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Starting Line
TJ Brenner
America’s Golden Girl, the one they love to love
Gold is a heavy weight, but I’ve learned to carry it with grace. It’s what they expect as I prepare for another Olympic Games. Smile, entertain, and most importantly, win.
I’ve sacrificed everything for gymnastics and the sport has taken its toll. I’m not sure how much I have left in me, but I also don’t know who I am without it.
So, what do I do when my finish line is rapidly approaching, and the stress of training reaches a boiling point? I allow the one person I thought I hated to help me find myself. For the first time, I’m getting validation for the sacrifices I made for gold from the only other person who can truly understand them. The last person I would’ve expected it from.
I’ve always prided myself on having unbreakable focus, in and out of the gym.
That is until Caleb Callahan begins to crack it little by little.
Caleb Callahan
America’s Bad Boy, the one everyone loves to hate
I’m a winner. It’s what I do and who I am, and they hate me for it. They love the gold I bring home for them, but disgrace me when I celebrate it. I don’t let it get to me though.
Not when my goal for my third Olympics is bigger than gold and anything they have to say. It’s bigger than my love for swimming itself. I’m fulfilling my late father’s wish to surpass his world record and nothing will stop me.
Not the negative opinions of my character, not the documentary team that’s following my every move. And definitely not TJ Brenner.
She hates me upon first sight, but I can work with that. Even the Golden Girl can’t resist the charm of a born and bred winner. And when the stress reaches a boiling point between our training and filming, a simple arrangement to blow off some steam sounds like a good idea.
The only thing is, not doing feelings is easier said than done.
Tropes:
Standalone Sports Romance
Bad Boy/Good Girl
Friends with Benefits
Olympic Swimmer/Olympic Gymnast
America’s Golden Girl, the one they love to love
Gold is a heavy weight, but I’ve learned to carry it with grace. It’s what they expect as I prepare for another Olympic Games. Smile, entertain, and most importantly, win.
I’ve sacrificed everything for gymnastics and the sport has taken its toll. I’m not sure how much I have left in me, but I also don’t know who I am without it.
So, what do I do when my finish line is rapidly approaching, and the stress of training reaches a boiling point? I allow the one person I thought I hated to help me find myself. For the first time, I’m getting validation for the sacrifices I made for gold from the only other person who can truly understand them. The last person I would’ve expected it from.
I’ve always prided myself on having unbreakable focus, in and out of the gym.
That is until Caleb Callahan begins to crack it little by little.
Caleb Callahan
America’s Bad Boy, the one everyone loves to hate
I’m a winner. It’s what I do and who I am, and they hate me for it. They love the gold I bring home for them, but disgrace me when I celebrate it. I don’t let it get to me though.
Not when my goal for my third Olympics is bigger than gold and anything they have to say. It’s bigger than my love for swimming itself. I’m fulfilling my late father’s wish to surpass his world record and nothing will stop me.
Not the negative opinions of my character, not the documentary team that’s following my every move. And definitely not TJ Brenner.
She hates me upon first sight, but I can work with that. Even the Golden Girl can’t resist the charm of a born and bred winner. And when the stress reaches a boiling point between our training and filming, a simple arrangement to blow off some steam sounds like a good idea.
The only thing is, not doing feelings is easier said than done.
Tropes:
Standalone Sports Romance
Bad Boy/Good Girl
Friends with Benefits
Olympic Swimmer/Olympic Gymnast
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2024
29 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
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July 22, 2024TJ & Caleb are finally here🥹
I hope you guys have as much fun with them as I did writing them🫶🏻
I hope you guys have as much fun with them as I did writing them🫶🏻
April 2, 2025
I was invested in this story and I love how the author took these two characters with opposite exteriors and delved past what they projected to the world to dig into the meat of who they were. Despite initial appearances, TJ (h) and Caleb (H) did have common ground and once they began opening up to each other, their friendship and eventual love was special. The way they cared for each other and how Caleb especially SAW TJ when no one else did, it was lovely.
I do want to note this is a new-to-me author and I did have some struggles with her writing in places, particularly at the time of reading with typos (missing words, incorrect words, etc.). For my friends who dislike the experienced H with the inexperienced h, I’d approach this with caution. The H has a reputation and while no actual hooking up occurs on page with anyone other than the h, there are multiple references to how he was and what people expect of him (basically the worst). He attempts to pick up a girl at a bar on page when he and the h have barely talked and it gets interrupted so nothing happens and he’s celibate while he and the h get closer so that he hasn’t been with anyone in months by the time they’re actually together.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are experienced (h had been with one person because she had zero social life; H avoided emotional connections).
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Good girl x bad boy
☆ Both Olympic athletes
☆ Sacrifices made to reach elite levels
☆ Learning to have fun
☆ Seeing beyond surface labels
☆ Dislike to friends to benefits to love
☆ Media attention - good and bad
☆ Grief
☆ There for each other
☆ Touch of hurt/comfort
☆ Hiding their physical relationship
Caleb is an arrogant, cocky swimming superstar who hits the water and just wins. He’s also heading into his first Olympics without his recently deceased father, who was his coach through his whole career, so grief does play a component in his arc. TJ is preparing for her second Olympics in gymnastics and at only almost-21, she’s old compared to her peers and feeling the strain of years of pushing her body. She’s more humble and inclined to share the spotlight or push it towards someone else. Both are part of a documentary following Olympic hopefuls and they coincidentally both now live in the same apartment building. While Caleb only vaguely knows about TJ, she has alllllll kinds of negative thoughts about him and their initial interactions involve a good bit of eye rolling, calling him out, and him leaning into her negative opinion.
However, as they continue to come into contact with each other, Caleb starts noticing that TJ lacks the support that he had growing up that encouraged him to balance his sport with his personal life. On a mission to inject something more into her routine, these two go out drinking, hang out, hunt for hobbies, and build a friendship that’s meaningful and supportive. A friendship that also has some lustful thoughts lurking in the background, until Caleb proposes a letting-off steam situation-ship. Spicy times ensue and there are multiple explicit scenes (Caleb’s big on praise). There’s also some angst and “what are our boundaries” that float around because of course, emotions get involved too.
This story had some excellent introspection and growth. Their motivations were well-fleshed out and backgrounds were rounded so it felt like they were real characters that you could see walking around. Their flaws and insecurities also worked well for creating that kind of feeling. Caleb’s persona that he gets so much flack for is one that you see play out sometimes in the actual sports world (though it’s one that is difficult to like, even as we get to see there’s more to him than that persona). I think the author did a fantastic job in the development of their traits and personalities creating a character-driven story that worked very well against the Olympic backdrop.
Lots of sports representation in this book and I was here for it. They’re elite athletes and we see them training, striving, worrying, and competing leading up to the actual games. Caleb has friends outside of TJ and we also get to see TJ start tentatively putting herself out there more to connect with other gymnasts. Caleb’s family are wonderful and supportive, while also reminding him that he’s more than his achievements, esp important because he’s set on beating one of his dad’s records and is pushing himself hard on that. TJ’s coach is amazing, but her parents suck, only focusing on their daughter as an athlete and how she can improve.
The third act brings the situation-ship question to a head, mixing in both of their uncertainties in a way that had me feeling for them even as I wanted to shake them lol. The choice the author made wasn’t my favorite, but it does get the job done for providing that push to use their words about their feelings. It was heart-wrenching though because the emotions in the moment are about more than just what’s between them. Though Caleb has a moment that I would have loved to actually see play out on a tv, I was on the edge of my seat.
The ending is HEA, it’s so sweet. After the games are over, they follow back up with the documentary filmmakers and then there’s a three year out epilogue catching up on what they’ve done since then. It ends with a beautiful proposal and it was all just lovely. I think it was also a good place to leave them, even though I love the further out epilogues and a bonus of getting to see them training some of their own lil elite athletes would have been fantastic too. I do think some of my friends would also enjoy this read and especially TJ as a main character.
I do want to note this is a new-to-me author and I did have some struggles with her writing in places, particularly at the time of reading with typos (missing words, incorrect words, etc.). For my friends who dislike the experienced H with the inexperienced h, I’d approach this with caution. The H has a reputation and while no actual hooking up occurs on page with anyone other than the h, there are multiple references to how he was and what people expect of him (basically the worst). He attempts to pick up a girl at a bar on page when he and the h have barely talked and it gets interrupted so nothing happens and he’s celibate while he and the h get closer so that he hasn’t been with anyone in months by the time they’re actually together.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are experienced (h had been with one person because she had zero social life; H avoided emotional connections).
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Good girl x bad boy
☆ Both Olympic athletes
☆ Sacrifices made to reach elite levels
☆ Learning to have fun
☆ Seeing beyond surface labels
☆ Dislike to friends to benefits to love
☆ Media attention - good and bad
☆ Grief
☆ There for each other
☆ Touch of hurt/comfort
☆ Hiding their physical relationship
Caleb is an arrogant, cocky swimming superstar who hits the water and just wins. He’s also heading into his first Olympics without his recently deceased father, who was his coach through his whole career, so grief does play a component in his arc. TJ is preparing for her second Olympics in gymnastics and at only almost-21, she’s old compared to her peers and feeling the strain of years of pushing her body. She’s more humble and inclined to share the spotlight or push it towards someone else. Both are part of a documentary following Olympic hopefuls and they coincidentally both now live in the same apartment building. While Caleb only vaguely knows about TJ, she has alllllll kinds of negative thoughts about him and their initial interactions involve a good bit of eye rolling, calling him out, and him leaning into her negative opinion.
However, as they continue to come into contact with each other, Caleb starts noticing that TJ lacks the support that he had growing up that encouraged him to balance his sport with his personal life. On a mission to inject something more into her routine, these two go out drinking, hang out, hunt for hobbies, and build a friendship that’s meaningful and supportive. A friendship that also has some lustful thoughts lurking in the background, until Caleb proposes a letting-off steam situation-ship. Spicy times ensue and there are multiple explicit scenes (Caleb’s big on praise). There’s also some angst and “what are our boundaries” that float around because of course, emotions get involved too.
This story had some excellent introspection and growth. Their motivations were well-fleshed out and backgrounds were rounded so it felt like they were real characters that you could see walking around. Their flaws and insecurities also worked well for creating that kind of feeling. Caleb’s persona that he gets so much flack for is one that you see play out sometimes in the actual sports world (though it’s one that is difficult to like, even as we get to see there’s more to him than that persona). I think the author did a fantastic job in the development of their traits and personalities creating a character-driven story that worked very well against the Olympic backdrop.
Lots of sports representation in this book and I was here for it. They’re elite athletes and we see them training, striving, worrying, and competing leading up to the actual games. Caleb has friends outside of TJ and we also get to see TJ start tentatively putting herself out there more to connect with other gymnasts. Caleb’s family are wonderful and supportive, while also reminding him that he’s more than his achievements, esp important because he’s set on beating one of his dad’s records and is pushing himself hard on that. TJ’s coach is amazing, but her parents suck, only focusing on their daughter as an athlete and how she can improve.
The third act brings the situation-ship question to a head, mixing in both of their uncertainties in a way that had me feeling for them even as I wanted to shake them lol. The choice the author made wasn’t my favorite, but it does get the job done for providing that push to use their words about their feelings. It was heart-wrenching though because the emotions in the moment are about more than just what’s between them. Though Caleb has a moment that I would have loved to actually see play out on a tv, I was on the edge of my seat.
The ending is HEA, it’s so sweet. After the games are over, they follow back up with the documentary filmmakers and then there’s a three year out epilogue catching up on what they’ve done since then. It ends with a beautiful proposal and it was all just lovely. I think it was also a good place to leave them, even though I love the further out epilogues and a bonus of getting to see them training some of their own lil elite athletes would have been fantastic too. I do think some of my friends would also enjoy this read and especially TJ as a main character.
May 4, 2024
I’m floored. I’ll save the dramatics BUT get ready to swoon, weep, and fall madly in love with Caleb Callahan. TJ too. My fav book yet from Michae 😭
July 15, 2024
3.5 stars - I love a good sports romance, so seeing an Olympic swimmer and Olympic gymnast as the main leads caught my eye! TJ and Caleb are veteran athletes both competing for a return to the Olympics. They’ll be spending a lot of time together due to being a part of a documentary and finding out they live in the same building.
TJ has her reasons for disliking Caleb at first, but she quickly learns that he is much more than the persona he puts out for the public. She needs someone like Caleb to push her to find out what she likes outside of life as a gymnast. It doesn’t take long before the dynamic between these two transforms into a friendship (and love) based on their shared goals and abilities to be vulnerable with each other.
As far as the romance, I wasn’t really connected to the couple and I know why. The writing did a lot of “telling rather than showing”. Instead of showing us these different bonding moments between the couple, we got narratives of the events from TJ or Caleb in their inner monologue which kept me disconnected from their connection. The idea of them growing closer mostly happened off the page, and I wanted more of the stuff we were “told” about. Due to that, the story dragged. Overall, the premise of the story was good, but I wasn’t sold on the romance and was more interested in the competition stuff towards the end.
TJ has her reasons for disliking Caleb at first, but she quickly learns that he is much more than the persona he puts out for the public. She needs someone like Caleb to push her to find out what she likes outside of life as a gymnast. It doesn’t take long before the dynamic between these two transforms into a friendship (and love) based on their shared goals and abilities to be vulnerable with each other.
As far as the romance, I wasn’t really connected to the couple and I know why. The writing did a lot of “telling rather than showing”. Instead of showing us these different bonding moments between the couple, we got narratives of the events from TJ or Caleb in their inner monologue which kept me disconnected from their connection. The idea of them growing closer mostly happened off the page, and I wanted more of the stuff we were “told” about. Due to that, the story dragged. Overall, the premise of the story was good, but I wasn’t sold on the romance and was more interested in the competition stuff towards the end.
May 9, 2024
THIS BOOK. I felt it ALL between Caleb and TJ. This story is packed full of emotion, vulnerability, fortitude, and the spice is spicing. This is a story that that highlights what happens when we peel back the layers and learn we are destined for more than what we thought. The CARETAKING in this book IS Chef’s kiss. Michae Marie has found a home in sports romance. This is a must read summer romance!
July 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. Loved the characters and the romance.
July 12, 2024
If I wasn't already itching for the Olympics I would be now after reading these elite athletes unexpectedly finding love. Caleb and Tuesday aren't love at first sight and both have made judgments about the other. As they film a documentary together, those perceptions are challenged, and they build a friendship with a splash of more.
I loved the opposing nature's these two had and using that to elevate conflict. Both are dedicated and only together do they bring out the best in each other. Caleb is a playful and charming playboy meanwhile Tuesday doesn't even have time for a hobby as she dedicated herself to her sport. I loved Caleb helping her broaden her horizons while falling more and more unknowingly. This book was definitely easy to love.
I loved the opposing nature's these two had and using that to elevate conflict. Both are dedicated and only together do they bring out the best in each other. Caleb is a playful and charming playboy meanwhile Tuesday doesn't even have time for a hobby as she dedicated herself to her sport. I loved Caleb helping her broaden her horizons while falling more and more unknowingly. This book was definitely easy to love.
February 16, 2025
I came for the gymnastics and stayed for the emotional gut-punch.
Wow!! I didn't know what to expect except for the fact that the FMC is a gymnast. That's really all I cared about and that the climax of the story would happen at the Summer Olympic Games. The main characters in this story are US Women's Olympic Gymnast (and America's Golden Girl) TJ Brenner, and US Men's Olympic Swimmer (and America's Bad Boy), Caleb Callahan. The evolution of TJ and Caleb's relationship start with dislike (on one side) to friends to friends with benefits. Nothing felt forced. It felt natural and I was immediately sucked into the story and rooting for both TJ and Caleb. OMG, I LOVE TJ's first name! So adorable! You'll have to read this book to find out- and it's such a cute scene! I love how Caleb takes care of her... both physically and emotionally. He is such a swoon-worthy hero. I felt myself fall for him (at least) a couple of time... if not more. And what Caleb has been through. That spoke to me. I had a similar experience (right down to the cause) except it was But, that's not the only reason I added "tear-jerker" to my tags. I didn't just cry once... oh no! I cried about three times. The other two were how Caleb and TJ lifted each other up (in different ways) near the end of the book. It was beautiful. It was perfection. It was everything. TJ and Caleb forever!!
I do have to highlight how prominent the sports aspect was front and center in this book. Gymnastics was definitely the highlight, but Ms. Marie certainly didn't shy away from doing the necessary research for Swim. Many "sports" romances I've read lately just have one character (mainly the MMC) playing a sport, and (at least the ones I've read) the sport wasn't important to the story. I have been discouraged with reading those lately, and reading this was exactly what I wanted to reaffirm that I do love sports romances, but the sport has to be a character unto itself. IMO. And this cover? Are you kidding me? Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!
Well, it may have been out of order chronologically, but I am going to be diving into the previous books Michae Marie has written. I might have never read a rock-star romance before... but found family? Where do I sign?
Wow!! I didn't know what to expect except for the fact that the FMC is a gymnast. That's really all I cared about and that the climax of the story would happen at the Summer Olympic Games. The main characters in this story are US Women's Olympic Gymnast (and America's Golden Girl) TJ Brenner, and US Men's Olympic Swimmer (and America's Bad Boy), Caleb Callahan. The evolution of TJ and Caleb's relationship start with dislike (on one side) to friends to friends with benefits. Nothing felt forced. It felt natural and I was immediately sucked into the story and rooting for both TJ and Caleb. OMG, I LOVE TJ's first name! So adorable! You'll have to read this book to find out- and it's such a cute scene! I love how Caleb takes care of her... both physically and emotionally. He is such a swoon-worthy hero. I felt myself fall for him (at least) a couple of time... if not more. And what Caleb has been through. That spoke to me. I had a similar experience (right down to the cause) except it was But, that's not the only reason I added "tear-jerker" to my tags. I didn't just cry once... oh no! I cried about three times. The other two were how Caleb and TJ lifted each other up (in different ways) near the end of the book. It was beautiful. It was perfection. It was everything. TJ and Caleb forever!!
I do have to highlight how prominent the sports aspect was front and center in this book. Gymnastics was definitely the highlight, but Ms. Marie certainly didn't shy away from doing the necessary research for Swim. Many "sports" romances I've read lately just have one character (mainly the MMC) playing a sport, and (at least the ones I've read) the sport wasn't important to the story. I have been discouraged with reading those lately, and reading this was exactly what I wanted to reaffirm that I do love sports romances, but the sport has to be a character unto itself. IMO. And this cover? Are you kidding me? Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!
Well, it may have been out of order chronologically, but I am going to be diving into the previous books Michae Marie has written. I might have never read a rock-star romance before... but found family? Where do I sign?
February 21, 2025
4.5⭐️ (rounding up on Goodreads)
That was so good! I’ve never read a romance book about Olympic medalists before, but I love sports romance and it’s always a bonus when both main characters are athletes! The level at which they were competing made the stakes feel much higher.
TJ and Caleb are both really likeable characters with a lot of depth we get to uncover. They understand each other and the pressure they’re under in a way not many people would. As friends they support one another and empathize with each other, often seeing through to even the parts of themselves they attempt to keep hidden. Both of the characters being athletes allowed for some really great caretaking scenes too! There was no doubt in my mind that they were perfect for each other, even before they started to realize it themselves!
This had all the flirty fun of a sports romance, no strings attached dynamic while also being intense and emotional at times. We explore a lot of Caleb and TJ’s personal struggles. I was just as invested in their personal development as I was their olympic journey, and their romance. It all felt really well balanced.
There were just a few parts where something was mentioned having happened off page, that I wished we could have seen happen rather than only hearing about it. That’s really the only critique I have.
I’m so impressed with how good this was when Michae is a relatively new writer. It makes me so excited to read what she writes next!
**Thank you to Michae Marie for providing me a copy to read and review! All opinions are my own.**
That was so good! I’ve never read a romance book about Olympic medalists before, but I love sports romance and it’s always a bonus when both main characters are athletes! The level at which they were competing made the stakes feel much higher.
TJ and Caleb are both really likeable characters with a lot of depth we get to uncover. They understand each other and the pressure they’re under in a way not many people would. As friends they support one another and empathize with each other, often seeing through to even the parts of themselves they attempt to keep hidden. Both of the characters being athletes allowed for some really great caretaking scenes too! There was no doubt in my mind that they were perfect for each other, even before they started to realize it themselves!
This had all the flirty fun of a sports romance, no strings attached dynamic while also being intense and emotional at times. We explore a lot of Caleb and TJ’s personal struggles. I was just as invested in their personal development as I was their olympic journey, and their romance. It all felt really well balanced.
There were just a few parts where something was mentioned having happened off page, that I wished we could have seen happen rather than only hearing about it. That’s really the only critique I have.
I’m so impressed with how good this was when Michae is a relatively new writer. It makes me so excited to read what she writes next!
**Thank you to Michae Marie for providing me a copy to read and review! All opinions are my own.**
July 20, 2024
5 stars ⭐️
”I may be the one everyone loves to love and he may be the one everyone loves to hate. On paper, we are complete opposites. But at our core, we’re the same.”
Thank you again Michae for this arc in exchange for an honest review🫶🏻
Looking for the perfect read just in time for the Olympic games starting next week? Then look no further because starting line is a must read for the summer that will definitely scratch that itch for the olympics.
I stayed up to 2:30 in the morning to finish this book. It truly had me in a chokehold! This book was packed with emotions, character growth, spice, heart, and vulnerability. It made me laugh, swoon, and sob at several times throughout the story. I’m utterly obsessed with the main characters; TJ Benner and Caleb Callahan.
Caleb is a charming playboy (swimmer) that is looked down on for his reputation. And TJ (aka America’s golden girl) is feeling lost at life as she has only dedicated gymnastics for her whole life. It’s everything she known and Caleb is determined to help her find her spark outside gymnastics, while also helping each other blow off some steam in the meantime.
“Take your shirt off,” I demand.
Confused, she hesitates. “I thought you said—”
“I said, we’re taking things slow. Not nothing at all. Now, take off your shirt.”
I was immediately intrigued by the premise from the start since they dislike each other in the beginning of the book while also entering a friends with benefits relationship. It leaves room for character depth and development between the main characters. It also forces these two individuals, with two opposing nature’s, to get vulnerable and real with one another, and also perhaps realize that they are more than the sports they represents and outside of the olympics.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Michae writes characters with flaws and mental health issues so perfectly and authentic that it feels real and like actual persons, rather than feeling two dimensional. I felt for both TJ and Caleb in this book as they both have their own struggles and obstacles on the way.
”I need to know how she tastes, how she sounds when my touch brings her to life, how her body moves under my hands.”
Caleb is seriously the ultimate package for a lovable MMC. The caretaking in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet. He’s so swoon worthy. And his nickname for TJ was adorable and made me all giddy. Probably my favorite Michae MMC out of him and Walker and Hayden.
TJ was such an interesting character. She’s so mature and determined, and I overall really liked her personality. I liked seeing her get through her struggles throughout, as well as for Caleb.
The relationship development between TJ and Caleb was immaculate. From disliking to friends to friends with benefits to then lovers. It all felt organic and natural on the way for them to fall for each other. The banter, the chemistry, and their connection all felt so natural. I fell for them hard! Gosh, I love them so much! And spice was spicing in this book. I have so many favorite spicy scenes but the champagne scene is my new Roman Empire because holy f—k was it smoking hot!! Damn 🥵🍾
Overall, I loved this book! And I highly recommend everyone checking it out when it releases this upcoming Monday, July 22th. This is the book for you if you love:
🏅 dislike to love
🫧 friends with benefits
🏅 olympic gymnast x olympic swimmer
🫧 forced proximity
🏅 bad boy x good girl
🫧 standalone sports romance
”I may be the one everyone loves to love and he may be the one everyone loves to hate. On paper, we are complete opposites. But at our core, we’re the same.”
Thank you again Michae for this arc in exchange for an honest review🫶🏻
Looking for the perfect read just in time for the Olympic games starting next week? Then look no further because starting line is a must read for the summer that will definitely scratch that itch for the olympics.
I stayed up to 2:30 in the morning to finish this book. It truly had me in a chokehold! This book was packed with emotions, character growth, spice, heart, and vulnerability. It made me laugh, swoon, and sob at several times throughout the story. I’m utterly obsessed with the main characters; TJ Benner and Caleb Callahan.
Caleb is a charming playboy (swimmer) that is looked down on for his reputation. And TJ (aka America’s golden girl) is feeling lost at life as she has only dedicated gymnastics for her whole life. It’s everything she known and Caleb is determined to help her find her spark outside gymnastics, while also helping each other blow off some steam in the meantime.
“Take your shirt off,” I demand.
Confused, she hesitates. “I thought you said—”
“I said, we’re taking things slow. Not nothing at all. Now, take off your shirt.”
I was immediately intrigued by the premise from the start since they dislike each other in the beginning of the book while also entering a friends with benefits relationship. It leaves room for character depth and development between the main characters. It also forces these two individuals, with two opposing nature’s, to get vulnerable and real with one another, and also perhaps realize that they are more than the sports they represents and outside of the olympics.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Michae writes characters with flaws and mental health issues so perfectly and authentic that it feels real and like actual persons, rather than feeling two dimensional. I felt for both TJ and Caleb in this book as they both have their own struggles and obstacles on the way.
”I need to know how she tastes, how she sounds when my touch brings her to life, how her body moves under my hands.”
Caleb is seriously the ultimate package for a lovable MMC. The caretaking in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet. He’s so swoon worthy. And his nickname for TJ was adorable and made me all giddy. Probably my favorite Michae MMC out of him and Walker and Hayden.
TJ was such an interesting character. She’s so mature and determined, and I overall really liked her personality. I liked seeing her get through her struggles throughout, as well as for Caleb.
The relationship development between TJ and Caleb was immaculate. From disliking to friends to friends with benefits to then lovers. It all felt organic and natural on the way for them to fall for each other. The banter, the chemistry, and their connection all felt so natural. I fell for them hard! Gosh, I love them so much! And spice was spicing in this book. I have so many favorite spicy scenes but the champagne scene is my new Roman Empire because holy f—k was it smoking hot!! Damn 🥵🍾
Overall, I loved this book! And I highly recommend everyone checking it out when it releases this upcoming Monday, July 22th. This is the book for you if you love:
🏅 dislike to love
🫧 friends with benefits
🏅 olympic gymnast x olympic swimmer
🫧 forced proximity
🏅 bad boy x good girl
🫧 standalone sports romance
July 30, 2024
Beginning, middle to end. I think this is the best sports romance I’ve ever read. I loved everything about it, the writing was so smooth, the plot, character development, spice.
The ratio was perfect. Dual pov done perfectly.
The best thing to come out of the Olympics!
Although it was a bit of a slow burn to start the banter and tension was top notch, allowing you to get to know the characters. And it peaked perfectly.
I literally found myself avoiding reading because I didn’t want it to end. But I still finished it in 24 hours because it was delicious.
Caleb Callahan is added to my long list of book boyfriends, and TJ is 100% my kinda girl.
The message of this book is what hits home the most for me, which is no matter where you are in life you can always have a new starting line.
Sports romance’s are my jam, but this felt unique and different. Gosh I love this book, I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author. That was the easiest 5 star read of my life.
The ratio was perfect. Dual pov done perfectly.
The best thing to come out of the Olympics!
Although it was a bit of a slow burn to start the banter and tension was top notch, allowing you to get to know the characters. And it peaked perfectly.
I literally found myself avoiding reading because I didn’t want it to end. But I still finished it in 24 hours because it was delicious.
Caleb Callahan is added to my long list of book boyfriends, and TJ is 100% my kinda girl.
The message of this book is what hits home the most for me, which is no matter where you are in life you can always have a new starting line.
Sports romance’s are my jam, but this felt unique and different. Gosh I love this book, I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author. That was the easiest 5 star read of my life.
July 24, 2024
I had such a good time with this story and these characters! As soon as I picked it up I didn’t want to put it down. I loved TJ so much in this and I loved her story line throughout it. I love how much of a golden retriever Caleb was under his hard exterior. Don’t even get me started on his nickname for her🥹Such a good book and will be thinking about these two!
“My biggest victory has a mess of red curls and sass that will keep me on my toes for eternity.”
“My biggest victory has a mess of red curls and sass that will keep me on my toes for eternity.”
July 24, 2024
I devoured this book in one sitting! I saw it was about two summer olympians and signed up for an ARC immediately. The story hooked me and I loved Caleb (a swimmer) and TJ (a gymnast) so much! I loved that there was so much about their training and the Olympics along with showing their friends with benefits turned real relationship. I highly recommend it!
March 15, 2025
I did not expect to be crying by the end of this, I thought it was going to be a cute sports romance but it's definitely got deeper levels and has some really emotional moments, especially with Caleb and memories of his dad.
I really liked the relationship between TJ and Caleb and how it grew, as well as the focus on their respective sports.
I'll definitely be reading more from Michae.
I really liked the relationship between TJ and Caleb and how it grew, as well as the focus on their respective sports.
I'll definitely be reading more from Michae.
July 12, 2024
I was sent this arc for review and it was truly amazing! I loved the characters and the story and I never wanted it to end. The characters felt so real and there wasn't a moment in this book that I felt like putting it down.
August 13, 2024
I am obsessed with TJ & Caleb!!! The character development, author knowledge of the sports/Olympics, and (best of all) the smut 😏 were 10/10!! Such a fun read and you’ll love every second of this book 🥇❤️🤍💙
July 14, 2024
I loved the main characters! Americas golden girl gymnast with the well known playboy swimmer, what could possibly go right? No spoilers here so consist this a summer must read!!
Read
July 26, 2024dnf
February 24, 2025
This is the perfect example for Sports romance done right. I don’t really like fluff but their friendship and what came afterwards was so beautiful✨ some scene made me so giddy😭 our guy was total green flag and our girl was one sensible person. I love that without any unnecessary drama this tied up wonderfully🫶🏻
April 16, 2025
I love it when a sports romance gets the sports parts right.
August 5, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ this was the perfect thing to read during the Olympics. Super like-able characters and I loved their banter. I love the nickname he gave her.
I liked the message that we are more than our accomplishments and there is more to life than being perfect. I think we all need to remember to have that balance. Although I was a little disappointed in the direction TJs story went. My only complaint is that this needs major grammatical editing but other than that, really enjoyable story. 🥇
I liked the message that we are more than our accomplishments and there is more to life than being perfect. I think we all need to remember to have that balance. Although I was a little disappointed in the direction TJs story went. My only complaint is that this needs major grammatical editing but other than that, really enjoyable story. 🥇
July 27, 2024
This book surprised me in so many ways. This is my first read from Michae and oh my gosh I loved it so much.
First of all, I loved that we got to know each of the characters individually. Having the dual perspective in this book worked so well. I loved that it was sort of hate to friends to lovers. Caleb was so swoonworthy and I actually understood his reasonings for not wanting to get super attached to another person after the loss of his father.
This book made me cry more than once, and it’s rare that I cry when reading. I think it’s one of those books that I just read at the perfect time.
I loved the sports element to this especially with the Olympics coming up! It seemed like Michae really did a good job researching the sports and I could picture the techniques clearly.
I’m so honored to have received an arc for this, it was truly a blast to read and would highly recommend.
TW: loss of a parent in the past (but mentioned frequently)
First of all, I loved that we got to know each of the characters individually. Having the dual perspective in this book worked so well. I loved that it was sort of hate to friends to lovers. Caleb was so swoonworthy and I actually understood his reasonings for not wanting to get super attached to another person after the loss of his father.
This book made me cry more than once, and it’s rare that I cry when reading. I think it’s one of those books that I just read at the perfect time.
I loved the sports element to this especially with the Olympics coming up! It seemed like Michae really did a good job researching the sports and I could picture the techniques clearly.
I’m so honored to have received an arc for this, it was truly a blast to read and would highly recommend.
TW: loss of a parent in the past (but mentioned frequently)
July 10, 2024
Starting line...
Tj and Caleb.. She is an athletic Olympian everyone loves, he is an Olympian swimmer everyone loves to hate.
Tj& Caleb.. I absofriggenlutely fell head over feet for this couple, I adored the friendship they formed, and how it developed from there, I loved how the huge differences in there personalities only made them stronger.
The slow burn that turned into such pure love. This was honestly a spicey, sexy read. Now Caleb how dare you be so damn hot and sweet at the same time.. Definitely added to book boyfriend status, also yes I am imagining how he needed all 3 medals to cover it🥵
What a book, but had zero doubts I love the writing style @oheyitsmichae always gives us..
Thank you for the honor of getting this incredible arc..
She is America's golden girl, he is America's bad boy... Together they were magic.
Tj and Caleb.. She is an athletic Olympian everyone loves, he is an Olympian swimmer everyone loves to hate.
Tj& Caleb.. I absofriggenlutely fell head over feet for this couple, I adored the friendship they formed, and how it developed from there, I loved how the huge differences in there personalities only made them stronger.
The slow burn that turned into such pure love. This was honestly a spicey, sexy read. Now Caleb how dare you be so damn hot and sweet at the same time.. Definitely added to book boyfriend status, also yes I am imagining how he needed all 3 medals to cover it🥵
What a book, but had zero doubts I love the writing style @oheyitsmichae always gives us..
Thank you for the honor of getting this incredible arc..
She is America's golden girl, he is America's bad boy... Together they were magic.
July 26, 2024
Michae you did the darn thing girl! This was my first book by this author and it will not be my last 👏🏻
I am such a sports romance lover and this was such a fun take on it — Olympic Athletes filming a documentary and spending lots of time together what more could you want?!
TJ and Caleb are returning again for another Olympics and they are both featured in the same documentary together which inevitably forces them to spend time more time together — which leads to their friendship developing further. They are both under intense amount of stress which leads them to finding ways to destress together 😏
These two are just so much fun and I am such a sucker for the bad boy x good girl trope — especially when there is care taking involved!
Overall such a fun read from Michae and I can’t wait to read more from her 🫶🏻🩵
𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
- sports romance
- olympic athletes
- bad boy x good girl
- eventual friends w benefits to lovers
- forced proximity
HUGE thank you to the author for an ARC of Starting Line!
I am such a sports romance lover and this was such a fun take on it — Olympic Athletes filming a documentary and spending lots of time together what more could you want?!
TJ and Caleb are returning again for another Olympics and they are both featured in the same documentary together which inevitably forces them to spend time more time together — which leads to their friendship developing further. They are both under intense amount of stress which leads them to finding ways to destress together 😏
These two are just so much fun and I am such a sucker for the bad boy x good girl trope — especially when there is care taking involved!
Overall such a fun read from Michae and I can’t wait to read more from her 🫶🏻🩵
𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
- sports romance
- olympic athletes
- bad boy x good girl
- eventual friends w benefits to lovers
- forced proximity
HUGE thank you to the author for an ARC of Starting Line!
June 15, 2024
Get ready to meet and fall in love with TJ and Caleb! This book has everything you need in a Summer Olympics Romance! She's a gymnast, he's a swimmer, enough said!
Ms. Michae Marie had me at Whispering Me Nothings, with her Rockstar Romance Series, but this author has truly found her calling in Sports Romance!
Ms. Michae Marie had me at Whispering Me Nothings, with her Rockstar Romance Series, but this author has truly found her calling in Sports Romance!
July 11, 2024
I read this as an ARC provided by the author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Dislike to love
Friends with benefits
Olympic gymnast x olympic swimmer
Another absolutely incredible book from Michae!! This was SO GOOD.
I adored the dynamic between TJ and Caleb. They were exact opposites, yet they worked so well together. Their chemistry was top tier from the first time they interacted.
It was obvious to me from the beginning that there was much more to these characters, and slowly unraveling who they were behind the media personnas kept me hooked.
I really liked how they built a strong friendship before anything romantic happened. Their friendship was so wholesome and fun to read.
And of course, this does have the friends with benefits trope meaning there was quite a bit of spice, and let me say, it was 👏👏. Their chemistry just continued to grow as they got more intimate and comfortable with each other.
I really cared for these characters, everything they felt and went through I felt myself. I was so deeply attached to them as individuals as well as a couple and that's a testament to Michae's incredible writing.
With sport romances I often find that they can be too much sports, not enough romance or vice versa. However I feel like Starting Line was the perfect mix of sports talk and romance!
One thing I was slightly disappointed in, I feel like the tension and banter towards the beginning of their relationship was lacking. There was an opportunity for some high stakes tension and top tier banter, but we didn't get a whole lot from them as "enemies" before their friendship began.
I also wish we had gotten more of a resolution between TJ and her parents, a conversation of some sort. It felt slightly unfinished.
TJ and Caleb are a couple that will stick with me for a while. They are so perfect for each other and work so well together. Seeing Caleb get other his aversion to relationships and start to care for TJ had me swooning. Definitely a new favourite!
Also the epilogue... one of the best I've ever read omg 🫶🏼🫶🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Dislike to love
Friends with benefits
Olympic gymnast x olympic swimmer
Another absolutely incredible book from Michae!! This was SO GOOD.
I adored the dynamic between TJ and Caleb. They were exact opposites, yet they worked so well together. Their chemistry was top tier from the first time they interacted.
It was obvious to me from the beginning that there was much more to these characters, and slowly unraveling who they were behind the media personnas kept me hooked.
I really liked how they built a strong friendship before anything romantic happened. Their friendship was so wholesome and fun to read.
And of course, this does have the friends with benefits trope meaning there was quite a bit of spice, and let me say, it was 👏👏. Their chemistry just continued to grow as they got more intimate and comfortable with each other.
I really cared for these characters, everything they felt and went through I felt myself. I was so deeply attached to them as individuals as well as a couple and that's a testament to Michae's incredible writing.
With sport romances I often find that they can be too much sports, not enough romance or vice versa. However I feel like Starting Line was the perfect mix of sports talk and romance!
One thing I was slightly disappointed in, I feel like the tension and banter towards the beginning of their relationship was lacking. There was an opportunity for some high stakes tension and top tier banter, but we didn't get a whole lot from them as "enemies" before their friendship began.
I also wish we had gotten more of a resolution between TJ and her parents, a conversation of some sort. It felt slightly unfinished.
TJ and Caleb are a couple that will stick with me for a while. They are so perfect for each other and work so well together. Seeing Caleb get other his aversion to relationships and start to care for TJ had me swooning. Definitely a new favourite!
Also the epilogue... one of the best I've ever read omg 🫶🏼🫶🏼
August 4, 2024
This book was amazing !!!! Next to watching the Olympic Games on television this book was the next best thing to it !!!! This book is about two athletes working to go to the Olympics. This book had humor, angst, drama, spice and of course Olympic Games. This story is about a gymnast 🤸♀️ and an Olympic swimmer 🏊🏼.
This story centers around a gymnast named TJ Brenner. She is preparing for another Olympic Games. Gymnastics is taking its toll as she suffers with back pain without telling anyone. She doesn’t know who she is without gymnastics. She knows that she will be retiring from the sport and hasn’t told anyone. Then she meets Caleb Callahan who she hates from a previous experience with. They have to do a documentary together as athletes. They don’t hit it off in the beginning with each other. TJ and Caleb start to form a friendship and then an arrangement of friends with benefits. Caleb knows that he’s a winner when it comes to swimming. His dad used to be his coach and mentor. He wants to beat his dad’s record time which he is striving for. He doesn’t care about the negative opinions of his character. The stress of the Olympics reaches a boiling point between them and they decide to share an arrangement of sleeping together and being friends. There is angst between them and a budding relationship between as well. I didn’t like Caleb in the beginning of this book but as he spent time with TJ I began to see him as a really great guy. I liked the relationship between TJ and Caleb. I also loved how this story ended. I would love if there were other books by this author about other athletes who competed with Caleb and TJ. I loved reading this book !!!!
This story centers around a gymnast named TJ Brenner. She is preparing for another Olympic Games. Gymnastics is taking its toll as she suffers with back pain without telling anyone. She doesn’t know who she is without gymnastics. She knows that she will be retiring from the sport and hasn’t told anyone. Then she meets Caleb Callahan who she hates from a previous experience with. They have to do a documentary together as athletes. They don’t hit it off in the beginning with each other. TJ and Caleb start to form a friendship and then an arrangement of friends with benefits. Caleb knows that he’s a winner when it comes to swimming. His dad used to be his coach and mentor. He wants to beat his dad’s record time which he is striving for. He doesn’t care about the negative opinions of his character. The stress of the Olympics reaches a boiling point between them and they decide to share an arrangement of sleeping together and being friends. There is angst between them and a budding relationship between as well. I didn’t like Caleb in the beginning of this book but as he spent time with TJ I began to see him as a really great guy. I liked the relationship between TJ and Caleb. I also loved how this story ended. I would love if there were other books by this author about other athletes who competed with Caleb and TJ. I loved reading this book !!!!
July 24, 2024
ARC review:
I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book but it was such an epic read!! 5 stars, more if I could and one of my favourite reads of the year.
Caleb Callahan is an Olympic swimmer with a huge ego and a bad reputation. All everyone sees is a cocky guy who sleeps around but it’s just a front.
TJ Brenner is an Olympic gymnast hoping to make a comeback to the Olympics and after agreeing to make a documentary following her journey one day she heads home to her apartment and Caleb is there but all she sees is the same as everyone else, cocky, self absorbed and hot as hell.
This book… omg, I couldn’t put it down. I’ve never read a book like this let alone one that covers the Olympics and it was incredible. The strength and dedication each of them had to their sport, TJs story and what she goes through, Caleb’s past and navigating that whilst being an athlete trying to live up to everyone’s expectations.
The humour was also on point, the banter between the two of them was perfection!
What a strong FMC, TJ was the absolute best. She never gave up on herself and kept fighting.
I absolutely loved reading this & feel so grateful I received an ARC.
If you want to read a sports romance with the perfect amount of spice and the most authentic characters then you will not regret giving this a read!
Also, I will never look at champagne in the same way ever again (IYKYK)
I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book but it was such an epic read!! 5 stars, more if I could and one of my favourite reads of the year.
Caleb Callahan is an Olympic swimmer with a huge ego and a bad reputation. All everyone sees is a cocky guy who sleeps around but it’s just a front.
TJ Brenner is an Olympic gymnast hoping to make a comeback to the Olympics and after agreeing to make a documentary following her journey one day she heads home to her apartment and Caleb is there but all she sees is the same as everyone else, cocky, self absorbed and hot as hell.
This book… omg, I couldn’t put it down. I’ve never read a book like this let alone one that covers the Olympics and it was incredible. The strength and dedication each of them had to their sport, TJs story and what she goes through, Caleb’s past and navigating that whilst being an athlete trying to live up to everyone’s expectations.
The humour was also on point, the banter between the two of them was perfection!
What a strong FMC, TJ was the absolute best. She never gave up on herself and kept fighting.
I absolutely loved reading this & feel so grateful I received an ARC.
If you want to read a sports romance with the perfect amount of spice and the most authentic characters then you will not regret giving this a read!
Also, I will never look at champagne in the same way ever again (IYKYK)
July 11, 2024
As soon as this very kindly gifted ARC dropped on my Kindle, I dived straight in, and within the first few chapters, Tj and Caleb stole my heart, and I am not mad about it!!
There were so many aspects of this book I loved - from the caretaking to the tension that had me squealing when they finally did the deed.
And can we talk about how I legit got goosebumps with the emotion packed into the scene when Tj makes the team? Honestly, that was perfection from start to end.
This was so heavily focused on both their sports it felt like a true sports romance and it's clear a lot of care was taken to make those scenes feel real and be immersive, which made it all just *chefs kiss*.
I got strong Off Balance series vibes from this in the way the sports were a focal point and with how well the tension at their competitions was described so if you are also a fellow fan of that series on the hunt for a true sports romance then bestie this is the book for you!!
I couldn't get enough of these two, and I can't wait to see what comes next from Michae, as she seems to just be levelling up with each book!
5/5 stars
There were so many aspects of this book I loved - from the caretaking to the tension that had me squealing when they finally did the deed.
And can we talk about how I legit got goosebumps with the emotion packed into the scene when Tj makes the team? Honestly, that was perfection from start to end.
This was so heavily focused on both their sports it felt like a true sports romance and it's clear a lot of care was taken to make those scenes feel real and be immersive, which made it all just *chefs kiss*.
I got strong Off Balance series vibes from this in the way the sports were a focal point and with how well the tension at their competitions was described so if you are also a fellow fan of that series on the hunt for a true sports romance then bestie this is the book for you!!
I couldn't get enough of these two, and I can't wait to see what comes next from Michae, as she seems to just be levelling up with each book!
5/5 stars
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