Rooting Interest: An 831 Stories Romance

by Cat Disabato

For fans of will-they-won’t-they courtship and women’s sports, a queer romance that will leave you breathless until the final buzzer.

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 they move past their rocky start in the press room, Felix 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.

“Whether or not you’re a sports fan, you’ll cheer on Felix and Natalie, two women figuring out what they want in life. Rooting Interest is smart, nuanced, and desperately sexy.” —Amy Spalding, bestselling author of For Her Consideration and On Her Terms

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, Queer, LGBT, Sports Romance, Sports, Fiction

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

had the best time and I don’t even know anything about basketball

[Hannah]

I wanna be a wag so badly

[Erica Davis]

A gay WNBA-themed romance where a player falls for a journalist?!? Obviously I read this in one night

[hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SAPPHIC SPORTS ROMANCE THAT HAD ME KICKING AND GIGGLING THE ENTIRE TIME. I HAVENT READ A ROMANCE BOOK THAT HAD ME LOCKED IN LIKE THIS IN SOOO LONG

[melody]

enjoyed the sports commentary, the romance was ok, not my fave 831 but fun to read!

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute romance novella from 831, and the first fully queer romance instead of another bisexual woman dating a man lol. Looking at you Exit Lane and Comedic Timing.

I liked the realistic portrayal of two queer career-driven women in the world of professional sports. It actually had a lot of sports action in it unlike a lot of sports romances. But quite light on the spicy scenes if that's more your jam.

It was refreshing to read a queer romance that's not centered around one or both characters being closeted. Although we see Felix come int0 her own identity more fully from being inspired by the WNBA player, the plot is not complicated by a 'coming out' plot line.

Wraps up a liiiiiiitle too quickly and cleanly for my taste, but that's a hard task with a romance novella.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

[taylor hiatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

super quick read! a bit too modern/ current for me (like mentioning the traitors, the moxy hotel in williamsburg, caitlin clark, etc????) but still nice to see queer romance representation

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun concept but wish we got more characterization for each of them

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first sapphic romance, and I’m genuinely glad this was the one I started with. I really enjoyed Felix and Nat’s story; and watching their character growth.

The WNBA backdrop was a great storyline. I appreciated how the book explored bias and stereotypes within the W and in sports in general. While I don’t fully agree with the idea that the WNBA is a “queer women’s sport,” I do agree that it is a women’s sport with a large and visible queer presence, both among players and fans.

At its heart, this story is about finding your own way and allowing yourself the space to grow. It is also about how doing that can quietly help others along the way.

Thank you NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolute delight. perfectly paced, great characters with chemistry that leaps off the page, and the exact right amount of tropes. novella length means there isnt a single wasted word. devoured it in one day, i couldnt put it down. a must read for sapphic wnba fans

[mermyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blussssshing the whole way through!! Maybe I should start watching basketball

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Rachael · Rating 1 out of 5]

To the booktoker who said this was 10/10 and probably only gushed about it because they want to continue being on 831’s pr list I hope you have the worst day ever.

The lack of tension, build up and just.. good banter is astonishing here. Everything falls flat. This doesn’t read like a romance either it reads like someone who really wanted to write about basketball but their outline included romance so they half assed it.

The writing is so choppy. I’m begging contemporary writers to stop writing books like screenplays and start writing them like BOOKS because every scene in this is so lacklustre, so limp and void of real experience that it’s a slog to get through the 224 pages (it actually could have been shorter because there so much repetition)
One moment she’s at a party and the next she’s back home after having ONE conversation. That’s it. What was the point??? There also A LOT of telling and not enough showing here which already puts up so many walls for characters who never really let them down.

The dialogue is woeful. It reads like two robots trying to have a conversation with each other. Nothing flows. Essentially it feels like we’re being hit over the head with the “these two are hot so they belong together” stick and the work isn’t being put in to make me believe it.

The romance is so one dimensional. They talk about basketball and reality tv and never dig deeper. This is single person pov which would be fine but we dont even get much insight into Jennifer who we’re following, we also never truly know who Natalie is outside of being a basketball player. I never really enjoy reading about “casual” romances anyways but this feels next level and the fact that it genuinely IS casual and Natalie never seems to actually take interest in Jennifer other than when having sex with her.

Ultimately a very “pick me” “I’m not like other girls” romance book which id be lying if I said i wasn’t already warned about when it comes to this publisher. Not sure these are the types of romances I gravitate to so ima hang up my 831 boots now and go read something with a little more depth. Don’t even get me started on that ending.

If you hate romances and are one of those people who like to mock the genre and see it as “less than” you will love this.

[Marlou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight up, immediately going into my favorites folder! This is everything I want to keep reading this year!!!

"I meet other people's needs instead of addressing my own. The thing I'm trying to control is my own vulnerability, because being vulnerable also means being exposed to pain. Until now, I hadn't been able to see how much avoiding hurt meant I also wasn't giving myself the opportunity to feel joy, and pleasure."

5/5!!! Would highly recommend to everyone!!

[Ji-Won · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

started off the new year right by reading a cute romance

[Mary Gael · Rating 5 out of 5]

a love story for queer women’s sports fans <3 this was so for me

[Maggie Broderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously, I loved this! I love the WNBA & women’s sports! It was so fun reading a book where the Indiana Fever, Indy, and some of my favorite players (Kelsey Mitchell & Caitlin Clark) were mentioned.

Also Invy nightclub being mentioned was INSANE

I will always recommend an 831 story romance!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good and really makes me miss the WNBA and the W bar in cleveland. I love women’s sports!!! And women writers!!!

[Maria Viale · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Elena Kellow · Rating 4 out of 5]

getcha head in the game and by game I mean sapphic sports romance!!!!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s go lesbians

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

let's go lesbians!!!! let's go lesbians!!!!

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not usually a sports girl, but I am a fan of a fun and cute romance, which this certainly is.

[Amy Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone watches women’s sports, and everyone should be reading 831 Stories. The first sports romance from the imprint 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.

[City Elf Reader (Ryan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

How sweet! Loved this one

[Hannah Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

I'm gonna start doing a TLDR for my besties

TLDR; I know ball and the author does not, which kept pulling me out of the story. the romance was weak, but the character development of the narrator was good overall. more pages might've made things better or worse, idk. still enjoyed it though :) (ball knowers read the p.s.)

phew. girl...idk. I fear I am the problem for two reasons. a) I am a commitmentphobe. I picked this book because it is 200 pages. but then my problem is that the characters weren't fleshed out in the way I would've liked. like girl, you opened yourself up for that. the conflict was resolved too quickly. like Natalie was an asshole, and maybe I'm a petty bitch, but I wouldn't've forgiven her so quickly.

b) I know ball. I really can't tell if this author knows ball or not, but I'm leaning towards no. like it's set in the W, but also...not? obviously the main team is fictional, I get that, but then the rest of the teams are real teams with some real players and some fictional players? the line between reality and fiction was very distorted and it kept pulling me out of the narrative. sorry, not sorry, but saying that an Aces/Wings game is gonna be good is not true, but maybe in this world the Wings are good...? I don't know. it just kept confusing me and then I'd lose the plot, literally and metaphorically. also, again, as a ball knower, here's a quote that astounded me, "Not to mention, he's one of a very, very small cohort of Black men to play [quarterback]." sorry, what? I read that then listed off 10 Black starting QBs off the top of my head. maybe that was true even 5 years ago, and I'm not saying the league is not still incredibly racist and discriminatory, but there are Black QBs now. my king Lamar Jackson would like a word on the legacy he's created (sorry, I'll get back to the point). the thing is, I don't need sports romances to be 100% accurate, but if you're gonna make sports literally the whole world of the book (FMC #1 is a sports reporter and FMC #2 is a WNBA player) and include lots of details about the sports world, try to make it a little more accurate, I guess? again, it just kept taking me out of the world of the book that made it hard for me to focus on anything else going on.

other than the two of my flaws in regards to this book, my only other real complaint was that it was more formulaic than most formulaic romances I've read. you know I turn my brain off when I read, but even I could see the next plot point coming from a mile away. the truth is, I think this is a very weak romance book. I don't really know why these characters are destined to be. but, I think it kinda succeeds when you look at it from the lens of one of my fave sub-genres 'messy women literary fiction'. Felix has decent character development in the book. in 200 pages it gives her a good arc where she comes into her own as a woman, a partner, and a writer. as the sole POV of the book, it did pay off somewhat in that regard. but her romance with Natalie was very one dimensional. the sex was hot though, credit where credit is due. idk. it's giving Honey Girl. okay, I hope no one actually reads this review because it's a mess.

p.s. I also spent the whole book trying to decide which WNBA player FMC #2 is based off of and given the author is an alleged Sparks fan and the character is an all-around player that's 6'3" and blonde, I've decided she's a mix of Cameron Brink (looks), Kelsey Plum (personality), and A'ja Wilson (skill). thank you for your time.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sports journalist Felix is reassigned from the NFL to cover WNBA All-Star weekend, where she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the league's star player, Natalie Czapski, and the feeling becomes increasingly mutual.

As a reader who doesn't follow basketball closely, I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible and enjoyable Rooting Interest turned out to be. Disabato does something smart here: the sport is woven meaningfully into the story: it shapes both characters, drives the tension, and gives the romance its specific texture, without ever feeling like a crash course in WNBA stats. You don't need to know the game to root for these two.

The real draw is the queer representation, which feels genuine and lived-in rather than incidental. Felix's identity is part of who she is without being the whole story, and the vibrant community around women's basketball gives the book a warm, specific world to inhabit. The pacing is brisk, I found this to be a quick, satisfying read, and the spice delivers when it needs to. If you're looking for a romance that has real heat alongside its heart, this one checks that box.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Are you trapped in a Heated Rivalry loop? Do you enjoy a celebrity-normal person romance? Are you a women's basketball fan? If you answered yes to any of these, this romance novella is for you! Disabato pulls you into the world of the WNBA with a believable will they-won't they relationship. I enjoyed the peak behind the curtain of sports writing and the life of a professional athlete. This was the perfect read during my obsession with Heated Rivalry since it complements, not competes with, its vibes. I read every 831 Stories drop and this is my favorite since the first (Big Fan) which I'm not sure can be topped for me. I am an #831Ambassador and received this e-ARC in exchange for my review but my opinions are my own!

[Abena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, quick read that was hard to put down. It was my first time reading a book centered around the WNBA and the author did such a fantastic job bringing the sport to life—now I want to go to a game! The love story between the the main characters (a sports journalist named Jennifer Felix and a WNBA player named Natalie) was well developed and you couldn’t help but root from them to work through their shit to make their relationship work. The fleshed-out side characters, the spotlight the book brought to queer representation in sports, and Felix’s personal journey to being more confident in her skin were several of the many highlights of the novella.

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review**