End Game

X’s and O’s #3

by Allie Lasky

She’s my best friend in the entire world, but there’s nothing I can do to take away the pain of her father’s slow, debilitating decline.

It’s a blessing and a curse that Diana is transferring to Newton to be closer to her family; as glad as I am that we’ll finally be in the same place, I know it will be excruciating spending time with my best friend who has no idea I’m in love with her and definitely doesn’t reciprocate my feelings.

Between mean girl teammates and her own issues, I recognize that she’s not in the right headspace for a relationship. I won’t be content with a one-night stand. That’s okay; I’ve waited this long, I can keep waiting for her to be ready.

I’m not playing chess. I’m waiting for Diana to realize what I’ve known for years: she’s my End Game.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Friends To Lovers, Sports Romance, Slow Burn, Contemporary, College

374 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2023

Reviews

[tanya c · Rating 5 out of 5]

“she’s the person that makes my world make sense. she always has been.”🤍🫧

“she’s absolutely perfect. it’s like a puzzle piece inside of me is sliding into place, making my heart whole once more.”✨🤍🫧

if u are looking 4 a sweet best friends to lovers sports romance, this is ur book. diana & barrett are literally the cutest couple u will ever read ab💗😭

so much is going in diana’s life w her dad & moving schools. but she’s moved to her childhood best friends school who she has had previous feelings 4 & vice versa🤭

i love how realistic the plot & the characters are. the thoughts, the fears, the problems & the joys!

the relationship between them was so pure. i love tht diana loved barrett not jus 4 his money. it was more than tht. tht deep sense of appreciation, the understanding they have 4 each other, the way he looks out 4 her no matter wht. she see’s him as his equal & so does barrett. sum1 is who she can always confide in & trust. they both support each other no matter wht. the connection was everything & i’m so glad they finally admitted how they felt 4 each other🤍

rating: 4.5/5⭐️
spice: 1.5/5🌶

[Britni Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 7/10

I think i have a favorite trope and it is best friends to lovers. Idk but Barrett and Diana just did it for me. I love their history and the secret pining for both of them! Diana was in her head way too much which definitely I can relate to. Super relatable and cute story and I loved it. Can’t wait for more! Maybe Wes and Mack?

[Brittany (happy.ending.always) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Best Friends to Love Story!!!

This book is beautiful. I’m obsessed with this book cover, it is beautiful and what drew me into to read this story. Add in friends to lovers and I’m sold. Friends so oblivious they both love each other, that you want to reach in the book and shake them. But that is what made the story interesting. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting patiently for the fireworks to go off!

💜Friends to Lovers
⚽️Soccer (her)
🏈Football (him)
💜Sports Romance
💜Slow Burn
💜Found Family

“I will always be there for you, Dee. I’d move heaven and earth to get to you.”

Barrett, beautiful beautiful man & friend! He does everything in his power to protect his best friend Diana. Who transferred schools to be closer to her dad who is sick. Transferring, is never easy. Having to start over, has taken a toll on Diana. She is so lucky to have Barrett, her best friend at school with her.

When these two get together it had my stomach dropping, it was so hot. I mean it, fireworks went off. I love them together. The attraction is there, and so much history between them, too much for them to ruin their friendship. The friendship that they share, makes them stronger as individuals. They pick each other up, and the confidence they get from one another helps guide them. This story is beautiful, steamy and everything you want from a best friends to lovers story!!! Sooo good!

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg . I’m not even sure I have the right words to express how much I absolutely loved this amazing story . It has to be one of my the most beautifully written romances I’ve read In such along time . Barrett and Diana’s journey is not a east one by any means . In fact it’s been a while since I’ve read a book where both lead characters just touched my heart in ways I cannot even explain. I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole way through feeling like my heart was beating out of my chest . There were also moments I would have a smile on my face and then bam I ended up crying like a baby . College football romance, best friends to lovers , slow burn, second chances , angst , humor , witty banter , tragedy, off the charts chemistry, family , friendships , unexpected surprises, wonderfully written characters and so much more . End Game has it all In spades - it’s a must read that will keep you up reading well into the early morning hours . I can genuinely and honestly say that there has never been a book of Allie’s I’ve read that I have not just adored .

[Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Rounded up from 3.5*

I love sports romances, and I love friends to lovers. I loved that this had not only the football player, but my soccer girls were repped too! It did feel a little drawn out and repetitive at times. I distinctly remember phrases being used several times throughout the book, which probably lead to that feeling for me. I will have to check out the rest of the series, because Allie wrote the side characters with enough interest and details for me to want to know their stories!

Diana is transferring back to the east coast for her senior year. She’s now in the same college as her best friend, Barrett, but more importantly she’s close to home because her dad is sick. She has to try and find her way with her new soccer team and to make new friends, and try to navigate her classes and manage to graduate. Barrett is there for her, and has been showing her the ropes. He’s introducing her to his teammates and showing her around, and he is definitely being more touchy feely than she remembers. But he’s her best friend and always will be, no matter how hot he is.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bennett and Diana have known each other since they went to camp together when they were 8. No one in the world knows the other better than they do. Except, neither one is aware that the other is in love with them. And frustratingly for this reader, they don't want to talk about it either. It takes quite a while into this book before there is finally a confession and it honestly doesn't go well. When these two finally do agree to pursue a relationship, will it be over before it starts because they decide they'll be better staying just friends? Will the needs and wants of their families keep them apart?

I loved both of these characters and I really felt their angst with thinking about changing the status of their relationship. They both worried about being hurt or being without the person that they turned to for everything. It wasn't about saying I love you or having an intimate relationship, but more about missing the piece that seemed to complete them. While they were apart while attending different schools, they had grown and Bennett learned that Diana was what he really wanted, but he was way ahead of her in that decision.

[HeadCanonHeadCase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barrett has had a crush on his best friend Diana for years, but never thought he had a chance with her. Now, she's transferred to his school and they're growing closer than ever, even cuddling when she needs comfort. But as her world starts to shatter as her father's health takes a turn, will Barrett put his feelings on hold again?

Read if you like:
-Childhood Friends to Lovers
-Slow Burn
-Use Me

I loved the story of End Game. Childhood Friends to Lovers will always be my favorite. And I loved that they cuddled and were very openly affectionate. And I loved the slow burn. But I do wish the pacing had been a little different. By the time we reached the 'use me' offer, there was barely any book left. I wish there had been just a little bit more time for them to be an official couple before the book ended. Otherwise, the rest of End Game hit all the right notes.

[Amy Crull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book just wasn't for me

So this is more of a 3.5 star rating.. this book was a struggle to finish. I normally love reading sports romance and with this one. I don't know. I think it was a lot of how the characters acted and the big words the author used that I had never even heard of before and had to look them up. Barrett and Diana had a special friendship and helped each other out whether it was family issues or on the field. This book focuses mostly on their friendship with a little drama,due to the horrible soccer team that Diana is on. I felt like that wasn't really shown as fixed but I let that slide. The process of friendship to love was awkward at best but it worked for them.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to say I enjoyed this, and I did, but I didn't.
I loved the whole best friends since childhood, to lovers, but I hated how drawn out it was. I felt like Diana had to have known somewhat how Barrett felt about her...
There was also quite a few side characters that some weren't necessary to know and others I found annoying. Like one literally only said one sentence in this whole book, but the rest of the time he grunted in response. 🙃
And it was said multiple times "grunted"
Too many repetitive words and sentences for my liking.
The ending was sweet. I'm glad there was a happy ending.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

End Game by Allie Lasky

This book was so sweet! The friendship and relationship between these two was so pure and loving. The storyline was beautiful and I loved these characters. Their raw and relatable characteristics made this so much more enjoyable. The chemistry between the two was explosive and the slow pace of their relationship made me so frustrated! Overall, I still loved these two and can’t wait to read more from All

Tropes:
⚽️Friends to Lovers
🏈Football (him)
⚽️Sports Romance
🏈Slow Burn
⚽️Soccer (her)
🏈Found Family

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Mariah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was really cute! Slow burn was really an understatement lol. There was really a lot of spicy which I would have loved. But this book really did have a lot of cute moments. Along with the cute moments came some frustrating ones, like them telling each other they were into each other. Or one of them not seeing the signs of the other being into them. But this book definitely makes me want to read more sports romances (football ones for now). I received this book as an arc for an honest review.

[Samantha Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Allie and I'm in love!!

End Game is book #3 in the Xs and Os series. It's a best friends to lovers, slow burn, college football romance.

This is such a sweet read!!

Diana's life has so much going on and she is moving back home to be there for her dad and is moving schools. She will finally be back in the same school as her best friend, Barrett, who has always been in love with Diana, but she thinks he will never feel like that for her.

This is seriously such a beautiful story! I have no other words! I loved it!

[Baxygirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

such a brilliant idea for a book

I did like this.
A lot.

However, I read the same few sentences again and again. It was too much repetition. I wondered how long the writer took to write each part because it seemed like they had no idea, a few pages earlier they’d already said the same thing.

I promised myself I’d just push through and I did.

I liked the characters, not sure it required multiple mentions of ethnicity though.
I liked the dual POV, the setting and the conflicts.

Overall a sound story.

[Leah Cooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I love these two and their story. I need an update, a follow up. The slow burn was SLOW, but it also felt real; like it’s how you circle think in your own head on a topic.

I can’t wait to devour all of Allie’s books! Read if you love sports. Read if you love friends to lovers. Read if you love strong female leads that come across the page as a real person. Read if you love golden retriever (boys, not dogs) or cinnamon rolls (again boys, not pastries). Read if you love HEAs. Read if you love YA crossing into adult fiction. Hell just read if you like print on the page.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out pretty good, had me hooked and I loved the characters, but somewhere towards the middle it got SUPER repetitive and just started to feel drug out. I kept on though, hoping it would pick back up, which only sort of happened? To say the least, it was a very rushed and anticlimactic ending. 😕 Something else that bothered me throughout the book, was the confusing transitions into different scenes. There was not a clear pause between many a paragraph to indicate a change of scene.

[Neshaisabookworm’s Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to this one! I have loved this series since the beginning. This one was a bit harder for me to get into but once I did Barrett stole my heart! Barrett and Diana’s story is slow burn friends to lovers. Verrrry slow burn, don’t give up, the burn is worth the wait! You get to see all of your favorite characters again and fall for some new ones. It’s sweet and spicy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are these best friends about to cross the line to lovers?

Allie Lasky has absolutely knocked it out of the park with Diana & Barrett's story. I absolutely loved the depth the author went to with telling their story. This story is both spicy & slow burn. Will Barrett & Diana get the courage to admit their true feelings for each other or will they hide behind their friendship?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away in the most surprising of ways. I’m not sure if it was the spice or the story, but I am sure that I inhaled this book like the very air I breathe. I loved Barrett and Diana from page one. Their love and banter from the very beginning set the tone for one fabulous, and spicy, book. The ending absolutely melted my heart and I can’t wait to work through the author’s back list! Bravo!
.

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really trying to like this book and continue reading it . I'm at 20% but don't know if I can go through with it . First thing that comes to mind is boring. Second I'm having lash backs from it being all over the place , like one moment they are at a diner eating H and h and the next sentence without preamble he's finished dinner with his parents and going back to see her. And third both characters are so whiny and childish not liking them at all

[Tyler Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion Allie writes some of the best sports romance books. This series has been such a good read for me. This friends to lovers romance was so sweet and cute. I loved the MCs chemistry in this book, and omg the steam!!! If you’ve never read any of this authors books you deffo need to grab any of the books from this series and be ready to be hooked.

[Victoria Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story line was wrote with emotion. I’m obsessed with this book cover, it is beautiful and what drew me into to read this story. Add in friends to lovers and I’m sold. Friends so oblivious they both love each other, that you want to reach in the book and shake them and tell them to get their act together. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting patiently for the fireworks to go off!

[Chelsea Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was like the ultimate angsty friends to more book. Super cute sports romance where they both play sports which I thought was super cool. Diana and Barrett have been friends for a long time and have been each others rock through each of their own personal struggles. It was sweet to read once their friendship become more then a friendship and it’s definitely got the slow burn going on lol.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Barrett & Diana's book. She thought it would be good to be around her best friend again, but after spending the bulk of their college years on separate sides of the country, she’s unprepared for the day to day reality of the man her childhood friend has grown into. Great slow burn. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Jenn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Friends to Lovers Sports Romance

This is a slow burn, sweet story where at times you want to shake the two main characters and let them know that they are it for one another! I loved getting to know them and how their relationship progressed. If you are looking for a sweet, light read, this is for you!

[Vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a bit too much of a slow burn for me. I ended up skipping through. It's well written but I just didn't gel with the characters, both seeming a bit insipid. Best friends for 90% to lovers, it's almost an after thought. I also think the epilogue could've been a bit more in the future considering how young they were and the talk of their future plans in the story.

[merp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always excited when one of Allie’s books comes across my desk, and this was no exception. Spicier than it’s predecessor, this is a sweet, slow burn besties-to-lovers that even non-sports fans will love. 🥰

[Emma Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally HATE slow burns, but this one was so good!

Allie writes introspective guys that make you squee with all the warm fuzzies and strong female characters that work through their sh!t like the bosses they are.

Pick this one up. You'll love it!!

[Megan Uhrynowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh - it was okay. Cute idea of a storyline, but felt a bit repetitive to me. Also is Diana like blind????? Like if my best friend was acting like that I would be like wtf?!
Some parts were so cringe 😬

[Ashley Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute romance about childhood best friends. She had feelings for him when she was younger and he had them for her but his feelings never went away. It’s so cute I love this book.

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful best friends to lovers college football romance. Their journey is so sweet and cute, the characters are lovely and their chemistry is off the charts. I sooo recommend!