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The Beautiful Game
Instead of a proposal for her 30th birthday, Vera Martinez got dumped. To get her mind off her heartache, Vera’s sister whisks her away on a girls’ night out, starting with a Bloodhounds soccer game. When Vera can’t take her eyes off the sexy pro midfielder, Joe dela Cruz—a well-known player who causes problems on and off the field—Vera knows exactly how she wants to forget about her ex.
Thirty-three-year-old Joe is almost at the end of the line. He’s only two years from aging out of professional soccer, and his Coach is sick of his shenanigans. When Joe is tempted to cross that line with Coach’s only daughter, he’s given a hefty get in a different relationship (aka stay away from his daughter) or be benched for the rest of his career.
Vera comes on to Joe, hoping for the perfect rebound with a carefree playboy. Joe accepts her advances, believing she’s the steady girl to fix his reputation and save his career. But as Vera and Joe unknowingly work against each other, they also face the pesky reality of their genuine and unwanted attraction to one another.
Win or lose, love—like soccer—is a beautiful game.
Thirty-three-year-old Joe is almost at the end of the line. He’s only two years from aging out of professional soccer, and his Coach is sick of his shenanigans. When Joe is tempted to cross that line with Coach’s only daughter, he’s given a hefty get in a different relationship (aka stay away from his daughter) or be benched for the rest of his career.
Vera comes on to Joe, hoping for the perfect rebound with a carefree playboy. Joe accepts her advances, believing she’s the steady girl to fix his reputation and save his career. But as Vera and Joe unknowingly work against each other, they also face the pesky reality of their genuine and unwanted attraction to one another.
Win or lose, love—like soccer—is a beautiful game.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2024
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Lanang
5 books24 followersVanessa Lanang makes her home in Los Angeles, CA, with her family, an insatiable passion for baking, and her two cats. When she isn’t writing and drinking copious amounts of coffee, she can be found playing tennis or watching her daughters swim.
*** WHITEOUT was a #1 New Release on Amazon under the category of YA Extreme Sports Fiction***
*** WHITEOUT was a #1 New Release on Amazon under the category of YA Extreme Sports Fiction***
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 13, 2024
The Beautiful Game by Vanessa Lanang and J.R.Luis
Review By Fern Randall
‘The Beautiful Game’ is an easy to read novel that is as light-hearted as it is bittersweet. Some elements of the book are slightly cringey, in my opinion, for example the first meeting of the two main characters Vera and Joe, but I liked the development of their relationship between them throughout.
Overall a good lighthearted read, that I would recommend for any Romance readers or Soccer/Football Fans.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3 Stars
Date: 13/6/2024
Review By Fern Randall
‘The Beautiful Game’ is an easy to read novel that is as light-hearted as it is bittersweet. Some elements of the book are slightly cringey, in my opinion, for example the first meeting of the two main characters Vera and Joe, but I liked the development of their relationship between them throughout.
Overall a good lighthearted read, that I would recommend for any Romance readers or Soccer/Football Fans.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3 Stars
Date: 13/6/2024
June 22, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! I don't think I've ever rooted so hard for a couple to be together. As an Asian American, I enjoyed all the cultural references and nostalgia of what is like growing up with a Filipino mom. This was a quick, easy read; perfect for a day of reading at the beach this summer.
May 29, 2024
Wow! I loved this book.
Vera just got out of a relationship and what better way to move on than to hookup with the hot playboy soccer star? Joe needs to stop his ways for his coach and the league to take him series and not let him go early.
So with that, we have a story filled with angst and some miscommunication.
The story was well written and the ending was nice.
Vera just got out of a relationship and what better way to move on than to hookup with the hot playboy soccer star? Joe needs to stop his ways for his coach and the league to take him series and not let him go early.
So with that, we have a story filled with angst and some miscommunication.
The story was well written and the ending was nice.
June 6, 2024
This was a great book!! Although I have read different sports books I have never read a soccer book and I really enjoyed this one as my first. The authors did a great job at keeping you interested and wanting more! I really enjoyed this book and hope to read others from these authors.
April 30, 2025
Super sweet romance. I was in love with both the main characters from the beginning. The premise isn't a standard romance trope, which I liked, but it still had all the hallmarks of a great romance. I highly recommend it!
June 12, 2024
Picked up a book from a new author that I really enjoyed. I will be adding this author to my tbr.
May 30, 2024
A wonderful sports romance with Latino representation. So much character growth as these two learn so much about themselves as they find their way to each other. A fun, summer read.
October 10, 2024
Super cute read! The last 100 pages had my heart racing on what would happen next with these two. Loved the cultural connections and interwoven familial expectations as a part of it. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews