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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 19, 2025
Striking Heat is a sports romance with plenty of 🌶️
Mac is a soccer player called up to play for the Tampa Bay Blaze. Not everyone in town is happy about a professional female soccer team. Danny is reporting on the arrival of the Blaze and he and Mac immediately butt heads. In typical spicy rom-com style, hatred can turn into passion....
This was great for the:
Enemies to lovers vibe
Female sport star storyline
Found family
I recommend for anyone who loves sports romance. Thank you to author and Hambright PR for the chance to read and give my honest review
Mac is a soccer player called up to play for the Tampa Bay Blaze. Not everyone in town is happy about a professional female soccer team. Danny is reporting on the arrival of the Blaze and he and Mac immediately butt heads. In typical spicy rom-com style, hatred can turn into passion....
This was great for the:
Enemies to lovers vibe
Female sport star storyline
Found family
I recommend for anyone who loves sports romance. Thank you to author and Hambright PR for the chance to read and give my honest review
December 27, 2025
This book was such a fun, fast, and spicy read! I went in completely blind and ended up flying through it way quicker than expected. It hooked me right from the start and kept me invested the entire time.
The story follows Mac, a fierce and talented female soccer player who’s just been called up to play professionally. She’s drafted to a brand new NWSL team, the Tampa Bay Blaze, and she’s named captain. With a new team, new city, and plenty of skeptics, Mac has a lot to prove.
Tampa isn’t exactly welcoming to this new team, especially since most people have never heard of the players before. Enter Danny Taylor, a Tampa Bay sports reporter who challenges Mac from their very first interaction. Their back and forth in the press room is electric, and the tension between them is impossible to ignore.
As Danny starts covering the team and Mac, their constant proximity only fuels the chemistry. The banter is sharp, the sparks fly, and the line between professional and personal starts to blur. But with both of their careers on the line, keeping things under wraps isn’t exactly easy.
This was a classic enemies to lovers romance done really well. The dialogue was witty, the relationship development felt natural, and the story had just the right balance of romance and plot. I especially loved seeing a story centered around women’s soccer. It felt fresh and different from my usual reads.
Watching Mac and Danny’s relationship unfold was genuinely enjoyable, and I found myself rooting for both of them. The spice level was definitely there 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, detailed enough to be satisfying without overpowering the story.
Overall, this was such an entertaining read!
The story follows Mac, a fierce and talented female soccer player who’s just been called up to play professionally. She’s drafted to a brand new NWSL team, the Tampa Bay Blaze, and she’s named captain. With a new team, new city, and plenty of skeptics, Mac has a lot to prove.
Tampa isn’t exactly welcoming to this new team, especially since most people have never heard of the players before. Enter Danny Taylor, a Tampa Bay sports reporter who challenges Mac from their very first interaction. Their back and forth in the press room is electric, and the tension between them is impossible to ignore.
As Danny starts covering the team and Mac, their constant proximity only fuels the chemistry. The banter is sharp, the sparks fly, and the line between professional and personal starts to blur. But with both of their careers on the line, keeping things under wraps isn’t exactly easy.
This was a classic enemies to lovers romance done really well. The dialogue was witty, the relationship development felt natural, and the story had just the right balance of romance and plot. I especially loved seeing a story centered around women’s soccer. It felt fresh and different from my usual reads.
Watching Mac and Danny’s relationship unfold was genuinely enjoyable, and I found myself rooting for both of them. The spice level was definitely there 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, detailed enough to be satisfying without overpowering the story.
Overall, this was such an entertaining read!
August 3, 2025
3.75/5
Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this one. It took me a little bit to get into but once it started picking up, I really started enjoying it.
Mac and Danny had really good chemistry. I really enjoyed their bickering from the beginning and loved all of their sweet moments too. I think they are good together.
I also really like how involved soccer was in the story. I feel like it can be hit or miss for sports romances to include it, but this had the perfect amount!
Overall, I really liked this one and would recommend it.
Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this one. It took me a little bit to get into but once it started picking up, I really started enjoying it.
Mac and Danny had really good chemistry. I really enjoyed their bickering from the beginning and loved all of their sweet moments too. I think they are good together.
I also really like how involved soccer was in the story. I feel like it can be hit or miss for sports romances to include it, but this had the perfect amount!
Overall, I really liked this one and would recommend it.
July 24, 2025
This was a fun, quick read! I loved that SHE was the soccer player and HE was the journalist! We get these great enemy vibes right from the start…which leads to tension and great banter and spicy scenes too!!
The Tampa setting was perfect for this story. Mac is captain of The Tampa Bay Blaze, the NWSL’s (National Women's Soccer League) new team…but not everyone in Tampa is excited about the team. Danny is a journalist and spars with Mac…and the sparks fly!!
This is a perfect read for summer!
✨What To Expect:
⚽️ She’s A Soccer Player
📝 He’s A Journalist
❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🔥 Slow Burn
💋 Forced Proximity
💛 He Falls First
😂 Playful Banter
🚫Forbidden Vibes
☀️Tampa Bay Setting
The Tampa setting was perfect for this story. Mac is captain of The Tampa Bay Blaze, the NWSL’s (National Women's Soccer League) new team…but not everyone in Tampa is excited about the team. Danny is a journalist and spars with Mac…and the sparks fly!!
This is a perfect read for summer!
✨What To Expect:
⚽️ She’s A Soccer Player
📝 He’s A Journalist
❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🔥 Slow Burn
💋 Forced Proximity
💛 He Falls First
😂 Playful Banter
🚫Forbidden Vibes
☀️Tampa Bay Setting
June 7, 2025
This book was a fun, spicy little read! I have an ARC read for book two in this series and had to read this one first and it was honestly so good and so quick to get through.
This story follows Mac a female soccer player who has been called up to play professionally. The Tampa Bay blaze is a new NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) team. The owner of this team not only drafted Mac but made her captain.
The city of Tampa is not too thrilled to have a second NWSL team in Florida. And especially not a bunch of players they have never heard of.
Mac’s fierceness catches the attention of Tampa Bay sports reporter Danny Taylor who from the beginning challenges her. Causing sparks to fly in the press room.
Which leads Danny to doing an article on the team, and Mac. The more time spent together the more the heat grows between them.
But a flame like theirs has to be hidden, doesn’t it?
For this being a blind read it was a lot of fun! This is very much an enemy to lovers type romance. There was so much banter and funny quips and lots of great spice thrown in!
I loved that this story focused on a female soccer player and team. For me it was a different type of story than what I normally read but watching the relationship unfold between Mac and Danny was so fun and enjoyable and I found myself rooting for both of them.
Spice level I would rate this a 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ there was quite a bit of spice, it went into a bit of detail but it never took away from the overall plot of the story. This was highly enjoyable and I’m excited to see where book two takes me!
This story follows Mac a female soccer player who has been called up to play professionally. The Tampa Bay blaze is a new NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) team. The owner of this team not only drafted Mac but made her captain.
The city of Tampa is not too thrilled to have a second NWSL team in Florida. And especially not a bunch of players they have never heard of.
Mac’s fierceness catches the attention of Tampa Bay sports reporter Danny Taylor who from the beginning challenges her. Causing sparks to fly in the press room.
Which leads Danny to doing an article on the team, and Mac. The more time spent together the more the heat grows between them.
But a flame like theirs has to be hidden, doesn’t it?
For this being a blind read it was a lot of fun! This is very much an enemy to lovers type romance. There was so much banter and funny quips and lots of great spice thrown in!
I loved that this story focused on a female soccer player and team. For me it was a different type of story than what I normally read but watching the relationship unfold between Mac and Danny was so fun and enjoyable and I found myself rooting for both of them.
Spice level I would rate this a 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ there was quite a bit of spice, it went into a bit of detail but it never took away from the overall plot of the story. This was highly enjoyable and I’m excited to see where book two takes me!
August 24, 2025
Striking Heat by J.L. Stray is everything I want in a sports romance: fast-paced, fiery, and sizzling with chemistry.
Callie finally gets her shot at the pros when she’s drafted as captain of the Tampa Bay Blaze, a brand-new NWSL team trying to earn the city’s respect. She’s bold, determined, and unstoppable… which immediately puts her on reporter Danny Taylor’s radar. 👀 His questions push her buttons, her confidence challenges him right back, and before long, sparks are flying off the field as much as on it.
This book had me grinning, swooning, and kicking my feet like I was watching a real match. The banter? Top tier. The tension? Slow-burn perfection. The romance? Secret, forbidden, and hot enough to melt the turf.
✨ What you’ll get:
💛 Soccer player x journalist
🩵 Enemies-to-lovers banter
💛 Slow burn steam
🩵 Forced proximity heat
💛 He falls first (and hard)
Striking Heat kicks off the Forbidden Heat series with passion, grit, and so much heart. If you’re looking for a sports romance with fierce women, sizzling tension, and a hero who cannot stay away, this one’s your next read. ⚽️🔥
#BookReview #HPRStrikingHeat #JLStray #HambrightPR #SportsRomance #SoccerRomance #EnemiesToLovers #SlowBurnRomance #BookstagramRomance #RomanceReadersOfInstagram #SheScoresHeFalls
Callie finally gets her shot at the pros when she’s drafted as captain of the Tampa Bay Blaze, a brand-new NWSL team trying to earn the city’s respect. She’s bold, determined, and unstoppable… which immediately puts her on reporter Danny Taylor’s radar. 👀 His questions push her buttons, her confidence challenges him right back, and before long, sparks are flying off the field as much as on it.
This book had me grinning, swooning, and kicking my feet like I was watching a real match. The banter? Top tier. The tension? Slow-burn perfection. The romance? Secret, forbidden, and hot enough to melt the turf.
✨ What you’ll get:
💛 Soccer player x journalist
🩵 Enemies-to-lovers banter
💛 Slow burn steam
🩵 Forced proximity heat
💛 He falls first (and hard)
Striking Heat kicks off the Forbidden Heat series with passion, grit, and so much heart. If you’re looking for a sports romance with fierce women, sizzling tension, and a hero who cannot stay away, this one’s your next read. ⚽️🔥
#BookReview #HPRStrikingHeat #JLStray #HambrightPR #SportsRomance #SoccerRomance #EnemiesToLovers #SlowBurnRomance #BookstagramRomance #RomanceReadersOfInstagram #SheScoresHeFalls
July 25, 2025
Review of Striking Heat by J.L. Stray
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
Striking Heat is a sizzling, emotionally charged romance that delivers the perfect blend of tension, passion, and vulnerability. J.L. Stray draws readers in with a compelling storyline and layered characters who feel real, flawed, and easy to root for.
The chemistry between the leads is undeniable—intense, electric, and filled with that addictive push-and-pull energy. Stray does a fantastic job building emotional depth alongside the heat, making their relationship feel both believable and hard-earned.
The pacing keeps things engaging throughout, with just enough drama to raise the stakes without feeling overdone. A few moments could have been fleshed out further, but overall, the writing flows effortlessly and keeps you turning the pages.
Striking Heat is a must-read for fans of slow-burn romance with spice, heart, and characters you won’t forget. J.L. Stray delivers a story that’s as fiery as it is tender—and it absolutely leaves you wanting more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
Striking Heat is a sizzling, emotionally charged romance that delivers the perfect blend of tension, passion, and vulnerability. J.L. Stray draws readers in with a compelling storyline and layered characters who feel real, flawed, and easy to root for.
The chemistry between the leads is undeniable—intense, electric, and filled with that addictive push-and-pull energy. Stray does a fantastic job building emotional depth alongside the heat, making their relationship feel both believable and hard-earned.
The pacing keeps things engaging throughout, with just enough drama to raise the stakes without feeling overdone. A few moments could have been fleshed out further, but overall, the writing flows effortlessly and keeps you turning the pages.
Striking Heat is a must-read for fans of slow-burn romance with spice, heart, and characters you won’t forget. J.L. Stray delivers a story that’s as fiery as it is tender—and it absolutely leaves you wanting more.
July 23, 2025
This books kicks off with a fresh, fiery twist on the sports romance trope—this time on the turf of the National Women’s Soccer League. When Mac is not only drafted to the brand-new Tampa Bay Blaze but named captain, you know you’re in for a story of grit, leadership, and unexpected heat.
Tensions rise quickly—not just on the field, but off—when sports reporter Danny Taylor starts digging into her story. What begins as a clash of strong personalities quickly turns into flirtation, fire, and forbidden late-night chemistry.
J.L. Stray perfectly blends sports action, banter, and that delicious slow-burn tension. The chemistry is believable, the stakes feel real (hello, career risks and media scrutiny), and Mac’s determination to prove herself makes her easy to root for.
⚽ Strong female lead
🔥 Grumpy/skeptical reporter with a soft side
💋 Steamy but heartfelt connection
📣 Hidden relationship + media drama = tension I lived for
Tensions rise quickly—not just on the field, but off—when sports reporter Danny Taylor starts digging into her story. What begins as a clash of strong personalities quickly turns into flirtation, fire, and forbidden late-night chemistry.
J.L. Stray perfectly blends sports action, banter, and that delicious slow-burn tension. The chemistry is believable, the stakes feel real (hello, career risks and media scrutiny), and Mac’s determination to prove herself makes her easy to root for.
⚽ Strong female lead
🔥 Grumpy/skeptical reporter with a soft side
💋 Steamy but heartfelt connection
📣 Hidden relationship + media drama = tension I lived for
July 27, 2025
⚽️ A young professional soccer star and the handsome reporter who is interviewing her for a feature in his paper begin an illicit affair that could ruin both of their careers.
It was great to see a sports romance that featured the FMC as the star athlete! I loved the camaraderie between Mac and her teammates despite their struggles on the field as a young team. Though the writing seemed a bit novice at times, the banter and one liners between Mac and Danny added a nice touch of light humor to this otherwise somewhat intense romance. The spice was hot and frequent but not overdone and developed into a believable relationship with no third act break up.
✅ Check this one out if you like a slow burn, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers sports romance featuring a professional female athlete with plenty of witty banter. Pairs well with your favorite pair of sweats and some sausage, black olive, and green pepper pizza on cheat day.
It was great to see a sports romance that featured the FMC as the star athlete! I loved the camaraderie between Mac and her teammates despite their struggles on the field as a young team. Though the writing seemed a bit novice at times, the banter and one liners between Mac and Danny added a nice touch of light humor to this otherwise somewhat intense romance. The spice was hot and frequent but not overdone and developed into a believable relationship with no third act break up.
✅ Check this one out if you like a slow burn, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers sports romance featuring a professional female athlete with plenty of witty banter. Pairs well with your favorite pair of sweats and some sausage, black olive, and green pepper pizza on cheat day.
July 27, 2025
This is a fun one for those who are looking for HER being the athlete and HE is the reporter!
Tropes:
⚽️ Reporter x Player
⚽️ Enemies to Lovers
⚽️ Forced Prox
⚽️ He Falls First
⚽️ Secret/Forbidden Romance
Mac is the new shining star of a new soccer team. They’re having a hard time with press because there is already a somewhat local woman’s professional team, and the team is still trying to find their footing. They decide to hire a sports journalist to help their PR. Too bad it’s Danny, who’s already written a critical article on Mac, and the team is wanting the article’s focus mostly on her.
The banter and the attitude these two have toward each other was great. It gave us some fun humor. The energy we get because Mac hates him for his original article, and the change in Danny because he’s getting more and more into Mac, fed into that chemistry we were waiting to explode.
🌶️🌶️
Thank you, JL and Hambright PR, for sending me a copy of this book!
Tropes:
⚽️ Reporter x Player
⚽️ Enemies to Lovers
⚽️ Forced Prox
⚽️ He Falls First
⚽️ Secret/Forbidden Romance
Mac is the new shining star of a new soccer team. They’re having a hard time with press because there is already a somewhat local woman’s professional team, and the team is still trying to find their footing. They decide to hire a sports journalist to help their PR. Too bad it’s Danny, who’s already written a critical article on Mac, and the team is wanting the article’s focus mostly on her.
The banter and the attitude these two have toward each other was great. It gave us some fun humor. The energy we get because Mac hates him for his original article, and the change in Danny because he’s getting more and more into Mac, fed into that chemistry we were waiting to explode.
🌶️🌶️
Thank you, JL and Hambright PR, for sending me a copy of this book!
August 17, 2025
Striking Heat by J.L. Stray is a sports romance novel that centers on an enemies-to-lovers dynamic in professional soccer. The story follows Mackenzie "Mac," a professional soccer player who has just been drafted as the captain of a new National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team, the Tampa Bay Blaze. The team is an underdog, composed of unproven players, and Mac is determined to prove their worth.
Her journey is complicated by Danny Taylor, a sports reporter for the Tampa Bay Times. Their initial interactions are marked by tension and witty banter, as Danny challenges Mac and her team's prospects. This creates an undeniable spark that turns into a secret, passionate romance.
The book is a blend of spicy romance and genuine emotional depth. It's a story that is as fiery as it is tender. It offers a compelling enemies-to-lovers story with a strong female lead, believable chemistry, and a satisfying mix of heat, humor, and heart.
Her journey is complicated by Danny Taylor, a sports reporter for the Tampa Bay Times. Their initial interactions are marked by tension and witty banter, as Danny challenges Mac and her team's prospects. This creates an undeniable spark that turns into a secret, passionate romance.
The book is a blend of spicy romance and genuine emotional depth. It's a story that is as fiery as it is tender. It offers a compelling enemies-to-lovers story with a strong female lead, believable chemistry, and a satisfying mix of heat, humor, and heart.
July 29, 2025
Rating: 3.25⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Media: eARC
I am always excited to read a soccer romance as a huge soccer fan. From the start, the banter between Mac and Danny was elite. I was getting all giddy along with Mac with their flirtatious and spicy back and forth. I enjoyed Mac's character arc from being a rookie captain to someone that allowed her life to go beyond soccer. Danny's support throughout the entire book was great to see. I will say I felt that some of the banter was lost in the middle of the book and then it picked up again. I also didn't like how misogynistic the male main characters conversations were. It seemed a bit off for how they were generally presented. Overall, though, I enjoyed the story and how Mac and Danny's relationship developed.
Thank you to JL Stray and Hambright PR for the eARC.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Media: eARC
I am always excited to read a soccer romance as a huge soccer fan. From the start, the banter between Mac and Danny was elite. I was getting all giddy along with Mac with their flirtatious and spicy back and forth. I enjoyed Mac's character arc from being a rookie captain to someone that allowed her life to go beyond soccer. Danny's support throughout the entire book was great to see. I will say I felt that some of the banter was lost in the middle of the book and then it picked up again. I also didn't like how misogynistic the male main characters conversations were. It seemed a bit off for how they were generally presented. Overall, though, I enjoyed the story and how Mac and Danny's relationship developed.
Thank you to JL Stray and Hambright PR for the eARC.
July 25, 2025
𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙅 𝙇 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙮
★★★★☆
Thank you to JL and Hambright PR for the ARC! ♡
Aaaahh this might be the first sports romance I’ve read where the FMC is the athlete and the MMC is the reporter, and it honestly so refreshing! JL totally nailed the twist and I ate it up.
I’m obsessed with Danny and Mac. Like, from "I can’t stand you" to "I literally can’t keep my hands off you"?? I AM SAT. That’s my kind of enemies-to-lovers. And because of the tension between them, the spice was incredible!! Spice was indeed spicing. But it didn’t overshadow the plot, which I appreciated. Also loved how low-angst and bingeable this was. The banter is immaculate!
If you're in the mood for a fun, spicy sports romance with a female soccer player and a swoony MMC, this one’s a win!!
August 4, 2025
Striking Heat is book 1 in the Forbidden Heat Series. Each book is an interconnected standalone that can be read in any order. Each book will follow one of the players and their love interest. This is Mac and Danny's story.
Why you will love this story:
💛 Soccer Player/Journalist
🩵 Enemies to Lovers
💛 Slow Burn
🩵 Forced Proximity
💛 He Falls First
🩵 Playful Banter
This was a fun read for me. I love when you have a professional female athlete that is the star of the book. In this one, Mac is the pro soccer player for the Tampa Bay Heat and Danny is the reporter that is sent to cover the team. There is banter, barbs and romance....so much tension and the forbidden aspect...thats an instant yes. Add in the protective streak that Danny has and this one is the perfect read.
This book is perfect for readers who love a tension filled story with sports and spice.
Why you will love this story:
💛 Soccer Player/Journalist
🩵 Enemies to Lovers
💛 Slow Burn
🩵 Forced Proximity
💛 He Falls First
🩵 Playful Banter
This was a fun read for me. I love when you have a professional female athlete that is the star of the book. In this one, Mac is the pro soccer player for the Tampa Bay Heat and Danny is the reporter that is sent to cover the team. There is banter, barbs and romance....so much tension and the forbidden aspect...thats an instant yes. Add in the protective streak that Danny has and this one is the perfect read.
This book is perfect for readers who love a tension filled story with sports and spice.
July 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this story! I loved how it focused on a female soccer player and team. I've never read a romance before where the MFC was the athlete!
Mac is the Captain and leader of the Tampa Bay Blaze, a new professional women's soccer team. She catches the attention of Tampa Bay sports reporter Danny Taylor who is known for his hard-hitting questions . Sparks to fly in the press room when Danny calls out Mac after the Blaze lost their home opener.
This leads to Danny to doing multiple articles on the team, and Mac. The more time they spend together, the closer they become.
This was a quick, spicy read that I really enjoyed!
Mac is the Captain and leader of the Tampa Bay Blaze, a new professional women's soccer team. She catches the attention of Tampa Bay sports reporter Danny Taylor who is known for his hard-hitting questions . Sparks to fly in the press room when Danny calls out Mac after the Blaze lost their home opener.
This leads to Danny to doing multiple articles on the team, and Mac. The more time they spend together, the closer they become.
This was a quick, spicy read that I really enjoyed!
July 23, 2025
✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
We all know I’m a sucker for a sport romance! I haven’t read very many soccer romances but this was a nice change of pace (I usually do hockey)!
I really loved how the FMC was the sports player in this book and the MMC is a sports reporter, ex swimmer who gets off on the wrong foot with the FMC from first writing a smear story on her.
If you love forced proximity, rivals to lovers, playful banter and he falls first tropes you’re going to enjoy this book!
Thank you to hambright and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
We all know I’m a sucker for a sport romance! I haven’t read very many soccer romances but this was a nice change of pace (I usually do hockey)!
I really loved how the FMC was the sports player in this book and the MMC is a sports reporter, ex swimmer who gets off on the wrong foot with the FMC from first writing a smear story on her.
If you love forced proximity, rivals to lovers, playful banter and he falls first tropes you’re going to enjoy this book!
Thank you to hambright and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
July 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶🌶/5
This was my very first sports romance, and I'm so glad it was this one! The story kicks off with a new National Women's Soccer League team, The Blaze, arriving in Tampa, Florida. They're looking to make a name for themselves alongside a pre-existing team. Mackenzie, the new captain who's also new to Florida, meets sports journalist Danny (a former swimmer) during an interview after the Blaze's first game. Little do they know, that's where their love story begins—sparked by one question, a negative article, and a project interview.
Will recommend to anyone looking for a HEA in sports
This was my very first sports romance, and I'm so glad it was this one! The story kicks off with a new National Women's Soccer League team, The Blaze, arriving in Tampa, Florida. They're looking to make a name for themselves alongside a pre-existing team. Mackenzie, the new captain who's also new to Florida, meets sports journalist Danny (a former swimmer) during an interview after the Blaze's first game. Little do they know, that's where their love story begins—sparked by one question, a negative article, and a project interview.
Will recommend to anyone looking for a HEA in sports
July 25, 2025
Striking Heat Review
Striking Heat follows the story of Mac, a professional female soccer player, and Danny, the sports reporter known for his brutal pieces on sports teams and players. Mac is captain of a brand new women's soccer team in Florida with a lot to prove and she's got a strong personality ready to defend herself and her team.
The tension between Mac and Danny is immediate and it quickly turns to a different kind of tension. This was a spicy read and I absolutely loved Mac. So often we see male athletes and the female reporters but I ADORE seeing a physically and mentally strong FMC.
If you're a fan of a sports romances and tough FMCs, you have to check out Striking Heat.
Striking Heat follows the story of Mac, a professional female soccer player, and Danny, the sports reporter known for his brutal pieces on sports teams and players. Mac is captain of a brand new women's soccer team in Florida with a lot to prove and she's got a strong personality ready to defend herself and her team.
The tension between Mac and Danny is immediate and it quickly turns to a different kind of tension. This was a spicy read and I absolutely loved Mac. So often we see male athletes and the female reporters but I ADORE seeing a physically and mentally strong FMC.
If you're a fan of a sports romances and tough FMCs, you have to check out Striking Heat.
July 25, 2025
Recommend to those that love:
⚽️Sports Romance
💙Open Door Spice
⚽️He Falls First
💙Female Athlete
⚽️Forced Proximity
💙Banter
This was my first sports romance where the MFC is the athlete and I am obsessed! I loved how Mac and Danny’s story progressed - we went from her not being able to stand him because of an article he wrote about her, to them being forced to spend time together while Danny writes another article about her and the team, to them sneaking around. Their chemistry was off the charts from the first time they interact.
I had a great time with this and will definitely look out for future books in this series.
⚽️Sports Romance
💙Open Door Spice
⚽️He Falls First
💙Female Athlete
⚽️Forced Proximity
💙Banter
This was my first sports romance where the MFC is the athlete and I am obsessed! I loved how Mac and Danny’s story progressed - we went from her not being able to stand him because of an article he wrote about her, to them being forced to spend time together while Danny writes another article about her and the team, to them sneaking around. Their chemistry was off the charts from the first time they interact.
I had a great time with this and will definitely look out for future books in this series.
July 26, 2025
This book follows a NSWL captain named Mac and a journalist named Danny. I was first attracted to the cover of this novel, as this was my first time reading a sports novel. The banter between the two is funny and had me chuckling here and there. This book has a spice level of 3/5 and it did not take away from the plot of the novel. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, close proximity, sports trope of the novel. Both Mac and Danny easily bonded over their home lives with their parents, and their love for sports. I had the pleasure of reading this novel as an ARC read, and this is my unbiased review from reading.
August 30, 2025
"I’ve been attracted to the man since I saw him. It’s a shame I hate forty percent of the words that come out of his mouth."
Thank you, J.L. Stray & Hambright PR, for the copy of Striking Heat!
This was such a fun enemies-to-lovers romance book! I thought the plot was great, and I enjoyed the banter between Mac & Danny. They definitely had some 🔥 and great chemistry!
I liked that this book focused on a women's sport team and the challenges that Mac and the team had to overcome.
This is book 1 in The Forbidden Heat series, and it is available on Kindle Unlimited. I will definitely be reading the other books in the series! ❤️
Thank you, J.L. Stray & Hambright PR, for the copy of Striking Heat!
This was such a fun enemies-to-lovers romance book! I thought the plot was great, and I enjoyed the banter between Mac & Danny. They definitely had some 🔥 and great chemistry!
I liked that this book focused on a women's sport team and the challenges that Mac and the team had to overcome.
This is book 1 in The Forbidden Heat series, and it is available on Kindle Unlimited. I will definitely be reading the other books in the series! ❤️
July 20, 2025
This was a quick read where I was cheering for the FMC the whole time. First, I love that this was about a women’s soccer team and that her love interest was there supporting her the whole time. But, before they were secret lovers, they were enemies. He was a writer assigned to write a story on the FMC. So even if they fell for each other, they would have to keep it a secret or risk losing their jobs.
I enjoyed the secret romance and they never strayed from each other. I also loved that they had a lot in common- they weren’t close to their families, and they career driven. They had become their own little found family.
If you are in the mood for an enemies to lovers with some found family you need to read this one!
I enjoyed the secret romance and they never strayed from each other. I also loved that they had a lot in common- they weren’t close to their families, and they career driven. They had become their own little found family.
If you are in the mood for an enemies to lovers with some found family you need to read this one!
July 24, 2025
This was a really fun read I loved the relationship between Danny and Mac (Mackenzie) and how it developed and their banter was sooooo gooood. The relationship between Mac and her team mates was lovely and I also loved the relationship between Danny and Nick. Some of their conversations were really funny.
This was def a good little football/spicer romance and I really did love the dynamic between Mac being a footballer and Danny being the sports journalist. I’ve never read a book with that dynamic before.
This was def a good little football/spicer romance and I really did love the dynamic between Mac being a footballer and Danny being the sports journalist. I’ve never read a book with that dynamic before.
August 2, 2025
A fresh, fiery take on sports romance with a fun role reversal—featuring a fierce female soccer captain and the cocky journalist who gets under her skin (in more ways than one). The banter between Mac and Danny crackles, and the NWSL backdrop adds exciting energy. While I craved a bit more emotional depth (especially with Danny's family subplot), this delivered solid spice and underdog charm. Perfect for fans of low-angst, high-heat romances with athlete heroines!
Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC.
Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC.
August 23, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
This was a quick read about a soccer player FMC and journalist MMC. The banter was hilarious and the chemistry between the MCs was fun and hot! I liked how the FMC is fierce but not so much so that she's unlikable and the MMC is more stern than full-on grumpy. The story started out a bit slow but picks up around the 30% mark.
Tropes:
✅ Soccer Player/Journalist
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Slow Burn
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ He Falls First
✅ Playful Banter
Thank you so much JL and Hambright PR for this ARC!
This was a quick read about a soccer player FMC and journalist MMC. The banter was hilarious and the chemistry between the MCs was fun and hot! I liked how the FMC is fierce but not so much so that she's unlikable and the MMC is more stern than full-on grumpy. The story started out a bit slow but picks up around the 30% mark.
Tropes:
✅ Soccer Player/Journalist
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Slow Burn
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ He Falls First
✅ Playful Banter
Thank you so much JL and Hambright PR for this ARC!
August 3, 2025
What would you do if a reporter challenged you, your craft and the relevancy of your sports team?
Tropes:
-Sports (soccer)
-Enemies to lovers
-Close Proximity
-Found Family
Spice: 🌶️
I LOVED the banter between Danny and Mackenzie. I also felt their chemistry was palpable! I did feel like the middle was a tad slow, but other than that I really enjoyed it! I also have never read a soccer romance, so this was a first for me. I wish I knew more about the sport!
Tropes:
-Sports (soccer)
-Enemies to lovers
-Close Proximity
-Found Family
Spice: 🌶️
I LOVED the banter between Danny and Mackenzie. I also felt their chemistry was palpable! I did feel like the middle was a tad slow, but other than that I really enjoyed it! I also have never read a soccer romance, so this was a first for me. I wish I knew more about the sport!
July 21, 2025
This slow burn love/hate soccer romance was super cute. Its rare when I come across a female sports romance. There was spice,but not too much. It was a quick read and I was all for that! The banter between Mac and Danny at times had me chuckling a lot of the time. I can't wait to start reading the other books in the series.
July 30, 2025
Holy heat, Batman. I’ve officially entered my soccer romance era and I’m never looking back. If you are looking for a new sport to take over your sports romance addiction, J.L. Stray is the author of your dreams and Striking Heat needs to be on your radar.
Now excuse me while I patiently wait for more from the Tampa Bay Blaze series!!
Now excuse me while I patiently wait for more from the Tampa Bay Blaze series!!
July 21, 2025
This book does have a lot of heat. It took me a while to become invested in the story. It has enemies to lovers vibes with a slow burn. I liked that the woman was the main athlete in this story, it’s usually reversed. That was a nice mix up.
July 25, 2025
This book was unique! I loved the fact that the main character was a female sports player and that the guy was the journalist! This was a fun, quick read! This is a good enemy to lovers story. Really good spicy scenes!!!
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