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Relationship Goals
An infamously grumpy star soccer player is forced to fake date a Hollywood starlet, only to develop real feelings for her—just as she learns he was pretending and vows to get even.
Abigail Hunt’s Hollywood dreams could best be described as slow burn…but she’s about to graduate from TV sidekick to dramatic actor. When the esteemed director of what she’s hoping will be her breakout role suggests she do a deep-dive for her part by shadowing the director of a struggling pro soccer team, she jumps at the chance to prove she’s ready.
She wasn’t expecting notorious grump and gorgeous star player Luke Wolfe to ask her out though, and suddenly her research is getting a lot more…hands-on. Their relationship quickly sets social media on fire, and Luke seems determined to prove he’s more than his villainous reputation. But just when Abby is happier than ever—her name in the spotlight and heart in good hands—the other cleat drops: Luke
was coerced into faking their relationship.
Furious, Abby refuses to give him the satisfaction of dumping him—she decides to get even. It’s only a matter of time until she pushes the right buttons.
She just didn’t expect him to keep putting up with it—or to say I love you.
Abigail Hunt’s Hollywood dreams could best be described as slow burn…but she’s about to graduate from TV sidekick to dramatic actor. When the esteemed director of what she’s hoping will be her breakout role suggests she do a deep-dive for her part by shadowing the director of a struggling pro soccer team, she jumps at the chance to prove she’s ready.
She wasn’t expecting notorious grump and gorgeous star player Luke Wolfe to ask her out though, and suddenly her research is getting a lot more…hands-on. Their relationship quickly sets social media on fire, and Luke seems determined to prove he’s more than his villainous reputation. But just when Abby is happier than ever—her name in the spotlight and heart in good hands—the other cleat drops: Luke
was coerced into faking their relationship.
Furious, Abby refuses to give him the satisfaction of dumping him—she decides to get even. It’s only a matter of time until she pushes the right buttons.
She just didn’t expect him to keep putting up with it—or to say I love you.
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2025
44 people are currently reading
15732 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
July 9, 2025
This had all the makings of a great rom-com with the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Ted Lasso inspiration, but the writing and plot fell flat for me. The story follows Abigail, a Hollywood actress who hopes her new big movie role can change the course of her career, and Luke, a gruff and brash soccer player. Looking to be closer to his mom while she undergoes cancer treatment, Luke agrees to his bosses demand to date Abigail to increase ticket sales, so he can be traded for his home team. The storyline had the perfect setup with Abigail not knowing their relationship was fake and Luke wanting it to be real, but the pacing and romance was so off-kilter. The insta-lust was very forefront and overwhelming, I feel like most of the book was either sex or them lusting after each other. And the third act breakup... don't even get me started. It made no sense for Luke to be so mad with Abigail after he had kept such a big secret. Despite all that, the one thing I will say is this romance was an absolute breeze! I knocked it out in one sitting, and if you just go in for a good time, I could see this working out for a lot of people.
~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
August 15, 2025
3.5 stars
I love a sports romance and a grumpy hero, so I was super excited to read this book. I truly enjoyed the beginning and first half, but once it turned into a ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ situation, it wasn’t my fave. As a whole, I enjoyed it and the very ending was good, but it got a little messy for me in the middle/end.
I love a sports romance and a grumpy hero, so I was super excited to read this book. I truly enjoyed the beginning and first half, but once it turned into a ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ situation, it wasn’t my fave. As a whole, I enjoyed it and the very ending was good, but it got a little messy for me in the middle/end.
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Justis Bolding & Sean Patrick Hopkins
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 10h 50m
April 20, 2025
This was like an unhinged version of how to lose a guy in 10 days, the FMC does the most ridiculous things to get the MMC to break up with her. I laughed out loud so many times! The dialogue was a bit cringe at times and there were too many grunts but I got over it. The FMC is quirky but she's totally unapologetic about it and leans into it. The banter between the FMC and MMC was great, they're polar opposites but bring out the best in each other.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
November 26, 2025
If you’re looking for a light and easy read, this one is a great place to start! The plot, the relationship, the spice… it’s so good. And the banter between the two main characters had me CRACKING UP out loud so much.
Famous soccer player Luke Wolfe is known for his gruffness and rude behavior towards anyone and everyone. He has one goal in mind and that’s to focus on his life and get what he wants… and currently that’s to move back to Seattle to take care of his sick mother. Unfortunately his (HORRIBLE 😒) bosses have chosen to make him work for his freedom which comes in the form of fake dating a Hollywood starlet.
Abigail Hunt is desperately wanting to revive her acting career so when she’s offered a great opportunity to get a foot in the door she runs with it. She’s fully ready to invest all her time to be the best that she can, but what she’s not ready for is the grumpy soccer player that asks her out on the first day. All of a sudden she finds herself falling head over heels for the man everyone deems as grumpy and intolerable. Although rough around the edges—she is convinced there’s more to him underneath all his grouchiness.
What happens when Abigail finds out everything she thought was real between her and Luke was just for show? And from the VERY beginning at that. Did he ever even truly like her? And will Luke be able to convince her that although it started out as fake, his feelings became sincere after realizing how amazing she was? Guess you’ll just have to read to find out…
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
Here are some of the reason I rated it 4 ⭐️:
• There were many aspects of Abigail’s character that were so authentic. As I read I truly felt as though I was getting a look into a real person’s mind. But some things she did later on in the story were just straight cringe and unrealistic.
• I loved the ADHD and anxiety rep, but I do wish it was given more attention and care.
• I do think there was wayyy more potential for some character development/growth for Luke throughout the story, and that left me pretty disappointed.
I will say the addition of little Princess… it just made the story so much better. (You’ll have to read it to understand)
Overall the story was good. An easy one to get through and gave me plenty of laughs.
I’m now just waiting for the story of Michelle and Tristan… I already know it’s gonna be so good.
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
⚽️ fake dating
🎭 third act breakup
⚽️ grumpy x sunshine
🎭 soccer star x actress
⚽️ mental health rep
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Brittany Kelley for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
Famous soccer player Luke Wolfe is known for his gruffness and rude behavior towards anyone and everyone. He has one goal in mind and that’s to focus on his life and get what he wants… and currently that’s to move back to Seattle to take care of his sick mother. Unfortunately his (HORRIBLE 😒) bosses have chosen to make him work for his freedom which comes in the form of fake dating a Hollywood starlet.
Abigail Hunt is desperately wanting to revive her acting career so when she’s offered a great opportunity to get a foot in the door she runs with it. She’s fully ready to invest all her time to be the best that she can, but what she’s not ready for is the grumpy soccer player that asks her out on the first day. All of a sudden she finds herself falling head over heels for the man everyone deems as grumpy and intolerable. Although rough around the edges—she is convinced there’s more to him underneath all his grouchiness.
What happens when Abigail finds out everything she thought was real between her and Luke was just for show? And from the VERY beginning at that. Did he ever even truly like her? And will Luke be able to convince her that although it started out as fake, his feelings became sincere after realizing how amazing she was? Guess you’ll just have to read to find out…
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
Here are some of the reason I rated it 4 ⭐️:
• There were many aspects of Abigail’s character that were so authentic. As I read I truly felt as though I was getting a look into a real person’s mind. But some things she did later on in the story were just straight cringe and unrealistic.
• I loved the ADHD and anxiety rep, but I do wish it was given more attention and care.
• I do think there was wayyy more potential for some character development/growth for Luke throughout the story, and that left me pretty disappointed.
I will say the addition of little Princess… it just made the story so much better. (You’ll have to read it to understand)
Overall the story was good. An easy one to get through and gave me plenty of laughs.
I’m now just waiting for the story of Michelle and Tristan… I already know it’s gonna be so good.
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
⚽️ fake dating
🎭 third act breakup
⚽️ grumpy x sunshine
🎭 soccer star x actress
⚽️ mental health rep
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Brittany Kelley for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
July 8, 2025
happy release day and happy debut!!
abigail is a neurodivergent hollywood actress unknowingly in a fake dating scheme with the grumpy soccer player, luke.
now, this was fun and easy, but my pain problem lies with luke. he had every opportunity to tell abigail the outset of their relationship was for pr, but he does not. when she finds out it’s all fake, the drama ensues. characters who lie to each other aren’t my favorite because it makes the HEA a bit more hard for me to see for them, and unfortunately abigail and luke fall in that category for me.
luke was your standard grumpy character and abigail’s neurodivergence was very well done. but I had trouble rooting for them completely.
thank you Berkley Romance and penguin random house audio for the gifted copies!!
abigail is a neurodivergent hollywood actress unknowingly in a fake dating scheme with the grumpy soccer player, luke.
now, this was fun and easy, but my pain problem lies with luke. he had every opportunity to tell abigail the outset of their relationship was for pr, but he does not. when she finds out it’s all fake, the drama ensues. characters who lie to each other aren’t my favorite because it makes the HEA a bit more hard for me to see for them, and unfortunately abigail and luke fall in that category for me.
luke was your standard grumpy character and abigail’s neurodivergence was very well done. but I had trouble rooting for them completely.
thank you Berkley Romance and penguin random house audio for the gifted copies!!
July 28, 2025
i wanted to love this one but sadly i struggled to get through it. i also couldn’t stand luke or the third act breakup. it felt very insta-lusty between abigail and luke and i didn’t feel much chemistry. i will say it is a quick read. i switched back and forth between physical and audio. although i didn’t enjoy this one, i will still be checking out more from this author though!!!
abigail is an aspiring actress who jumps at the chance to shadow the head of a struggling pro soccer team to prove she’s ready to a director of a head breakout role. one of the teammates luke (super duper grumpy) asks her out which sets “the media on fire”. luke was coerced into faking their relationship to save his “villainous reputation” and abigail finds out. she refuses to give him the satisfaction of breaking up with him so she decides to get even. will he put up with it or will he be the one to break up with her?
tropes: grumpy x sunshine, fake dating to revenge dating, anxiety rep, soccer player mmc x aspiring actress fmc, dual pov
⚽️🎬💚📸💋
abigail is an aspiring actress who jumps at the chance to shadow the head of a struggling pro soccer team to prove she’s ready to a director of a head breakout role. one of the teammates luke (super duper grumpy) asks her out which sets “the media on fire”. luke was coerced into faking their relationship to save his “villainous reputation” and abigail finds out. she refuses to give him the satisfaction of breaking up with him so she decides to get even. will he put up with it or will he be the one to break up with her?
tropes: grumpy x sunshine, fake dating to revenge dating, anxiety rep, soccer player mmc x aspiring actress fmc, dual pov
⚽️🎬💚📸💋
July 27, 2025
Her: *acts insane to get him to break up with her*
Him: *is totally into it*
Him: *is totally into it*
May 31, 2025
If you sell a novel as Ted Lasso meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, I have no choice but to frantically request the ARC. Combining them successfully is a big task and one I was looking forward to as these are arguably a top 3 TV show and one my most beloved rom coms.
Unfortunately, while there were parts I enjoyed, there was a lot that fell short for me. Abigail’s personality grated on me and it often felt like her character was trying too hard to be quirky instead of it being natural. I would have liked to see the relationship play out over a longer period of time as I didn’t feel Abigail’s and Luke’s had good chemistry and that’s largely the buy-in I need in order to ignore insta-love plots where they go to pieces after they break up a week in.
I think the references to two very well liked shows/movies end up hurting this book. The plot is largely based off of lack of communication, I’d say even more so than it being a sports, acting, or fake dating romance. Unlike in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days where the characters couldn’t tell each other the truth as that was integral to the schemes, there was nothing here really preventing first Luke and then Abigail from being honest.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Unfortunately, while there were parts I enjoyed, there was a lot that fell short for me. Abigail’s personality grated on me and it often felt like her character was trying too hard to be quirky instead of it being natural. I would have liked to see the relationship play out over a longer period of time as I didn’t feel Abigail’s and Luke’s had good chemistry and that’s largely the buy-in I need in order to ignore insta-love plots where they go to pieces after they break up a week in.
I think the references to two very well liked shows/movies end up hurting this book. The plot is largely based off of lack of communication, I’d say even more so than it being a sports, acting, or fake dating romance. Unlike in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days where the characters couldn’t tell each other the truth as that was integral to the schemes, there was nothing here really preventing first Luke and then Abigail from being honest.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
June 1, 2025
"Relationship Goals" explores celebrity romance as actress Abigail enters a fake relationship with soccer star Luke. The twist? Abigail believes it's real, while Luke sees it as a PR stunt.(Harden and Tessa vibes).The truth wasn’t revealed till around page 200 in a 300-page book, feels like a missed opportunity for a more intense character development for Luke.
Luke's character feels flat(to me), portrayed as emotionally unavailable, and his constant gulity conscience becomes tiresome when he could’ve just told her the truth. Abigail, despite some cringy dialogue, is a likable character and I actually liked her ADHD representation.
Ultimately, "Relationship Goals" evokes mixed feelings. The intriguing premise and entertaining characters are overshadowed by an unlikable male lead and the shaky foundation of their relationship. However, it offers a realistic glimpse into celebrity life that I never seen in a book before, making it a worthwhile read for fans of fake dating and celebrity romance.
Luke's character feels flat(to me), portrayed as emotionally unavailable, and his constant gulity conscience becomes tiresome when he could’ve just told her the truth. Abigail, despite some cringy dialogue, is a likable character and I actually liked her ADHD representation.
Ultimately, "Relationship Goals" evokes mixed feelings. The intriguing premise and entertaining characters are overshadowed by an unlikable male lead and the shaky foundation of their relationship. However, it offers a realistic glimpse into celebrity life that I never seen in a book before, making it a worthwhile read for fans of fake dating and celebrity romance.
July 28, 2025
Relationship goals gets a 3.5 stars from me! For starters: this book is adorable! And a cat named Princess? You’re kidding!!🥰
Right off the bat an actress and a professional soccer player romance? I couldn’t request this book fast enough. It has everything you want in a romance: a gruff mmc, a fmc who love gollum and has a sense of humor, and a cute feline side kick. It had the makings of being the perfect rom com, however, it had one flaw that I couldn’t shake!!
The Insta Love😔 This was marketed as a “fake dating romance” which it is…only for the first 5 min. There was mo real “fake feelings” in this book. It just felt like a label being slapped on there just to add it to the masses.
Abby & Luke are adorable. I couldn’t not love them. A couple that watches LOTR together stays together! I wanted MORE steam from them actually :( I saw “steamy romance” and wanted some steam! This just felt like a lot of miscommunication & pranking.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy & fun read and I really liked it! Thank you to Berkley Romance & Netgalley for the e-arc❤️
Right off the bat an actress and a professional soccer player romance? I couldn’t request this book fast enough. It has everything you want in a romance: a gruff mmc, a fmc who love gollum and has a sense of humor, and a cute feline side kick. It had the makings of being the perfect rom com, however, it had one flaw that I couldn’t shake!!
The Insta Love😔 This was marketed as a “fake dating romance” which it is…only for the first 5 min. There was mo real “fake feelings” in this book. It just felt like a label being slapped on there just to add it to the masses.
Abby & Luke are adorable. I couldn’t not love them. A couple that watches LOTR together stays together! I wanted MORE steam from them actually :( I saw “steamy romance” and wanted some steam! This just felt like a lot of miscommunication & pranking.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy & fun read and I really liked it! Thank you to Berkley Romance & Netgalley for the e-arc❤️
February 21, 2025
I am a Brittany Kelley stan for life (and a little biased since Lauren the Pilates instructor was named after me 💅🏻) BUT this was so fkn funny.
I laughed so hard while also having all the feels because How to Lose a Guy in 10 days is one of my FAVE movies and this captured those vibes so well.
*** thank you Brittany for the early copy ***
I laughed so hard while also having all the feels because How to Lose a Guy in 10 days is one of my FAVE movies and this captured those vibes so well.
*** thank you Brittany for the early copy ***
July 10, 2025
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Berkley Publishing Group.
Abigail Hunt’s Hollywood dreams could best be described as slow burn but she is about to graduate from TV sidekick to dramatic actor. When the esteemed director of her breakout role suggests a deep dive for her part by shadowing the head of a struggling pro soccer team, she jumps at the chance to prove she is ready.
Getting asked out by notorious grump and gorgeous star player Luke Wolfe was not in the plan, but suddenly her research is getting a lot more hands-on. Their relationship quickly sets social media on fire, and Luke seems determined to prove he is more than his villainous reputation. But just when Abigail is happier than ever—her name in lights and her heart in good hands—the other cleat drops: Luke’s been coerced into faking their relationship to improve the team’s ticket sales.
Furious, Abigail refuses to give Luke the satisfaction of dumping him—she decides to get even. Over-the-top dates, treating his games like fashion shows, and befriending the fan club he hates? Count her in. It is only a matter of time until she pushes the right buttons.
She just did not expect him to keep putting up with it—or to say I love you.
Relationship Goals is about a famously grumpy star soccer player who is forced to fake date a Hollywood starlet, only to develop real feelings for her—just as she learns he was pretending and vows to get even. So apparently, this book had a lot of Ted Lasso vibes, which I have never watched and cannot judge. But it was a pretty decent romance. The truth, however was not told till about 75%-80% of the book which was disappointing and definitely could of been resolved a lot earlier. Luke's character also felt flat. He was portrayed as emotionally unavailable, and his constant guilty conscience becomes tiresome when he could of just told Abigail the truth. Abigail, on the other hand is a likable character and I actually liked her ADHD representation. I do think the insta lust/ insta love involved between Abigail just did not work for me. I never got the sense that they were really into each other on a real, deeper level. Everything was just purely physical and there was not enough time to develop their relationship for me to believe that they were a true long-term couple. Overall, it was okay, but I do think people who love Ted Lasso and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, may enjoy it more than I did.
Abigail Hunt’s Hollywood dreams could best be described as slow burn but she is about to graduate from TV sidekick to dramatic actor. When the esteemed director of her breakout role suggests a deep dive for her part by shadowing the head of a struggling pro soccer team, she jumps at the chance to prove she is ready.
Getting asked out by notorious grump and gorgeous star player Luke Wolfe was not in the plan, but suddenly her research is getting a lot more hands-on. Their relationship quickly sets social media on fire, and Luke seems determined to prove he is more than his villainous reputation. But just when Abigail is happier than ever—her name in lights and her heart in good hands—the other cleat drops: Luke’s been coerced into faking their relationship to improve the team’s ticket sales.
Furious, Abigail refuses to give Luke the satisfaction of dumping him—she decides to get even. Over-the-top dates, treating his games like fashion shows, and befriending the fan club he hates? Count her in. It is only a matter of time until she pushes the right buttons.
She just did not expect him to keep putting up with it—or to say I love you.
Relationship Goals is about a famously grumpy star soccer player who is forced to fake date a Hollywood starlet, only to develop real feelings for her—just as she learns he was pretending and vows to get even. So apparently, this book had a lot of Ted Lasso vibes, which I have never watched and cannot judge. But it was a pretty decent romance. The truth, however was not told till about 75%-80% of the book which was disappointing and definitely could of been resolved a lot earlier. Luke's character also felt flat. He was portrayed as emotionally unavailable, and his constant guilty conscience becomes tiresome when he could of just told Abigail the truth. Abigail, on the other hand is a likable character and I actually liked her ADHD representation. I do think the insta lust/ insta love involved between Abigail just did not work for me. I never got the sense that they were really into each other on a real, deeper level. Everything was just purely physical and there was not enough time to develop their relationship for me to believe that they were a true long-term couple. Overall, it was okay, but I do think people who love Ted Lasso and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, may enjoy it more than I did.
September 28, 2025
That was not what I was expecting. I thought it would be a fake dating turned real sports romance with a soccer (football) player and an actress. Instead, it was a one sided fake dating turned real for him until she found out it started fake and then she didn’t ask him or talk to him and instead became a weirdo to get him to dump her so his career would be ruined SEMI-sports romance with a soccer (football all) player and an actress except he’s never playing or practicing and she’s never doing her job either.
Their relationship was cute at first but it moved SO quickly and was purely sexual. It felt like random emotional bits were thrown in there (his mom being sick even though she’s only mentioned three times and her ex boyfriend being a dick) in hopes of giving them depth, but it felt almost fake, really inauthentic. A good chunk of the book was Abigail getting “back at him” but it was cringy and uncomfortable and made me honestly sad for Luke because he had no idea what was going on. And then at the end, they just get back together because she’s like “I’m sorry” and he’s like “I’m sorry too” but they don’t actually TALK ABOUT IT. The writing was also kinda jumpy; going from one topic to the next without a transition and the dialogue felt weird in places. I don’t know. I think maybe I expected too much because the cover is so cute, I love fake dating, and I was told the MMC was based on Roy Kent from Ted Lasso (spoiler alert: he’s not like him), but this one didn’t hit for me how I hoped it would.
Their relationship was cute at first but it moved SO quickly and was purely sexual. It felt like random emotional bits were thrown in there (his mom being sick even though she’s only mentioned three times and her ex boyfriend being a dick) in hopes of giving them depth, but it felt almost fake, really inauthentic. A good chunk of the book was Abigail getting “back at him” but it was cringy and uncomfortable and made me honestly sad for Luke because he had no idea what was going on. And then at the end, they just get back together because she’s like “I’m sorry” and he’s like “I’m sorry too” but they don’t actually TALK ABOUT IT. The writing was also kinda jumpy; going from one topic to the next without a transition and the dialogue felt weird in places. I don’t know. I think maybe I expected too much because the cover is so cute, I love fake dating, and I was told the MMC was based on Roy Kent from Ted Lasso (spoiler alert: he’s not like him), but this one didn’t hit for me how I hoped it would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
I really wanted to like this one.
It started well. I liked the setup of a Hollywood starlet trying to overcome an issue she'd had in the past by really putting her all into her research for this film. The grumpy soccer star was mysterious and grunting. I also liked that Abigail, the actress, had ADHD. Unfortunately, those things all kind of fell apart quickly.
The plot which I liked at the beginning, quickly disappeared. Abigail rarely did research and Luke rarely practiced or played. It was never even mentioned what position he played, which was just a weird omission that really bothered me. Most of the book became solely about the relationship and that typically doesn't work for me. Also, Abigail's ADHD, which was mentioned heavily in the beginning, was never mentioned again. It just sort of disappeared, which I strongly disliked.
This was an insta-lust/insta-love plot, but I never really got any chemistry between the two main characters. They found each other ridiculously attractive, which is fine, but then when they are in love after a week with no real context, it's a stretch. I just didn't buy it. The miscommunication was unnecessary and the revenge plot felt weird and juvenile. I didn't feel like either of these people were successful working adults.
I think this book also suffered from being mis-marketed. I thought it would be fake dating with an actress in a sports romance. I feel like it was more of an insta-love, with miscommunication that turns into a revenge dating plot.
Overall, this one had potential, but in the end just wasn't for me. I think if you want a sports romance that's very light on sports, a grunting MMC who loves kitties, with miscommunication and some quirky revenge, then this could be a good book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
It started well. I liked the setup of a Hollywood starlet trying to overcome an issue she'd had in the past by really putting her all into her research for this film. The grumpy soccer star was mysterious and grunting. I also liked that Abigail, the actress, had ADHD. Unfortunately, those things all kind of fell apart quickly.
The plot which I liked at the beginning, quickly disappeared. Abigail rarely did research and Luke rarely practiced or played. It was never even mentioned what position he played, which was just a weird omission that really bothered me. Most of the book became solely about the relationship and that typically doesn't work for me. Also, Abigail's ADHD, which was mentioned heavily in the beginning, was never mentioned again. It just sort of disappeared, which I strongly disliked.
This was an insta-lust/insta-love plot, but I never really got any chemistry between the two main characters. They found each other ridiculously attractive, which is fine, but then when they are in love after a week with no real context, it's a stretch. I just didn't buy it. The miscommunication was unnecessary and the revenge plot felt weird and juvenile. I didn't feel like either of these people were successful working adults.
I think this book also suffered from being mis-marketed. I thought it would be fake dating with an actress in a sports romance. I feel like it was more of an insta-love, with miscommunication that turns into a revenge dating plot.
Overall, this one had potential, but in the end just wasn't for me. I think if you want a sports romance that's very light on sports, a grunting MMC who loves kitties, with miscommunication and some quirky revenge, then this could be a good book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 10, 2025
Let me start by saying that this is a new to me author and I was completely unfamiliar with her style of writing. I debated whether to give this a 1 star or a 2 star, that's how much this book really did not work for me. If you have ever said to yourself, I would love a book where Roy Kent from Ted Lasso falls for Andi, the Kate Hudson character from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, then have I got the book for you! Unfortunately, I have never, not once in my whole life, asked for that. But alas, here we are.
First of all, the characters seem so immature to me. I can't recall if they ever mention their ages, they are adults but their actions make them seem so incredibly young and foolish. The back matter of the book explains that pro soccer star Luke has been asked by his team owners to date up and coming movie star Abigail, so the premise is a fake relationship....except that Abigail isn't in on it. For almost the first 70% of the book, Abigail is in the dark about Luke's true impetus for asking her out even though he feels terribly guilty and almost immediately catches real feelings for her.
Then, when she does find out (from a drunk phone call from one of Luke's teammates), she decides to get even and act like the kind of girl he would hate, thereby forcing him to dump her. Except, he doesn't dump her even when she engages in some really weird behavior, including but not limited to dressing up in full makeup as Gollum. It's a whole thing.
Secondly, Abigail experiences on page panic attacks but is adamant that that's not what they are and I wish the mental health aspects of this story were handled with greater sensitivity and nuance. She ends up having a full blown panic attack while in her Gollum getup and her friend calls her doctor and gets her prescription drugs and....THAT IS NOT HOW THINGS WORK and were I so inclined I could parse out the nuances of HIPAA in this review but I will refrain. NOTHING about how her panic attacks were dealt with made a lick of sense.
Third, the hero's motivations for going along with this fake dating plan involve his sick mother who has stage 3 cancer BECAUSE OF COURSE SHE DOES. Would really love a romance novel where the author didn't rely on a cancer subplot for character work.
Fourth, the owners of the soccer club Luke plays for are misogynistic drunk meanies and honestly, it's like a caricature of a villain. Every character in this book from the two mains to the side characters feels fake and over the top ridiculous. The scene where Abigail and Michelle take on the owners to help Luke get released from the team is so ridiculous and Abigail keeps referring to Michelle as being in business-bitch mode which is basically like calling someone a girl boss.
The writing is clunky and the pacing is weird and the dialogue is awkward. There's a long running gag about the hero masturbating to Yo-Yo Ma which I guess is SUPPOSED to be funny but just doesn't land.
I've maybe said more than I intended to about this book but it all boils down to the fact that this was an empty shell of a romance. If you love Ted Lasso and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days but the problem is, when the character work is lazy and the plot points don't make sense, the book doesn't work, because relying on a catchy premise isn't enough.
Idk, I'll stick with 2 stars but I think that's being generous.
Content Notes: MMC's mom has stage 3 cancer, abandoned by dad, FMC has panic attacks and professional problems related to an interview she gave.
ARC from publisher, review is all mine.
First of all, the characters seem so immature to me. I can't recall if they ever mention their ages, they are adults but their actions make them seem so incredibly young and foolish. The back matter of the book explains that pro soccer star Luke has been asked by his team owners to date up and coming movie star Abigail, so the premise is a fake relationship....except that Abigail isn't in on it. For almost the first 70% of the book, Abigail is in the dark about Luke's true impetus for asking her out even though he feels terribly guilty and almost immediately catches real feelings for her.
Then, when she does find out (from a drunk phone call from one of Luke's teammates), she decides to get even and act like the kind of girl he would hate, thereby forcing him to dump her. Except, he doesn't dump her even when she engages in some really weird behavior, including but not limited to dressing up in full makeup as Gollum. It's a whole thing.
Secondly, Abigail experiences on page panic attacks but is adamant that that's not what they are and I wish the mental health aspects of this story were handled with greater sensitivity and nuance. She ends up having a full blown panic attack while in her Gollum getup and her friend calls her doctor and gets her prescription drugs and....THAT IS NOT HOW THINGS WORK and were I so inclined I could parse out the nuances of HIPAA in this review but I will refrain. NOTHING about how her panic attacks were dealt with made a lick of sense.
Third, the hero's motivations for going along with this fake dating plan involve his sick mother who has stage 3 cancer BECAUSE OF COURSE SHE DOES. Would really love a romance novel where the author didn't rely on a cancer subplot for character work.
Fourth, the owners of the soccer club Luke plays for are misogynistic drunk meanies and honestly, it's like a caricature of a villain. Every character in this book from the two mains to the side characters feels fake and over the top ridiculous. The scene where Abigail and Michelle take on the owners to help Luke get released from the team is so ridiculous and Abigail keeps referring to Michelle as being in business-bitch mode which is basically like calling someone a girl boss.
The writing is clunky and the pacing is weird and the dialogue is awkward. There's a long running gag about the hero masturbating to Yo-Yo Ma which I guess is SUPPOSED to be funny but just doesn't land.
I've maybe said more than I intended to about this book but it all boils down to the fact that this was an empty shell of a romance. If you love Ted Lasso and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days but the problem is, when the character work is lazy and the plot points don't make sense, the book doesn't work, because relying on a catchy premise isn't enough.
Idk, I'll stick with 2 stars but I think that's being generous.
Content Notes: MMC's mom has stage 3 cancer, abandoned by dad, FMC has panic attacks and professional problems related to an interview she gave.
ARC from publisher, review is all mine.
February 10, 2025
It was the first book of Brittany Kelley and I think I found the new top for me!
I really loved this book!The story was fast paced. The banter and jokes - top notch! The book is very light, optimistic and very refreshing.
Grumpy and sunshine is written very well in this story, I really enjoyed it.
I love good old fake dating! Romance was really great! Abby and Luke are goals. The mutual pinning, attraction and tension between characters was fantastic.
The book is vibing with How to loose a guy in 10 days and I absolutely loved it! One of my fav comedy of 90s and the flashes were great!
Also there is the feeling like in Ted Lasso series, so cute and heartwarming.
I highly recommend to dive into this book and enjoy it to everyone!
Main tropes:
Fake dating
Grumpy vs Sunshine
He falls first
Miscommunication line
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Romance for this great ARC!
July 1, 2025
4/5⭐️
2/5🌶️
Abigail Hunt is doing a deep-dive into a role for a movie about a scandal in the soccer world when she meets Luke Wolfe, the infamously grumpy star soccer player, who gives her a tour of the stadium and winds up asking her out. She thinks it’s real… but he’s only faking it. Their relationship is idyllic until the truth comes out… and Abby takes retribution into her own hands.
I absolutely ADORED this book! I finished it in record time after not being able to put it down. Abigail is an example of my favorite FMCs in a story… overwhelmingly endearing, a little awkward and so incredibly “herself” you just can’t help but fall in love with her. Our MMC felt the same way, and the way he immediately melted for her gave me all of the heart eyes for this story! I loved the Ted Lasso influence, the LOTR references, our side character Michelle (do I detect the star of our sequel…?) and would love to hear more about Luke’s teammates in the future. This was so cute and funny read, and I highly recommend it!
What I Loved About This Story:
✨Ted Lasso meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
✨Extreme grumpy / sunshine
✨The quirkiest of FMCs whom I loved DEARLY
✨A little bit of insta-lust… MOMMY LIKEY
✨Brittany’s “real” writing style… I couldn’t get enough!
Thank you for the free book @BerkleyRomance! I am grateful to be a Berkley Romance 2025 Influencer and given the opportunity to read this book early; my review is all my own.
2/5🌶️
Abigail Hunt is doing a deep-dive into a role for a movie about a scandal in the soccer world when she meets Luke Wolfe, the infamously grumpy star soccer player, who gives her a tour of the stadium and winds up asking her out. She thinks it’s real… but he’s only faking it. Their relationship is idyllic until the truth comes out… and Abby takes retribution into her own hands.
I absolutely ADORED this book! I finished it in record time after not being able to put it down. Abigail is an example of my favorite FMCs in a story… overwhelmingly endearing, a little awkward and so incredibly “herself” you just can’t help but fall in love with her. Our MMC felt the same way, and the way he immediately melted for her gave me all of the heart eyes for this story! I loved the Ted Lasso influence, the LOTR references, our side character Michelle (do I detect the star of our sequel…?) and would love to hear more about Luke’s teammates in the future. This was so cute and funny read, and I highly recommend it!
What I Loved About This Story:
✨Ted Lasso meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
✨Extreme grumpy / sunshine
✨The quirkiest of FMCs whom I loved DEARLY
✨A little bit of insta-lust… MOMMY LIKEY
✨Brittany’s “real” writing style… I couldn’t get enough!
Thank you for the free book @BerkleyRomance! I am grateful to be a Berkley Romance 2025 Influencer and given the opportunity to read this book early; my review is all my own.
October 28, 2025
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Abigail Hunt is ready for her big break in Hollywood after her career nearly crashed and burned. Abigail has landed the lead role in a new movie and when her director suggests she shadow the head of operations for a pro soccer team, she’s all over it. Abigail will do whatever she can to ace this role.
After Abigail’s first encounter with the grump of the Aces, goes awry, she’s shocked when he asks her on a date. Abigail is sure there’s more to Luke Wolfe’s hard exterior and says yes. Their relationship immediately sets social media ablaze and Luke is determined to show Abigail he’s more than his villainous reputation suggests. All is going well until Abigail learns of the truth— Luke only asked her out because the owners told him to for ticket sales.
Instead of breaking up with him, Abigail has her sights set on revenge— what can she do to push him over the edge? Only, Luke doesn’t seem to budge.
I loved watching Abigail open up to Luke— he was so sweet behind that grumpy exterior. I was absolutely gushing with how gentle he was with her.
Although, I found myself wanting to scream at him the longer he waited to tell Abigail about the owner’s scheme. Abigail’s revenge plot was absolutely ridiculous, but it was such a blast to read about. Definitely gave me Andie Anderson vibes for sure!
Read if you like:
• How to Lose A Guy in Ten Days
• grumpy/sunshine
• sports romances
• grumpy with everyone but her
Abigail Hunt is ready for her big break in Hollywood after her career nearly crashed and burned. Abigail has landed the lead role in a new movie and when her director suggests she shadow the head of operations for a pro soccer team, she’s all over it. Abigail will do whatever she can to ace this role.
After Abigail’s first encounter with the grump of the Aces, goes awry, she’s shocked when he asks her on a date. Abigail is sure there’s more to Luke Wolfe’s hard exterior and says yes. Their relationship immediately sets social media ablaze and Luke is determined to show Abigail he’s more than his villainous reputation suggests. All is going well until Abigail learns of the truth— Luke only asked her out because the owners told him to for ticket sales.
Instead of breaking up with him, Abigail has her sights set on revenge— what can she do to push him over the edge? Only, Luke doesn’t seem to budge.
I loved watching Abigail open up to Luke— he was so sweet behind that grumpy exterior. I was absolutely gushing with how gentle he was with her.
Although, I found myself wanting to scream at him the longer he waited to tell Abigail about the owner’s scheme. Abigail’s revenge plot was absolutely ridiculous, but it was such a blast to read about. Definitely gave me Andie Anderson vibes for sure!
Read if you like:
• How to Lose A Guy in Ten Days
• grumpy/sunshine
• sports romances
• grumpy with everyone but her
July 6, 2025
I really connected with the heroine … she was struggling with her life and career but she never lost her motivation and drive. The love story of course was a fun ride but the character growth of the heroine was my favorite.
November 10, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
July 9, 2025
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
I like this story, however to me it just fell a bit short of the potential
It has How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days crosses over with Ted Lasso vibes - but it just lacked that.. oomph, that extra spark that would just tip it into really good.
Luke and Abby did give off the Roy Kent and Keeley feel, and I did like their interactions for the most part.
I did laugh at some of Abby's antics, trying to get Luke to break up with her, they were outrageous at times.
Luke was a saint, and she did not deserve him in my opinion.
Then the miscommunication part of the story came along *insert eye roll lol* and it lost me a bit.
It was a good enough read, I just found it to be left wanting.
January 29, 2025
First I want to give a big Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing providing this e-book, in exchange for my honest review.
I gotta be honest I’ve never heard of Brittany Kelley before. Honestly, I thought this was her debut novel. Come to find out she’s published several books before Relationship Goals. Which means after this review I get to go binge her other books. Anyway back to the book at hand, Relationship Goals. I was pitched as this is a sports romance meets “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”. Let me tell you I was immediately sold since I’m a sucker for both of those things.
Relationship Goals is a laugh out loud, adorable romance that I can picture anyone enjoying. Our MFC Abigail is an actress that’s shadowing our MMC Lukes soccer team in preparation for an upcoming role. Luke is forced to not only give Abigail a tour, he’s also being forced to date her by the team owners so he can get placed on the trade list so he can go back to Seattle to take care of sick mom. But instead of it remaining game a real relationship starts to form between them but Abigail has no idea about the position Luke has been placed in. Once she finds out chaos and hijinks ensue.
Before I go any further I want to preface that I did really enjoy this book. Several scenes had my cackling (specifically the Gollum & Lobster scene) However, even though those scenes were hilarious I absolutely hate how our characters got placed in that position. My hatred for the miscommunication trope is no secret. And that trope was out in full force. If the trope hadn’t been used I would’ve given this book 5 stars, but because of how it was executed I have to ding it one Star. I wish our leads would’ve just talked to each other and saved themselves all the angst and turmoil.
Even if with all of that said. I highly recommend this book. It was a super easy, fast paced romance that anyone could enjoy. Please check this book out when it gets released this July!
I gotta be honest I’ve never heard of Brittany Kelley before. Honestly, I thought this was her debut novel. Come to find out she’s published several books before Relationship Goals. Which means after this review I get to go binge her other books. Anyway back to the book at hand, Relationship Goals. I was pitched as this is a sports romance meets “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”. Let me tell you I was immediately sold since I’m a sucker for both of those things.
Relationship Goals is a laugh out loud, adorable romance that I can picture anyone enjoying. Our MFC Abigail is an actress that’s shadowing our MMC Lukes soccer team in preparation for an upcoming role. Luke is forced to not only give Abigail a tour, he’s also being forced to date her by the team owners so he can get placed on the trade list so he can go back to Seattle to take care of sick mom. But instead of it remaining game a real relationship starts to form between them but Abigail has no idea about the position Luke has been placed in. Once she finds out chaos and hijinks ensue.
Before I go any further I want to preface that I did really enjoy this book. Several scenes had my cackling (specifically the Gollum & Lobster scene) However, even though those scenes were hilarious I absolutely hate how our characters got placed in that position. My hatred for the miscommunication trope is no secret. And that trope was out in full force. If the trope hadn’t been used I would’ve given this book 5 stars, but because of how it was executed I have to ding it one Star. I wish our leads would’ve just talked to each other and saved themselves all the angst and turmoil.
Even if with all of that said. I highly recommend this book. It was a super easy, fast paced romance that anyone could enjoy. Please check this book out when it gets released this July!
July 7, 2025
*Check out our Bookstagram*
📚 Thank you to Berkley for the advanced digital copy of this adorable romcom! 💛
🎬⚽ What happens when a quirky actress meets a grumpy soccer legend? Instant chemistry, fake dating, and one wildly adorable love story!
Abigail Hunt is diving deep into her next big movie role, researching a scandal that rocked the soccer world. Enter Luke Wolfe—the grumpy, legendary soccer star who offers to show her around the stadium… and ends up asking her out. But there’s just one catch: it’s all part of a ruse. 😬
Abby thinks it’s real. Luke knows it’s not. But when real feelings sneak in and the truth unravels, Abby doesn’t just walk away—she serves some serious revenge. And honestly? I was here for EVERY SECOND OF IT.
I DEVOURED this book in record time. Abigail is my absolute favorite kind of FMC—endearingly awkward, unapologetically herself, and just so lovable. Luke may start off grumpy, but the second he starts softening for Abby? Swoon alert. 😍
💛 What I LOVED:
✨ Ted Lasso vibes mixed with How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
✨ Sunshine x Grumpiness at its finest
✨ The quirkiest, most lovable heroine
✨ Just a touch of insta-lust 👀🔥
✨ Brittany’s voicey, relatable writing—I NEED more!
Also—can we talk about Michelle?! I’m crossing all my fingers she gets a spinoff. 🤞This book is a total win. Funny, swoony, and SO much heart. Highly recommend!
📚 Thank you to Berkley for the advanced digital copy of this adorable romcom! 💛
🎬⚽ What happens when a quirky actress meets a grumpy soccer legend? Instant chemistry, fake dating, and one wildly adorable love story!
Abigail Hunt is diving deep into her next big movie role, researching a scandal that rocked the soccer world. Enter Luke Wolfe—the grumpy, legendary soccer star who offers to show her around the stadium… and ends up asking her out. But there’s just one catch: it’s all part of a ruse. 😬
Abby thinks it’s real. Luke knows it’s not. But when real feelings sneak in and the truth unravels, Abby doesn’t just walk away—she serves some serious revenge. And honestly? I was here for EVERY SECOND OF IT.
I DEVOURED this book in record time. Abigail is my absolute favorite kind of FMC—endearingly awkward, unapologetically herself, and just so lovable. Luke may start off grumpy, but the second he starts softening for Abby? Swoon alert. 😍
💛 What I LOVED:
✨ Ted Lasso vibes mixed with How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
✨ Sunshine x Grumpiness at its finest
✨ The quirkiest, most lovable heroine
✨ Just a touch of insta-lust 👀🔥
✨ Brittany’s voicey, relatable writing—I NEED more!
Also—can we talk about Michelle?! I’m crossing all my fingers she gets a spinoff. 🤞This book is a total win. Funny, swoony, and SO much heart. Highly recommend!
June 7, 2025
This was an okay read but not a top read. I was expecting a lot more with the sports soccer player mmc and the actress fmc plot. We have a fake dating plot between the mcs and the mmc is hiding something from the fmc which ends up blowing up and causing some drama. The mmc is grumpy and moody while the fmc is quirky and struggles with anxiety. A big thing for me was the pacing, there are kinda 2 parts to the story and it was oddly paced. I liked the relationship and how close they got even though some parts were cringy. Overall it was okay but I needed and wanted more. Thanks to Berkley for this arc.
June 25, 2025
This totally gave me Ted Lasso vibes but the pacing wasn’t for me. It’s light and fun but I got whiplash numerous times at the break neck speed the characters were moving.
I wasn’t really a fan of the female lead character but I’m happy to see the series potentially expand. I think I want a bit of a serious tone in the future and hope we get more invested in soccer. It felt like a background story and I wanted it to shine more.
Thank you so much Berkley Publishing for the digital arc!!
I wasn’t really a fan of the female lead character but I’m happy to see the series potentially expand. I think I want a bit of a serious tone in the future and hope we get more invested in soccer. It felt like a background story and I wanted it to shine more.
Thank you so much Berkley Publishing for the digital arc!!
July 7, 2025
Rating: 3⭐️
I will say, this book made me laugh and giggle here and there but overall, personally, it fell flat. I couldn’t connect with the characters and and the FMCs reaction to what the MMC did was waaayyyyyy too much in my opinion.
Did I have fun? A little. I think someone else could enjoy it, it just wasn’t for me!
The narrators, however, did do a great job and I have nothing bad to say about them!
I will say, this book made me laugh and giggle here and there but overall, personally, it fell flat. I couldn’t connect with the characters and and the FMCs reaction to what the MMC did was waaayyyyyy too much in my opinion.
Did I have fun? A little. I think someone else could enjoy it, it just wasn’t for me!
The narrators, however, did do a great job and I have nothing bad to say about them!
August 29, 2025
Thanks to the publisher for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
An easy, breezy romance that is clearly inspired by Ted Lasso, but that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it! The pacing didn't totally work for me, as the timeline of the relationship felt rushed and then I didn't love the conflict, but the chemistry is great and it's overall a very fun read.
An easy, breezy romance that is clearly inspired by Ted Lasso, but that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it! The pacing didn't totally work for me, as the timeline of the relationship felt rushed and then I didn't love the conflict, but the chemistry is great and it's overall a very fun read.
July 10, 2025
Brittany Kelley has crafted something genuinely special with Relationship Goals, a sports romance that manages to be both achingly familiar and refreshingly unique. This fake-dating romance set against the backdrop of professional soccer delivers on every promise its premise makes, while surprising readers with its emotional depth and genuine character development.
The Setup: More Than Just Another Fake Romance
Abigail Hunt is a Hollywood actress whose career took a nosedive after an infamous red carpet interview about her supernatural drama "Blood Sirens." When she lands a role in a prestige film about corruption in soccer, she needs to do research with the LA Aces professional team. Enter Luke Wolfe, the team's notorious grump and star player, who's being blackmailed by the team owners into fake-dating Abigail to boost ticket sales. What neither expects is how real their feelings become—or how spectacularly everything will implode when the truth comes out.
The foundation of this romance is solid because both characters have compelling reasons for their actions beyond simple plot convenience. Luke isn't just reluctantly agreeing to fake-date for money or fame; he desperately wants to be traded closer to home to care for his sick mother. Abigail isn't just researching a role; she's fighting to rebuild her career after being essentially blacklisted for speaking her mind about problematic content in her previous show.
Character Development: Authentically Flawed and Loveable
Abigail Hunt: The ADHD Heroine We Deserve
Kelley has created something remarkable in Abigail Hunt—a heroine whose neurodivergence isn't treated as a quirky trait to be "fixed" but as an integral part of who she is. Her ADHD manifests in realistic ways: scattered thoughts about underwater topography during important meetings, hyperfocus on random details, and a tendency to overshare when nervous. More importantly, her condition directly impacts the plot in meaningful ways, from her impulsive red carpet comments that derailed her career to her ability to hyper-focus on learning soccer when she's genuinely interested.
Abigail's journey from someone ashamed of her "too-muchness" to someone who embraces her authentic self feels earned rather than rushed. Her relationship with fame and public scrutiny is particularly well-rendered—the anxiety of constantly being photographed, the pressure to be "on" all the time, and the way social media can distort reality.
Luke Wolfe: The Grump with a Heart of Gold
Luke could have easily fallen into the tired "alpha male with anger issues" trope, but Kelley gives him genuine depth. His grumpiness stems from legitimate frustrations: corrupt team owners, a sick mother he can't care for properly, and the pressure of being in the public eye. His vulnerability around his mother's illness and his desperate desire to be close to family during her treatment adds emotional weight to his actions.
The author particularly excels at showing rather than telling when it comes to Luke's character growth. His protective instincts toward Abigail, his genuine delight in her quirks, and his struggle with the deception feel authentic rather than performative.
The Soccer Setting: Surprisingly Engaging
For readers who might worry about being overwhelmed by sports details, Kelley strikes the perfect balance. She provides enough soccer knowledge to make the setting feel authentic without bogging down the narrative with excessive technical details. The corruption subplot involving the IFF (International Football Federation) adds real stakes beyond the romance, and Michelle Oxford's role as both friend and eventual whistleblower gives the story contemporary relevance.
The team dynamics feel realistic, from the playful banter between teammates to the complex politics of professional sports management. The owners, John and Charles, are appropriately despicable without being cartoonishly evil.
Where the Book Truly Shines
The Dialogue and Banter
Kelley has a gift for dialogue that crackles with personality. Abigail's tendency to blurt out random thoughts ("Is it called topography if it's underwater?") and Luke's gruff responses create a natural rhythm that feels genuine rather than forced. Their text message exchanges are particularly well-crafted, showing their growing intimacy through small moments and inside jokes.
The Secondary Characters
Michelle Oxford emerges as a standout secondary character—a brilliant, ambitious woman navigating a male-dominated industry while harboring her own romantic complications with team goalkeeper Tristan Gold. Her friendship with Abigail develops organically, and her ultimate takedown of the corrupt owners is both satisfying and believable.
The Emotional Beats
The book doesn't shy away from the genuine hurt caused by deception. When Abigail discovers the truth about their fake relationship, her devastation feels real and proportional. Her decision to enact "Operation Wolfe Shock"—a revenge scheme to make Luke's life hell until he breaks up with her—provides both humor and emotional catharsis.
The Challenges: Where It Occasionally Stumbles
Pacing Issues in the Middle
The middle section of the book occasionally drags, particularly during some of the soccer research scenes. While Kelley does well integrating the sport into the romance, there are moments where the balance tips too far toward exposition about team dynamics and league politics.
The Revenge Plot
While "Operation Wolfe Shock" provides some genuinely funny moments (Abigail's Gollum impression during intimate moments is particularly memorable), the execution sometimes feels more juvenile than clever. Some readers might find Abigail's revenge tactics more off-putting than entertaining, especially given Luke's legitimate reasons for his deception.
Supporting Character Development
While Michelle is well-developed, some of the soccer team members blend together, serving more as plot devices than fully realized characters. Tristan Gold, despite being Michelle's love interest, remains somewhat one-dimensional throughout most of the story.
The Emotional Journey: Genuine Stakes and Satisfying Resolution
What elevates Relationship Goals above standard fake-dating fare is how seriously it takes the emotional consequences of deception. Both Abigail and Luke are genuinely hurt by the situation they've found themselves in—she because she believed their connection was real, and he because he never wanted to lie to someone he cares about in the first place.
The resolution doesn't come through grand gestures alone but through honest communication and genuine apology. Luke's eventual confession about his mother's illness and his desperation to be traded doesn't excuse his deception, but it provides context that allows for forgiveness without minimizing Abigail's hurt.
Writing Style: Fresh Voice with Familiar Comfort
Kelley writes with a contemporary voice that feels authentic to her characters' ages and backgrounds. Her descriptions of Los Angeles, from studio lots to trendy restaurants, ring true without feeling like a tourism brochure. The intimate scenes are well-crafted—steamy without being gratuitous, emotional without being overwrought.
The author particularly excels at internal monologue, especially Abigail's scattered thoughts and anxieties. The way she captures the experience of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world feels authentic and respectful.
Themes: More Than Just Romance
Beyond the central love story, Relationship Goals tackles several relevant themes:
Authenticity in Public Life: Both main characters struggle with being their authentic selves in the public eye—Abigail with her tendency to speak without filtering, Luke with his need to maintain a "bad boy" image that doesn't reflect his true personality.
Power Dynamics in Professional Settings: The book doesn't shy away from showing how those in power can exploit others, whether it's team owners blackmailing players or Hollywood executives controlling actresses' careers.
Mental Health and Neurodivergence: Abigail's ADHD is treated as a natural part of who she is rather than a problem to be solved, which is refreshing in a genre that often pathologizes differences.
Final Thoughts: A Touchdown in Romance
Relationship Goals succeeds because it takes its characters and their emotions seriously while never losing sight of the fun that draws readers to romantic comedy in the first place. Brittany Kelley has written a book that feels both contemporary and timeless, dealing with modern issues like social media scrutiny and workplace power dynamics while delivering the satisfying emotional journey romance readers crave.
The book isn't perfect—it occasionally gets bogged down in exposition and some secondary characters could use more development—but its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Kelley has created characters worth rooting for and a love story that feels both inevitable and earned.
For romance readers looking for something that balances humor with heart, features a genuinely neurodivergent heroine, and provides satisfying emotional stakes, Relationship Goals delivers exactly what its title promises: a relationship worth investing in, both for the characters and the readers who follow their journey.
The Setup: More Than Just Another Fake Romance
Abigail Hunt is a Hollywood actress whose career took a nosedive after an infamous red carpet interview about her supernatural drama "Blood Sirens." When she lands a role in a prestige film about corruption in soccer, she needs to do research with the LA Aces professional team. Enter Luke Wolfe, the team's notorious grump and star player, who's being blackmailed by the team owners into fake-dating Abigail to boost ticket sales. What neither expects is how real their feelings become—or how spectacularly everything will implode when the truth comes out.
The foundation of this romance is solid because both characters have compelling reasons for their actions beyond simple plot convenience. Luke isn't just reluctantly agreeing to fake-date for money or fame; he desperately wants to be traded closer to home to care for his sick mother. Abigail isn't just researching a role; she's fighting to rebuild her career after being essentially blacklisted for speaking her mind about problematic content in her previous show.
Character Development: Authentically Flawed and Loveable
Abigail Hunt: The ADHD Heroine We Deserve
Kelley has created something remarkable in Abigail Hunt—a heroine whose neurodivergence isn't treated as a quirky trait to be "fixed" but as an integral part of who she is. Her ADHD manifests in realistic ways: scattered thoughts about underwater topography during important meetings, hyperfocus on random details, and a tendency to overshare when nervous. More importantly, her condition directly impacts the plot in meaningful ways, from her impulsive red carpet comments that derailed her career to her ability to hyper-focus on learning soccer when she's genuinely interested.
Abigail's journey from someone ashamed of her "too-muchness" to someone who embraces her authentic self feels earned rather than rushed. Her relationship with fame and public scrutiny is particularly well-rendered—the anxiety of constantly being photographed, the pressure to be "on" all the time, and the way social media can distort reality.
Luke Wolfe: The Grump with a Heart of Gold
Luke could have easily fallen into the tired "alpha male with anger issues" trope, but Kelley gives him genuine depth. His grumpiness stems from legitimate frustrations: corrupt team owners, a sick mother he can't care for properly, and the pressure of being in the public eye. His vulnerability around his mother's illness and his desperate desire to be close to family during her treatment adds emotional weight to his actions.
The author particularly excels at showing rather than telling when it comes to Luke's character growth. His protective instincts toward Abigail, his genuine delight in her quirks, and his struggle with the deception feel authentic rather than performative.
The Soccer Setting: Surprisingly Engaging
For readers who might worry about being overwhelmed by sports details, Kelley strikes the perfect balance. She provides enough soccer knowledge to make the setting feel authentic without bogging down the narrative with excessive technical details. The corruption subplot involving the IFF (International Football Federation) adds real stakes beyond the romance, and Michelle Oxford's role as both friend and eventual whistleblower gives the story contemporary relevance.
The team dynamics feel realistic, from the playful banter between teammates to the complex politics of professional sports management. The owners, John and Charles, are appropriately despicable without being cartoonishly evil.
Where the Book Truly Shines
The Dialogue and Banter
Kelley has a gift for dialogue that crackles with personality. Abigail's tendency to blurt out random thoughts ("Is it called topography if it's underwater?") and Luke's gruff responses create a natural rhythm that feels genuine rather than forced. Their text message exchanges are particularly well-crafted, showing their growing intimacy through small moments and inside jokes.
The Secondary Characters
Michelle Oxford emerges as a standout secondary character—a brilliant, ambitious woman navigating a male-dominated industry while harboring her own romantic complications with team goalkeeper Tristan Gold. Her friendship with Abigail develops organically, and her ultimate takedown of the corrupt owners is both satisfying and believable.
The Emotional Beats
The book doesn't shy away from the genuine hurt caused by deception. When Abigail discovers the truth about their fake relationship, her devastation feels real and proportional. Her decision to enact "Operation Wolfe Shock"—a revenge scheme to make Luke's life hell until he breaks up with her—provides both humor and emotional catharsis.
The Challenges: Where It Occasionally Stumbles
Pacing Issues in the Middle
The middle section of the book occasionally drags, particularly during some of the soccer research scenes. While Kelley does well integrating the sport into the romance, there are moments where the balance tips too far toward exposition about team dynamics and league politics.
The Revenge Plot
While "Operation Wolfe Shock" provides some genuinely funny moments (Abigail's Gollum impression during intimate moments is particularly memorable), the execution sometimes feels more juvenile than clever. Some readers might find Abigail's revenge tactics more off-putting than entertaining, especially given Luke's legitimate reasons for his deception.
Supporting Character Development
While Michelle is well-developed, some of the soccer team members blend together, serving more as plot devices than fully realized characters. Tristan Gold, despite being Michelle's love interest, remains somewhat one-dimensional throughout most of the story.
The Emotional Journey: Genuine Stakes and Satisfying Resolution
What elevates Relationship Goals above standard fake-dating fare is how seriously it takes the emotional consequences of deception. Both Abigail and Luke are genuinely hurt by the situation they've found themselves in—she because she believed their connection was real, and he because he never wanted to lie to someone he cares about in the first place.
The resolution doesn't come through grand gestures alone but through honest communication and genuine apology. Luke's eventual confession about his mother's illness and his desperation to be traded doesn't excuse his deception, but it provides context that allows for forgiveness without minimizing Abigail's hurt.
Writing Style: Fresh Voice with Familiar Comfort
Kelley writes with a contemporary voice that feels authentic to her characters' ages and backgrounds. Her descriptions of Los Angeles, from studio lots to trendy restaurants, ring true without feeling like a tourism brochure. The intimate scenes are well-crafted—steamy without being gratuitous, emotional without being overwrought.
The author particularly excels at internal monologue, especially Abigail's scattered thoughts and anxieties. The way she captures the experience of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world feels authentic and respectful.
Themes: More Than Just Romance
Beyond the central love story, Relationship Goals tackles several relevant themes:
Authenticity in Public Life: Both main characters struggle with being their authentic selves in the public eye—Abigail with her tendency to speak without filtering, Luke with his need to maintain a "bad boy" image that doesn't reflect his true personality.
Power Dynamics in Professional Settings: The book doesn't shy away from showing how those in power can exploit others, whether it's team owners blackmailing players or Hollywood executives controlling actresses' careers.
Mental Health and Neurodivergence: Abigail's ADHD is treated as a natural part of who she is rather than a problem to be solved, which is refreshing in a genre that often pathologizes differences.
Final Thoughts: A Touchdown in Romance
Relationship Goals succeeds because it takes its characters and their emotions seriously while never losing sight of the fun that draws readers to romantic comedy in the first place. Brittany Kelley has written a book that feels both contemporary and timeless, dealing with modern issues like social media scrutiny and workplace power dynamics while delivering the satisfying emotional journey romance readers crave.
The book isn't perfect—it occasionally gets bogged down in exposition and some secondary characters could use more development—but its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Kelley has created characters worth rooting for and a love story that feels both inevitable and earned.
For romance readers looking for something that balances humor with heart, features a genuinely neurodivergent heroine, and provides satisfying emotional stakes, Relationship Goals delivers exactly what its title promises: a relationship worth investing in, both for the characters and the readers who follow their journey.
July 3, 2025
I need to start off by saying that the FMC has ADHD, anxiety, and panic attacks. As someone with ADHD, I can’t remember ever reading a romance with an FMC with ADHD. Abigail was so well written and I understood her so well. Her struggles with saying the right thing, looking back with regret at things said or done, and her hilarious and quirky sense of humour. I feel like she was so well portrayed.
In this book you can expect:
⭐️grumpy x sunshine
⭐️ ADHD/anxiety rep
⭐️soccer bad boy
⭐️actress
⭐️black mailed into dating
⭐️how to lose a guy in 10 days
I was already recommending this book only being half way through. It truly is a special one!
💖Thank you so much to NetGalley and the amazing Brittany Kelley for this ARC. I’m going to have to go out and buy it on release day!
In this book you can expect:
⭐️grumpy x sunshine
⭐️ ADHD/anxiety rep
⭐️soccer bad boy
⭐️actress
⭐️black mailed into dating
⭐️how to lose a guy in 10 days
I was already recommending this book only being half way through. It truly is a special one!
💖Thank you so much to NetGalley and the amazing Brittany Kelley for this ARC. I’m going to have to go out and buy it on release day!
May 31, 2025
“You have the worst reputation. That’s how I remembered who you were.”
-Abigail
“He gets in the driver seat, and another truth hits me. I hate first dates. I don’t like small talk.”
-Abigail
“Maybe you like to read poetry anthologies while you jerk it to Yo-Yo Ma.”
-Abigail
“There’s a tattoo that winds across his side, and I want to lick it. Start the day brushing teeth? Nope, straight to tattoo licking, like a normal human.”
-Abigail
Yo-Yo Ma? Stop. I can’t breathe. 🤣🤣🤣
As stated, this did have a Ted Lasso feel. It also had a hint of She's All That and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. It was all witty, sweet, a bit dirty, and so very swoonworthy. All good things which helped make a good story.
Abigail’s ADHA brain was incredibly relatible. Reading her internal monologues jumping from topic to topic to topic felt as if you were reading a narration from a normal fifteen minutes in my life. It was like reading my thoughts on paper, just without the paparazzi. Luke was harder to get a good read on. He was supposed to be an ass, but he wasn't. Instead, he came off as an introvert who is forced to be social because of his athleticism. It would have been nice to have more caveman and gruff tendencies spewing off of him seeing as he was labeled the bad child.
Their conversations of sexy time wants and needs had me howling. Not the nitty gritty parts, but the Q&A of how it all should go down. The baby would shoot me a look every time it happened that said “I am trying to be a gymnast here. Please refrain from making any noise.” 😆
When the guys were in Vegas and the reference was made to Savannah and Tyler, my face broke out into the biggest smile. Go Beavers!!! Still wanting a shirt to represent for the team. Or a hat. That would get more use with this Florida sun.
I digress…
Now time for a few things that were ehh for me. Abigail’s behavior after finding out Luke was forced into dating her was crap. Not saying Luke didn’t deserve some retaliation, but her way of doing it was more childish than justified revenge. Maybe taking him to a place to where they both donned those beautiful silicone mermaid tails would have been better. Still silly rules, the lobster can still be in the hijinks, with some weird theatrics of course. The way she planned it here was annoying, making me want Luke to leave her. Not because she won, but because no one wants to date an unhinged adult adolescent. Even if they were an ass who deserved to be taught a lesson.
Luke was a good boyfriend. He was dumb and wrong for agreeing to fake date Abigail, that is a fact. He could have come to her with the issue. She then could have made the decision if she wanted to help him out. Just think of the possibilities on how to piss off the owners if they worked together. By lying about it all, it made his temper tantrum when she came clean about it all seem selfish.
Having more sleazy, awkward moments with the owners would have made the reader hate them more. You could tell they were crap humans from the small interactions we had with them. Truth, there wasn’t a lot of interaction with them which made it hard to feel for Luke when he said he “had to” agree to the fake dating. It would have been more impactful when Michelle dropped her truth bomb as well.
-Abigail
“He gets in the driver seat, and another truth hits me. I hate first dates. I don’t like small talk.”
-Abigail
“Maybe you like to read poetry anthologies while you jerk it to Yo-Yo Ma.”
-Abigail
“There’s a tattoo that winds across his side, and I want to lick it. Start the day brushing teeth? Nope, straight to tattoo licking, like a normal human.”
-Abigail
Yo-Yo Ma? Stop. I can’t breathe. 🤣🤣🤣
As stated, this did have a Ted Lasso feel. It also had a hint of She's All That and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. It was all witty, sweet, a bit dirty, and so very swoonworthy. All good things which helped make a good story.
Abigail’s ADHA brain was incredibly relatible. Reading her internal monologues jumping from topic to topic to topic felt as if you were reading a narration from a normal fifteen minutes in my life. It was like reading my thoughts on paper, just without the paparazzi. Luke was harder to get a good read on. He was supposed to be an ass, but he wasn't. Instead, he came off as an introvert who is forced to be social because of his athleticism. It would have been nice to have more caveman and gruff tendencies spewing off of him seeing as he was labeled the bad child.
Their conversations of sexy time wants and needs had me howling. Not the nitty gritty parts, but the Q&A of how it all should go down. The baby would shoot me a look every time it happened that said “I am trying to be a gymnast here. Please refrain from making any noise.” 😆
When the guys were in Vegas and the reference was made to Savannah and Tyler, my face broke out into the biggest smile. Go Beavers!!! Still wanting a shirt to represent for the team. Or a hat. That would get more use with this Florida sun.
I digress…
Now time for a few things that were ehh for me. Abigail’s behavior after finding out Luke was forced into dating her was crap. Not saying Luke didn’t deserve some retaliation, but her way of doing it was more childish than justified revenge. Maybe taking him to a place to where they both donned those beautiful silicone mermaid tails would have been better. Still silly rules, the lobster can still be in the hijinks, with some weird theatrics of course. The way she planned it here was annoying, making me want Luke to leave her. Not because she won, but because no one wants to date an unhinged adult adolescent. Even if they were an ass who deserved to be taught a lesson.
Luke was a good boyfriend. He was dumb and wrong for agreeing to fake date Abigail, that is a fact. He could have come to her with the issue. She then could have made the decision if she wanted to help him out. Just think of the possibilities on how to piss off the owners if they worked together. By lying about it all, it made his temper tantrum when she came clean about it all seem selfish.
Having more sleazy, awkward moments with the owners would have made the reader hate them more. You could tell they were crap humans from the small interactions we had with them. Truth, there wasn’t a lot of interaction with them which made it hard to feel for Luke when he said he “had to” agree to the fake dating. It would have been more impactful when Michelle dropped her truth bomb as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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