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Seattle Strike #1

The Game: A Grumpy Sunshine Sports Romance

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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.

356 pages, Paperback

Published March 13, 2025

498 people are currently reading
895 people want to read

About the author

Leonor Soliz

15 books326 followers
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.

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5 stars
401 (29%)
4 stars
518 (38%)
3 stars
366 (27%)
2 stars
57 (4%)
1 star
12 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
Profile Image for Sandy (Sandy.Reads).
959 reviews532 followers
December 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.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.
Profile Image for suonnahbooks.
420 reviews663 followers
January 25, 2026
ARC from Libro FM
This was a fun and adorable read. Logan has me wrapped around his fingers 😩🫶🏾📚
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Sandy.
378 reviews4 followers
March 17, 2025
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 ❤️
Profile Image for Maria Merced.
239 reviews37 followers
Did not finish
February 27, 2026
I got bored. I was doing the audio with Hoopla’s extra borrows
Profile Image for Kelly.
84 reviews
March 18, 2025
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!
Profile Image for Birch.
101 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2025
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
Profile Image for Alicia Fernández .
177 reviews20 followers
December 27, 2025
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!!
Profile Image for Amy Biggart.
696 reviews860 followers
January 21, 2026
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
Profile Image for Stephanie Arellano.
486 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2026
3.5

Cute and spicy. Wasn’t a huge fan of the FMC narration, there wasn’t a lot of inflection/very monotone.
Profile Image for BOOKLOVER_81.
2,362 reviews93 followers
March 6, 2026
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 🎶
Profile Image for Betty.
559 reviews40 followers
March 29, 2025
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!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Katrina Nottingham.
8 reviews
April 12, 2025
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!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heleny.
80 reviews2 followers
April 27, 2025
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.
Profile Image for Anaïs ~.
104 reviews
March 20, 2025
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 💖
77 reviews
March 19, 2025
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
Profile Image for Marian..
1,232 reviews66 followers
August 3, 2025
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.
Profile Image for Lynnmarie542_books.
443 reviews38 followers
August 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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!
March 16, 2025
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!!!
Profile Image for Cookie.
1,491 reviews233 followers
December 3, 2025
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.
Profile Image for sophia.
200 reviews39 followers
December 11, 2025
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😭
Profile Image for Stasi Apple (The Reads of an Apple).
903 reviews12 followers
March 6, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Ryana Horton.
121 reviews3 followers
March 25, 2025
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 🥰
Profile Image for Andrea.
136 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2026
THANK YOU FOR NOT HAVING A THIRD ACT BREAK UP!!!!!!!!!!

I absolutely ate this up. I wish we had a glimpse of Evie meeting Logan's parents?

He never disappointed and I'm fuckin here for it
Profile Image for Bella Wheaton.
44 reviews
June 29, 2025
Quick read today while exploring Yellowstone. This book was pretty good, very spicy, but tasteful. I loved the pining from both characters and the dual POV. I loveeeee me an athlete trope. :) maybe I’ll get a second job in PR? Hehe
Profile Image for Kimberlyyyreads.
1,202 reviews90 followers
October 2, 2025
This took me so long to read but I truly enjoyed it!

I loved how committed Logan was to showing Evie he was interested in pursuing a relationship with her. I love a man who knows how to treat a hardworking Latina baddie right!!

The epilogue was so sweet too, I’m so soft for them 🤍
Profile Image for Kaila Walton.
238 reviews
February 25, 2026
Great first book in this pro football romance trilogy. I will always eat up plus size fmc rep in romance books any chance I get. Feel good cute vibes. Grump/sunshine trope. Just a feel good book.
Profile Image for Gretchen Johnson.
66 reviews
December 28, 2025
Accidentally downloaded this on my Kindle thinking it was a different book- it wasn’t until i started reading it that I realized I was reading the wrong book, but i was pleasantly surprised.

Logan? Everything I could want in an MMC. He was guarded for all the right reasons, but slowly opened up and never went back on how he felt and closed off again. A true character growth. Also the way he became obsessed and needy with her melted my heart.

Evie is the perfect example of a strong female character that’s also a total sweetheart. She was never whiney and woah is me, but she also wasn’t cold. There were so many parts of me that I saw represented in her which I think made me love her character more.

The banter, character development, growth, and just chemistry between Logan & Evie was perfect. It was everything I could have asked for- but unfortunately it didn’t give me much more. It delivered what I was expecting, but it didn’t have that lasting impression. It did kind of remind me of the windy city series though. It intrigued me enough that i’ll read the other two interconnected in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews

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