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Ready to Score
Cleat Cute meets Friday Night Lights in this funny, spicy, emotional new sapphic romance from Jodie Slaughter.
Jade Dunn has spent years trying to climb her way to the top of the southern high school football food chain. Now, the only thing standing between her and that future head coach spot is years of small-town good ‘ol boy politics. When she scores an invite to a highly coveted monthly poker game perfect for networking, she jumps at the chance for a seat at the table. Only to find the one person with the ability to shake her there. An infuriatingly sexy art teacher who plays her cards like she’s gunning for Jade’s deserved spot.
Francesca Lim never thought she’d be happy in a small town, not after living and breathing hardcore Texas football her whole life. But two years ago, the promise of forever love had her leaving behind a burgeoning coaching career for a new life - only for it to burst into flames. Now, she has a chance to gain back a piece of her life she thought she’d left in Houston. The only one standing in the way? The prickly assistant coach that Francesca can’t keep her mind or hands off of.
Not wanting to risk losing out on a dream job, Jade and Francesca can’t afford to give in to the iron hot attraction that simmers beneath their biting interactions, so they try desperately to ignore it. Too bad their hearts don’t seem to be as on board with the game plan.
Jodie Slaughter’s Ready to Score shows how sometimes you have to go big or go home to get the life - and love - you deserve.
Jade Dunn has spent years trying to climb her way to the top of the southern high school football food chain. Now, the only thing standing between her and that future head coach spot is years of small-town good ‘ol boy politics. When she scores an invite to a highly coveted monthly poker game perfect for networking, she jumps at the chance for a seat at the table. Only to find the one person with the ability to shake her there. An infuriatingly sexy art teacher who plays her cards like she’s gunning for Jade’s deserved spot.
Francesca Lim never thought she’d be happy in a small town, not after living and breathing hardcore Texas football her whole life. But two years ago, the promise of forever love had her leaving behind a burgeoning coaching career for a new life - only for it to burst into flames. Now, she has a chance to gain back a piece of her life she thought she’d left in Houston. The only one standing in the way? The prickly assistant coach that Francesca can’t keep her mind or hands off of.
Not wanting to risk losing out on a dream job, Jade and Francesca can’t afford to give in to the iron hot attraction that simmers beneath their biting interactions, so they try desperately to ignore it. Too bad their hearts don’t seem to be as on board with the game plan.
Jodie Slaughter’s Ready to Score shows how sometimes you have to go big or go home to get the life - and love - you deserve.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2025
53 people are currently reading
13468 people want to read
About the author
Jodie Slaughter
9 books735 followersJodie Slaughter is a twenty-something romance author who spends most of her days hunched over a computer for her day job and her nights hunched over a different computer for her novels. While her back is definitely suffering, she wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves love, so she writes romance novels full of heart, passion, and heat. When she isn’t putting steamy scenes or declarations of devotion on the page she can normally be found being generally hilarious on twitter, dreaming about brisket, or consuming way too much television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
October 13, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
waitttt the negative reviews scared me but tell me why i ate this up. jade being a dick half the time was really irking and i truly thought francesca deserved better until jade’s trauma was explored (which i still think could’ve been handled better)
however this was a quick, fun read and VERY steamy- i’m talking strap, y’all 🔥🥵 so if anyone needs a sapphic rec here’s your girl xx
thank you to netgalley and smp for the arc!!
waitttt the negative reviews scared me but tell me why i ate this up. jade being a dick half the time was really irking and i truly thought francesca deserved better until jade’s trauma was explored (which i still think could’ve been handled better)
however this was a quick, fun read and VERY steamy- i’m talking strap, y’all 🔥🥵 so if anyone needs a sapphic rec here’s your girl xx
thank you to netgalley and smp for the arc!!
September 20, 2025
This book definitely has some issues. The pacing is a little awkward, the enemies part of the enemies-to-lovers arc is a little heavy-handed, and the smut overpowers the actual romance. But as a whole, I really did like this story and I think the characters and themes outshine the few flaws in the story. Both leads have tons of depth, and there are some great discussions regarding feminism and inclusivity. As a whole I'd definitely recommend this, especially for fans of sports romances.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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June 4, 2025
Book Riot's Best New Romance Books Out in June:
I have been excitedly thrumming for the release of this book for nearly a year, and I’m so excited it’s finally here! Jodie doesn’t miss when it comes to complicated romance setups, and I’m so excited to pick up this BIPOC interracial sapphic small-town sports romance. Jade and Francesca both have their eyes on the head coaching spot for their town’s high school football team, but their attraction to each other doesn’t give a damn about their professional rivalry. —Jessica Pryde
I have been excitedly thrumming for the release of this book for nearly a year, and I’m so excited it’s finally here! Jodie doesn’t miss when it comes to complicated romance setups, and I’m so excited to pick up this BIPOC interracial sapphic small-town sports romance. Jade and Francesca both have their eyes on the head coaching spot for their town’s high school football team, but their attraction to each other doesn’t give a damn about their professional rivalry. —Jessica Pryde
June 21, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars
“Ready to Score” is a sports romance about power women Francesca and Jade. I had no idea about American football beforehand and I have to admit that the book didn't really spark my interest. I had problems getting into the story, especially at the beginning. The plot was clear from the start: Two women who want the same job. Coupled with feelings.
Jade in particular was very determined and sometimes forgot what humanity means because of her ambition. For half the book, she behaved in a really impossible way, was cold and very hurtful. Francesca, on the other hand, was warm-hearted and tried to see the best in her despite all the walls Jade put up around her. I liked how she managed to break down those walls with a lot of patience and courage. And after quite a while, I also felt sympathy for Jade. The love story between the two was a rollercoaster of emotions. First a lot of dislike, then a lot of spice, only to be thrown in at the deep end again. A back and forth that somehow managed to capture me. I'm very grateful that the football games weren't so present, but rather the development of the love story and the competition for the job.
A big plus for the story is the narrator! She did a great job. Even though I sometimes had problems understanding certain American dialects, it was still a lot of fun to listen to her. The emotions of Jade and Francesca in particular were incredibly tangible. She also did a great job of conveying the differences between the two women. And she even made a football game interesting at times.
A sweet story that takes a bit to get into. I enjoyed the book, especially because of the narrator, who made the story so lively, and I can really recommend it as an audiobook.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ALC.
“Ready to Score” is a sports romance about power women Francesca and Jade. I had no idea about American football beforehand and I have to admit that the book didn't really spark my interest. I had problems getting into the story, especially at the beginning. The plot was clear from the start: Two women who want the same job. Coupled with feelings.
Jade in particular was very determined and sometimes forgot what humanity means because of her ambition. For half the book, she behaved in a really impossible way, was cold and very hurtful. Francesca, on the other hand, was warm-hearted and tried to see the best in her despite all the walls Jade put up around her. I liked how she managed to break down those walls with a lot of patience and courage. And after quite a while, I also felt sympathy for Jade. The love story between the two was a rollercoaster of emotions. First a lot of dislike, then a lot of spice, only to be thrown in at the deep end again. A back and forth that somehow managed to capture me. I'm very grateful that the football games weren't so present, but rather the development of the love story and the competition for the job.
A big plus for the story is the narrator! She did a great job. Even though I sometimes had problems understanding certain American dialects, it was still a lot of fun to listen to her. The emotions of Jade and Francesca in particular were incredibly tangible. She also did a great job of conveying the differences between the two women. And she even made a football game interesting at times.
A sweet story that takes a bit to get into. I enjoyed the book, especially because of the narrator, who made the story so lively, and I can really recommend it as an audiobook.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ALC.
December 31, 2024
First off; turns out I do not care about high school football, and in the United States they care A LOT about high school football. I knew this, but I don’t think I reeeeally knew this. I have read books revolving around sports before and it wasn’t an issue as usually it’s a driver of the plot but not ultimately too important; for some various reasons this book was different. I think your enjoyment may be impacted by your interest in high school sports teams. This was also an interesting cultural aspect to consider, because there were a lot of elements that I simply couldn’t relate to and I never cared about the stakes all that much.
This one is hard for me to review. There was good and there was bad (for me).
Good: The writing itself was good. The characters felt like real people with their own motivations. There was a great exploration of the challenges faced by visible minorities fighting for space in a field typically dominated by white men. Overall, there were a lot of positive elements to this novel.
Bad: PROBABLY SPOILERS TO FOLLOW:I didn’t like the main protagonists that much (big problem) and I absolutely didn’t like them as a couple (major problem for a romance novel). I didn’t see the chemistry between them, regardless of how much the author told me that it was there. They were unnecessarily cruel to each other and not in a fun way; romances can absolutely start out antagonistically except this one did it in a way that I simply didn’t like and then failed to pull off the transition. I have a lot of little things I could mention, but overall, I simply didn’t like the characters and that essentially ruined the story for me. There were also plot points that didn’t make sense. For example, one of the characters is rich(ish) and privately funding the school, yet complains that they can’t get funding for their program? Simply doesn’t make sense, and those details were also pointless and didn’t go anywhere.
I said it before and ill say it again; I don’t understand this world of high school football and the novel didn’t do a good job of explaining it. At one point there is a major plot point where one of the coaches goes to an opposing team’s game and that’s…… apparently not allowed? I can’t understand why considering they are open to the public and the stands are packed with people, but I assume that’s a thing. There were a lot of little details like this throughout the book, and often regarding major plot points.
Anyways, despite the fact that I didn’t connect with this novel I can objectively see that I think there are other people that would. Its not a bad novel so I’m not giving it a bad rating.
My Rating: “C”
GoodReads: 3-stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
This one is hard for me to review. There was good and there was bad (for me).
Good: The writing itself was good. The characters felt like real people with their own motivations. There was a great exploration of the challenges faced by visible minorities fighting for space in a field typically dominated by white men. Overall, there were a lot of positive elements to this novel.
Bad: PROBABLY SPOILERS TO FOLLOW:I didn’t like the main protagonists that much (big problem) and I absolutely didn’t like them as a couple (major problem for a romance novel). I didn’t see the chemistry between them, regardless of how much the author told me that it was there. They were unnecessarily cruel to each other and not in a fun way; romances can absolutely start out antagonistically except this one did it in a way that I simply didn’t like and then failed to pull off the transition. I have a lot of little things I could mention, but overall, I simply didn’t like the characters and that essentially ruined the story for me. There were also plot points that didn’t make sense. For example, one of the characters is rich(ish) and privately funding the school, yet complains that they can’t get funding for their program? Simply doesn’t make sense, and those details were also pointless and didn’t go anywhere.
I said it before and ill say it again; I don’t understand this world of high school football and the novel didn’t do a good job of explaining it. At one point there is a major plot point where one of the coaches goes to an opposing team’s game and that’s…… apparently not allowed? I can’t understand why considering they are open to the public and the stands are packed with people, but I assume that’s a thing. There were a lot of little details like this throughout the book, and often regarding major plot points.
Anyways, despite the fact that I didn’t connect with this novel I can objectively see that I think there are other people that would. Its not a bad novel so I’m not giving it a bad rating.
My Rating: “C”
GoodReads: 3-stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
December 28, 2024
It was all too much. I don’t think Jade and Franny were right for each other. It didn’t feel like a true enemies to lovers. Jade was so terribly mean to Franny. First, there was the bingo incident, which was just socially mortifying and embarrassing. But what Jade said to Franny after Franny accidentally spilled sparkling juice on Coach Landry was vicious and malevolent and cruel. It was at this point that I truly disliked them as a couple and stopped thinking of the book as a romance story.
Besides the terrible romance, the book was just so long. It dragged on and on and on. The book could have ended so much earlier.
Some other miscellaneous thoughts: Why did Jade not buy her own SmartBoard (from the prologue)? How did Franny qualify as an art teacher (did she have an art degree? It was never specified or explained)?
Besides the terrible romance, the book was just so long. It dragged on and on and on. The book could have ended so much earlier.
Some other miscellaneous thoughts: Why did Jade not buy her own SmartBoard (from the prologue)? How did Franny qualify as an art teacher (did she have an art degree? It was never specified or explained)?
January 4, 2025
This is a new to me author and I’m so happy to be able to read it! I learned so much about football lol. Either the author did a ton of research or is passionate about football because it shines through.
We get a rivals to lovers sapphic romance with a fun supporting cast. I feel like Jade had bigger character growth through recognizing her true feelings and owning up to faults. Franny did have growth as well and they were able to come together through openness, forgiveness and palpable chemistry.
I was given a copy and all opinions are my own.
We get a rivals to lovers sapphic romance with a fun supporting cast. I feel like Jade had bigger character growth through recognizing her true feelings and owning up to faults. Franny did have growth as well and they were able to come together through openness, forgiveness and palpable chemistry.
I was given a copy and all opinions are my own.
June 1, 2025
3.5 rounded up
This was a fun Sapphic small town dual POV enemies to lovers romance between two queer BIPOC teachers both vying for the same football coaching position. Jade and Franny both love football and want to prove that women have what it takes to do the job. This was full of steamy sex, lots of diverse characters and emotional depth. I enjoyed it a lot especially on audio and would recommend for fans of books like Love and sportsball by Meka James. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital, audio and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!
This was a fun Sapphic small town dual POV enemies to lovers romance between two queer BIPOC teachers both vying for the same football coaching position. Jade and Franny both love football and want to prove that women have what it takes to do the job. This was full of steamy sex, lots of diverse characters and emotional depth. I enjoyed it a lot especially on audio and would recommend for fans of books like Love and sportsball by Meka James. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital, audio and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!
August 27, 2025
i was so ready to love this sapphic, rival teachers // potential football coaches romance (because I love this author's work) but alas. There was a lot of football coaching and football playing description (not my fav thing, but ymmv). i would have been fine but the romance itself was a bit oddly paced, and the overall arc didn't feel like it was their HEA that mattered, but Jade getting the coaching position.
Also for a coworkers/rivals romance, some of the banter was quite cutting, and tense, and I just never felt it got to the chemistry level I wanted it to be. The hot scenes were hot, but felt oddly out of pace, and we had yet another book with a sex scene that faded to black at an odd moment.
Also for a coworkers/rivals romance, some of the banter was quite cutting, and tense, and I just never felt it got to the chemistry level I wanted it to be. The hot scenes were hot, but felt oddly out of pace, and we had yet another book with a sex scene that faded to black at an odd moment.
June 14, 2025
(June 14, 2025) I previously read an ARC copy of this book and then got a copy of the audio book. I did enjoy the narration of Esme Ramos but it didn't change my thoughts on the story. My original review is below. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the audio book.
**************
This is not listed as a sequel so I will call it a stand alone novel that is in the same world as Play to Win (July 2023) and Bet on It (July 2022). I have read those contemporary romances and enjoyed the representation and diversity in race, sexuality and body shape and size. The books all take place in the small town of Greenbelt, South Carolina and this is the first one to feature a f/f romance.
Jade Dunn and Francesca Lim are both teachers at the local high school. Jade has been there for years and has worked very hard to be part of the assistant coaches for the football team. When the current head coach announces this will be his last year, Jade is all in to prove that she is worthy of being made head coach. Francesca helped coach junior teams in Texas before she moved to Greenbelt two years and asked to join the coaching staff.
I never bought into Franny being a contender for the head coach spot so the perceived rivalry by Jade didn’t make a lot of sense. Jade’s antics only made her come off as juvenile and petty. I honestly didn’t understand why Franny was interested in Jade. But of course they are attracted to each other. I enjoyed the cameos from the previous books. Jade’s bowling group friends are there to add some extra humor but I find crass to be cringe. There is a good portion of the book that focuses on football (American). I am a college level football fan and understand the rules and positions discussed. But others could find those parts of the story less interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
**************
This is not listed as a sequel so I will call it a stand alone novel that is in the same world as Play to Win (July 2023) and Bet on It (July 2022). I have read those contemporary romances and enjoyed the representation and diversity in race, sexuality and body shape and size. The books all take place in the small town of Greenbelt, South Carolina and this is the first one to feature a f/f romance.
Jade Dunn and Francesca Lim are both teachers at the local high school. Jade has been there for years and has worked very hard to be part of the assistant coaches for the football team. When the current head coach announces this will be his last year, Jade is all in to prove that she is worthy of being made head coach. Francesca helped coach junior teams in Texas before she moved to Greenbelt two years and asked to join the coaching staff.
I never bought into Franny being a contender for the head coach spot so the perceived rivalry by Jade didn’t make a lot of sense. Jade’s antics only made her come off as juvenile and petty. I honestly didn’t understand why Franny was interested in Jade. But of course they are attracted to each other. I enjoyed the cameos from the previous books. Jade’s bowling group friends are there to add some extra humor but I find crass to be cringe. There is a good portion of the book that focuses on football (American). I am a college level football fan and understand the rules and positions discussed. But others could find those parts of the story less interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
September 8, 2025
3.5 rounded up and will come back to do a full review bc these reviews are pmo lmao
February 24, 2025
3.5 ★
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Ready to Score!
Ready to Score has all the components of a romance novel made For Me: rivals to lovers, workplace romance, grumpy, & sports romance (high school football coaches!). Unfortunately, the writing fell short for me overall. Being in your 30s and still committed to miscommunication is exhausting and silly!
I enjoy it when it takes some sweetness to thaw a particularly frosty character, but Jade’s treatment & deliberate embarrassment of Franny in the beginning was almost straight up cruel. Jade’s character development was strong, but I also feel that there was no explanation as to why she is the way she is, besides “being a woman in a male dominated field is hard” & “the art teacher got a smart board and I didn’t boohoo”.
The writing is decent overall and kept me engaged, but there’s gotta be better descriptors than constantly talking about nipples hardening.
Despite my gripes, I still enjoyed Ready to Score and ended up finishing it in a day!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Ready to Score!
Ready to Score has all the components of a romance novel made For Me: rivals to lovers, workplace romance, grumpy, & sports romance (high school football coaches!). Unfortunately, the writing fell short for me overall. Being in your 30s and still committed to miscommunication is exhausting and silly!
I enjoy it when it takes some sweetness to thaw a particularly frosty character, but Jade’s treatment & deliberate embarrassment of Franny in the beginning was almost straight up cruel. Jade’s character development was strong, but I also feel that there was no explanation as to why she is the way she is, besides “being a woman in a male dominated field is hard” & “the art teacher got a smart board and I didn’t boohoo”.
The writing is decent overall and kept me engaged, but there’s gotta be better descriptors than constantly talking about nipples hardening.
Despite my gripes, I still enjoyed Ready to Score and ended up finishing it in a day!
July 6, 2025
This woman had her completely gone—taken. Jade wouldn’t consider floating back down to any reality where this wasn’t happening. Where she wasn’t standing naked in front of Francesca Lim, being seen and feeling adored.
3.5 stars. This was such a cute enemies-to-lovers sports romance. We're following two teachers at a southern high school, both of whom love football, and both of whom are vying for the position of head coach, now that the old head coach is going to be retiring soon. Jade has been at the school for years, has been coaching and building relationships with the boys, and has wanted nothing more than for this to be the next step in her journey. Francesca only transferred to the school a couple years ago, and while she hasn't had the chance to do any coaching at this school, she has the experience and also the ambition to go for it. They've had a mild rivalry ever since Francesca started teaching at the school, and now that they're vying for the same position, it's amped up even more.
I'm calling this a sports romance, because even though the two main characters aren't playing sports, there's a lot of emphasis on how much their coaching means to the kids, and what they can provide for the kids, and how much they love the sport in general. I do wish that we had gotten to see a few more games to really drive that love home. But the bulk of the story is, of course, focused on the relationship, and it was so cute. It's not my very favourite flavour of enemies to lovers, because while I love the banter and the bickering and the one-upmanship, there is a sort of pranking aspect that comes into play, which I do find a little childish. And I say it's enemies to lovers, but the enemies part is really mostly on Jade's side. She REALLY wants the job, and she's borderline resentful that the hot, infuriating, alluring newcomer is also vying for the position.
When enemies-to-lovers is one-sided, it can often be really funny and cute to me, and it was in this case. But I just think that sometimes, Jade took it a teensy bit too far, and then it wasn't all that funny to me. Honestly, one of the things that's holding me back from giving this an even higher rating is the fact that I don't think she apologised enough, when the time came for them to put their differences aside. The fact that she had taken their competition so seriously was kinda cute, but sometimes it just felt mean-spirited, and the resolution didn't do enough to address that. At least in my opinion.
But make no mistake, this was still overall really cute, and had so many aspects that I loved. I loved both their friend groups, but especially Franny's league of bowling dykes. The old girls were hilarious. I loved the caretaking and little ways they looked after one another, even when they were still ostensibly in a rivalry. I loved those little moments where they bonded with the boys and mentored them. All of the moments during the games felt exciting and visceral. I loved when they got sweet and soft for one another. This was just really sexy, in every way I could have wanted. Franny is dream girl material.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Esme Ramos, and it was really good! This is my first read from this author, and I hope it won't be my last. I must admit, from the reviews I've seen of her other books, I have sort of expected this to be more of an emotional read. I wouldn't have minded if it had been. But it was still great the way it was: light, funny, sexy, with a lot of heart.
“I don’t care how much of a cliché I sound like. I don’t need six more months just to know that I love you. I need six more months to keep learning how to love you properly.”
July 11, 2025
WELL this one took me by surprise -I went into Ready to Score a little wary thanks to some mixed reviews, but by the time the final play was called (sportsball reference haha), I was grinning, sweating, and cheering for this fiery sapphic rivals-to-lovers romance. Jodie Slaughter doesn’t hold back on the heat, heart, or hurt, and Esme Ramos’ narration makes it all come alive like you're right there in that locker room—or poker night, or bedroom. 🫠
At first glance, Jade Dunn isn’t easy to love. She's blunt, single-minded, and at times downright cruel in the way she walls herself off from everyone, especially Francesca. I’ll admit, there were moments early on where I audibly groaned at her behavior. But slowly—thanks to some good character development and Francesca’s radiant warmth—you start to get her. I do wish Slaughter had dug even deeper into Jade’s trauma earlier in the story to smooth the pacing, but what we did get added much-needed depth to her tough exterior.
Francesca Lim is an absolute star. An art teacher with Texas football in her blood, she’s the kind of sapphic lead who radiates emotional intelligence and quiet strength. Her patience with Jade never comes off as passive — instead, it feels earned, layered with her own scars and hopes. Their dynamic is electric: flirty, snarky, loaded with tension, and oh yes — steamy as hell. We’re talking full-on strap scenes with feeling behind the fire. Slaughter brings the spice, but she never forgets the heart.
Let’s also take a moment for Esme Ramos, because this narration? Chef’s kiss. She nails Jade’s edge and Francesca’s softness, and her voice work for side characters like Landry was honestly delightful. There’s a rhythm to her performance that keeps the energy up and the tension taut — I couldn’t stop listening.
Also worth noting: no third-act breakup! I repeat — no soul-wrenching, miscommunication-fueled separation just when things get good. Slaughter makes us earn the HEA by drawing out the build-up, and it’s so much more satisfying for it.
This is the sapphic sports romance for those who care about character arcs and chemistry over actual sports rules (same, babe). You’ll find found family, emotional redemption, and a gorgeous reminder that vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s how we win.
Quick, spicy, full of sass and heart — Ready to Score lives up to its name. Highly recommend the audiobook for a fun, fiery listen.
At first glance, Jade Dunn isn’t easy to love. She's blunt, single-minded, and at times downright cruel in the way she walls herself off from everyone, especially Francesca. I’ll admit, there were moments early on where I audibly groaned at her behavior. But slowly—thanks to some good character development and Francesca’s radiant warmth—you start to get her. I do wish Slaughter had dug even deeper into Jade’s trauma earlier in the story to smooth the pacing, but what we did get added much-needed depth to her tough exterior.
Francesca Lim is an absolute star. An art teacher with Texas football in her blood, she’s the kind of sapphic lead who radiates emotional intelligence and quiet strength. Her patience with Jade never comes off as passive — instead, it feels earned, layered with her own scars and hopes. Their dynamic is electric: flirty, snarky, loaded with tension, and oh yes — steamy as hell. We’re talking full-on strap scenes with feeling behind the fire. Slaughter brings the spice, but she never forgets the heart.
Let’s also take a moment for Esme Ramos, because this narration? Chef’s kiss. She nails Jade’s edge and Francesca’s softness, and her voice work for side characters like Landry was honestly delightful. There’s a rhythm to her performance that keeps the energy up and the tension taut — I couldn’t stop listening.
Also worth noting: no third-act breakup! I repeat — no soul-wrenching, miscommunication-fueled separation just when things get good. Slaughter makes us earn the HEA by drawing out the build-up, and it’s so much more satisfying for it.
This is the sapphic sports romance for those who care about character arcs and chemistry over actual sports rules (same, babe). You’ll find found family, emotional redemption, and a gorgeous reminder that vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s how we win.
Quick, spicy, full of sass and heart — Ready to Score lives up to its name. Highly recommend the audiobook for a fun, fiery listen.
August 6, 2025
While I did enjoy this I didn't particularly like how the relationship between Jade and Franny started out. Jade was so mean, it began to border on bullying, and even when the traumatic experiences that made her like that were revealed I—as a black woman also–found it hard to get past it. Throughout the book, up until the 60% mark, the characters especially Jade didn't read as adult characters and it just felt like Franny was constantly playing catch-up to get into Jade's good graces.
I liked the end though, they were really cute.
I liked the end though, they were really cute.
August 22, 2025
This book falls under the category of how the hell did these characters come together and actually last as a couple? I absolutely loved Francesca but Jade? Her and I have beef and she doesn’t even know it. She was incredibly emotionally immature for being a coach at a school. Being driven isn’t a bad thing but when you can’t even accept that another teacher albeit in a different subject than you deserves something as simple as a smart board but you think you do? Seriously? The spicy scenes were incredible but Fran deserved so much better.
June 15, 2025
This was not for me.
The MCs are supposed to be adults, but read more like young teenagers with the level of immaturity the exuded.
By the time the characters started acting (about) their age I was 3/4 of the way in and no longer cared.
The narrator did an incredible job and was a large part of why finishing this one wasn't mind melting.
Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my ALC.
The MCs are supposed to be adults, but read more like young teenagers with the level of immaturity the exuded.
By the time the characters started acting (about) their age I was 3/4 of the way in and no longer cared.
The narrator did an incredible job and was a large part of why finishing this one wasn't mind melting.
Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my ALC.
May 26, 2025
This is the third book of the series and this can be read as a standalone. We have Jade, a high school teacher in a small town and is looking to get the head coach position for the football team. There is Franny, who is her rival at school who everyone loves. As it turns out, Franny loves football all too and wants the job.
I enjoyed the book but the rival to lovers part was not my favorite. I thought that Jade was really mean and acted way too immature. The way they treated each other really turned me off and it did impact my liking of the story.
You don't need to love football to read this but there is a lot about it. I did enjoy seeing Jade's friends making an appearance in the story.
Thank you @youhadmeathea for a copy of the book.
I enjoyed the book but the rival to lovers part was not my favorite. I thought that Jade was really mean and acted way too immature. The way they treated each other really turned me off and it did impact my liking of the story.
You don't need to love football to read this but there is a lot about it. I did enjoy seeing Jade's friends making an appearance in the story.
Thank you @youhadmeathea for a copy of the book.
May 13, 2025
3.75🏈
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review!
Black X Korean Sapphics SAVE USSS!!!
May we thank Jodie Slaughter for providing us this ♡.
While this was labeled and marketed as a ’Rivals to Lovers’. There wasn’t a ‘rivalry’ at all really, it was just one sided bull being that Franny never did or said anything ill in retribution to Jade’s actions.
We were told why Jade hated Franny but it’s still like.. why? She was way too petty for it to be something like that and in the beginning I can understand why Jade could be upset at not being granted a smart board. But if she was putting funds into the school, why couldn’t she buy one herself? That shouldn’t have been an ignition to her hate for Franny I don’t think.
The rivals to lovers trope would’ve made sense if it was reciprocated with real reason; the rivalry should’ve began in the field and not beforehand as Franny doesn’t really dislike Jade like Jade does her in such an over the top way and this being a story with a majority of football involved, it would’ve been better to see that rivalry and love twist and grow then just reading play by plays.
Franny is actually funny AF, like I love her. Every time she’s sad or her eyes water I be wanting to jump in this book and tear the mf who causes it, up! Like come on Jade this is your wife you hurting!
I couldn’t lie sometimes her and Jade relationship feelt like some type of Stockholm’s syndrome in the early stages😬. Like I get the harsh reality— as a black woman myself— what Jade faced and could face, but gosh she’s just constantly mean and childish for little reasons that it’s just annoying— especially how she made gambling night into something it shouldn’t have been when she supposedly loves those kids! And Franny was just drooling REGARDLESS like I know the body and face is tea but is it that so?!?!?
But Jade falling in her own hole made me feel a lot better since she was finally able to reflect a bit on her shit and we got more understandable depth to her along with her accountability. Made me start my road to loving her too.
Just wished when Jade spoke of such one time, Franny didn’t say “I liked playing along” because while she did find it hot sometimes, she legit teared up over it.
Perhaps her terrible ex did a bigger number on her than we all thought?
And I get it, Franny understood her reasons of fear and lashing out, and yes you can love someone and understand them, but you can still feel that hurt and allow that accountability be had from the person you love.
Now, there is some inconsistencies. For example, one minute Amelia is 10 then the next she’s 6. And then one minute Alonzo dad suffered a stroke and the next he’s been dead for some years and the recount of what happened at the club. Hopefully that’s all fixed by release!
Other than all that, the writing was really good and smooth and the little stories of all our characters added engaging width to this written world!
I don’t really know shit about football so I was just cheering every time something sounded good when it came to the tennis ball hitting the net or something like that😀. So If you’re a heavy football fan, you will definitely get a kick out of this!
I wish we could’ve seen more of the domestic things that Fran and Jade had done, would’ve added more to their newfound relationship and allowed us readers to see that vulnerability and intimacy and actually feel the weight of the first ‘I love you’.
Even the parent meet through FaceTime should’ve been written about I would’ve loved that added connection of their romantic lives.
Especially with what they said to each other afterwards being so damn cute!
**Spoiler**
They jinxed themselves by saying they’d win the first game, I promise you they did!
**
Departing Thoughts
-I so didn’t expect them to be so freaked out so that was an unexpected yet highly welcomed treat! Especially with Jade lying about being a little bottom when she be slutting Franny out!
- “The sooner we go, the sooner we can come back and watch some gay shit on TV.” “Fine. But only because I love gay shit on TV so much.”
Literally so real and me asf!!
-Would I be crazy if I said Jade lowkey highkey got a mommy kink👀??
-The kids relationship with Franny is too cuteee!
-Those kids are so lucky to be having married lesbian coaches that are also BIPOC, like what a dream!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review!
Black X Korean Sapphics SAVE USSS!!!
May we thank Jodie Slaughter for providing us this ♡.
While this was labeled and marketed as a ’Rivals to Lovers’. There wasn’t a ‘rivalry’ at all really, it was just one sided bull being that Franny never did or said anything ill in retribution to Jade’s actions.
We were told why Jade hated Franny but it’s still like.. why? She was way too petty for it to be something like that and in the beginning I can understand why Jade could be upset at not being granted a smart board. But if she was putting funds into the school, why couldn’t she buy one herself? That shouldn’t have been an ignition to her hate for Franny I don’t think.
The rivals to lovers trope would’ve made sense if it was reciprocated with real reason; the rivalry should’ve began in the field and not beforehand as Franny doesn’t really dislike Jade like Jade does her in such an over the top way and this being a story with a majority of football involved, it would’ve been better to see that rivalry and love twist and grow then just reading play by plays.
Franny is actually funny AF, like I love her. Every time she’s sad or her eyes water I be wanting to jump in this book and tear the mf who causes it, up! Like come on Jade this is your wife you hurting!
I couldn’t lie sometimes her and Jade relationship feelt like some type of Stockholm’s syndrome in the early stages😬. Like I get the harsh reality— as a black woman myself— what Jade faced and could face, but gosh she’s just constantly mean and childish for little reasons that it’s just annoying— especially how she made gambling night into something it shouldn’t have been when she supposedly loves those kids! And Franny was just drooling REGARDLESS like I know the body and face is tea but is it that so?!?!?
But Jade falling in her own hole made me feel a lot better since she was finally able to reflect a bit on her shit and we got more understandable depth to her along with her accountability. Made me start my road to loving her too.
Just wished when Jade spoke of such one time, Franny didn’t say “I liked playing along” because while she did find it hot sometimes, she legit teared up over it.
Perhaps her terrible ex did a bigger number on her than we all thought?
And I get it, Franny understood her reasons of fear and lashing out, and yes you can love someone and understand them, but you can still feel that hurt and allow that accountability be had from the person you love.
Now, there is some inconsistencies. For example, one minute Amelia is 10 then the next she’s 6. And then one minute Alonzo dad suffered a stroke and the next he’s been dead for some years and the recount of what happened at the club. Hopefully that’s all fixed by release!
Other than all that, the writing was really good and smooth and the little stories of all our characters added engaging width to this written world!
I don’t really know shit about football so I was just cheering every time something sounded good when it came to the tennis ball hitting the net or something like that😀. So If you’re a heavy football fan, you will definitely get a kick out of this!
I wish we could’ve seen more of the domestic things that Fran and Jade had done, would’ve added more to their newfound relationship and allowed us readers to see that vulnerability and intimacy and actually feel the weight of the first ‘I love you’.
Even the parent meet through FaceTime should’ve been written about I would’ve loved that added connection of their romantic lives.
Especially with what they said to each other afterwards being so damn cute!
**Spoiler**
They jinxed themselves by saying they’d win the first game, I promise you they did!
**
Departing Thoughts
-I so didn’t expect them to be so freaked out so that was an unexpected yet highly welcomed treat! Especially with Jade lying about being a little bottom when she be slutting Franny out!
- “The sooner we go, the sooner we can come back and watch some gay shit on TV.” “Fine. But only because I love gay shit on TV so much.”
Literally so real and me asf!!
-Would I be crazy if I said Jade lowkey highkey got a mommy kink👀??
-The kids relationship with Franny is too cuteee!
-Those kids are so lucky to be having married lesbian coaches that are also BIPOC, like what a dream!
June 6, 2025
There is enemies to lovers with character growth and there is bullying with no growth or remorse. I was not a fan of this book. My main dislike came from the “romance”. Jade is MEAN. The things she says and thinks about Franny are cruel. The expectation to cheer for these two as a couple was never going to happen with me. A lot of times that goes unaddressed. The main storyline didn’t do much to keep my interest and the pacing was extremely slow. Another thing I was disappointed with was the u-haul trope. Having them move in with each other in such a short period of time when the majority of the sapphic community has been screaming about educating the dangers of this. Especially when one of the partners is okay saying so many hurtful things to and about the other partner. Overall, I didn’t like this book and I don’t think I’ll be returning to this author. Best of luck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2025
I feel so bad but this was just not it for me. Usually I like a rivals/enemies to lovers but Jade was so mean. Like, cruel at times. And then they go on one date and move in together? And it all happened within like two months of summer vacation? That seems like a veeeery swift change. I don't know. I liked Bet On It and hadn't realized this was connected so I enjoyed that, but I was just kind of disappointed. And it seemed much longer than 320 pages because I was just waiting to see the connection and chemistry between Jade and Franny.
July 17, 2025
1 bad romcom away from never reading a romcom again
June 15, 2025
4.5 rounded up
I fucking love Jodie Slaughter's work!!!! I think she's one of the best contemporary authors out there, and this book was no exception.
This was HOT and so well done. Slaughter is an author who deeply understands the art of using sex scenes to propel character development and plot! I also really loved that these two were actually bitter rivals to start (I love then a rivals to lovers makes me uncomfortable). And I loved Jade’s character growth and arc.
Oh and had me on my damn knees. tehe
I could take or leave the football of it all (ya girl is NOT a sports romance girlie) but the fact that I was invested despite that is a sign of her skill.
I liked this one slightly less than Bet on It but that mostly comes down to more deeply relating to Aja as a character than either Jade or Franny. Also: i'll take bingo over football ngl. lolol
It was so fun to see characters from her other books here, and I can't wait to go back and read Miri's book.
Rep: Black bisexual MC, Asian lesbian MC
CNs: Sexual content, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
I fucking love Jodie Slaughter's work!!!! I think she's one of the best contemporary authors out there, and this book was no exception.
This was HOT and so well done. Slaughter is an author who deeply understands the art of using sex scenes to propel character development and plot! I also really loved that these two were actually bitter rivals to start (I love then a rivals to lovers makes me uncomfortable). And I loved Jade’s character growth and arc.
Oh and had me on my damn knees. tehe
I could take or leave the football of it all (ya girl is NOT a sports romance girlie) but the fact that I was invested despite that is a sign of her skill.
I liked this one slightly less than Bet on It but that mostly comes down to more deeply relating to Aja as a character than either Jade or Franny. Also: i'll take bingo over football ngl. lolol
It was so fun to see characters from her other books here, and I can't wait to go back and read Miri's book.
Rep: Black bisexual MC, Asian lesbian MC
CNs: Sexual content, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
May 4, 2025
3.5 stars
Ughhh I’m so disappointed in this book. I was so excited for this premise and the fact that I really enjoyed the first two books - so that fact that I really didn’t like this one is such a bummer.
I’m always a fan of a good rivals to lovers, especially wlw rivals to lovers but the execution of this trope in this book was off. The banter came off mean and made me slightly uncomfortable. In addition, the transition between rivals and lover was way too fast for my liking. I honestly felt like there was no character development for either of them and the book felt disconnected from the first two of the series.
I’m bummed that the series ended on such a low note for me but if you love vibes and don’t really care about plot, I would definitely recommend this.
We’ll always have peaches 😉
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review
Ughhh I’m so disappointed in this book. I was so excited for this premise and the fact that I really enjoyed the first two books - so that fact that I really didn’t like this one is such a bummer.
I’m always a fan of a good rivals to lovers, especially wlw rivals to lovers but the execution of this trope in this book was off. The banter came off mean and made me slightly uncomfortable. In addition, the transition between rivals and lover was way too fast for my liking. I honestly felt like there was no character development for either of them and the book felt disconnected from the first two of the series.
I’m bummed that the series ended on such a low note for me but if you love vibes and don’t really care about plot, I would definitely recommend this.
We’ll always have peaches 😉
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review
June 25, 2025
I had a bit of a roller-coaster experience reading this book. At the beginning, something held me back from completely connecting with both of the main characters, and I was actually really put-off by the rudeness of one of the supposed love interests towards the other. Then getting into the middle of the book, I found myself most enjoying seeing these characters in their element as football coach and have to say the coaching scenes were my favorites. By the end, I was a little more on board with the relationship, but because of my issues at the beginning not sure I'd 100% recommend to other readers. I'm not sure there are too many romance novels featuring female football coaches, so if that's something specific you're looking for then I do think it's great that this book exists. But I'm not sure I'll pick up another book by this author unless I hear other positive reviews first :)
January 10, 2025
I want to start by saying THANK YOU for the Advance Readers Copy of this book! It made my day learning I won this from a book giveaway! Then, when I realized it didn't come out until June 2025, I was even more pumped knowing I'd be among the first to read it!
I will also preface that I am not a football fan, however I did LOVE reading about two females trying to obtain and exceed expectations as coaches. I loved the drive that both Jade and Franny had to succeed in their positions. It was interesting to read about the female fight for such positions and, while frustrating to read at times the shit they had to put up with, painted a mild picture of what challenges females may meet in such potions.
The spice in this book was good. The sexual tension between Jade and Franny was so thick that when they finally and truly got together, it was nice to see them stick to it and not have random relationship troubles that would be unnecessary.
I did find one 'conflict' with the writing that I hope the author sees before the official publication. It has to do with the character, Alonzo, who is a player on the football team. Earlier in the book, Alonzo struggles with attempting to play in a preseason scrimmage the day after his Dad is hospitalized from a heart attack. Later in the book, when talking to Franny, he tells a story about how he is concerned about Landry's retirement since he helped him afford to be on the team after his father passed a few years back. If his father passed a few years back how was he hospitalized for a heart attack the month before? I went back to check and make sure I hadn't misread (was it a grandfather or step father who was recently hospitalized, or maybe I'm thinking of the wrong kid) but I found what I believe to be a mistake in the plot. Maybe the author meant for someone else to have this conversation with Franny?
Overall, it was an easy, fairly quick paced read. I give it 3.5 stars for the fault in the plot I found and also lack of wrap up. I feel like there's such a build up to Jade becoming coach but then it just kind of fast forwards to a big win for her as a coach and ends after she gets it. I wish there was just a little bit more to wrap it up. Or maybe lead to another book?
I will also preface that I am not a football fan, however I did LOVE reading about two females trying to obtain and exceed expectations as coaches. I loved the drive that both Jade and Franny had to succeed in their positions. It was interesting to read about the female fight for such positions and, while frustrating to read at times the shit they had to put up with, painted a mild picture of what challenges females may meet in such potions.
The spice in this book was good. The sexual tension between Jade and Franny was so thick that when they finally and truly got together, it was nice to see them stick to it and not have random relationship troubles that would be unnecessary.
I did find one 'conflict' with the writing that I hope the author sees before the official publication. It has to do with the character, Alonzo, who is a player on the football team. Earlier in the book, Alonzo struggles with attempting to play in a preseason scrimmage the day after his Dad is hospitalized from a heart attack. Later in the book, when talking to Franny, he tells a story about how he is concerned about Landry's retirement since he helped him afford to be on the team after his father passed a few years back. If his father passed a few years back how was he hospitalized for a heart attack the month before? I went back to check and make sure I hadn't misread (was it a grandfather or step father who was recently hospitalized, or maybe I'm thinking of the wrong kid) but I found what I believe to be a mistake in the plot. Maybe the author meant for someone else to have this conversation with Franny?
Overall, it was an easy, fairly quick paced read. I give it 3.5 stars for the fault in the plot I found and also lack of wrap up. I feel like there's such a build up to Jade becoming coach but then it just kind of fast forwards to a big win for her as a coach and ends after she gets it. I wish there was just a little bit more to wrap it up. Or maybe lead to another book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
A lot of reviews say Jade was too mean to Franny at the beginning of the book, but as a teacher I disagree. I would also be bitter if the new teacher got a smart board when I'd been requesting one for years!! But do we ever find out what Jade teaches? anyway I want more teacher/teacher romances.
February 3, 2025
*Received ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
2.75 stars - rounding up for Franny and Franny alone.
This book contains Bisexual Black female rep and Lesbian Korean female rep.
I have a ton of questions about the choices for this story. Primarily, I don't understand why Jade was such an unpleasant character. I don't entirely understand why this pushed an "enemies" to lovers plot so heavily, but I really don't understand why so much of what Franny did could be considered flirting while so much of what Jade did was downright hateful. In the end, this felt like a love story between Jade and football, not Jade and Franny. I spent the entire book thinking Franny could do so much better.
I'm not sure why the story doesn't start the "feud" between the 2 when they both learn Landry is retiring. Why did Jade have to hate Franny so much before she was a "threat"? I had to stop reading twice during this book because Jade was such an immature, hateful person and was doing things that gave me secondhand embarrassment. I don't understand why Franny continued to be attracted to her.
There is WAY more football in this book than I expected there to be considering the 2 main characters aren't players themselves. There's pretty much 2 whole chapters that are just play by plays of a game - so if that's not your jam, be warned of that.
The only reason I gave this 3 stars was Franny. I loved Franny! While it's unfortunate she ended up chasing another woman who treated her poorly (I thought maybe this was intended for her to learn a lesson but... it wasn’t). I loved how much we saw of Franny's family. I loved her struggle with being lonely and seeing her brother's loving marriage. I loved her issues with her mother. I really loved that she had the bowling group with the older queer women. Franny was sweet, sexy, and 10x more mature than it seemed possible considering how awful Jade was to her.
Ultimately, I thought maybe there was a point we'd get Jade realizing she should've been fighting for both Jade and Franny to have a seat at the table. Franny even has that speech in the diner about how they should be supporting each other and it's confusing to me having a story about 2 queer women of color and have one of them hellbent on thinking success for one of them meant failure for the other. Jade had a one sided competition and it made her such a nasty character that, by the end of the book, I wasn't rooting for her at all. I personally don't understand why this was the take and the "turn" wasn't significant enough to make up for what Jade did, in my opinion.
But I'm super glad other people enjoyed this more than me. I thought the concept of 2 queer women of color fighting to coach a football team in the south was a really interesting idea.
2.75 stars - rounding up for Franny and Franny alone.
This book contains Bisexual Black female rep and Lesbian Korean female rep.
I have a ton of questions about the choices for this story. Primarily, I don't understand why Jade was such an unpleasant character. I don't entirely understand why this pushed an "enemies" to lovers plot so heavily, but I really don't understand why so much of what Franny did could be considered flirting while so much of what Jade did was downright hateful. In the end, this felt like a love story between Jade and football, not Jade and Franny. I spent the entire book thinking Franny could do so much better.
I'm not sure why the story doesn't start the "feud" between the 2 when they both learn Landry is retiring. Why did Jade have to hate Franny so much before she was a "threat"? I had to stop reading twice during this book because Jade was such an immature, hateful person and was doing things that gave me secondhand embarrassment. I don't understand why Franny continued to be attracted to her.
There is WAY more football in this book than I expected there to be considering the 2 main characters aren't players themselves. There's pretty much 2 whole chapters that are just play by plays of a game - so if that's not your jam, be warned of that.
The only reason I gave this 3 stars was Franny. I loved Franny! While it's unfortunate she ended up chasing another woman who treated her poorly (I thought maybe this was intended for her to learn a lesson but... it wasn’t). I loved how much we saw of Franny's family. I loved her struggle with being lonely and seeing her brother's loving marriage. I loved her issues with her mother. I really loved that she had the bowling group with the older queer women. Franny was sweet, sexy, and 10x more mature than it seemed possible considering how awful Jade was to her.
Ultimately, I thought maybe there was a point we'd get Jade realizing she should've been fighting for both Jade and Franny to have a seat at the table. Franny even has that speech in the diner about how they should be supporting each other and it's confusing to me having a story about 2 queer women of color and have one of them hellbent on thinking success for one of them meant failure for the other. Jade had a one sided competition and it made her such a nasty character that, by the end of the book, I wasn't rooting for her at all. I personally don't understand why this was the take and the "turn" wasn't significant enough to make up for what Jade did, in my opinion.
But I'm super glad other people enjoyed this more than me. I thought the concept of 2 queer women of color fighting to coach a football team in the south was a really interesting idea.
September 10, 2025
DNF at 60%. Not often I dnf a romance book bc I expect them to be shitty so it kinda has to be really shitty for me to not want to finish it lol. I think I hate the enemies to lovers trope. Its sooo unrealistic and weird. They are waaaay too mean to each other. Like to go from actively hating someone and being mean to them to having real feelings is like not how it works in my brain. Never have I been attracted to someone I strongly dislike lol.
February 6, 2025
It’s my fault for picking up a book about football when I do not care about football but Jade’s attitude toward Franny was infuriating. This did not feel like a slow burn or enemies to lovers, it did not feel like there was a natural progression in their relationship and there was just an underlying sexual tension. Their sexual chemistry is evident and very well written, but I do not see Franny and Jade as a long term romantic couple.
This was a quick and entertaining read, I just wish their relationship developed more romantically than just sexually before they decided to be in a relationship. And I don’t care about football but again, that’s my issue.
This was a quick and entertaining read, I just wish their relationship developed more romantically than just sexually before they decided to be in a relationship. And I don’t care about football but again, that’s my issue.
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