Offside Rule: A single Mom x Football Player Novella

by Maeve Hazel

With rules strictly prohibiting referee/player relationships, Arianna and Xavier face an impossible choice.

Fiery and focused.

Arianna Esposito is a single mother under pressure. As a European football referee, she loves her job—but she struggles with an old injury and the guilt over moments she's missing with her young daughter. The last thing she expects is for a charming young football player to make her believe in love again. Arianna finds herself torn between the world she's carefully built and the risky promise of something more.

Dedicated and passionate.

Xavier Kavalle is a rising star in European football, doing his best to shoulder the weight of his team’s success. As he prepares his teammates for their shot at the championship, he finds inspiration in an unexpected place—the referee he can’t keep his eyes off of. She’s talented, fiercely independent, and everything he never knew he needed. Under mounting pressure, can Xavier step up to be everything his team—and Arianna—needs?

As the championship approaches, will they play it safe or defy the rules to pursue the kind of love they long for?

Offside Rule is a sweet standalone novella by romance author Maeve Hazel. This novella features tropes such as reverse age gap, long-distance relationship, and single mom x football player. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy books by Liz Tomforde and Tessa Bailey.

Genres: Sports Romance, Novella, Sports, Soccer, Workplace Romance, Romance, Forbidden Romance

158 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2025

Reviews

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Many thanks to Literary PR for providing me an e-arc for this book!*

2.75 Stars!

Short & Sweet. ☺️

————————
What is interesting to me upon receiving this book is that I don't remember requesting it, and yet...

Either way, I'm excited to read this!

[Chiara^•^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offside Rule by Maeve Hazel
4/5⭐
0/5🌶️

"You're the reason I realized how fucking great it is to do some things for myself."

I honestly forgot I had requested this book, but I'm so glad I ended up reading it! It turned out to be such a light, easy, and adorable story. The book follows Xavier, a talented soccer player, and Arianna, a referee who also happens to be a single mom. Their paths cross one night at a bar, and Xavier is instantly drawn to Arianna. However, she’s a bit hesitant since she thinks he’s too young for her and there are strict rules against a referee dating a player. Even with those obstacles, their chemistry is undeniable! With his determination, Xavier gradually breaks down Arianna's walls, and it’s just so heartwarming to see.

I loved how sweet Xavier was, not only to Arianna but also to her daughter. Arianna is such a relatable character; I understood her struggles. Their connection was instant, and I appreciated how she didn’t rush into a relationship with him. Overall, it’s such a cute story with plenty of sweet moments. I read it all in one sitting because it was such a great palate cleanser. Plus, it’s a closed-door romance, which is perfect if you're not into spicy scenes! Huge thanks to Maeve Hazel and Literary PR for providing me with an ARC of this book!

[MillennialMomReading · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️I was grateful to get an ARC of this for review! This was a quick read novella that had a lot of promise but didn’t deliver quite what I was hoping it would based on its premise and tropes. I think novellas can absolutely have a cohesive and satisfying plot despite their brevity-for me, this one just felt a bit too disjointed and the romance wasn’t believable enough for me given the stakes that were presented. I do think it’s worth a read if you like soccer romance though and that there is a lot to look forward to from this author.

[kaitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

lacked depth and was really hard to finish (especially after the build a bear scene)

[María · Rating 1 out of 5]

(1.5 ⭐️) Sé que es una novela corta pero el nivel de INSTA LOVE es exagerado. Hablaron una vez y ya estaban prácticamente enamorados del otro, maldito trope nefasto. En fin, al menos fue ENTRETENIDO.

[Roe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Offside Rule as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a promising setup with an interesting sports romance premise and characters that had potential. The backdrop of competitive athletics mixed with emotional tension offered several compelling moments, and there were scenes that genuinely delivered in terms of chemistry and pacing.

That said, the story occasionally felt uneven. Some character motivations seemed underdeveloped, and the plot veered into predictable territory at times. I found myself wishing for a bit more depth and originality in the second half.

Overall, Offside Rule is a decent read with enjoyable moments, especially for fans of sports romance, but it didn’t fully hit the emotional or narrative highs I was hoping for. A solid 3 stars.

[Tarynrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

4✨️

This was such a cute Fast paced Novella. This is a perfect palate cleanser if you need one.
If you're looking for a single mum x sports romance, then give this one a go!

I loved how Arianna and Xavier instantly clicked. You could literally see that they were perfect for each other. I loved how Xavier always kept Giulia (Ariannas daughter) in mind. The little gift they got her🥺


Release date: 16.01.25

Thank you so much, Maeve Hazel and literary.pr for sending me an ARC❤️

[nessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

o epílogo foi cute, mas tudo o resto... meh

[Abi Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

˚⋆𐙚｡ 𖦹.ᡣ𐭩˚ ARC REVIEW 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡

OFFSIDE RULE By Maevehazelauthor
Release Date: January 16, 2025

࣪ ִֶָ☾. My Pov ⋆. 𐙚 ̊

Offside Rule is a Fast pace cute Sports romance novella. Did it worth reading? YES. Will I ever re-read again? Absolutely YES. I just loved this novella so freaking much. Xavier and Arianna they are literally made for each other. The story line was beautifully written by the author. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to read this one❤️‍🔥

Rating:4.5🌟

Thank you so much for sending me this ARC Maevehazelauthor and literary.pr 🤍✨️

[Riri 𐙚˙⋆.˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

❝𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.❞

𝘼𝙧𝙘 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬💌

Another day, another Maeve hazel release that i just so happened to have very kindly been gifted an arc of by Maeve herself and literary PR :) This is a short but fun and little novella that i think is perfect for a palette cleanser or if you're in need of a cute but also spicy (the spice is mild so there isn't a lot) sports romance! especially if that sport happens to be football ;)

Our two main characters are Arianna Esposito (fmc) and Xavier Kavalle (mmc). Arianna is a single mother who also happens to be a European Referee, loves her job but sadly struggles with an old injury and the underlying guilt of not spending time with her daughter and Xavier is a famous European footballer who's doing his best to keep his team on a winning streak! During their first few encounters there's no denying the tension between the two, and their feelings gradually develop into something more! Please note that as this is a short novella that does have a HEA so no doubt is this a fast paced book, but trust when i say its a funny and adorable little read!

Here are a list of tropes just for a little more insight:

-𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢
-𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙥
-𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢 𝙭 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧
-𝙀𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡
-𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚

Despite how fast paced this book is, i thought it was a great read and a good way to start off the year! It was a bit cliche i will say but i feel like even though it was, it was still really lovable and sweet!! Xavier is definitely a charming book bf and would be surprised if i ever saw him on anyone's list of 'book bfs'?? no! because Xavier IS the standard and what a lot of men lack nowadays, he treated Arianna like a queen and treated her daughter like his little princess too it made my heart melt :) (especially the epilogue ifykyk)

Overall, I did enjoy this book! It was a quick read (a nice edition to your reading goal if needed), had the romance, the banter, the emotions, the quotes and characters were actually relatable and hit close to home and i feel like that's something a lot of books lack nowadays because I'll see EXTREMELY unrealistic contemporary romances and its like, hello?? save that for the fantasy/romantasy please!! This definitely shows why Maeve Hazel is one of my favourite romance authors because she's realistic, her books have all the jokes, the romance and even the tears pouring out at all the right times and she never missed. Stop what you're doing rn and pick up the offside rule you won't regret it ;)

Thank you so much for reading and again, I'd also like to say a huge thank you to Maeve Hazel for being one of the most amazing, sweetest human beings alive and considering me for a second arc of one of her books AGAIN?? and a huge thank you to Literary PR for gifting it to me <3

P.S. I'd defo recommend reading 'Papers don't Lie' it's hands down Maeve's best book :)

[Haania · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️Offside rule by Maeva Hazel✨️
ARC REVIEW📚

Firstly, thank you so much for the e-ARC. Honestly, I was so surprised seeing that in my e-mail. I didn't remember signing up for it even though I was scrolling to literary Pr one time. Glad I opened my e-mail otherwise I would have missed the opportunity to read this great book! Thank you so much Maeva Hazel and Literary PR! It means a lot❤️

My rating : 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was such a great book that I brought myself to finish it in 1 day. Its midnight and I just finished the book around 15 minutes ago and here I am writing a book review! I smiled and grinned a lot during beautiful and funny scenes. It arrived at a point where I could no longer contain my excitement and wanted them to date immediately! The epilogue was awesome especially in Guilia's POV. Who would have thought about that? I really loved the characters especially Xavier Kavalle!😉🫠 The writing is fantastic, understood everything perfectly. While I read the book, I was able to picture everything like a movie.

Why I rated it 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️?
Honestly, I would have loved to have more moments of Xavier and Guilia, how they became close and a mariage proposal scene as well! That's all!😅

Thank you very much Maeva Hazel for delivering such a great book!! This book is fast-paced and has everything to get you out of a book slump!😁

Sentences that made me swoon!
●“Say one more thing about her, look her way one more fucking time, and I’ll make sure a red card is the last thing you have to worry about.” - Xavier Kavelle

I would like to share more but then spoilers😬
I think this one sentence is enough to convince you to read this book!😁

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute and fast paced read with lots of potential, but it just fell flat. I had really high hopes and was super excited to receive this arc as I’m a huge soccer fan. While I think the banter and dialogue were the novella’s strong suit, the soccer background was its downfall.

Some of the terminology and basic soccer fundamentals were incorrect. When Xavier gets sent off the field, the team would go down to 10 players not 11 like the novella states. Another example is when the book reads “we were down five points.” It should read “we were down five goals” as that’s more accurate to the sport’s lingo.

The championship itself is also confusing. It’s finally referred to as the Euros right at the end, but with the randomly named SBU team it was unclear who or what Xavier was playing for during most of the book.

I wish I could overlook the soccer element because I truly think this novella could’ve been a 4/4.5 star read. I liked Xavier’s personality and he truly was a sweetheart. Guilia was such a cute kid and Arianna had an interesting backstory. I also appreciated that this wasn’t overly filled with spice.

Overall, while I can appreciate it’s a novella and meant to be fast-paced, it lacked overall depth and a true plot line. When did the two MC’s actually form a connection? I do think readers who aren’t huge soccer fans and enjoy an insta-love connection will enjoy this novella. It’s a nice pallet cleanser.

Thank you @literary.pr for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[mylla ♡·˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

apparently i got this arc but i didn’t signing up for it and i don’t even remember being on this pr newsletter but since i read the arc here we go !

i get that it’s a short book but the beginning is a bit confusing and when they get together they didn’t really acknowledge how their relationship is forbidden due to work and how they can work and still be together... and by the end we find out arianna quit but what is she doing now??

i felt nothing while reading this besides annoyance, i didn’t connect with the characters at all. ngl it had a good plot idea but how it played out isn’t worth it.

thank you love literary pr and maeve hazel for the arc in exchange for an honest review

[chenaey ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

my rating: ☆☆☆☆

aesthetic: ⚽️👟🍻🇮🇹👶🏼📢🗽🍦💍👩🏼‍🦰❤️‍🩹

A fast-paced, sweet romance novella that delivers a perfect dose of lighthearted escapism. Despite its shorter length, the story manages to pack in all the charm and swoon-worthy moments you’d expect from a full-length novel, leaving readers wanting more.

The pace of this novella is one of its biggest strengths. From the first page, the chemistry between the characters is undeniable, and their banter keeps the story moving at a lively, engaging rhythm. Maeve Hazel creates a delightful balance of humor, heart, and just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked until the very end.

As a novella, Offside Rule doesn’t delve into every theme or subplot in great depth, but that doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. The focus stays on the main romance, which is both sweet and satisfying. The characters are likable and relatable, and while I would have loved to see more backstory and world-building, the charm of the novella lies in its simplicity.

Honestly, I could have kept reading for another 200 pages. The characters’ dynamic, the playful yet emotional undertones, and the sports-centric backdrop make this story one that’s easy to fall into and hard to leave behind. It’s the kind of novella that leaves you with a smile on your face and wishing for just a few more chapters.

Thank you to Maeve Hazel and Literary PR for the advanced reader copy of Offside Rule. It’s a quick, feel-good read that fans of contemporary and sports romance will definitely enjoy!

[Lizz_reads._ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was such a cute little sports romance novella I’ve come across. It was so freaking damn cute. 😍😍 From their first interaction to the end of the novella was soo good and the epilogue has my freaking heart cause how cute is it. Hehehehehe 🤭 This novella made me giggle so much fun to read lol I haven’t had a giggle in while. 😚 I absolutely love Xavier he’s such a vibe and a gentleman I’m Obessed with his character if he was real damnnn I would steal him away heheheheh 🫣Also Arianna she’s such a great character aswell I loved her caring for her daughter and her such sweet personality in general.

The tropes were troping and I loved it. 🥰 Maeve Hazel never disappoints xoxo 💋 If your looking for a sports romance that’s fast paced than this is the perfect book for you :)

💚TROPES💚

⚽️European football
⚽️Sports romance
⚽️Football player x refree
⚽️Single mom
⚽️Long distance
⚽️Fast paced
⚽️Short book (approx 2 h)
⚽️Reverse age gap (she’s older)

[Simran Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the cutest sports romance ever. Usually we get to read FMCs who have no idea about sports but this one turns out to be a referee!?? And Xavier finding it out was the funniest thing.
I love the connection between the two, they were the cutest and ofc little Gulia sweetening the pot even more. It was fast paced considering it is a short novella. I just wish I could read some more.

My favourite quote:
“You are the first thing I’ve ever done for myself.”

Xavier was so understanding and caring like it got my heart sobbing as he always knew the right words to say. I loved him
At the epilogue I was trying to swipe for the next page but next page never came.

Read this if you love:
🏈Sports Romance
👰Single Mom
🎀Cozy read
🧳Long Distance
🔄Reverse Age Gap

[★ Reshika · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

4⭐️/5⭐️

Thanks to literary pr for the e-Arc
This was so cute!! I loved the single mom and the reverse age gap trope
The sports part of the book was done perfectly
I was just laughing at the book it was just too cute
Giulia was so cute her pov was so funny
Xavier damn he was such a green flag
I also loved Arianna
It was very short yes I know novella’s are fast paced but I felt like there was no depth in the characters
Like I felt no connection
But nevertheless I enjoyed it was cute and fun to read

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella because it had soccer and I have always loved that sport but. It felt a bit rushed.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️

[Vaishnavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this e-ARC from Literary PR, and thank you for the ARC.
This book is a short book, so a novella about a single mom and a football player younger than her. I did like the sweet and cute romance. There were enough moments which caused butterflies and caused my to shy a little. So to say in total this book brought out the teenager feelings inside me.

Romance Rating : out of 5 🩷
Emotional Depth :🩷🩷🩷 there is a lot of deprh in the story, the main plot of the story revolves around how the MC's put apart their differences, trust each other and move forward to a healthy and a beautiful relationship
Relationship Growth :🩷🩷🩷🩷The couple had the spark from the beginning itself, and slowly they did end up together, so I would happily say that they grew their relation so beautifully in the story. I did like the gestures of the ML where he showers her with love and wisdom, which is far greater than his age.
Centrality :🩷🩷🩷🩷 the relationship and the romance is the main plot of the story
Chemistry :🩷🩷🩷 they have good chemistry from the beginning of the story.
Themes : 🩷🩷🩷 various themes are explored like, trust, maturity, understanding, acceptance of the family, maturity, parenthood.
Overall :🩷🩷 this book comes under the category of a CLEAN/NEAT ROMANCE ( P.S my rating is not about how the romance is but the category of the romance where 5 hearts categorise a spicy romance and 1 star for a clean romance without any physical intimacy)

Coming to my rating : out of 5 ⭐️
Title :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ the title is a good one, we immediately understand it as we get into the story, as these words are something which remark the beginning.
Cover :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ the cover is beautiful and attractive
Character development :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ the characters develop so beautifully in the story, i love how the FL develops trust and embraces the ML and also her life, how she forgives herself and gets close to what's important in her life. I did love the dynamics of relationships in the story.
Writing style :⭐️⭐️⭐️ simple yet very understandable.
Originality and Plot : ⭐️⭐️⭐️the romance is bit a common plot but the story is enjoyable.
Emotional Impact :⭐️⭐️⭐️it was a short and sweet read but nothing very long lasting or with a great impact.
Overall :⭐️⭐️⭐️ i did like the short read, it was a bit refreshing.

[Bella Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Literary PR who I received this ARC from in exchange for an honest review! I want to give a huge thank you to Maeve Hazel for this opportunity and would like to congratulate her on her journey as an author!

Genre: romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5)
Spicy: 🫑
Trigger warnings: Death (talks of), chronic pain

This book made me feel:

I was a little hesitant going into this book because I truly had heard nothing. I read Maeve’s first book and absolutely loved it so reading another book by her was a lovely experience. I feel like her writing is so distinct. The story drops you right in and paints a really good picture of each of the characters. All of the characters feel very unique and even with it being such a short novella I feel like I clearly understood the characters decisions, what drove them, and there were still a few really sweet moments thrown in.

The story itself was rather short. I finished it roughly in 2 hours. So it was a nice quick read. It honestly felt very rounded for what was given. I can see there’s potential to do more with the side characters, but I feel the story accomplished what it was set to do.

It is definitely a story more focused on the characters and their budding relationship rather than any sexually chemistry or spice. There was one innuendo style scene and another scene that alluded to more but ultimately faded to black. At least personally I wouldn’t consider it sexually explicit aside from mentionings.

Favorite Character:

Giulia- she was so adorable. Plus I usually really love the kids in books. They’re always so lively and just have such strong personalities.

[Ella Lam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Offside Rule is a perfect book to help get over a series hangover without needing too much investment. The background information was introduced well, and overall it was a cute romance. But a few things confused me and stuck out. Xavier was willing to dive into a long-term relationship with someone he had talked to twice and there was no build-up or talk about his thought process behind it. The circumstances and details were pretty realistic, but the part of him randomly wanting a relationship with almost no thought was not. Xavier mentioned earlier in the book that he was stressed, but there was no mention of it afterwards. Arianna also didn't focus very much on her grief, when it seemed she still wasn't completely healed from it & when she quit her job it was kind of out of the blue. So while there were some confusing moments and I thought the book was a little too fast-paced, there were also plenty of cute ones such as Xavier flying to Italy for her and giving her his jersey. It was also absolutely adorable that the epilogue was from Giulia's perspective. I will definitely read more books from Maeve Hazel!

Release date is January 16th, 2025. Thank you for the ARC!!

[irina ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

From their very first interaction, the chemistry between Xavier and Arianna was undeniable. It was like watching fireworks explode on the Fourth of July – sparks flew everywhere! Their banter was witty and playful, and you could practically feel the tension simmering beneath the surface. The way they looked at each other... forget about it! I was swooning right alongside them.

And the epilogue? Pure, unadulterated sweetness. It was like a warm hug on a chilly day. I honestly had to wipe away a tear or two. It was just so heartwarming and left me with a huge smile plastered across my face.

This novella had me giggling from start to finish. Xavier, oh Xavier. He's such a vibe. He's charming, witty, and a total gentleman. If he were real, I'd totally steal him away and never look back.

Arianna is an amazing character too. I loved how dedicated she was to her daughter, Guilia. She was a strong, independent woman who knew how to juggle her demanding career as a referee with motherhood. And let's not forget her sweet personality. She was kind, compassionate, and always put others first. You couldn't help but root for her.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️

OMG! This book is such a short, cute & beautiful novella that you can read in one sit. ✨️

You'll definitely enjoy it if you like sports romance but make it reverse age gap where she is the famous ruthless referee and he's the famous football player. 😏

Also, did I forget to mention that she is a single mother?! *hehe*🤭

This book grabs your attention from the very start and keeps you hooked till the very end. 😍

The storyline, the characters, the plot and the way their love story develops throughout the book is so cute and specially the highlight of the book for me was the last chapter which was so wholesome, cute & funny at the same which was in the FMC's daughter POV and I'm so sure you all will LOVE it! 💗

Thank you Literary PR & Maeve for providing me the opportunity to ARC read this beautiful book of yours. I'm so grateful. 💗✨️

[tyleralesia · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC review✨

I remembered signing up for this a while back but forgot about it until I got the email! I was excited to read it and, while short, it was a good read!

I liked how Arianna and Xavier come to meet and then how they reconnect and Xavier realizes she’s a referee. Their relationship was sweet and Xavier was head over heels immediately. I do wish there was more development as, at one point, there was a time jump and it would’ve been nice to see how they were hiding their relationship since it seemed like no one knew. But, as it’s a short book, I understand sometimes you have to cut stuff out!

The epilogue was sweet and I enjoyed Xavier’s relationship with Guilia (that we got to see)!

Overall this was a good palate cleanser read! Thank you to the author for the advanced ebook, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

[Courtney Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this for my honest review

Our MMC is on the Spain football (soccer) team and having a tough time. His uncle is the coach but all he does is favor his son, not try to help the whole team. One night he meets our FMC in a bar. She surprised him with her knowledge of football - but he never got her name. Until his next game where it takes a moment, but he realizes she is the ref! She wants to be close to the game she loves but can't play due to an injury. But she also has a daughter who she wants to spend time with and traveling for games makes her miss milestones. She is so tempted, but players and refs can't date.....

[Silvana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️
Short cute novella. Sports romance with a reverse-age gap, single mom, count me in. This novella is fast paced, insta-love trope, the relationship itself is soo cutsie. I guess if this was a hockey romance instead of football, I would've enjoyed it more, but that it is solely my preference.
What made me read it? That dedication hit me to the core and I had to read the rest. While short, the book deals also with some mature topics, which gave some depth to the characters.

So if you want short, fun, cute, read you can pick this one up.

Thanks to Maeve Hazel and @literarypr for the ARC.

[Eva’s Slave · Rating 1 out of 5]

HEAR ME OUT. I’m an easy girl, I love romance and I love the idea of people falling in love and everything involve in it. But this is just trash. They literally just told three words to each other on a bar a random day and later the dude was calling her “girlfriend”. Hey, I understand it’s a novella but god sake, TRY HARDER, GIRL. Write something good once in a while? Please? I’m so tired of reading books where the people in it interact the most briefly and later are intensely in love. SHUT THE HELL UP. Sorry, I got a little frustrated. It was entertaining nonetheless but I would not recommend this to anyone, it’s just not worthy.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review
This fast paced novella is the perfect easy romance.
A reverse age gap sports romance between a single mum referee and a younger soccer player.
He calls her “fire girl”
So many swoon worthy moments!
While I may not have completely understood the soccer/sport parts of the novella, Maeve Hazel has written such a swoon worthy romance that had me hooked from the start.

Moments
⚽️ “Because you looked like the kind of person who deserved a special nickname to be remembered by, even if you were just a stranger”

[readwithinsoul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Maeve, for sending me an early copy of this novella!

Alright, I have to say it, Offside Rule had me hooked from the start. Arianna and Xavier’s forbidden love story is packed with oh-so-swoon-worthy moments and just enough small-town football drama to keep me turning the pages. 📖

Arianna is a single mom who’s fiercely independent and determined to hold her ground in a male-dominated sport. And Xavier is a young football star with golden retriever energy who brings out a side of Arianna she never expected. He’s all kinds of charming trouble. Their chemistry is electric, and the “fire girl” nickname had me grinning every time Xavier said it. This novella is a short, refreshing read.

If you love sports romances with forbidden love, passionate characters, and a hint of spice, this one’s for you.

[Gigi ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

It is such a cute, quick and comfy read !
Xavier is honestly the dream man! He fell in love with Fire girl from the first moment he laid eyes on her!!!

Loved Arianna so much! Giulia & Arianna’s mom are such a mood!!! I can’t!!!

All the scenes with Xavier and Giulia are so freaking cute!

If you’re looking for a fast paced novela and you love

• soccer player x referee romance
• long distance relationship
• workplace romance
• single mother
• reverse age gap
• European soccer player

Then this one is for you!

Thank you to Maeve for this arc!