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A Match to Remember
For amateur footballer Lizzie Morris, it's the first day of her teacher training at Cranswell Primary School. Horrifyingly, she immediately comes face to face with her first love from back in her own school days. Instantly, their competitive relationship reignites and to make matters worse, the Head Teacher asks them to organise Sports Day together. Their friendly rivalry of old threatens to derail all of her plans.
Will she overcome their bickering to pass her teacher training, win the football tournament and survive this brush with her past?
Will she overcome their bickering to pass her teacher training, win the football tournament and survive this brush with her past?
384 pages, Hardcover
Published May 23, 2024
4 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 16, 2025
does she know that you can see when someone called even if your phone was off????
May 22, 2024
Thanks to Allison & Busby for providing me with a copy of "A Match to Remember" and including me in the blog tour. The book follows Lizzie on her teacher training journey, where she encounters her ex, Noah, at the same school. Their competitive dynamic adds humor to the story, leading to a sweet and slow-burning romance. The narrative also delves into Lizzie's past, revealing some poignant moments and handling sensitive issues with care. Lizzie's relationship with her daughter, Kirsty, is realistically portrayed, adding depth to the story. I'm eagerly anticipating another book in this series. It's a delightful read that resonates with authenticity and heart. #BookReview #RomanceNovel #TeacherTraining #BlogTour #FamilyDynamics #Relationships #BookLovers #Bookworms #SlowBurnRomance #RealisticFiction
July 4, 2024
A warm grown up sports romance
Filled with second chances and uplifting friendship this book is a slow burning closed door sporty dream perfect for balmy summer days…
I loved Lizzie she was a wonderful character and her struggles with her parents’ tragic deaths were skillfully written and I loved the school environment in this one and the football team angle…it is great to witness women’s football at all levels finally coming into its own in the UK..also have to mention Helen Hawkins writes primary school settings exceptionally well (I loved this one and A concert for Christmas) and I love her take on the picturesque Cotswolds.
Plus the enemies to lovers second chance romance between Noah and Lizzie was glorious….sports day (always a bit of a hit or miss for me some victories, some disasters)will never be the same.
Filled with second chances and uplifting friendship this book is a slow burning closed door sporty dream perfect for balmy summer days…
I loved Lizzie she was a wonderful character and her struggles with her parents’ tragic deaths were skillfully written and I loved the school environment in this one and the football team angle…it is great to witness women’s football at all levels finally coming into its own in the UK..also have to mention Helen Hawkins writes primary school settings exceptionally well (I loved this one and A concert for Christmas) and I love her take on the picturesque Cotswolds.
Plus the enemies to lovers second chance romance between Noah and Lizzie was glorious….sports day (always a bit of a hit or miss for me some victories, some disasters)will never be the same.
May 19, 2024
This was an absolute joy from start to finish. As a female football fan, seeing this got me so excited and it did not disappoint. From cup matches to training, it was great to see women on the pitch and thriving.
I liked the school element too- fun to see it from a trainer teacher lens. And the ensemble of smaller characters added to my enjoyment.
But.. Noah and Lizzie, Lizzie and Noah. Wow.
As a non competitive person in life, I have to admit I found it amusing how competitive they were with each other, but that didn't bother me. Their kindness, their fun, the way they were around each other just bounced off the page.
This book does tackle some sensitive subjects and they were well handled.
Sequel, please!
I liked the school element too- fun to see it from a trainer teacher lens. And the ensemble of smaller characters added to my enjoyment.
But.. Noah and Lizzie, Lizzie and Noah. Wow.
As a non competitive person in life, I have to admit I found it amusing how competitive they were with each other, but that didn't bother me. Their kindness, their fun, the way they were around each other just bounced off the page.
This book does tackle some sensitive subjects and they were well handled.
Sequel, please!
May 20, 2024
A fun quick read of second chances.
I enjoyed seeing Lizzie’s story develop as she grew in confidence in her new teacher role. Working in school myself it was interesting seeing the little roles she had to fulfil as she got to grips with the class and teaching. Her love of football was a great addition to the story too.
Lizzie’s relationship with Kirsty was an interesting one - to have lost so much and got close to eachother, their closeness was a difficult one.
The history with Noah was cleverly entwined with Lizzie’s story and the chemistry between them was obvious from the start.
May 26, 2024
After reading A concert for Christmas I was excited to read Helen Hawkin's second installment from the fictional town of Cranswell, and I was not disappointed.
This book follows Lizzie, a young trainee teacher, and her re-acquaintance with her old flame Noah. Lizzie and Noah have a great chemistry and I love their competitive dynamic.The story is warm and engaging, as well as including some more hard hitting issues. One of my favourite characters in this book is Tom, Lizzie's flat mate, I think he is a wonderful supporting role in the story.
I think this book is a perfect summer read.
This book follows Lizzie, a young trainee teacher, and her re-acquaintance with her old flame Noah. Lizzie and Noah have a great chemistry and I love their competitive dynamic.The story is warm and engaging, as well as including some more hard hitting issues. One of my favourite characters in this book is Tom, Lizzie's flat mate, I think he is a wonderful supporting role in the story.
I think this book is a perfect summer read.
May 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this lovely romance. Noah and Lizzie were the cutest couple and I was so keen for them to get together. This is a slow burn, enemies to lovers and second-chance romance and I was here for all of it. I loved the inner depth added to Lizzie’s character. And her struggle to recover from the past. It meant that she went on a journey which made her relationship with Noah all the sweeter. Such a fab romance that I highly recommend.
June 3, 2024
This was an entertaining read, even though I expected more football and less getting wasted. Most probably I'm just old and boring.
I liked Lizzie's and Noah's dedication to teaching and the way they took their job seriously. And compared to their grown up attitude to their chosen profession, it seemed a bit strange how reckless and ignorant they were in terms of drinking and constant junk eating. Yeah, I'm definitely old and boring.
I liked Lizzie's and Noah's dedication to teaching and the way they took their job seriously. And compared to their grown up attitude to their chosen profession, it seemed a bit strange how reckless and ignorant they were in terms of drinking and constant junk eating. Yeah, I'm definitely old and boring.
May 16, 2024
A sweet second chance romance, full of angst and longing, perfect for the summer. I really enjoyed seeing a romance heroine with an unapologetically competitive streak and loved the nostalgia it gave me for summer terms back at primary school. I could practically smell the cut grass and taste the oranges!
May 23, 2024
A second chance romance, count me in.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick and easy read. It had the right amount of angst.
The tension was there from the start of the book to the very end.
Overall, I gave this book 4 stars and would definitely recommend it to fans of sports romances.
Thank you to Net Galley and Allison & Busby for providing me with an eAR
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick and easy read. It had the right amount of angst.
The tension was there from the start of the book to the very end.
Overall, I gave this book 4 stars and would definitely recommend it to fans of sports romances.
Thank you to Net Galley and Allison & Busby for providing me with an eAR
May 26, 2024
Lizzie is a training teacher who is incredibly competitive. She lives with her best friend Tom who is a TA. She goes to a pe lesson and is greeted with her first love Noah. This book is a very easy read. The book also addresses so tough topics in a respectful way. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2024
I was lucky enough to host the launch for this book last night, at Waterstones Witney, so a massive 'thank you' to both the author and the team at Alison and Busby for the advanced copy, and for making the whole process thoroughly enjoyable for me!
Review to follow...
Review to follow...
May 3, 2025
3.5/5 stars! This is a cute contemporary romance with former lovers to rivals energy. It is a sweet, quick read and I really enjoyed Lizzie and Noah's love story. There wasn't much world-building or development of the side characters.
May 2, 2024
✨3.5 stars✨
Read
May 15, 2024I devoured this sporty second chance romance! The cute kids, sports day, a big football match and an old flame are a winning combination.
July 24, 2025
Not your typical romantic comedy story and that's what makes it great
May 21, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, it was pure escapism. The author has written some great character in Lizzie, Noah, Kirstie and Tom. All the characters are likeable and relatable.
Lizzie is about to start doing what she has always wanted to do. That is to train as a teacher, she has been offered a term before the summer holidays to go in and watch and take part in teaching. Hopefully with a chance of seeing what it’s really like.
What Lizzie hadn’t expected was to bump into someone she hasn’t seen for 10 years Noah Hatton. He took the class she was working for PE and it’s not long before the competitive behaviour starts between the two.
But what had gone wrong 10 years earlier?
I loved the relationship between Lizzie and her housemate Tom, who also worked at the school as a TA. This is a real fun read. If you like enemies to friends then this will be perfect for you. Nicely plotted everything works well, definitely one for the romance fans out there.
Thank you to publishers @AllisonandBusby and @helenwritesit for my ARC of this book, all opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
Lizzie is about to start doing what she has always wanted to do. That is to train as a teacher, she has been offered a term before the summer holidays to go in and watch and take part in teaching. Hopefully with a chance of seeing what it’s really like.
What Lizzie hadn’t expected was to bump into someone she hasn’t seen for 10 years Noah Hatton. He took the class she was working for PE and it’s not long before the competitive behaviour starts between the two.
But what had gone wrong 10 years earlier?
I loved the relationship between Lizzie and her housemate Tom, who also worked at the school as a TA. This is a real fun read. If you like enemies to friends then this will be perfect for you. Nicely plotted everything works well, definitely one for the romance fans out there.
Thank you to publishers @AllisonandBusby and @helenwritesit for my ARC of this book, all opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
July 21, 2024
Lizzie is not only an amateur footballer she is also about to start a new role as a trainee teacher at Cranswell Primary School. What Lizzie doesn’t expect on her first day is to meet the person who takes the PE lessons at the school who just so happens to be Lizzie’s ex-boyfriend Noah. Can Lizzie and Noah find common ground and is this their second chance?
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book it was a book that I added to my list because it gave me Bend It Lick Beckham vibes. This was a really easy read and was one that I looked forward to after a long day at work.
I loved the storyline. It had everything that that I wanted in a romance book because it included the enemies to lovers trope, the second chance romance trope and rivalry between the main characters. It was interesting to see how Lizzie coped with seeing Noah for the first time because it bought back memories of the reason that they broke up and the hurt that the break up caused which she had buried for many years. It was something that Lizzie never got over and resulted in her not having any long term relationships because she found it difficult to trust anyone.
As much as Lizzie wants to stay away from Noah fate had other ideas in mind because she finds herself paired with him to organise the next sports day which means spending time with him. The more time that they spend together feelings start to surface of not only love but also regret, bitterness and anger. Although both Lizzie and Noah try to act professionally and move past what happened it's clear that they both still care and love each other and show signs of jealousy when someone else takes an interest. Lizzie has always believed that Noah cheated on her but when Lizzie confronts Noah about this it quickly transpires that there is a bigger picture that Lizzie wasn’t aware of. When all was revealed I felt quite sad for both Lizzie and Noah because there was a missed opportunity between them and one that could have changed their futures. I loved all of the scenes between Lizzie and Noah. Especially the scenes when they were organising the sports day because it showed how competitive they are and it is this competitiveness that starts to bring back their spark and bring them closed together. What I really liked about their connection is that when Luke sees that Lizzie is nervous and doubting her ability to be a teacher he encourages her which boosts her confidence.
If you’re a fan of the enemies to lovers trope and the second chance romance trope this is one to add to your list.
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book it was a book that I added to my list because it gave me Bend It Lick Beckham vibes. This was a really easy read and was one that I looked forward to after a long day at work.
I loved the storyline. It had everything that that I wanted in a romance book because it included the enemies to lovers trope, the second chance romance trope and rivalry between the main characters. It was interesting to see how Lizzie coped with seeing Noah for the first time because it bought back memories of the reason that they broke up and the hurt that the break up caused which she had buried for many years. It was something that Lizzie never got over and resulted in her not having any long term relationships because she found it difficult to trust anyone.
As much as Lizzie wants to stay away from Noah fate had other ideas in mind because she finds herself paired with him to organise the next sports day which means spending time with him. The more time that they spend together feelings start to surface of not only love but also regret, bitterness and anger. Although both Lizzie and Noah try to act professionally and move past what happened it's clear that they both still care and love each other and show signs of jealousy when someone else takes an interest. Lizzie has always believed that Noah cheated on her but when Lizzie confronts Noah about this it quickly transpires that there is a bigger picture that Lizzie wasn’t aware of. When all was revealed I felt quite sad for both Lizzie and Noah because there was a missed opportunity between them and one that could have changed their futures. I loved all of the scenes between Lizzie and Noah. Especially the scenes when they were organising the sports day because it showed how competitive they are and it is this competitiveness that starts to bring back their spark and bring them closed together. What I really liked about their connection is that when Luke sees that Lizzie is nervous and doubting her ability to be a teacher he encourages her which boosts her confidence.
If you’re a fan of the enemies to lovers trope and the second chance romance trope this is one to add to your list.
November 16, 2024
Lizzie is about to begin her dream of training as a teacher. She gets a term before the summer holidays to observe and participate in teaching, hoping to see what it’s really like. Unexpectedly, she bumps into Noah Hatton, someone she hasn't seen in 10 years, sparking a competitive dynamic between them. The story explores what went wrong between Lizzie and Noah a decade earlier. The relationship between Lizzie and her housemate Tom, who also works at the school, adds to the fun. This is a perfect read for fans of the enemies-to-friends trope, with a well-plotted story that romance fans will love. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; it was pure escapism. The author created great, relatable characters in Lizzie, Noah, Kirstie, and Tom.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews