The Game: A Grumpy Sunshine Sports Romance

Seattle Strike #1

by Leonor Soliz

He's a grumpy quarterback seeking redemption. We had a one-night stand years ago and, now that we work together, I hope he doesn't remember me...

If the team owner wants my PR skills to polish Logan King's grouchy attitude, then that's what I'll do. He'll take the team to the playoffs, and I'll make him shine for the cameras.

His famous frown doesn't deter me. His incredible body can't tempt me. Getting a promotion is all I care about, when my parents' debt hangs over my head and my childhood home is in the balance.

Until banter fills our meetings, and he studies my curves like he wants me in his bed again. When he becomes the one person I can rely on, I almost give in.

Except caring for my parents leaves no room for anyone else. Not even the man I'm falling for. Heartbreak is the last thing I need.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Sports Romance, Sports, Plus Size, Second Chance, Football

356 pages, Paperback

Published March 13, 2025

About the author

Leonor wrote her first Meet Cute at eight years old and never really stopped. Her stories are cozy and fun: low conflict, slow burn books that will make you swoon... and will reward you with great spice. With a healthy dose of humor, these stories guarantee a happily ever after to her plus size and multicultural characters.

Leonor is a Latina living in Canada, working as a therapist during the day and fitting as much writing to her life as she can. She’s also a multicrafter, trying her hand at watercolor, jewelry, sewing, and anything else that strikes her fancy. She makes her own covers!

Learn more about Leonor at leonorsoliz.com/links.

Reviews

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This was a cute sports romance that I genuinely enjoyed, even if it didn’t surprise me. The story was a bit predictable, but sometimes that’s exactly what you’re in the mood for—familiar tropes, solid chemistry, and an easy, entertaining read.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story of a woman born of immigrant hard working parents and having a first generation American daughter to be their translator and having to grow up quickly and be their branch into this world and help them understand the American legality of the American language. & boy do I know this story all to well, being 1st American generation child to an Latino mother and Italian father.
This story shows and repaints so much of what my feelings were growing up as a kid and young adult, and occasionally today as a wife and mother of 2.

Evie- hard working dedicated and driven woman that focuses so hard on work and being MS FIX IT but forgets she’s human and not always can she be so ON because she needs to also take a seat and a breather and remember she’s human and needs to be her own self and indulge in protecting herself and self worth as well.

Logan - a dedicated and super talented quarterback living in his Legend of a father- shadows. Who doesn’t have much experience with understanding true care and acknowledgement from people because he never knew of it was genuine or if it was because of who he was.

These two find each other once in their past- and years later in their jobs - realize they need to come together- and see that chemistry is still there and lord is it OFF THE CHARTS- adorable and witty teammate banter and incredible supporting characters makes for such a beautiful funny and kind binge read … def recommend ❤️

[suonnahbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC from Libro FM
This was a fun and adorable read. Logan has me wrapped around his fingers 😩🫶🏾📚
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[CarlysGrowingTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy QB meets emotionally closed-off PR baddie?! Yes, please!!!

Soliz knows her banter!! I was giggling, kicking my feet and falling in love with both main characters. A time was had, and it was all touchdowns.

Soliz took two characters with high personal stakes that made them a little broken, and created this amazing dynamic where they used their building love to heal. I really loved that so much. It added so much depth to the romance and general storyline. I couldn't put it down.

But mixed in all that heaviness was so much light and fun banter and sarcastic type flirting that it really lessened the load of the stakes and made the budding romance the forefront. Which is exactly what I wanted from the book!! Bravo!

The narration in this book was stellar. The narrators, Vanessa Vasquez and Conner Brown, knew what they were doing and it made for an enjoyable and easy listen. Dual narration?! Say less.....

Soliz set up the next book perfectly for the next set of love interests as well. I do recommend reading in order for maximum impact since the next characters are standouts in this book as well. You need the background!!!!

Off to start number 2!!!!!

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Than an Image Consult

I like that this starts with one night of smexy times years earlier for Evelyn (Evie, Mystery Girl) Moreno and Logan King. That sets the stage for a sometimes silly, sometimes steamy, and sometimes deep story that I really enjoy.

"So let me get things straight." I take a step closer to her. "You want to get laid and think I'm the right candidate because my frown makes you think I'm not the kind to get attached."
-- Logan King

I love the little bets the team members make throughout the season. They are funny, in good fun, and make for great team building. It also paves the way for at least two additional books. 😉

The family drama does ground the mood on a couple of occasions, but I ultimately like how they are left. It isn't anything dark, just... family dysfunction.

I borrowed the audio book. I really like the narrators, Connor Brown and Vanessa Vasquez. I enjoyed the attitude and general feelings they brought with them. 🎧💜🎧

Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

H = 28; h = 27

[Maria Merced]

I got bored. I was doing the audio with Hoopla’s extra borrows

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

Logan and Evie have a one night stand in college. They both still think about that night. Fast forward to a number of years later, they meet again this time in a professional setting. What comes next is a lot of great banter, swooning, a wonderful grumpy/sunshine trope, found family, and spice!

I expected to enjoy this book, and I did. What I did not expect was the vulnerability of the MMC. Logan is a soft, squishy guy with a scowling exterior. The banter with his teammates is a lot of fun, as is his banter with Evie. I rated it 4 stars because I do enjoy a bit more angst.

This was my first Leonore Soliz novel, but it won't be my last!

[Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

New to me author and now I have a whole new catalogue of stories for my tbr. She writes amazing characters with depth, history, and motivations. Leaves you truely understanding their inability with relationships and desires to protect themselves. You just cant help fall in love in with them and their delicious SLOW BURN romance.
I don't want to give away any spoils so it may be a bit vague. There was a section that was giving me Edward vibes, (when he was excited to introduce Bella to his family and he is jumping on the truck and fixing the dent) Logan's energy when inviting Evie to a friend's Christmas dinner. It was so adorable, Logan is adorable.
Sum it up as monogamous non-daters that find themselves not dating. Evie smiles to put ppl at ease but secretly snarky to Logan. While Logan frowns are his number one facial expression but secretly he smiles for Evie.

"Her scent is like alchemy to my mind."
"I'll get a vulnerability hangover..."
"Who takes care of you?" I ask.

Workplace
Sarcasm and banter a love language
Everyone sees it but them
Found family
Plus size Latina and Quarterback

Thank you Leonor Soliz for this ARC.
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

imagine a one nightstand that you meet Again and he wants you agin. But neither of you bring up the one nightstand. I enjoyed the buildup.

hoopla listen 🎶

[Alicia Fernández · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would’ve probably rated it higher if we got more of Logan and Evie’s relationship, to be honest. But it has an interesting plot, a bunch of lovely side characters and a good love story. Above all, I liked Logan and Evie. Yet, I have to say I can’t wait to read Saint’s or Bear’s stories. They were my favourite characters!!

[Amy Biggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think my bar was low going into it, but it cleared it! now if i could only invent a time machine that would put the bears back into the nfl playoffs

[Stephanie Arellano · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Cute and spicy. Wasn’t a huge fan of the FMC narration, there wasn’t a lot of inflection/very monotone.

[Alanna Dhana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had so many things I love in a story but the pacing was off and I often found it hard to understand the author’s sentences or intention, which was frustrating.

❤️ no third act breakup
🗣️ Communication - the two MCs definitely talked to each other, but I found the reason for them not to be together confusing. And the “game” they refer to with each other - what is the game? The push/pull? Pretending not to care? Idk.
👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼. Evie is a strong and independent character who has had to carry a significant emotional and financial weight for her immigrant parents. She is scared to have friends for some reason having to do with her inability to trust and establish personal boundaries.

Logan is a grumpy but lovable football player on the rise with a superstar dad and he’s trying to make a name for himself outside of his shadow.
🧨. This was a slow burn for the first 60% and then the spice kicked in.
🫣 No OW/OM drama at all.
👥. Dual POV. HEA. Two epilogues in the future.

Evie is now the PR rep for the Sparks football team, where Logan is the new quarterback. Logan is grumpy and uncommunicative and Evie is charged with getting him to lighten up and improve his image. A promotion for her is on the line and she needs it to support her family. They had a one night stand 6 yrs prior and neither will initially admit that they remember the other. They work together over the course of months, Logan finally admits that he remembers, and things move from there.

The tension comes from each not wanting to be in a relationship - even though they clearly are? And her being skittish about her boundaries.

Things I liked:
- mutual respect at all times between the characters
- both are good people but dealing with emotional baggage
- I liked that it started a bit insta w the ONS; they each held on to that moment and their attraction resparked when they met years later. It felt balanced between them.
- The epilogues were cute.
- Logan’s character growth and found a family w the team

Reasons why not 5 stars
- the pacing was off and the book seemed long.
- I didn’t like the dynamic where some of it seemed played for the media and teammates and some was real. As a reader I don’t like those lines blurry. But again, this could be me not understanding what the author intended.
- the whole idea that they both thought they could have mindless/meaningless sex AFTER being friends and opening up to each other. Yeah. What?
- All the wearing of his jersey, being photographed together, him throwing her kisses at games, his big heartfelt declaration in front of his teammates… were bc of different bets. He meant them but he also did them bc of bets. If I were her, I’d wonder if he was playing me. Is that “the game”?? Idk. It was weird. The actions and emotions didn’t track for me. But, given how much others love it, this could be a “me” issue. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Meanwhile, overall, a cute sports romance with found family, good spice, and strong characters. It all worked out!

[Katrina Nottingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an ARC of The Game and I loved it! My review is late thanks to the Ontario Canada Ice Storm that hit (no power = no e-book) but all opinions are my own.

While I’m normally a Hockey romance reader, I was intrigued by this Football romance. The technical aspects of the sport were easy for me, someone who does not know this sport at all, to follow. I was able to stay in the story and not worry about all the technical details which can sometimes happen in a sports romance.

Evie and Logan were adorable, both recognizing the other immediately but not wanting to be the one to bring up their one night stand years before. I loved how they started to get to know each other before their past crept in. Without either of them admitting things, they were able to build a new connection by bridging the old with the new. The spark was there but the material needed to kindle their fire needed to be built from real life and not their imagined explanations.

The entire team being Team Evie was hilarious, and staging interventions to ensure that she was being treated fairly is what every girl needs. As well as the support the guys gave to Logan, allowing him to be his grumpy self but still coaxing him out of his shell. Logan needed them to show him how to let people in, just as Evie needed to learn how to rely on others.

The pace of the story was just right, letting things build without dragging it on or mashing pieces that don’t quite fit together with a hammer.

I was thrilled that there wasn’t a 3rd act break up. Sometimes that tension is needed but I really enjoyed how Logan and Evie were able to grow as people and as a couple without needing to have some dramatic unnecessary drama.

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Game and have a new author to add to my ever growing list of must reads. Thanks for letting me be an Advanced Reader!

[Heleny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book.

I wanted to try reading outside my comfort zone, and when I saw the author was sending ARCs for this one, I jumped right in! This was my second book by Leonor Soliz; the first was "Under the Meh-stletoe", and I loved it. This is my first sports romance, so I didn't know what to expect. The read was enjoyable. I liked the banter between the main characters and the dual POV. You can see how both main characters struggled in their own ways and how they brought out the best in each other as they got to know one another. The steaminess of their encounters was perfect. To think they had a one-night stand years ago and never ran into each other again until years later! Some of my favorite quotes: "I won't apologize for the noises I need to make," "Take a break. Take some help. No one can do life alone", and "The odds are stacked against us, but dreams push everyone forward." Two things I could have done without were: 1) The family debt storyline. I think it would have been better in a continuation of the story, but not for the first book. 2) The book was a little too long. Sometimes I found the pacing too slow.

[Anaïs ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC reader here (thank you to the author!)

I really liked the book. The description and the History was super good and new. Sometines when you really like one kind of book (for me is sport Romance), the books may be repetitive, the troupes are not unlimited so it happens (I am not complaining, tho😂) but it didn't happen with this book.

Is a very good sport romance with a lot of potential for the next books.
So, why not 5⭐?

I didn't feel the "sparkle" between the to MC, I love both of them separately, how he works for accomplish his goals and how strong and capable she is.
But I think the relationship of them evolve shower fast. I enjoyed the banter at the beginning and I know both of them have feelings before the situation but I feel like it needs more work between the two of them.

Once this said I can wait for the next book of the series. You can see A LOT of hints in this book and I see all the potential there, can't wait 💖

[Tracy D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sexy sport romance between a pr executive and a football quarterback. Evie is the kind of woman that takes on everything herself without asking for help including how to save her parent’s house from foreclosure. A promotion is just what she needs to help with the money issue even if it means working closely with the team’s grumpy new quarterback to help his public image while ignoring that they had a one night stand 6 years ago…

This is an incredibly sweet romance where the relatable characters have to pull back each other’s layers. Both have to open themselves up to taking the jump into love. The chemistry and banter banter between the characters is well done and the spicy is spicy

Content warnings include sexual content, alcohol use, parentification and gambling.

I received an eARC from the author

[Marian. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, este fue uno bueno, empezamos potentes y después bajamos un poco pero eso no le quitó nada a la historia.

Ame completamente la historia de Logan y Evie, luego de verse por primera vez en años deciden dar por sentado que ninguno recuerda esa noche que compartieron pero eso va mas lejos de la realidad, los dos tienen que trabajar juntos en cosas de PR y mientras más tiempo pasan juntos la química que tienen es innegable, mientras lees sientes a través de las páginas esa química y me encanto completamente, el slow burn acá es BUENO, vale completamente la pena ver como estos dos van de amigos a amantas y sinceramente, así es que deberían ser todos los libros, fue una historia super baja en drama, divertida pero con temas serios y buen trabados, sin duda Leonor se a convertido en una de mis autoras favoritas.

[Lynnmarie542_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first Leonor Soliz book, well I have a couple but you know that endless TBR! Well, I’m officially a fan.

The pacing, the banter, and the character development were all so well done that the story flowed seamlessly from start to finish.

The romance was everything I didn’t know I needed…sweet, swoony, and beautifully written. What really stood out was the friendship between Evie and Logan. Their chemistry shows on the page, but it’s layered with something deeper as they spend time together and Logan slowly opens up.

I also loved the dynamic of the friend group. It’s rare to find a genuinely supportive, non-toxic group of guy friends in romance, and these players have completely stolen my heart.

I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!

[Mirela Gabrielle reads & writes 📚✏️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan and Evie!! This book was 4.25 stars 🌟 I freaking loved Evie and Logan together. 🥹

This was the first book that I read from this author and it certainly won't be the last. I finished the book in a day because both characters just truly felt so relatable.

As an older sister determined to take care of everyone in my life, Evie felt like part of me. As far as Logan, I think there a person for everyone that people compare you which is terrible. I was rooting for him to become his own person.

While I wouldn't consider this a smutty read (there are a few spicy moments) I loved seeing them trust each other, open up and fall deeply in love.

I really really enjoyed this story and would 100% recommend you read this book.

Thank you so so so much for the ARC!! I can't wait to read it again on release day! All opinions are my own!!!

[Cookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good! It has all of the swoon-worthy hero things you're looking for. A strong, athletic man who is talented, famous and rich.

If you're a fan of new adult romances and sports romances, you'll like this one.

I received a complimentary audiobook from libro.fm.

[sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I kinda just read this book cause I knew it wasn’t a book I’d be on the edge of my seat to finish. The writing was ok and the plot was predictable so it was an easy read for during finals week when I needed to lock in😭

[Stasi Apple (The Reads of an Apple) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. I'm not usually a fan of second chance, but it worked for me here being that it was a college one-night stand from a travelling college team player and he never got her name. I got a little frustrated with how long it took for them to both open up about recognizing each other. Also some of her PR job things... why would it be weird for her to go to the game? I get being in the WAG box, but I thought it was weird that she didn't go to the games for social media clips and stuff. Or prep before after game pressers. Overall though another enjoyable read from Leonor and I'm excited to read more in the series!

[Chrys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute sporty romance

[Stephanie Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Taytae · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine

[Ashley Cristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 this was a sweet story and I really liked the FMC. I would read from this author again!

[ame18 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluff with an inevitable happy ending? Sign me up

[Ryana Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE KING AND HIS QUEEN!!! i'm pretty sure im in love with Logan and his grumpiness. Evie is so strong because i would have FOLDED, absolutely crumpled (especially in that gym scene with the water!?)

King is complex and wears his grumpiness like a shield but Evie is the chunk in his armor. the way he softens up to her and his teammates just proves that he's a softie on the inside.

Evie is the sunshine to Kings grumpy, but she has her own issues to deal with at home and sometimes the weight of it all is too much. i resonate so much with her hyper independence and inability to ask for help.

together they are everything. it's alchemy ❤️

what's inside:
-grumpy/sunshine
-star quarterback x PR specialist
-one night stand (she thinks he forgot, he thinks she forgot)
-plus size fmc

cw/tw:
-descriptive sexual content
-complicated family dynamics

THANK YOU FOR THE ARC 🥰