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Rooting Interest: An 831 Stories Romance
Not yet published
Expected 27 Jan 26An 831 Stories celebrity-normal person sports romance. Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute meets Running Point starring Kate Hudson. When Jennifer Felix gets pulled off her NFL beat to cover the WNBA All-Star weekend, she doesn’t expect to find herself so taken with the sport, its fans, or one of its stars, crowd-favorite Natalie Czapski. But as Jennifer and Natalie move past their rocky start in the press room and build trust, Jennifer has to decide if she’s going to risk putting her heart out there for a woman who claims to be married to the game.
224 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 22, 2026
first of all go liberty 🗽
a very short and sweet wnba related romance! romance as a genre generally has not worked for me, but i knew i had to try again with this one. overall, i thought it was well done! i liked the writing and the dialogue, and thought there was a nice infusion of social commentary. i am curious how tried and true romance readers feel about the relationship given this is such a bite size look into it, but i personally liked the narrow view as someone who doesn’t typically enjoy romance.
i could not get over natalie having french braids as her signature style as a seemingly mid 30s player but maybe i just need to have more of an open mind.
probably closer to a 3.5
a very short and sweet wnba related romance! romance as a genre generally has not worked for me, but i knew i had to try again with this one. overall, i thought it was well done! i liked the writing and the dialogue, and thought there was a nice infusion of social commentary. i am curious how tried and true romance readers feel about the relationship given this is such a bite size look into it, but i personally liked the narrow view as someone who doesn’t typically enjoy romance.
i could not get over natalie having french braids as her signature style as a seemingly mid 30s player but maybe i just need to have more of an open mind.
probably closer to a 3.5
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 🌟
started off the new year right by reading a cute romance
started off the new year right by reading a cute romance
October 22, 2025
Cat Disabato's debut was exceptionally well done! Considering we clock in at about 224 pages in the final copy, it was a well rounded/full bodied story with all the high points of a full length romance novel. As a journalist, I of course, really enjoyed Felix's character. As a writer who has had to (begrudgingly) cover sports when it's not my forté (it was Felix's, but she covered football, not women's basketball), I understand the disappointment of being switched to a beat (topic) that you don't prefer to cover or know much about. But a good journalist can pivot and make the beat their own, which is exactly what Felix did.
I also appreciated the journalism ethics that Felix pondered when considering becoming involved with Natalie. I think all the aspects of their relationship were really well done, considering the qualms on both ends (for Felix, her ethics and for Natalie, her worries over her performance). Both Felix and Natalie have an excellent friend group, and that definitely enhanced my reading experience. I love a friend group that is well represented, with friends who listen to each other and give solid advice. The character growth of both characters was nailed on the head.
I'll admit I know next to nothing about the WNBA, but Disabato does a great job in getting the reader to understand the lingo and game through her writing. The LGBTQIA+ representation is exceptionally important in the story, and it felt genuine (and I assume realistic, given that I have never watched WNBA). The whole time I was reading, I was thinking about the Disney Channel Original Movie "Double Teamed" and if that's the vibe you want in your book, but gay, you will definitely enjoy Rooting Interest when it releases in January 2026!
Thank you so much to the 831 team for the advanced copy!
I also appreciated the journalism ethics that Felix pondered when considering becoming involved with Natalie. I think all the aspects of their relationship were really well done, considering the qualms on both ends (for Felix, her ethics and for Natalie, her worries over her performance). Both Felix and Natalie have an excellent friend group, and that definitely enhanced my reading experience. I love a friend group that is well represented, with friends who listen to each other and give solid advice. The character growth of both characters was nailed on the head.
I'll admit I know next to nothing about the WNBA, but Disabato does a great job in getting the reader to understand the lingo and game through her writing. The LGBTQIA+ representation is exceptionally important in the story, and it felt genuine (and I assume realistic, given that I have never watched WNBA). The whole time I was reading, I was thinking about the Disney Channel Original Movie "Double Teamed" and if that's the vibe you want in your book, but gay, you will definitely enjoy Rooting Interest when it releases in January 2026!
Thank you so much to the 831 team for the advanced copy!
January 13, 2026
In Rooting Interest we follow Felix, a sports journalist that whose magnum opus is supposed to be writing about the NFL. She gets placed on a project to write about the WNBA, specifically to cover the return of a star player - Natalie.
Felix is an avid nfl fan, but doesn’t know the first thing about basketball - she suspects she got the job because she’s queer and it’s the WNBA. After covering a story on Natalie and her comeback after her season-ending injury, their chemistry drives them to hook up and their very “casual” fling becomes much more than what either of them expected.
This wasn’t the most thrilling or bingeable sports romance I’ve read, but I do think this story is really special. It’s a story about two lesbian women who are already out and proud, and their lives don’t revolve around their queerness. Their lives revolve around their careers, and how they show up for their community and for their passions, so this isn’t a queer story where the main conflict is coming out, and the struggle with self acceptance. It’s a story about two women who are incredibly driven and want to succeed, and have to find a way to do so while also allowing themselves the beauty of falling in love and committing to another human being.
It’s a big love story to sports while also acknowledging how slow the world of sports has been to make life easier for its queer players and community of fans. It’s realistic in its critiques, gives its flowers to the WNBA for setting the standard, and at the end of the day is a really sexy story between a journalist and her source (scandalous!!!!). Low key I fell in love with Natalie a lil bit :/ I like them emotionally unavailable.
Felix is an avid nfl fan, but doesn’t know the first thing about basketball - she suspects she got the job because she’s queer and it’s the WNBA. After covering a story on Natalie and her comeback after her season-ending injury, their chemistry drives them to hook up and their very “casual” fling becomes much more than what either of them expected.
This wasn’t the most thrilling or bingeable sports romance I’ve read, but I do think this story is really special. It’s a story about two lesbian women who are already out and proud, and their lives don’t revolve around their queerness. Their lives revolve around their careers, and how they show up for their community and for their passions, so this isn’t a queer story where the main conflict is coming out, and the struggle with self acceptance. It’s a story about two women who are incredibly driven and want to succeed, and have to find a way to do so while also allowing themselves the beauty of falling in love and committing to another human being.
It’s a big love story to sports while also acknowledging how slow the world of sports has been to make life easier for its queer players and community of fans. It’s realistic in its critiques, gives its flowers to the WNBA for setting the standard, and at the end of the day is a really sexy story between a journalist and her source (scandalous!!!!). Low key I fell in love with Natalie a lil bit :/ I like them emotionally unavailable.
January 1, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, 831 Stories and Cat Disabato for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Despite being only 224 pages this story is really well rounded and fully flushed out.
I enjoyed the relationship between Felix and Natalie and loved the friendships as well. I’m not very familiar with the WNBA but it seemed the author put care into representing it accurately.
LGBTQIA+ representation was clearly important for this author and seemed to be done authentically (it didn’t feel forced).
Overall, a quick and enjoyable read!
Despite being only 224 pages this story is really well rounded and fully flushed out.
I enjoyed the relationship between Felix and Natalie and loved the friendships as well. I’m not very familiar with the WNBA but it seemed the author put care into representing it accurately.
LGBTQIA+ representation was clearly important for this author and seemed to be done authentically (it didn’t feel forced).
Overall, a quick and enjoyable read!
October 19, 2025
More like a 3.5⭐️
December 30, 2025
A very quick & cute read! Felt very seen by Natalie: a character that eats too much chipotle & is obsessed with The Traitors.
January 11, 2026
on my way to buy tickets to the closest women's basketball game near me 😏🤚🏼
thank you to netgalley + 831 stories for an earc <3
thank you to netgalley + 831 stories for an earc <3
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Finally -- a sports romance that seems like a real sports romance. I love that they are both super driven career focused women and there is lots of sports activity included, it's not all fluff. The ending was a little cheesy and reminded me of the movie Notting Hill. Overall, a good read for sports romance fans.
*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
November 30, 2025
I loved this sapphic sports romance between a WNBA player and a sports reporter. Jennifer Felix is forced to change her reporting beat from the NFL to the WNBA and falls for Natalie Czapski the athlete she was assigned to cover. 831 Stories nails it once again.
October 3, 2025
Everyone watches women’s sports, and everyone should be reading 831 Stories. The first sports romance and it’s so good. I am always impressed by how these authors fit so much yearning, chemistry, relationship development (between friends and between main characters!) and conflict in so few pages. This perfectly encapsulated so many feelings of joy and community I’ve felt at women’s professional sporting events. I loved the insight into the life of sports journalists (don’t ask me if it was accurate, but it was certainly interesting) and athletes.
Do yourself a favor and start reading every book this imprint puts out - you won’t regret it.
Thanks to 831 Stories and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Do yourself a favor and start reading every book this imprint puts out - you won’t regret it.
Thanks to 831 Stories and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am grateful to have received this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are sincere and my own.
Cat Disabato’s *Rooting Interest* is a sharp, engaging queer sports romance that begins with an NFL reporter being reassigned to WNBA All‑Star Weekend—despite having the basketball knowledge of someone who picks March Madness brackets based on team mascots. What starts as a corporate attempt at “authentic representation” quickly becomes a smart, funny exploration of identity, ambition, and the hazards of pretending you know what a dime is on live television. Disabato balances realistic insight with genuine emotional depth, crafting a story where professional missteps, unexpected chemistry, and one very compelling superstar collide in all the best ways.**
Jennifer Felix is a sports reporter for the *LA Chronicle*, best known for covering the fictional NFL team, the Los Angeles Cougars. Years of reporting on the Cougars have helped her slowly carve out space in a male‑dominated sector. Her resilience and genuine interest in the sport have earned her respect from players, staff, and fans alike.
Then—surprise!—her editor pulls her off NFL preseason coverage and reassigns her to WNBA All‑Star Weekend. Over the course of the event, Felix finds herself drawn to Natalie Czapski, a superstar looking to make a comeback after injury. Their snarky exchanges and banter spark immediately. Will Felix return to NFL reporting after her brief WNBA stint? And is Natalie leading her on, or actually flirting?
I was invested in the story by page two. As someone who grew up playing competitive sports and continued into my university career, I deeply related to Natalie’s injury arc. Currently, four months post‑ACL reconstruction, I’m painfully aware of the fear of re‑injury, battling against the ingrained urge to be competitive again. Most people only see the first month after surgery—when your knee is swollen, and you can’t walk independently. After that, things get lonely, and the main battle is in your head as you fight for the motivation to stay consistent with physical therapy.
That said, Natalie is undeniably emotionally unavailable and selfish at times, while Felix struggles to voice the emotions she *can* identify. As you can imagine, two driven women clashing like that makes a steady relationship difficult.
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and the workplace‑profiling subplot. At times, it felt like the main plot, but it always circled back to our emotionally flawed girlies.
Cat Disabato’s *Rooting Interest* is a sharp, engaging queer sports romance that begins with an NFL reporter being reassigned to WNBA All‑Star Weekend—despite having the basketball knowledge of someone who picks March Madness brackets based on team mascots. What starts as a corporate attempt at “authentic representation” quickly becomes a smart, funny exploration of identity, ambition, and the hazards of pretending you know what a dime is on live television. Disabato balances realistic insight with genuine emotional depth, crafting a story where professional missteps, unexpected chemistry, and one very compelling superstar collide in all the best ways.**
Jennifer Felix is a sports reporter for the *LA Chronicle*, best known for covering the fictional NFL team, the Los Angeles Cougars. Years of reporting on the Cougars have helped her slowly carve out space in a male‑dominated sector. Her resilience and genuine interest in the sport have earned her respect from players, staff, and fans alike.
Then—surprise!—her editor pulls her off NFL preseason coverage and reassigns her to WNBA All‑Star Weekend. Over the course of the event, Felix finds herself drawn to Natalie Czapski, a superstar looking to make a comeback after injury. Their snarky exchanges and banter spark immediately. Will Felix return to NFL reporting after her brief WNBA stint? And is Natalie leading her on, or actually flirting?
I was invested in the story by page two. As someone who grew up playing competitive sports and continued into my university career, I deeply related to Natalie’s injury arc. Currently, four months post‑ACL reconstruction, I’m painfully aware of the fear of re‑injury, battling against the ingrained urge to be competitive again. Most people only see the first month after surgery—when your knee is swollen, and you can’t walk independently. After that, things get lonely, and the main battle is in your head as you fight for the motivation to stay consistent with physical therapy.
That said, Natalie is undeniably emotionally unavailable and selfish at times, while Felix struggles to voice the emotions she *can* identify. As you can imagine, two driven women clashing like that makes a steady relationship difficult.
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and the workplace‑profiling subplot. At times, it felt like the main plot, but it always circled back to our emotionally flawed girlies.
December 17, 2025
4.25 stars!! Another banger of an entry to the 831 Stories collection, this time featuring a WNBA player and the reporter assigned to cover her return to the game post-injury!! What impresses me most about these stories is just how full a story can be conveyed in close to 200 pages, with deep character reflections and fast-moving but engaging plots, with emotional resonance and funny character beats!
Reporter Jennifer Felix (not just Jen, preferably Felix) has never covered basketball before, and embarrasses herself to the star player Natalie Czapski (CZ or Natty Ice to her fans, of course) - but the sizzling vibes that develop when she has to follow her around for a day for a story are undeniable (and maybe unethical). When she’s pulled back to her regular NFL beat, they can spend time together, but will it be an airball or a perfect three pointer?
I could not get over how emotionally powerful this story was, especially for Felix who was pulled from writing about a topic she thought she loved in a style she loved and had to adapt quickly to broader stories that she found she loved telling and then had to find a way to merge those styles and tell the stories she wanted within her parameters. Add on the layers of her fighting for what she wants in Natalie, and also taking no shit and standing up for herself even when it was hard - she’s a tough, resilient woman and I was so here for her journey!!!
Thanks so much to Cat Disabato, 831 Stories, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Reporter Jennifer Felix (not just Jen, preferably Felix) has never covered basketball before, and embarrasses herself to the star player Natalie Czapski (CZ or Natty Ice to her fans, of course) - but the sizzling vibes that develop when she has to follow her around for a day for a story are undeniable (and maybe unethical). When she’s pulled back to her regular NFL beat, they can spend time together, but will it be an airball or a perfect three pointer?
I could not get over how emotionally powerful this story was, especially for Felix who was pulled from writing about a topic she thought she loved in a style she loved and had to adapt quickly to broader stories that she found she loved telling and then had to find a way to merge those styles and tell the stories she wanted within her parameters. Add on the layers of her fighting for what she wants in Natalie, and also taking no shit and standing up for herself even when it was hard - she’s a tough, resilient woman and I was so here for her journey!!!
Thanks so much to Cat Disabato, 831 Stories, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2026
As someone who knows next to nothing about basketball but absolutely loves a sports romance, I was so excited when I heard that 831 was publishing a sapphic sports romance. So happy to report that this was a delight to read!
Rooting Interest follows Felix, a queer journalist who typically covers media for the local NFL team. She abruptly gets reassigned to cover the WNBA - specifically to cover the return of Natalie Czapski after she had a season ending ACL injury months prior.
While I’m certainly not an expert when it comes to queer rep in romance novels and have only read a handful so far, I have to say that it was so refreshing for the main conflict in this novella to not revolve around the MCs coming out. Both Felix and Natalie are already out and very comfortable with their sexualities. Felix does struggle with the idea of being perceived as queer in her professional life, but thankfully we got to see excellent character growth despite this novella’s length. The author did such an incredible job discussing being queer in typically heteronormative spaces, and that narrative is so important and so appreciated in this novella.
While this was certainly heavy on the basketball and journalism terminology, especially at the beginning, I still felt like it was generally easy to follow and understand. The pacing felt pretty good up until the end, when I felt like things were a bit too rushed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! 831 truly never disappoints.
Thank you to 831 Stories and to the author for the ARC of Rooting Interest!
Rooting Interest follows Felix, a queer journalist who typically covers media for the local NFL team. She abruptly gets reassigned to cover the WNBA - specifically to cover the return of Natalie Czapski after she had a season ending ACL injury months prior.
While I’m certainly not an expert when it comes to queer rep in romance novels and have only read a handful so far, I have to say that it was so refreshing for the main conflict in this novella to not revolve around the MCs coming out. Both Felix and Natalie are already out and very comfortable with their sexualities. Felix does struggle with the idea of being perceived as queer in her professional life, but thankfully we got to see excellent character growth despite this novella’s length. The author did such an incredible job discussing being queer in typically heteronormative spaces, and that narrative is so important and so appreciated in this novella.
While this was certainly heavy on the basketball and journalism terminology, especially at the beginning, I still felt like it was generally easy to follow and understand. The pacing felt pretty good up until the end, when I felt like things were a bit too rushed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! 831 truly never disappoints.
Thank you to 831 Stories and to the author for the ARC of Rooting Interest!
January 10, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Wow me actually reading an arc before it's published instead of months later ??? Unheard of as of late ! My goal in life is to get on the auto approved list for 831 stories this is my formal request 🙂↕️
As someone who hasn't really read sports romances other than the 'Windy City' series I really don't have much to compare this too but in terms of 831 Stories this book has all the same charm as the other releases. The reason for my rating not being as high is I did feel this novella missing the depth of conversation between the two main characters. I did like the side characters within this though and the importance of them to the development of Felix's personal growth.
Felix's and Natalie's complex relationship was interesting to explore as well as themes of queerness in sport. Not really read anything surrounding these issues before and don't think I've really seen many books talk about these topics so I was interested to learn something new ! Also love a celebrity / normal person relationship and the struggles that come with it so it was always gonna hit for me !!
Liked the ending and its ambiguity but I do feel myself wanting a little more from these characters (Natalie in particular) and this universe as a whole. Potential for a series perhaps ??
Also 'Big Fan' mention I know that's right 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
Thank you to Netgalley and 831 Stories for this arc !!!
**All opinions are my own !!**
Wow me actually reading an arc before it's published instead of months later ??? Unheard of as of late ! My goal in life is to get on the auto approved list for 831 stories this is my formal request 🙂↕️
As someone who hasn't really read sports romances other than the 'Windy City' series I really don't have much to compare this too but in terms of 831 Stories this book has all the same charm as the other releases. The reason for my rating not being as high is I did feel this novella missing the depth of conversation between the two main characters. I did like the side characters within this though and the importance of them to the development of Felix's personal growth.
Felix's and Natalie's complex relationship was interesting to explore as well as themes of queerness in sport. Not really read anything surrounding these issues before and don't think I've really seen many books talk about these topics so I was interested to learn something new ! Also love a celebrity / normal person relationship and the struggles that come with it so it was always gonna hit for me !!
Liked the ending and its ambiguity but I do feel myself wanting a little more from these characters (Natalie in particular) and this universe as a whole. Potential for a series perhaps ??
Also 'Big Fan' mention I know that's right 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
Thank you to Netgalley and 831 Stories for this arc !!!
**All opinions are my own !!**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley, 831 Stories and Cat Disabato for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this sports romance! I am a big fan of basketball in general, so I was instantly intrigued. I liked all the characters; Natalie and Jen (Felix) are a stellar duo for the FMCs.
I thought this was well-written and thought-out for a short book. I too hate when you get taken away from something you love haha, but it's incredible what can come from it, and what you can learn. I really enjoyed the themes outside of the romance:
- In my opinion, the larger theme of this book is embracing the unknown; letting go of control. The group of friends’ mantra in life is “live in the good side” - and I think that echoes the main theme of this book, but also acts as a good little reminder for oneself.
- There are also themes of showing up as yourself, and for yourself - that vulnerability can be a powerful tool and something to embrace in life.
- Community is highlighted with importance throughout. I really appreciated this and loved how they painted community within the friend group, but also within WNBA as a whole.
My last note - Traitors is THE show. Thank you.
831 Stories - you still have not disappointed. For being novellas, all the books have so much yearning, chemistry (or conflict), along with relatable and strong romantic / platonic relationship development.
I really enjoyed this sports romance! I am a big fan of basketball in general, so I was instantly intrigued. I liked all the characters; Natalie and Jen (Felix) are a stellar duo for the FMCs.
I thought this was well-written and thought-out for a short book. I too hate when you get taken away from something you love haha, but it's incredible what can come from it, and what you can learn. I really enjoyed the themes outside of the romance:
- In my opinion, the larger theme of this book is embracing the unknown; letting go of control. The group of friends’ mantra in life is “live in the good side” - and I think that echoes the main theme of this book, but also acts as a good little reminder for oneself.
- There are also themes of showing up as yourself, and for yourself - that vulnerability can be a powerful tool and something to embrace in life.
- Community is highlighted with importance throughout. I really appreciated this and loved how they painted community within the friend group, but also within WNBA as a whole.
My last note - Traitors is THE show. Thank you.
831 Stories - you still have not disappointed. For being novellas, all the books have so much yearning, chemistry (or conflict), along with relatable and strong romantic / platonic relationship development.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rooting Interest was such an unexpected delight. Cat Disabato’s debut novella centers around the WNBA, and I loved getting a glimpse into that world—the dynamics both on and off the court felt vivid and authentic. As someone who often works with reporters, I especially appreciated the behind-the-scenes look at the creation of news: the relationships between journalists and PR, the grind of working a beat, and the frustrating switch-ups that don’t always feel fair or well-reasoned.
The dynamic between Felix and Natalie was compelling, relatable, and emotionally clear from the start. Their push and pull—the tension between staying true to yourself, meeting your own standards, and adapting as circumstances and feelings evolve—felt deeply real. I could picture every moment. That Disabato captures so much nuance in such a compact novella is impressive.
The story also gave me strong Heated Rivalry vibes—swap men for women and hockey for basketball. The emotional intensity, depth of character, and love of sport all strongly paralleled for me. Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff has long been my favourite from 831 Stories, but Rooting Interest may be giving it a real run for its money. I can’t wait to read more from Cat Disabato.
Thanks so much to 831 Stories and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
The dynamic between Felix and Natalie was compelling, relatable, and emotionally clear from the start. Their push and pull—the tension between staying true to yourself, meeting your own standards, and adapting as circumstances and feelings evolve—felt deeply real. I could picture every moment. That Disabato captures so much nuance in such a compact novella is impressive.
The story also gave me strong Heated Rivalry vibes—swap men for women and hockey for basketball. The emotional intensity, depth of character, and love of sport all strongly paralleled for me. Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff has long been my favourite from 831 Stories, but Rooting Interest may be giving it a real run for its money. I can’t wait to read more from Cat Disabato.
Thanks so much to 831 Stories and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I requested this from NetGalley because I was in the mood to read a romance, and because in Australia 'rooting' is another word for 'getting laid', so 'rooting interest means something entirely different from what it was intended by the title. Not very mature of me, but I'm glad I did request it because I really enjoyed this book.
The romance was nice. the chemistry between the main characters felt real and believable. It was kind of low stakes, except for Jen Felix's heart. It did a lot of things I liked - single first person point of view, consent, respect and thoughtfulness, reflection and growth. While it was open door, the sex scenes were not repetitious, maybe because some faded to black, or maybe because it was a lesbian romance. The sports stuff wasn't overplayed for this Australian.
There was a teeny tiny bit too much telling rather than showing, but only a little. I was confused how showing your undercut is a great way to present to the world as a lesbian, something that this book goes on about. i used to have an undercut, and no woman hit on me. Small complaint against a book that was really enjoyable.
4.5 rounded up because,while I can pick faults it was a really nice read.
The romance was nice. the chemistry between the main characters felt real and believable. It was kind of low stakes, except for Jen Felix's heart. It did a lot of things I liked - single first person point of view, consent, respect and thoughtfulness, reflection and growth. While it was open door, the sex scenes were not repetitious, maybe because some faded to black, or maybe because it was a lesbian romance. The sports stuff wasn't overplayed for this Australian.
There was a teeny tiny bit too much telling rather than showing, but only a little. I was confused how showing your undercut is a great way to present to the world as a lesbian, something that this book goes on about. i used to have an undercut, and no woman hit on me. Small complaint against a book that was really enjoyable.
4.5 rounded up because,while I can pick faults it was a really nice read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
For those of us that watched (or read) Heated Rivalry, the upcoming Jan. 27th release date of Cat Disabato’s Rooting Interest will feel timely and like a welcomed relief—rushing in to fill the queer hockey-player-sized holes in our hearts with this charming, sapphic basketball love story.
Starring Jennifer Felix, a sports reporter who keeps her guard firmly up, and Natalie, a WNBA player juggling public pressure and private doubts—Rooting interest is a cozy, character-driven romance that knows exactly what it’s doing. Our two main characters circle each other with sharp banter, soft yearning, and emotional baggage that feels grounded and real. Disabato lets the chemistry build naturally, trusting small moments and awkward conversations to do the heavy lifting. The sports backdrop leans heavily into basketball, with a fun football-centric side plot that adds texture and growth without stealing focus.
What really makes Rooting interest shine is its tenderness and humor, especially in how it handles anxiety, vulnerability and the risk of wanting more from a relationship. It’s a warm, easy read with a lot of heart. Perfect for those of us craving another queer sports romance that feels comforting and lived in.
Thank you to NetGalley, 831 Stories and Cat Disabato for the ARC!
Starring Jennifer Felix, a sports reporter who keeps her guard firmly up, and Natalie, a WNBA player juggling public pressure and private doubts—Rooting interest is a cozy, character-driven romance that knows exactly what it’s doing. Our two main characters circle each other with sharp banter, soft yearning, and emotional baggage that feels grounded and real. Disabato lets the chemistry build naturally, trusting small moments and awkward conversations to do the heavy lifting. The sports backdrop leans heavily into basketball, with a fun football-centric side plot that adds texture and growth without stealing focus.
What really makes Rooting interest shine is its tenderness and humor, especially in how it handles anxiety, vulnerability and the risk of wanting more from a relationship. It’s a warm, easy read with a lot of heart. Perfect for those of us craving another queer sports romance that feels comforting and lived in.
Thank you to NetGalley, 831 Stories and Cat Disabato for the ARC!
November 17, 2025
Rooting Interest by Cat Disabato is a sweet, compact sports romance that surprised me in the best way. We follow Jennifer Felix, a lesbian sports journalist reassigned from covering football to women’s basketball — a world she’s never followed — just as WNBA star Natalie Czapski returns after a season-ending injury. As Felix learns the ropes, she and Natalie grow closer, despite the very real ethical dilemma of a journalist dating an athlete she’s assigned to cover.
I loved the fresh twist on the “famous person/regular person” trope and the chemistry between the leads. Even though the main conflict was predictable, it didn’t take much away from the story. My only wish is that we had a deeper look into Natalie’s headspace, especially regarding her recovery and her shift toward being open to a relationship. This is one of those novellas that easily could have been a full-length novel.
Overall, a warm, engaging, and unique sports romance I’d happily recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the fresh twist on the “famous person/regular person” trope and the chemistry between the leads. Even though the main conflict was predictable, it didn’t take much away from the story. My only wish is that we had a deeper look into Natalie’s headspace, especially regarding her recovery and her shift toward being open to a relationship. This is one of those novellas that easily could have been a full-length novel.
Overall, a warm, engaging, and unique sports romance I’d happily recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 26, 2025
A sapphic sports romance from 831? Bring it on! I’m already hooked!
I always love a fast-paced, short and sweet romance from 831, but this one might be my new favorite. It has a bit of everything you would want from a sports romance, and even though I don’t care the least bit about basketball, this one was a slam dunk in my opinion. I loved the growing relationship between Felix and Natalie, but I also loved the wonderful cast of supporting characters that offer their love and friendship to our two protagonists as they navigate the ups, downs, and professional risks of falling in love with each other.
This is a great, quick option for the diehard romance lover, but I also think that 831 has several perfect low-commitment bite-size options for those who are looking to try the genre (or sports sub-genre) for a change of pace. I do wish they would have included the epilogue in the publication, but that’s just how 831 rolls, I guess.
I’m grateful to the publisher for providing me the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts.
I always love a fast-paced, short and sweet romance from 831, but this one might be my new favorite. It has a bit of everything you would want from a sports romance, and even though I don’t care the least bit about basketball, this one was a slam dunk in my opinion. I loved the growing relationship between Felix and Natalie, but I also loved the wonderful cast of supporting characters that offer their love and friendship to our two protagonists as they navigate the ups, downs, and professional risks of falling in love with each other.
This is a great, quick option for the diehard romance lover, but I also think that 831 has several perfect low-commitment bite-size options for those who are looking to try the genre (or sports sub-genre) for a change of pace. I do wish they would have included the epilogue in the publication, but that’s just how 831 rolls, I guess.
I’m grateful to the publisher for providing me the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts.
December 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 stories for the opportunity to once again read and review and arc!
I am always a huge fan of 831 stories and one for eh things I love the most about their romance books is their focus on creating stories that aren’t just your run of the mill, coot and paste romance. Rooting interest is co exception. My favorite part of this story was the amount of representation for LGBTQIA, as someone who reads a lot of popular romance it’s still unfortunately not as thoughtfully captured as this. Following Natalie and Felix’s love story was touching, and seeing them come into their own as individuals and as even better.
As someone who isn’t a huge sports fan I appreciated the authors dedication to producing a story that felt accurate to the game. However, I’d be lying if I said some of it didn’t go over my head.
Overall I give this a 3.5 stars and look forward to more from 831!!
I am always a huge fan of 831 stories and one for eh things I love the most about their romance books is their focus on creating stories that aren’t just your run of the mill, coot and paste romance. Rooting interest is co exception. My favorite part of this story was the amount of representation for LGBTQIA, as someone who reads a lot of popular romance it’s still unfortunately not as thoughtfully captured as this. Following Natalie and Felix’s love story was touching, and seeing them come into their own as individuals and as even better.
As someone who isn’t a huge sports fan I appreciated the authors dedication to producing a story that felt accurate to the game. However, I’d be lying if I said some of it didn’t go over my head.
Overall I give this a 3.5 stars and look forward to more from 831!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and 831 for giving me access to this arc! I love me a 831 story. And GOOD LORD this was so good!
Listen, I'm not a fan of basketball so I had reservations going in, but I've never read w|w before so I was excited to get into it and wowieeeee. First of all, the pacing of this story is *chefs kiss* the progression of the plot was so smooth and natural. Which I don't think I realized until now how important that is as a reader. Second, I love these two characters and the different areas of growth they both have throughout this story. Lastly, this book is so empowering and inspiring. I might not be a queer, but seeing the way these women were ready to publicly make lasting change for their community while inspiring others in their community to do the same was so beautiful to see. I just loved everything about this. I'm anxiously awaiting pub day so I can read the epilogue online!
If you haven't yet checked out 831, this is the time to do so!
Listen, I'm not a fan of basketball so I had reservations going in, but I've never read w|w before so I was excited to get into it and wowieeeee. First of all, the pacing of this story is *chefs kiss* the progression of the plot was so smooth and natural. Which I don't think I realized until now how important that is as a reader. Second, I love these two characters and the different areas of growth they both have throughout this story. Lastly, this book is so empowering and inspiring. I might not be a queer, but seeing the way these women were ready to publicly make lasting change for their community while inspiring others in their community to do the same was so beautiful to see. I just loved everything about this. I'm anxiously awaiting pub day so I can read the epilogue online!
If you haven't yet checked out 831, this is the time to do so!
January 13, 2026
A very strong-willed fmc is suddenly given an opportunity to grow as a journalist, by covering a new sport (basketball) apart from her comfortable football. When she feels immediate attraction towards the athlete who she's supposed to do the story on, things get a little bit more difficult.
This queer romance was a breath of fresh air. The yearning, the stakes, and the depth provided for each character was astonishing. For such a short story, it was well developed and touched on subjects that should be discussed in the sports world, specially the WNBA. The only downside and the reason I took down a star was because I felt like the ending was a little rushed. I definitely wanted something more structured or at least some closure. For me, it kinda felt like being left in the air.
However! I absolutely loved this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this eARC. I recommend this book to anyone who likes sports, journalism, and a good kicking love story!
This queer romance was a breath of fresh air. The yearning, the stakes, and the depth provided for each character was astonishing. For such a short story, it was well developed and touched on subjects that should be discussed in the sports world, specially the WNBA. The only downside and the reason I took down a star was because I felt like the ending was a little rushed. I definitely wanted something more structured or at least some closure. For me, it kinda felt like being left in the air.
However! I absolutely loved this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this eARC. I recommend this book to anyone who likes sports, journalism, and a good kicking love story!
January 18, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and 831Stories for the e-arc!
This was such a fun sports romance! When Jennifer Felix, a sports journalist, gets pulled from her usual coverage on an NFL team in order to cover the return of star WNBA player Natalie Czapski she is less than thrilled. But she finds herself learning about basketball, the league, and sparks immediate fly between Felix and Natalie. The romance was a slow build and I liked how it was handled with Felix's job. The discussion on queer sports fans and players was really well done as well. Natalie and Felix have great chemistry and I loved how Felix's character was developed throughout the book. I didn't love how Natalie initiated the third act breakup, but I'm glad she was able to come to the realize her feelings. This book felt like a love letter to sports fans as well which I loved! I'm looking forward to reading more from Disabato!
4/5 stars!
This was such a fun sports romance! When Jennifer Felix, a sports journalist, gets pulled from her usual coverage on an NFL team in order to cover the return of star WNBA player Natalie Czapski she is less than thrilled. But she finds herself learning about basketball, the league, and sparks immediate fly between Felix and Natalie. The romance was a slow build and I liked how it was handled with Felix's job. The discussion on queer sports fans and players was really well done as well. Natalie and Felix have great chemistry and I loved how Felix's character was developed throughout the book. I didn't love how Natalie initiated the third act breakup, but I'm glad she was able to come to the realize her feelings. This book felt like a love letter to sports fans as well which I loved! I'm looking forward to reading more from Disabato!
4/5 stars!
January 21, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC. While reading, I found myself getting completely immersed in the setting. I found the main character, Jennifer Felix, completely relatable and interesting. This follows a Sports Journalist getting assigned to writing a story for the local WNBA team. Even though she does not know that much about basketball, she finds herself very interested in the sport and even more so for one of the players she is doing a piece on. The only criticism that I have for this story is that I wish it was so much longer. I really enjoyed this book and am excited to be able to read more by Disabato. It was easy to follow and I found myself really rooting for the characters. I usually am not a big fan of sports books where they describe the game in too much detail but I actually found it interesting and informative! Ultimately I think I would give this a 4/5 stars. Something light, quick, and easily digestible to read and I have all ready recommended it to a friend.
January 13, 2026
I really liked this 831 novella. It fits right into the Heated Rivalry oeuvre. Like many of the other short 831 romances, this book is very good at telling a full story despite its short length.
Rooting Interest, tells the story of Jennifer Felix, a gay LA sports reporter, who is unexpectedly assigned to cover the WNBA beat. She interviews Natalie, the star LA player returning from injury, and they begin a tentative relationship. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and though it hit all of the regular romance beats it was very sweet. The third act breakup is not very surprising but the HEA comes soon enough. I enjoyed the exploration of what it’s like to be gay in professional sports and thought it was tackled in an interesting and non-performative way.
Thank you to Netgalley and 831 Stories for an advanced copy of this book.
Rooting Interest, tells the story of Jennifer Felix, a gay LA sports reporter, who is unexpectedly assigned to cover the WNBA beat. She interviews Natalie, the star LA player returning from injury, and they begin a tentative relationship. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and though it hit all of the regular romance beats it was very sweet. The third act breakup is not very surprising but the HEA comes soon enough. I enjoyed the exploration of what it’s like to be gay in professional sports and thought it was tackled in an interesting and non-performative way.
Thank you to Netgalley and 831 Stories for an advanced copy of this book.
January 15, 2026
— four and a half stars
honestly i really loved it for the page count it is— any qualm i have or wishes of deeper probing (no wordplay intended) are just cause i needed to accept the fact that i’m reading a novella. nevertheless i thought this was really well written especially for a debut. everyone feels three dimensional and it’s easy to understand their wants within the relationship or careers, et cetera. i didnt need to wonder if these people deserve to be together because i thought they did! i thought they were so stinkin cute too!
my only real issue is i feel like the author was trying to insert her own politics into the book and the wording felt a bit choppy, but that may be just cause im a black queer women reading a white character talk about black/ queer women? i dont know
thank you 831 for the galley
honestly i really loved it for the page count it is— any qualm i have or wishes of deeper probing (no wordplay intended) are just cause i needed to accept the fact that i’m reading a novella. nevertheless i thought this was really well written especially for a debut. everyone feels three dimensional and it’s easy to understand their wants within the relationship or careers, et cetera. i didnt need to wonder if these people deserve to be together because i thought they did! i thought they were so stinkin cute too!
my only real issue is i feel like the author was trying to insert her own politics into the book and the wording felt a bit choppy, but that may be just cause im a black queer women reading a white character talk about black/ queer women? i dont know
thank you 831 for the galley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐💫
Jennifer Felix is a sports journalist who eats, sleeps and breathes football. When her boss takes her off the NFL beat and puts her on WNBA coverage, she frustratingly suspects it's because she's the only queer woman on staff, as she knows nothing about the W. Felix is immediately drawn to the team's star, Natalie Czapski, and there is an instant spark between them. Felix explores her feelings for Natalie while learning the ropes of the sport and the league, but she's adamant she won't cross any lines with a source.
This was a quick, steamy read that was a great way to fill the sports romance void left after watching Heated Rivalry. Despite the short length, the story felt well-rounded, and both main characters had some complexity to them in addition to palpable chemistry.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Jennifer Felix is a sports journalist who eats, sleeps and breathes football. When her boss takes her off the NFL beat and puts her on WNBA coverage, she frustratingly suspects it's because she's the only queer woman on staff, as she knows nothing about the W. Felix is immediately drawn to the team's star, Natalie Czapski, and there is an instant spark between them. Felix explores her feelings for Natalie while learning the ropes of the sport and the league, but she's adamant she won't cross any lines with a source.
This was a quick, steamy read that was a great way to fill the sports romance void left after watching Heated Rivalry. Despite the short length, the story felt well-rounded, and both main characters had some complexity to them in addition to palpable chemistry.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Cat Disabato and 831 Stories for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
There’s something incredibly comforting about a book that knows it doesn’t need to wreck you emotionally to leave an impact. Rooting Interest is modern and grounded in the now with its use of current conversations, yet timeless in how it handles connection and self-discovery.
This also feels refreshingly different from a lot of LGBTQIA+ romance I’ve read. The sports angle adds a fun layer without taking over the story, and the emotional beats stay soft rather than melodramatic. It’s gentle on the soul, quietly sincere, and full of warmth.
Overall, a very lovely read and one I’d easily recommend, especially if you’re looking for something affirming without high emotional stakes.
There’s something incredibly comforting about a book that knows it doesn’t need to wreck you emotionally to leave an impact. Rooting Interest is modern and grounded in the now with its use of current conversations, yet timeless in how it handles connection and self-discovery.
This also feels refreshingly different from a lot of LGBTQIA+ romance I’ve read. The sports angle adds a fun layer without taking over the story, and the emotional beats stay soft rather than melodramatic. It’s gentle on the soul, quietly sincere, and full of warmth.
Overall, a very lovely read and one I’d easily recommend, especially if you’re looking for something affirming without high emotional stakes.
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