. It’s also the sign of very talented author who knows how to draw in their readers with their story and characters.
I needn’t have worried. It was fun and engaging, and the chemistry between the two main characters literally oozes off the page. It’s a perfect build of a relationship and it makes total sense for the characters and story development. It’s well paced. Intense at times because you kinda want to shake them both and say get it together, but having feelings like that while reading to me is the sign of a good book. It’s also the sign of very talented author who knows how to draw in their readers with their story and characters.
September 10, 2023
I received a free ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
I know *nothing* about soccer. Err... football. Even with that limitation, I really enjoyed Be My Endgame! Alex & Lee were just so sweet! And I really love how Zarah has a whole world built up, referencing Ben Jimmer & Prince Joshua (with Leo, of course!). Maybe next up will be Marco?!
I know *nothing* about soccer. Err... football. Even with that limitation, I really enjoyed Be My Endgame! Alex & Lee were just so sweet! And I really love how Zarah has a whole world built up, referencing Ben Jimmer & Prince Joshua (with Leo, of course!). Maybe next up will be Marco?!
January 3, 2026
A book about rival football players from ManUnited and Liverpool falling in love while sharing a room during the world cup? Be my endgame was destined to become my favourite (fiction) read of 2024!!!
I have loved Pull me under and Wear it like a crown by Zarah Detand before, so I knew she had the potential to make a great book out of this idea… and she outdid herself: there was a lot of football talk (which is always appreciated!), but also deep talk between the characters (they actually communicated 😊)and I absolutely adored their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers dynamic. The coming-out was extremely sweet, as well, and I am praying that this will happen in real life too someday. An added bonus for fans is that characters from Detand’s previous books make cameos.
Overall, I giggled and had a warm fuzzy feeling throughout the whole book!!!
—> 5 stars
PS: I read this during the Euros 2024 which was the perfect time, so I’d recommend checking Be my endgame out during the world cup 2026 which is coming up this summer.
I have loved Pull me under and Wear it like a crown by Zarah Detand before, so I knew she had the potential to make a great book out of this idea… and she outdid herself: there was a lot of football talk (which is always appreciated!), but also deep talk between the characters (they actually communicated 😊)and I absolutely adored their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers dynamic. The coming-out was extremely sweet, as well, and I am praying that this will happen in real life too someday. An added bonus for fans is that characters from Detand’s previous books make cameos.
Overall, I giggled and had a warm fuzzy feeling throughout the whole book!!!
—> 5 stars
PS: I read this during the Euros 2024 which was the perfect time, so I’d recommend checking Be my endgame out during the world cup 2026 which is coming up this summer.
January 1, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book! The author’s writing style is one I love and I am looking forward to reading more of Zarah’s future works.
Literal rivals to forced roommates, Lee and Alex are perfection, both as individuals and then ultimately as a couple.
Their back and forth banter and genius whit doesn’t disappoint and you are left wanting for more.
I LOVED the cameo appearance by Prince Joshua and Leo, the MC’s from another amazing novel penned by this author, entitled “Wear It Like a Crown.”
All in all, this was a beautiful book and a definite comfort read. Lee and Alex will always hold a special place in my heart.
I absolutely loved this book! The author’s writing style is one I love and I am looking forward to reading more of Zarah’s future works.
Literal rivals to forced roommates, Lee and Alex are perfection, both as individuals and then ultimately as a couple.
Their back and forth banter and genius whit doesn’t disappoint and you are left wanting for more.
I LOVED the cameo appearance by Prince Joshua and Leo, the MC’s from another amazing novel penned by this author, entitled “Wear It Like a Crown.”
All in all, this was a beautiful book and a definite comfort read. Lee and Alex will always hold a special place in my heart.
September 22, 2023
***I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review***
I actually went in with mixed thoughts because I LOVE this author, so I was pretty sure I'd love the book, but it was my first ARC for them and I truly hate soccer (football), so I was afraid I'd be disappointed and have to leave a mediocre/bad review because it would be too much of that and not enough romance. That said, this book lived up to every one of this author's previous books. Yes, there was quite a bit of soccer, but it focused more on the characters during the game, so you don't actually have to know the ins and outs of soccer to picture it in your head.
Alex and Lee start as rivals on different teams but are both chosen to represent England in the World Cup. After a failed attempt at flirting years before, they have a mutual semi-dislike of each other, but a definite attraction. They also both have family and trust issues, so it's a slowwww burn romance. If you're looking for a lot of smut, you won't really find it (not saying it's not there, but maybe a 3/10). However, if you're looking for a funny, engaging story with main characters you'll root for and side characters you'll love, get this book - you won't be disappointed (hint to Zarah - PLEASE do a book with both best friends lol).
BONUS: If you've read other books by this author, there are some cute cameos by characters from a couple of her other books. They happened organically and weren't forced, which I really appreciated.
I can't recommend this book more highly, and if this is your first book by this author, I encourage you to go read her entire back catalogue (they're all fantastic, but Wear It Like A Crown is my favorite).
I actually went in with mixed thoughts because I LOVE this author, so I was pretty sure I'd love the book, but it was my first ARC for them and I truly hate soccer (football), so I was afraid I'd be disappointed and have to leave a mediocre/bad review because it would be too much of that and not enough romance. That said, this book lived up to every one of this author's previous books. Yes, there was quite a bit of soccer, but it focused more on the characters during the game, so you don't actually have to know the ins and outs of soccer to picture it in your head.
Alex and Lee start as rivals on different teams but are both chosen to represent England in the World Cup. After a failed attempt at flirting years before, they have a mutual semi-dislike of each other, but a definite attraction. They also both have family and trust issues, so it's a slowwww burn romance. If you're looking for a lot of smut, you won't really find it (not saying it's not there, but maybe a 3/10). However, if you're looking for a funny, engaging story with main characters you'll root for and side characters you'll love, get this book - you won't be disappointed (hint to Zarah - PLEASE do a book with both best friends lol).
BONUS: If you've read other books by this author, there are some cute cameos by characters from a couple of her other books. They happened organically and weren't forced, which I really appreciated.
I can't recommend this book more highly, and if this is your first book by this author, I encourage you to go read her entire back catalogue (they're all fantastic, but Wear It Like A Crown is my favorite).
September 30, 2023
I had the fortune of reading an early copy of this book (and have already done a re-read because IT’S JUST THAT GOOD) and all I have to say is I AM HERE FOR IT. While it’s sports theme’d (soccer/football), you wouldn’t have to know soccer to fall into the narrative. It’s crafted in such a way that you get a sense of the game from the players’ perspectives, but really focuses on the relationship between the two MCs. Alex and Lee are initially rival players with a history based on a misunderstanding in communication who are forced together when they are chosen for England’s national team. As is the case with all of Detand’s work, the side characters (primarily Jeff and Oliver) are perfection and take the whole book up a notch. The book is a bit of a slow burn that completely fits the characters and story, but is paced very well. My favorite part? Prince Joshua and Leo’s appearance, because yes of course always please. Themes include coming out, hint of enemies to lovers, rich/poor, references to a parent with mental health issues (past), and family issues that involved one of the main plot points. Overall a fairly low-angst, easy read that is well crafted and so witty I laughed out loud multiple times (in addition to many, many sly smiles and an occasional snort). Detand will always be a one-click author for me and Be My Endgame is the perfect example of why. I already know this one is going to stay at the top with WILAC for me.
September 7, 2023
I have received an ARC copy of this book in exchange of my honest opinion and man am I glad I did, because I absolutely adored these two.
This is my first book from this author and let me tell you- I am hooked. I loved the way the story was written and I am on the way to read more of their book because I need more, honestly.
This book is literally rivals to forced roommates to wanting to be roommates to lovers and I LOVED it.
Something I really appreciated was the communication between Alex and Lee. While it all started because they are two /very lovingly/ idiots, I really appreciated the fact that they talked to each other- after a while. And that one situation in particular was not left up to bring unnecessary drama but was resolved immediately.
Alex and Lee have definitely taken a special spot in my heart and with them? Oliver and Jeff. Oh how I loved these two as well, so supportive, they are the perfect friends and the kind of friends everyone deserves.
One of my favourite moments? Lee loosing control while Alex’s on the phone with his dad. I was WAITING for it to happen and I wasn’t left disappointed.
I honestly adored these two throughout the whole book and I finished the book with a massive smile on my face because they deserve all the happiness in the world.
This is my first book from this author and let me tell you- I am hooked. I loved the way the story was written and I am on the way to read more of their book because I need more, honestly.
This book is literally rivals to forced roommates to wanting to be roommates to lovers and I LOVED it.
Something I really appreciated was the communication between Alex and Lee. While it all started because they are two /very lovingly/ idiots, I really appreciated the fact that they talked to each other- after a while. And that one situation in particular was not left up to bring unnecessary drama but was resolved immediately.
Alex and Lee have definitely taken a special spot in my heart and with them? Oliver and Jeff. Oh how I loved these two as well, so supportive, they are the perfect friends and the kind of friends everyone deserves.
One of my favourite moments? Lee loosing control while Alex’s on the phone with his dad. I was WAITING for it to happen and I wasn’t left disappointed.
I honestly adored these two throughout the whole book and I finished the book with a massive smile on my face because they deserve all the happiness in the world.
September 26, 2023
Excellent writing with lots of lovely characters. I'm not a football fan at all although I know enough to understand what's happening but what was included was surprisingly interesting. The MCs were from really different backgrounds, but had a lot more in common than they realised. I loved how there was no focus on homophobia and no examples of toxic masculinity among the players (which a lot of mm sports romance seems to focus on). The characters were allowed to be vulnerable and helpful to each other. Delightful.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
February 29, 2024
First I’ve been wanting to read a football MM romance for quite a while now so I’m happy I found this. As for the review: So this is set sometime in the near future. There was the Qatar WC, and Messi and CR7 exist in this universe. So when England beat France (as if lol), the only thing I was thinking was where on Earth Mbappe was? Cause no way, no. Way, would England beat a French team with Mbappe in the mix. I get that it was important for the story that they advance, so just have him be injured or something. Ok that’s probably enough. I’m putting too much stock into the results of this imaginary World Cup haha. Regardless I enjoyed this. Could’ve done without the politics tho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2023
Fun Rivals to Lovers Story
I enjoyed reading this one quite a bit. It did start off a bit slow for me but it didn't take too long for me to really get into it. It ended up being a lot of fun to read.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I enjoyed reading this one quite a bit. It did start off a bit slow for me but it didn't take too long for me to really get into it. It ended up being a lot of fun to read.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
October 3, 2023
A bit of hit and miss with this author for me but this one was quite good. Nothing new but kept me interested until the end and low angst which was what I was looking for. Plus, real football, so what's not to like haha
March 30, 2024
Very nice!
This was a perfect blend of sports and two men getting to know each other. Even better, they acted like adults, and when something came between them, they talked it through. This made me very happy!
This was a perfect blend of sports and two men getting to know each other. Even better, they acted like adults, and when something came between them, they talked it through. This made me very happy!
September 24, 2023
A sports romance, Alex and Lee have some enmity on the pitch, but soon discover they have feelings for one another. Forced to room with one another, and to come to terms with their sexuality, they can no longer right their attraction. They were so cute together!
March 22, 2024
if you want fanfic vibes
Read
January 13, 2024DNF, stopping at 12%. I'm not into sports enough to like this one, and the lack of any but minimal byplay between the pair is not helping at all.
September 26, 2023
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
This is a really sweet, non-angsty, fun read with 2 appealing MCs. There's a "big misunderstanding" in the early part of the relationship, but they get past it pretty quickly which is refreshing. Having the development of their relationship set against the World Cup was fun and different, and the supporting characters were all great. Honestly, it's lovely to read a book where there isn't a villain or some big miscommunication/misunderstanding that drives the story. This is another great read from Zarah Detand, she's definitely on my "must buy" list!
This is a really sweet, non-angsty, fun read with 2 appealing MCs. There's a "big misunderstanding" in the early part of the relationship, but they get past it pretty quickly which is refreshing. Having the development of their relationship set against the World Cup was fun and different, and the supporting characters were all great. Honestly, it's lovely to read a book where there isn't a villain or some big miscommunication/misunderstanding that drives the story. This is another great read from Zarah Detand, she's definitely on my "must buy" list!
October 28, 2023
This was very nice. Also, it sounded very British. And I mean that in a good way.
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