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Love in the Arena #1
Penalty Box
Silas broke her heart when he left two years ago.
Now he’s back and wants to pick up where they left off.
Miriam loves working for the local professional arena soccer team. She’s gearing up for the Storm’s best season yet but the new lineup has one major problem—Silas Jenkins. The guy who broke her heart has returned, and she’ll have to play nice or risk losing her dream job.
Silas made the biggest mistake of his life two years when he signed with a rival soccer team in hopes of pushing his career to the next level. He realized too late that he left the love of his life behind. Now, he’s trying to make things right. But between adoring fans and teammates with a grudge, he'll be lucky if Miriam gives him the time of day.
When Miriam and Silas are thrown together for outreach events, will old feelings be rekindled?
Or is Silas doomed to the penalty box forever?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 20, 2020
Second chance romance...sports style
A good second chance romance is always a hit, especially when things ended on bad terms and the characters are pretty much enemies now. Silas broke Miriam's heart, but he's back now and is a changed man. He sure has his work cut out for him to win her over though.
I loved the way this author ties sports with love and they are merged together in a way that one doesn't overpower the other, yet the reader is satisfied with both. I loved getting to know this team and more bout arena soccer, and hope to read stories about each one of the team members. I'm definitely intrigued and I love Tirrell's writing style.
I expected Silas to be a cocky jerk, but watching him settle into his team and new life proved otherwise. Miriam is understandably cautious, and I enjoyed watching true love crack her shell. These characters interested me and I loved watching their story unfold, especially in spite of their challenges. This is definitely a series to read!
Content: mild romance
A good second chance romance is always a hit, especially when things ended on bad terms and the characters are pretty much enemies now. Silas broke Miriam's heart, but he's back now and is a changed man. He sure has his work cut out for him to win her over though.
I loved the way this author ties sports with love and they are merged together in a way that one doesn't overpower the other, yet the reader is satisfied with both. I loved getting to know this team and more bout arena soccer, and hope to read stories about each one of the team members. I'm definitely intrigued and I love Tirrell's writing style.
I expected Silas to be a cocky jerk, but watching him settle into his team and new life proved otherwise. Miriam is understandably cautious, and I enjoyed watching true love crack her shell. These characters interested me and I loved watching their story unfold, especially in spite of their challenges. This is definitely a series to read!
Content: mild romance
March 24, 2020
Sports romances are ones that I've become to love and if I'm honest, a lot of them are based on hockey. I've read one or two soccer ones, but never one like this. Kayla was able to explain this sport in this book without it taking over the story, but still being understandable. I'm always amazed when authors are able to do that!
Miriam is the community outreach manager for The Storm. She loves her job and is very loyal to it. I really loved Miriam's character. It was clear she's quirky at times, but loves doing what she does. It was nice to see a woman being sucessful and loving her job. The soccer players respected her and I loved that!
Silas is a soccer player and former player for The Storm. When chasing what he thought he wanted, he went to a different team. At the time it felt right for what he thought he wanted. Things changed and Silas has made some mistakes. Silas was an interesting character. He loves this sport, but has come to a point he realized that things weren't what he thought they were. I love how hard he works to find his place back on the team and to Miriam. He had me laughing quite a few times.
These two used to date and things didn't end the best of ways. It's clear the feelings are still there, but with everything that happened can they get back to what they were? I have to appreciate the fact that Kayla didn't make it easy for Silas, haha. Things happened, feelings were hurt and it takes more than showing up to fix that. I loved watching these characters get to know each other again and maybe find their way back to each other.
On top of this fun and sweet romance, the other characters in this book are a lot of fun. Besides our two main characters Allie (Miriam's best friend) was my favorite. She says what she thinks and doesn't care what someone has to say about that. I really enjoyed this sports romance and can't wait until she gives us the next book! If you're looking for a sweet romance that will make you laugh and has a touch of soccer, this book is one I can recommend. My only complaint is that I would've loved if it was longer. I didn't have enough time with these characters!
Miriam is the community outreach manager for The Storm. She loves her job and is very loyal to it. I really loved Miriam's character. It was clear she's quirky at times, but loves doing what she does. It was nice to see a woman being sucessful and loving her job. The soccer players respected her and I loved that!
Silas is a soccer player and former player for The Storm. When chasing what he thought he wanted, he went to a different team. At the time it felt right for what he thought he wanted. Things changed and Silas has made some mistakes. Silas was an interesting character. He loves this sport, but has come to a point he realized that things weren't what he thought they were. I love how hard he works to find his place back on the team and to Miriam. He had me laughing quite a few times.
These two used to date and things didn't end the best of ways. It's clear the feelings are still there, but with everything that happened can they get back to what they were? I have to appreciate the fact that Kayla didn't make it easy for Silas, haha. Things happened, feelings were hurt and it takes more than showing up to fix that. I loved watching these characters get to know each other again and maybe find their way back to each other.
On top of this fun and sweet romance, the other characters in this book are a lot of fun. Besides our two main characters Allie (Miriam's best friend) was my favorite. She says what she thinks and doesn't care what someone has to say about that. I really enjoyed this sports romance and can't wait until she gives us the next book! If you're looking for a sweet romance that will make you laugh and has a touch of soccer, this book is one I can recommend. My only complaint is that I would've loved if it was longer. I didn't have enough time with these characters!
March 16, 2020
My full review can be found here: bit.ly/33o3hiO
𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦.
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨.
“𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥?”
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥. “𝘕𝘰, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵.”
Oh my gosh, where to start? Well...I loved this book. There, I said it. I. Loved. This. Book. Everything just felt soooooo REAL! The angst. The emotions. The dialogue. The relationships. Each chapter had me hooked, and left me wanting more. 👏💗
And I just needdddddd to talk about how swoony Silas was!!! When he was nostalgic...I swooned. When he was confused...I swooned. When he was romantic...I swooned. When he was nervous...I swooned. When he was frustrated...I swooned. He was just one HUGE swoonfest, y'all; which was absolutelyyyyyy fine with me!
Also! I absolutely adored that the book was centered around arena soccer; I know it's something that Kayla is a HUGE fan of, and it was fun to get a taste for the world she loves so much. 😍👏
As far as content goes: Cleannnnnn!!!
So, I'm going to end the review by saying that this was a perfect second chance, sports romance...through and through. I diddddddd want it to be longer, but that's only because it was such a great read and I'm incredibly greedy. 🙈🤣
One more thing!!! I can't wait for the other books in the series, y'all! I'm sure they'll be just as good as this one was!! 🙌
~I received an e-copy of this story from the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.~
𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦.
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨.
“𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥?”
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥. “𝘕𝘰, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵.”
Oh my gosh, where to start? Well...I loved this book. There, I said it. I. Loved. This. Book. Everything just felt soooooo REAL! The angst. The emotions. The dialogue. The relationships. Each chapter had me hooked, and left me wanting more. 👏💗
And I just needdddddd to talk about how swoony Silas was!!! When he was nostalgic...I swooned. When he was confused...I swooned. When he was romantic...I swooned. When he was nervous...I swooned. When he was frustrated...I swooned. He was just one HUGE swoonfest, y'all; which was absolutelyyyyyy fine with me!
Also! I absolutely adored that the book was centered around arena soccer; I know it's something that Kayla is a HUGE fan of, and it was fun to get a taste for the world she loves so much. 😍👏
As far as content goes: Cleannnnnn!!!
So, I'm going to end the review by saying that this was a perfect second chance, sports romance...through and through. I diddddddd want it to be longer, but that's only because it was such a great read and I'm incredibly greedy. 🙈🤣
One more thing!!! I can't wait for the other books in the series, y'all! I'm sure they'll be just as good as this one was!! 🙌
~I received an e-copy of this story from the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.~
June 22, 2020
Cute
This is a cute second chance at love story. It's light, easy reading that doesn't delve too deep or stretch too far outside the main characters and their relationship with each other. I have never watched arena soccer but it sounds like something I would like.
This is a cute second chance at love story. It's light, easy reading that doesn't delve too deep or stretch too far outside the main characters and their relationship with each other. I have never watched arena soccer but it sounds like something I would like.
April 18, 2020
[1.25 star] dont really like it, nothing special to pull you into the book. also, i dont like the heroine either, keep wanting to roll my eyes at everything she says or does.
February 21, 2024
With the flurry of sports romances out now, it was so nice to find one about a sport I hadn’t read about before, arena soccer. This is a cute, second chance romance that was nicely done. Sometimes second chance romances are tricky because you can spend practically the whole book with one character groveling and the other holding a grudge. While there was a little bit of that, I felt like the author did a great job carefully balancing the need for forgiveness/redemption with renewed attraction and moving forward.
Miriam is the outreach manager for a professional soccer team called the Storm. After a previously disappointing season, they’re hoping this will be their best year yet. Unfortunately, their newest player is former player Silas Jenkins who left the team and Miriam for a better opportunity a few years before. The betrayal stung especially when he didn’t discuss his leaving with Miriam. Now he’s back and she has to figure out a way to be around him without losing her heart again.
Silas made a huge mistake when he left Miriam and the Storm. After an awful experience and a lot of soul searching, he’s returning to win Miriam back and make it up to the team he took for granted. But, it’s not smooth sailing and winning back Miriam’s trust is going to take everything he’s got.
I really liked Miriam & Silas. Miriam reminded me of Pam from the Office for some reason. She had that sweet vibe about her. While Miriam still had feelings for Silas, I appreciated that she wasn’t willing to forget what happened. I enjoyed Silas, he’s the quintessential star athlete with the ego to match, but he gained some humility along the way which made him much more likable. I was hoping there was more to his leaving than just his ambition, but sadly that wasn’t the case. There are plenty of guys like that and I liked how he became more sympathetic as the story went on.
I didn’t know much about arena soccer, but the author did a fantastic job explaining the sport without it becoming too overpowering. I also enjoyed Silas’ teammates as well as Miriam’s best friend Allie. This is the first book in the Love in the Arena series and is a quick, fun romcom easily read in a day. If you enjoy closed door romance especially sports romances, give this a try. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author but also purchased a copy through Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
Miriam is the outreach manager for a professional soccer team called the Storm. After a previously disappointing season, they’re hoping this will be their best year yet. Unfortunately, their newest player is former player Silas Jenkins who left the team and Miriam for a better opportunity a few years before. The betrayal stung especially when he didn’t discuss his leaving with Miriam. Now he’s back and she has to figure out a way to be around him without losing her heart again.
Silas made a huge mistake when he left Miriam and the Storm. After an awful experience and a lot of soul searching, he’s returning to win Miriam back and make it up to the team he took for granted. But, it’s not smooth sailing and winning back Miriam’s trust is going to take everything he’s got.
I really liked Miriam & Silas. Miriam reminded me of Pam from the Office for some reason. She had that sweet vibe about her. While Miriam still had feelings for Silas, I appreciated that she wasn’t willing to forget what happened. I enjoyed Silas, he’s the quintessential star athlete with the ego to match, but he gained some humility along the way which made him much more likable. I was hoping there was more to his leaving than just his ambition, but sadly that wasn’t the case. There are plenty of guys like that and I liked how he became more sympathetic as the story went on.
I didn’t know much about arena soccer, but the author did a fantastic job explaining the sport without it becoming too overpowering. I also enjoyed Silas’ teammates as well as Miriam’s best friend Allie. This is the first book in the Love in the Arena series and is a quick, fun romcom easily read in a day. If you enjoy closed door romance especially sports romances, give this a try. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author but also purchased a copy through Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
March 14, 2020
For someone who has never played a sport, I sure love sports movies and books. Make that book a sports romance and I’m done for 😍 Lucky for me, Kayla Tirrell has written a few of my favorites and her first installment of the Love in the Arena series did not disappoint.
Miriam is the community outreach manager for the Florida arena soccer team, the Storm. She loves the sport and she loves her team, that is until Silas Jenkins returns.
Silas used to play for the Storm until one day he abandoned his team, and Miriam, for a better opportunity. Now that Silas is back, he has to prove to his teammates, and to Miriam, that he’s back for good.
Penalty Box is perfect! Miriam is such a fun, sweet character and I love that she is a successful woman working in a male dominated industry. Allie is the perfect no-nonsense best friend and Hobbes is just a great addition because who doesn’t like a story with a cat?
I also feel like the cover art is the perfect portrayal of Silas aka dreamy 😅
Kayla always knocks the character development out of the park. It always amazes me that so much can change in these characters, especially when it is a bit of a shorter book. Not only did we get to see substantial development from the main characters (Miriam and Silas), but also from Allie and the whole Storm team.
I can’t wait to read the second in the series and my fingers are crossed for more of Finn and his sister Emmeline.
Miriam is the community outreach manager for the Florida arena soccer team, the Storm. She loves the sport and she loves her team, that is until Silas Jenkins returns.
Silas used to play for the Storm until one day he abandoned his team, and Miriam, for a better opportunity. Now that Silas is back, he has to prove to his teammates, and to Miriam, that he’s back for good.
Penalty Box is perfect! Miriam is such a fun, sweet character and I love that she is a successful woman working in a male dominated industry. Allie is the perfect no-nonsense best friend and Hobbes is just a great addition because who doesn’t like a story with a cat?
I also feel like the cover art is the perfect portrayal of Silas aka dreamy 😅
Kayla always knocks the character development out of the park. It always amazes me that so much can change in these characters, especially when it is a bit of a shorter book. Not only did we get to see substantial development from the main characters (Miriam and Silas), but also from Allie and the whole Storm team.
I can’t wait to read the second in the series and my fingers are crossed for more of Finn and his sister Emmeline.
March 20, 2020
Loved this book! With everything that is happening in society right now, this was a great escape. Even though I found it predictable, it was an enjoyable read. I love indoor soccer so it was fun reading a cute, quick read about it! You should read this if you want a fun quick read!
November 22, 2021
It's OK. Sweet, clean, second chance sports romance with little meat to the story and little interaction between the leads. 2 stars - just OK.
Silas (H) and Miriam (h) were brought together by arena soccer - he's a player on the team that she works for. They were The Couple until he moved away to a new team, new state, new life, with little discussion with Miriam first. He moved on, leaving her heart broken behind him. It's now two years later, and he's back in town, trying to get back in both the team's and Miriam's good graces. Do they actually have a second chance, or was too much damage done?
I liked that it's an ACTUAL second chance romance. They were together, they broke up, and now life has brought them back to each other, with the chance to renew old sparks. So often you see things marketed as "second chance" stories, when it's really someone moving on from a divorce or a bad breakup or after a death. That's not a second chance - that's a new chance altogether. Totally different type of story.
I didn't mind Silas - he had done some actual growing during their two years apart, sorted out what he wanted and what he needed to prioritize. Miriam, though, was really irking me, and she only got worse. She had a complete and utter inability to communicate. Kinda funny, considering her job was marketing and outreach - a field that depends on communication. But how she dealt with both Silas and Harris, romantically and professionally both... just drove me up the wall. For example . Or later on, . Basically, she bottled everything up, dithered and fretted, and ended up having things happen to her rather than taking any steps herself for her own happiness. Even applying to the SC job was running away rather than doing something proactive. Overall, just made for a tiring character to spend so long inside her head.
Because really, it was mostly in their heads. There was very, very little communication in this book, especially between the leads. We spent much of the story lost in their heads, wading through internal monologues, occasional flashbacks, lots of descriptions, rather than reading their discussions and conversation and banter. You know, an active relationship growing and finding itself again.
Well written and edited. Very readable. Quick and light and sweet. Just wish the leads were stronger.
Clean romance - a passionate kiss or two, but nothing further.
Alternating 3rd person POV. Minor OW drama. Minor love triangle. No cheating (but then, the couple isn't actually together until about the last 5 pages). Weak h with little personal growth over either the last two years without Silas, or during the season since he returned. Could have been a good H but it was hard to see what he had fallen so hard for. Just felt like only one was making personal progress (something I always like to see in my romance leads), and that there was relatively little interaction between the two to support the renewed romance. HFN ending, but no cliffhanger.
Would I read more in this series? By this author? Yeah, I've got book 2 in this series already. Both were free Kindle finds, so I'll at least give it that much. While well written in a lot of ways, there was a lot that frustrated or disappointed too. We'll see after that if I try any other of her books.
Silas (H) and Miriam (h) were brought together by arena soccer - he's a player on the team that she works for. They were The Couple until he moved away to a new team, new state, new life, with little discussion with Miriam first. He moved on, leaving her heart broken behind him. It's now two years later, and he's back in town, trying to get back in both the team's and Miriam's good graces. Do they actually have a second chance, or was too much damage done?
I liked that it's an ACTUAL second chance romance. They were together, they broke up, and now life has brought them back to each other, with the chance to renew old sparks. So often you see things marketed as "second chance" stories, when it's really someone moving on from a divorce or a bad breakup or after a death. That's not a second chance - that's a new chance altogether. Totally different type of story.
I didn't mind Silas - he had done some actual growing during their two years apart, sorted out what he wanted and what he needed to prioritize. Miriam, though, was really irking me, and she only got worse. She had a complete and utter inability to communicate. Kinda funny, considering her job was marketing and outreach - a field that depends on communication. But how she dealt with both Silas and Harris, romantically and professionally both... just drove me up the wall. For example . Or later on, . Basically, she bottled everything up, dithered and fretted, and ended up having things happen to her rather than taking any steps herself for her own happiness. Even applying to the SC job was running away rather than doing something proactive. Overall, just made for a tiring character to spend so long inside her head.
Because really, it was mostly in their heads. There was very, very little communication in this book, especially between the leads. We spent much of the story lost in their heads, wading through internal monologues, occasional flashbacks, lots of descriptions, rather than reading their discussions and conversation and banter. You know, an active relationship growing and finding itself again.
Well written and edited. Very readable. Quick and light and sweet. Just wish the leads were stronger.
Clean romance - a passionate kiss or two, but nothing further.
Alternating 3rd person POV. Minor OW drama. Minor love triangle. No cheating (but then, the couple isn't actually together until about the last 5 pages). Weak h with little personal growth over either the last two years without Silas, or during the season since he returned. Could have been a good H but it was hard to see what he had fallen so hard for. Just felt like only one was making personal progress (something I always like to see in my romance leads), and that there was relatively little interaction between the two to support the renewed romance. HFN ending, but no cliffhanger.
Would I read more in this series? By this author? Yeah, I've got book 2 in this series already. Both were free Kindle finds, so I'll at least give it that much. While well written in a lot of ways, there was a lot that frustrated or disappointed too. We'll see after that if I try any other of her books.
May 4, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ Penalty Box is a slow burn second-chance romance that starts strong but loses momentum. The emotional buildup feels drawn out, and the tension fizzles rather than ignites.
December 18, 2024
The Penalty Box starts with Miriam feeling angst as her old love moves back to town. Their complicated history along with the tension and turmoil involved makes for a read full of anticipation. There are plenty of characters to get to know and I’m excited that I’m not done because this book is part of a series!!
March 15, 2020
I enjoyed this story but it wasn’t my favorite. I really enjoy Kayla’s writing though and that she can go from YA to adult romances easily.
This is another second chance sports romance. It’s a clean and pretty quick HEA.
I learned more about soccer by reading this story and following along with her as she researched for this story.
Silas left two years before without thinking about anyone else. Now he’s back with the Storm team and trying to get back into everyone’s good graces. He has to work really hard to impress the team and coach again.
I liked the characters in this story but felt bad for Harris later on. I liked Miriam also but she didn’t seem to know what she wanted. I was hoping she wasn’t going to drag this on too long for Harris. I’m glad Allie had Miriam’s back though and was there for her. I felt that there was a lot of back and forth with this story also. I just wanted them to get together and figure things out.
This is another second chance sports romance. It’s a clean and pretty quick HEA.
I learned more about soccer by reading this story and following along with her as she researched for this story.
Silas left two years before without thinking about anyone else. Now he’s back with the Storm team and trying to get back into everyone’s good graces. He has to work really hard to impress the team and coach again.
I liked the characters in this story but felt bad for Harris later on. I liked Miriam also but she didn’t seem to know what she wanted. I was hoping she wasn’t going to drag this on too long for Harris. I’m glad Allie had Miriam’s back though and was there for her. I felt that there was a lot of back and forth with this story also. I just wanted them to get together and figure things out.
March 19, 2020
I'm not personally a sports fan but I loved this book. The description of the action was enough I could follow along with the players without needing to understand the sport itself. I love these two characters, Miriam and Silas, and I enjoyed getting to know them through their perspective as the story unfolds.
This really helps you understand their motivation for their actions. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if it was only one sided.
The themes of forgiveness and second chances were wonderfully illustrated in this book. Not just between the two main characters but also with the team.
I enjoyed the interactions between all the characters and the comedy that resulted from some of the mishaps along the way. I laughed out loud when they got caught in the hallway of the school and the scolding given by the teacher.
This is a fun and sweet read, perfect for relaxation. Pick up a copy right away!
This really helps you understand their motivation for their actions. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if it was only one sided.
The themes of forgiveness and second chances were wonderfully illustrated in this book. Not just between the two main characters but also with the team.
I enjoyed the interactions between all the characters and the comedy that resulted from some of the mishaps along the way. I laughed out loud when they got caught in the hallway of the school and the scolding given by the teacher.
This is a fun and sweet read, perfect for relaxation. Pick up a copy right away!
March 21, 2020
In all honesty, I’m not a sports romance kind of person. I don’t watch sports (for the most part) so romances based around sports aren’t always my favorite. Penalty Box, however, has made me wonder if I should be reading MORE sports romances?! And it’s true, I also loved Courtside Crush by Kayla, so maybe it’s HER sports romances I like?
Miriam and Silas’ story is relatable as young adults trying to navigate life and love. Silas left Miriam 2 years ago to play soccer for another team across the country. When he comes back, she isn’t sure how to handle it. She still has feelings for him but her anger with him gets in the way of them discussing what happened.
This is a quick, easy, sweet read. Some alcohol use and nothing more than kissing (IMO a great book for teenagers and YA). Kayla’s books are all wonderful and this one is no exception!
Miriam and Silas’ story is relatable as young adults trying to navigate life and love. Silas left Miriam 2 years ago to play soccer for another team across the country. When he comes back, she isn’t sure how to handle it. She still has feelings for him but her anger with him gets in the way of them discussing what happened.
This is a quick, easy, sweet read. Some alcohol use and nothing more than kissing (IMO a great book for teenagers and YA). Kayla’s books are all wonderful and this one is no exception!
March 20, 2020
Kayla is my go to author for romance reads ❤ I am largely not a romance fan and am super skeptical of the genre as a whole but I KNOW Kayla will always deliver 🙈
Her writing as a whole is a wonderful balance of sweet, wistful and fun. The characters and situations change so much between her stories but they are consistently compelling and enjoyable 😍
This book follows Miriam and her soccer player ex Silas coming to terms with reentering each others lives as he returns to his home town after abandoning everyone and everything for a career move he regretted.
It's a fast paced read with a nice balance of action and yearning even if you're not an avid sports fan. Her books are always satisfying, quick romantic reads that leave me with the warm and dizzies and for that I thank you Ms Tirrell ❤ .
Her writing as a whole is a wonderful balance of sweet, wistful and fun. The characters and situations change so much between her stories but they are consistently compelling and enjoyable 😍
This book follows Miriam and her soccer player ex Silas coming to terms with reentering each others lives as he returns to his home town after abandoning everyone and everything for a career move he regretted.
It's a fast paced read with a nice balance of action and yearning even if you're not an avid sports fan. Her books are always satisfying, quick romantic reads that leave me with the warm and dizzies and for that I thank you Ms Tirrell ❤ .
March 16, 2020
I would like to start of this review saying how much I dislike soccer, and reading about soccer is an absolute chore for me. HOWEVER, I ADORED this book! I'm not really sure how Kayla managed to make fall completely head over heels in love with a book about soccer but she did it! The story as always was sweet and charming. I loved characters too! If you like sweet, sport romance stories you will absolutely adore this story!
March 19, 2020
I love sports books, so I was excited to start this new series. It was nice to see Miriam love her job and her team. You really get a feeling for how much she enjoys her job which made the conflict greater. As a reader, you want to be mad at Silas for leaving, but he’s so dedicated and committed to his goals (both sports and Miriam) that he quickly grows on you. This is a sweet read—I think I read it in a sitting or two. I already miss the story and characters so I can’t wait to check out the next book in the series. If you love sports and sweet romance this read is for you.
March 14, 2020
A short, sweet, second-chance sports romance. The characters are likeable. It has a HEA and is a clean romance with no curse words or descriptive sex scenes (kissing at the most). I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes this genre/trope :).
Thank you to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2020
I love sports and romance and I was lucky enough to be able to have a book with both things together! Even in all the crazy going on right now, I found myself trying to find anytime I could to read a little more. Was such a treat to get out of my head and into the heads of Silas and Miriam. It was such a good book that was realistic in every way. I loved every second of it!
June 20, 2020
This book was such a quick read! The characters were relatable, the content pulled you in and made you feel all the things, and while the storyline was a little predictable I DIDN'T MIND IT ONE BIT!
Miriam does PR for an arena soccer team. Her career is her life until her ex-boyfriend who left her two years ago to play for another team returns to win her back. Does she want him back after he broke her heart into a million tiny pieces? Does she even want to stick around in a job that forces her to relieve that million pieced heart every day? READ IT TO FIND OUT.
Miriam does PR for an arena soccer team. Her career is her life until her ex-boyfriend who left her two years ago to play for another team returns to win her back. Does she want him back after he broke her heart into a million tiny pieces? Does she even want to stick around in a job that forces her to relieve that million pieced heart every day? READ IT TO FIND OUT.
March 16, 2020
As an avid reader and a soccer lover this book was perfect for me!! I really enjoyed Silas and Miriam's story!! I would love even more of the two of them :) This book is a win for me!
March 23, 2020
A sweet and fun read! ❤
December 26, 2023
Received this as an eARC and it’s my first from this author and also a first for a sports romance book. This is a very clean romance book that is well written. Can’t wait to read more from Kayla.
April 23, 2025
cute low spice, second chance, low angst, fast paced, didn't Make my head hurt with too much soccer info. the MFC did make a miraculous 180 when it came to her feelings for the MMC 😂
July 24, 2025
I haven't really read sports romance before, but I enjoyed it! ⚽
October 23, 2025
Something doesn’t add up.
They dated for 8 months two years ago. We get nothing meaningful from the time to make me connect.
He comes back and they had almost no interaction, but they still love each other and want to be together?
Did the meaningful parts get edited out?
They dated for 8 months two years ago. We get nothing meaningful from the time to make me connect.
He comes back and they had almost no interaction, but they still love each other and want to be together?
Did the meaningful parts get edited out?
April 4, 2020
Cute, clean NA read. Quick read. Enjoyed learning about a new sport. Hadn't heard of arena soccer before. Engaging characters.
Look forward to another installment.
Look forward to another installment.
June 3, 2020
Sweet story, predictable but still interesting. Nice change of pace.
July 21, 2025
I should have DNFd this book.
April 15, 2022
I really love second chance romances, but this book just fell flat for me.
The main characters, Miriam and Silas, just acted like self-entitled teenagers throughout the book and I just couldn't connect with them. Silas left his team and Miriam for a better chance of achieving his career, kind of a jerk move, but hey that's life; fast forward either 2 or 3 years (couldn't get a clear timeline) Silas is back on his old team with goals to get his friends back, but most importantly to win back Miriam. Miriam works for the soccer team, Storm (Silas' former and current team), as their Community Outreach Program Coordinator which Silas uses as ways to see and interact with Miriam.
Now I know it is hard to see the ex-boyfriend who shattered your heart, but Miriam's need to be dramatic at her workplace had me confused; she was even rude to her boss about Silas' being signed to the team (her boss!) although her boss quickly put her in her place saying this is a business. Does that stop Miriam from being childish? Not even a little bit, she proceeds to make events and not invite Silas even though her boss stated he needed Silas to be at the events to increase ticket sales. Don't worry for Silas for he knows how to stalk his Miriam which she didn't appreciate, but also didn't stop him.
This is how the book continues between them, both wanting something from the other, but not actually doing anything about it. Silas is confused why Miriam won't give him a second chance even though he never apologized for what he did and Miriam wants nothing to do with Silas for like 5 minutes and then is upset when it seems he is moving on.
This book was just odd to read and things, go from 0 to 100 really quick once the soccer games start; it goes from Miriam hating Silas to flirting with Silas at his first game to hating him again to her wanting him again to her breaking up (?) with him to finding a new job just to decline the offer to be with Silas.
I couldn't follow the logic of these supposedly grown adults.
The main characters, Miriam and Silas, just acted like self-entitled teenagers throughout the book and I just couldn't connect with them. Silas left his team and Miriam for a better chance of achieving his career, kind of a jerk move, but hey that's life; fast forward either 2 or 3 years (couldn't get a clear timeline) Silas is back on his old team with goals to get his friends back, but most importantly to win back Miriam. Miriam works for the soccer team, Storm (Silas' former and current team), as their Community Outreach Program Coordinator which Silas uses as ways to see and interact with Miriam.
Now I know it is hard to see the ex-boyfriend who shattered your heart, but Miriam's need to be dramatic at her workplace had me confused; she was even rude to her boss about Silas' being signed to the team (her boss!) although her boss quickly put her in her place saying this is a business. Does that stop Miriam from being childish? Not even a little bit, she proceeds to make events and not invite Silas even though her boss stated he needed Silas to be at the events to increase ticket sales. Don't worry for Silas for he knows how to stalk his Miriam which she didn't appreciate, but also didn't stop him.
This is how the book continues between them, both wanting something from the other, but not actually doing anything about it. Silas is confused why Miriam won't give him a second chance even though he never apologized for what he did and Miriam wants nothing to do with Silas for like 5 minutes and then is upset when it seems he is moving on.
This book was just odd to read and things, go from 0 to 100 really quick once the soccer games start; it goes from Miriam hating Silas to flirting with Silas at his first game to hating him again to her wanting him again to her breaking up (?) with him to finding a new job just to decline the offer to be with Silas.
I couldn't follow the logic of these supposedly grown adults.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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