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Opposite Hearts: A sapphic enemies to lovers romance
In the heat of the Olympics, two rivals find a love neither of them expected.
Seoul, 1988.
Under the shadow of a divided world, Leona Campbell and Zoya Maksimova were never meant to cross paths, let alone hearts. One is the sunny, all-American volleyball prodigy with a smile for every moment. The other is the silent, sharp-eyed Soviet star who hides her heart behind walls built from discipline and survival.
They share only one thing: the same position on the court as opposite hitter and the dream of Olympic gold.
But when a documentary forces them to spend time together off the court, what begins as tension turns into something far more dangerous than rivalry. Glances linger. Touches spark. And between stolen moments and quiet confessions, Leona and Zoya begin to question everything they thought they knew — about themselves, about each other, and about the life waiting for them once the games are over.
Maybe love was never the goal. Maybe it was the unexpected prize.
Seoul, 1988.
Under the shadow of a divided world, Leona Campbell and Zoya Maksimova were never meant to cross paths, let alone hearts. One is the sunny, all-American volleyball prodigy with a smile for every moment. The other is the silent, sharp-eyed Soviet star who hides her heart behind walls built from discipline and survival.
They share only one thing: the same position on the court as opposite hitter and the dream of Olympic gold.
But when a documentary forces them to spend time together off the court, what begins as tension turns into something far more dangerous than rivalry. Glances linger. Touches spark. And between stolen moments and quiet confessions, Leona and Zoya begin to question everything they thought they knew — about themselves, about each other, and about the life waiting for them once the games are over.
Maybe love was never the goal. Maybe it was the unexpected prize.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 19, 2025
This was special 🥰...
80s references and music
Volleyball players
Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Olympic games
Family issues
Zoya and Leona were adversaries in many ways that neither of them expected to connect in the ways they did. And during a time where even their countries were at odds, it would be more than difficult to forge any type of relationship between the two. You root for them every step of the way... got a little emotional at the end there.🥹
Also, there is some awesome artwork throughout the book!
80s references and music
Volleyball players
Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Olympic games
Family issues
Zoya and Leona were adversaries in many ways that neither of them expected to connect in the ways they did. And during a time where even their countries were at odds, it would be more than difficult to forge any type of relationship between the two. You root for them every step of the way... got a little emotional at the end there.🥹
Also, there is some awesome artwork throughout the book!
August 6, 2025
Zoya and Leona are opposite hitters for the USSR and USA women’s volleyball teams at the 1988 olympics in Seoul, Korea. Leona is lively and outgoing, while Zoya, her Russian counterpart, is dark and brooding. A documentary is being made about the on and off court dynamics between the two countries’ different teams, and this helps to spark an interest between the women. But in this era of queer being a crime in many places, they have to keep things well hidden.
This is a lovely, warm and well written story, starting in 1988 and continuing for many years. It tells of the personal struggles for Zoya with her abusive father and the USSR’s attitude towards athletes, and Leona’s health problems and dysfunctional family dynamics.
I really loved the pet names for each other, especially the sexy use of the Russian language, and also the fine line between dislike and attraction, which adds an undercurrent of desire.
My only slight criticism is that it’s obviously a translation from Portuguese, which shows in places. Other than the sometimes inconsistent translation, it is excellent.
This is a lovely, warm and well written story, starting in 1988 and continuing for many years. It tells of the personal struggles for Zoya with her abusive father and the USSR’s attitude towards athletes, and Leona’s health problems and dysfunctional family dynamics.
I really loved the pet names for each other, especially the sexy use of the Russian language, and also the fine line between dislike and attraction, which adds an undercurrent of desire.
My only slight criticism is that it’s obviously a translation from Portuguese, which shows in places. Other than the sometimes inconsistent translation, it is excellent.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews