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Rooting Interest: An 831 Stories Romance
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
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
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
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3894 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
February 1, 2026
had the best time and I don’t even know anything about basketball
January 28, 2026
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.
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.
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
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.
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 31, 2026
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!
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!
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!
January 31, 2026
3.5
We're following a sports journalist assigned to cover a local WNBA team, despite not knowing much about basketball. What starts as a job slowly turns into a genuine interest in the league and in one of the players she’s profiling. I loved seeing the WNBA centered, even if the mix of real teams and real players briefly took me out at times.
I thought it struck a smooth balance between sports, romance, and character work without feeling too cluttered. The romance is a true slow build, shaped by Felix’s job and her evolving sense of self.
Felix, in particular, feels fully realized and grounded.
My main critique is that Natalie isn’t as fleshed out as Felix. For a shorter book it makes sense, but at times she feels thinner on the page by comparison.
Overall, this was such an easy book to fall into, another win for the 831 universe.
We're following a sports journalist assigned to cover a local WNBA team, despite not knowing much about basketball. What starts as a job slowly turns into a genuine interest in the league and in one of the players she’s profiling. I loved seeing the WNBA centered, even if the mix of real teams and real players briefly took me out at times.
I thought it struck a smooth balance between sports, romance, and character work without feeling too cluttered. The romance is a true slow build, shaped by Felix’s job and her evolving sense of self.
Felix, in particular, feels fully realized and grounded.
My main critique is that Natalie isn’t as fleshed out as Felix. For a shorter book it makes sense, but at times she feels thinner on the page by comparison.
Overall, this was such an easy book to fall into, another win for the 831 universe.
January 30, 2026
as always with 831 novellas, I ate this up. loved loved loved the wnba player & sports reporter love story. While I found myself irritated with Felix at times, I appreciated her direct communication & was proud of her in the end. I loved how bold Natalie was with Felix. While the “third act breakup” was annoying to watch Natalie get in her own way, I enjoyed the ending. I have yet to read the epilogue on the website I’m so excited! My biggest qualm was that it wasn’t longer—typical with 831 & is precisely the magic of it. Leaves you wanting more!
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.
February 2, 2026
3.5 stars rounded down! I read tall blonde female athlete and said ok I’m sat .
Read
February 4, 2026Delightful, wnba, short. (actually the players are tall. 😉)
February 6, 2026
Cute and fun! My first sports romance and it was a basketball WLW...if only I had this in high school when I was playing the game myself. I feel like it was the perfect length and wasn't over the top. It was great to get me back in the reading mindset.
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
January 29, 2026
How sweet! Loved this one
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.
February 3, 2026
i have zero knowledge about basketball but i enjoyed felix & natalie's story
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.
February 3, 2026
I sense no love of the game here
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.
February 3, 2026
Can’t decide whether it’s a 3.5 or 4, so let’s call it 3.75? Rounding up for Goodreads because of this silly subjective rating scale I’ve made up in my head-
Nothing about the plot description of this story is in my usual fanfare. Well, that’s not entirely true and makes me sound homophobic or something. I’m always down for a sapphic story! But a sapphic women’s NBA story is normally very low on the list of sapphic books I’d like to read. However, I trusted 831 stories because they haven’t let me down thus far. I need to stop telling people that I don’t like romance books very much because 831 stories has turned me into a bold-faced liar. Every book I have read by them I’ve really enjoyed and this one was no different.
Again, hilarious that I was deeply enraptured by a basketball story, but it was the characters that really made this for me. Something I love about all the 831 books I’ve read is that the main characters feel SO developed. I felt like I really grew to know Felix, understand her, and love her, which is especially impressive given how short this book, technically a novella, is. She felt like a fully-developed person with hopes and dreams and baggage and drive, which is definitely not always the case when it comes to romance. Sometimes the MC’s traits and own journey can feel secondary to developing the romance, but in this book, they worked in tandem and the payoff was really really lovely. I was less interested in Natalie’s baggage because her association with injuries and romance was frankly a bit annoying and clearly irritational, but I’m not a professional athlete and understand this part of the story would probably speak more deeply to a different reader. Either way, I was rooting for them both. Also, the side characters—Felix’s BFFS—were both super fun.
I haven’t even gotten to my favorite part of the 831 stories yet, which is that because they’re all novellas, the third-act breakups are SHORT. I have no desire or interest in reading chapters upon chapters of this. It’s my least favorite part of a romance. So I loved how short it was in this book, even though it was still annoying to watch Natalie get in her own way. I’m impressed by all that Disabato fit into this little package—it was sexy, sweet, spicy (another 831 trademark!) and while not my favorite 831 (Comedic Timing) this was the perfect literary sorbet in between heavier reads. All you Heated Rivalry fans (of which I am obviously one), maybe this is what you’re looking for in the aftermath? It won’t fill the void, but it will give you more people to yearn for and a fun few options to continue the story after you reach the last page!
Nothing about the plot description of this story is in my usual fanfare. Well, that’s not entirely true and makes me sound homophobic or something. I’m always down for a sapphic story! But a sapphic women’s NBA story is normally very low on the list of sapphic books I’d like to read. However, I trusted 831 stories because they haven’t let me down thus far. I need to stop telling people that I don’t like romance books very much because 831 stories has turned me into a bold-faced liar. Every book I have read by them I’ve really enjoyed and this one was no different.
Again, hilarious that I was deeply enraptured by a basketball story, but it was the characters that really made this for me. Something I love about all the 831 books I’ve read is that the main characters feel SO developed. I felt like I really grew to know Felix, understand her, and love her, which is especially impressive given how short this book, technically a novella, is. She felt like a fully-developed person with hopes and dreams and baggage and drive, which is definitely not always the case when it comes to romance. Sometimes the MC’s traits and own journey can feel secondary to developing the romance, but in this book, they worked in tandem and the payoff was really really lovely. I was less interested in Natalie’s baggage because her association with injuries and romance was frankly a bit annoying and clearly irritational, but I’m not a professional athlete and understand this part of the story would probably speak more deeply to a different reader. Either way, I was rooting for them both. Also, the side characters—Felix’s BFFS—were both super fun.
I haven’t even gotten to my favorite part of the 831 stories yet, which is that because they’re all novellas, the third-act breakups are SHORT. I have no desire or interest in reading chapters upon chapters of this. It’s my least favorite part of a romance. So I loved how short it was in this book, even though it was still annoying to watch Natalie get in her own way. I’m impressed by all that Disabato fit into this little package—it was sexy, sweet, spicy (another 831 trademark!) and while not my favorite 831 (Comedic Timing) this was the perfect literary sorbet in between heavier reads. All you Heated Rivalry fans (of which I am obviously one), maybe this is what you’re looking for in the aftermath? It won’t fill the void, but it will give you more people to yearn for and a fun few options to continue the story after you reach the last page!
January 28, 2026
I’m taking a different approach to rating this book than I usually do. I typically rate purely off feelings — how happy, ecstatic, broken, wrathful do I feel after turning the last page?
But this novel truly sits in a lukewarm and commonly cozy space that isn’t too uncomfortable, too passionate, too romantic, too emotive. At the same time, there is discomfort because I find this tepidness to be so true of modern dating that it’s heartbreaking.
The ending feels rather true too, though I won’t spoil it. How do we leave off a something and nothing kind of connection? Where neither person says what they’re feeling out loud, yet it’s not silent. At best, it’s ignored.
I think that makes me uncomfortable because I hate to reflect on how self-sabotaging folks are and how eager we are to do ourselves this disservice. Rather than working through pain, we run from it, we torture others, we torture ourselves. Can’t we embrace the good and the bad at once?
I also think there’s some reactive discomfort because I am someone straddling an in-between. Nothing like this, but something close enough that could also be changed with a few words. It’s not necessary right now, but I think back to the times when it was—when I thought I was being appropriately demanding. When instead, I should have walked away. Sometimes we walk away too late to save ourselves from damage. Sometimes we need to admit what we knew from the start. That’s not really a thought I want to leave with at the end of a romantic novella. But it’s a real as 2026 is devastating.
So the book is 4 stars because it’s good. I love that sports were made enjoyable for me. I love the representation. The queerness. The ferality. The bold nods to racism and misogyny.
I like having to confront how commonplace these shades of romantic experiences are — nothing special. Sometimes you move on and everything’s peachy. Sometimes you walk away. Sometimes it never comes to blows (isn’t that what we all desire?) but at the end of the day, nothing really breaks you. Even an end is not THE end.
So maybe I read way too much into this, but as a queer woman I felt that a lot of the romance and intrigue was that subtle reading between the lines sort. The intimacy not overly exaggerated to twist something from your core. Everything required a lean in. And so I have to admit that leaving this book with neutral feelings, despite all that I was compelled to ruminate…that’s a pretty good book.
Plus, I’m a sucker for 831 Stories.
Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC! And happy pub day :)
But this novel truly sits in a lukewarm and commonly cozy space that isn’t too uncomfortable, too passionate, too romantic, too emotive. At the same time, there is discomfort because I find this tepidness to be so true of modern dating that it’s heartbreaking.
The ending feels rather true too, though I won’t spoil it. How do we leave off a something and nothing kind of connection? Where neither person says what they’re feeling out loud, yet it’s not silent. At best, it’s ignored.
I think that makes me uncomfortable because I hate to reflect on how self-sabotaging folks are and how eager we are to do ourselves this disservice. Rather than working through pain, we run from it, we torture others, we torture ourselves. Can’t we embrace the good and the bad at once?
I also think there’s some reactive discomfort because I am someone straddling an in-between. Nothing like this, but something close enough that could also be changed with a few words. It’s not necessary right now, but I think back to the times when it was—when I thought I was being appropriately demanding. When instead, I should have walked away. Sometimes we walk away too late to save ourselves from damage. Sometimes we need to admit what we knew from the start. That’s not really a thought I want to leave with at the end of a romantic novella. But it’s a real as 2026 is devastating.
So the book is 4 stars because it’s good. I love that sports were made enjoyable for me. I love the representation. The queerness. The ferality. The bold nods to racism and misogyny.
I like having to confront how commonplace these shades of romantic experiences are — nothing special. Sometimes you move on and everything’s peachy. Sometimes you walk away. Sometimes it never comes to blows (isn’t that what we all desire?) but at the end of the day, nothing really breaks you. Even an end is not THE end.
So maybe I read way too much into this, but as a queer woman I felt that a lot of the romance and intrigue was that subtle reading between the lines sort. The intimacy not overly exaggerated to twist something from your core. Everything required a lean in. And so I have to admit that leaving this book with neutral feelings, despite all that I was compelled to ruminate…that’s a pretty good book.
Plus, I’m a sucker for 831 Stories.
Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC! And happy pub day :)
February 3, 2026
Thank you so much 831 for the chance to read this! This is my second 831 stories read and I can confidently say I am obsessed.
Rooting Interest follows Jennifer Felix, a sports journalist living in LA, writing her dream beat for the Cougars in the NFL. Felix gets pulled from her beat to cover the rise in popularity of the WNBA, attending All Stars weekend and covering the hot comeback of Natalie Czapski who is returning from injury. Admittedly, Felix knows little about the W and dreams of returning to the NFL. But through attending games and getting to know Natalie better (and working her ass off researching), Felix begins to see what is so enticing about the league.
Natalie swears she is married to basketball, so it can never be anything serious, but sparks seriously fly between her and Felix. Reading their story was so fun and fast paced, I couldn't put this down! I think my one complaint for these books would be they're such good short reads, that I wish they were longer! I know the point is they are shorter and always pack a punch, but I love digging deeper (especially in queer romances) into their pasts, families, found families, deeper convos, etc. But again, the two book that I have read from 831 have been amazing! Just wish I could sit in the stories a little longer : )
I've been a fan of the W for over ten years, so this book was such a treat to me! I loved the nods to past legends and currents stars, and even an Ellie shoutout when they played the Liberty. But what I loved most about this book is how well it captures how open, freeing, inclusive, and celebratory it feels to be in a WNBA space as a fan. Whether you're in the arena or watching it at your local gay sports bar, the community you feel at a women's sport event is one of a kind! You could feel the moment Felix realized this was more than a game, and more than a reassignment to her. Women's sports are so special & to watch a queer woman fall in love with an inherently queer league was everything to me!
I would love to stay in this world and have a book about Weesie, Casey, or Sean!
Rooting Interest follows Jennifer Felix, a sports journalist living in LA, writing her dream beat for the Cougars in the NFL. Felix gets pulled from her beat to cover the rise in popularity of the WNBA, attending All Stars weekend and covering the hot comeback of Natalie Czapski who is returning from injury. Admittedly, Felix knows little about the W and dreams of returning to the NFL. But through attending games and getting to know Natalie better (and working her ass off researching), Felix begins to see what is so enticing about the league.
Natalie swears she is married to basketball, so it can never be anything serious, but sparks seriously fly between her and Felix. Reading their story was so fun and fast paced, I couldn't put this down! I think my one complaint for these books would be they're such good short reads, that I wish they were longer! I know the point is they are shorter and always pack a punch, but I love digging deeper (especially in queer romances) into their pasts, families, found families, deeper convos, etc. But again, the two book that I have read from 831 have been amazing! Just wish I could sit in the stories a little longer : )
I've been a fan of the W for over ten years, so this book was such a treat to me! I loved the nods to past legends and currents stars, and even an Ellie shoutout when they played the Liberty. But what I loved most about this book is how well it captures how open, freeing, inclusive, and celebratory it feels to be in a WNBA space as a fan. Whether you're in the arena or watching it at your local gay sports bar, the community you feel at a women's sport event is one of a kind! You could feel the moment Felix realized this was more than a game, and more than a reassignment to her. Women's sports are so special & to watch a queer woman fall in love with an inherently queer league was everything to me!
I would love to stay in this world and have a book about Weesie, Casey, or Sean!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5 stars
One thing about me is if there is a WNBA romance novel, I'm going to read it! I've been skeptical of 831 Stories marketing and their general "Not Like Other Romance Novels" vibe but the desire for more WNBA romances had me requesting this title. And I enjoyed it!!
I love basketball and I love the WNBA so I loved seeing the league in fiction! It was kind of weird to have some real players/teams in the text while others were fictional in a way that had me like who is Natalie supposed to be?? But I could mostly ignore that and enjoy what was happening in the book. (RIP LA SPARKS LOL)
I've seen that 831 FMC's tend to be pretty generic so readers can self interest and I found Jennifer Felix to be kind of like that. She has some interesting qualities, but doesn't really stand out as a character. I did really like her journey covering the W and how she found her niche in sports reporting. The ending had me a bit emotional in a way I did not expect.
What I enjoyed about this book was the little details. Felix's love of sports. Natalie carrying in the Golden Compass in her tunnel entrance. Little nods to the W. The sports bar the friends go to. Felix casually coming out in her work. The queer elders who have been fans of the W since the beginning.
This book won me over ONLY FOR THE ENDING TO BE SO ABRUPT AND THEN I HAD TO GO TO A WEBSITE (WITH MERCH???) TO READ THE EPILOGUE??? I finished this book on my kindle at 12am. and then I had to go find my phone and expose my eyes to a SCREEN to read the ending to this book to see these two get their HEA bc the ending of the text is an implied HFN. This really turned me off the whole experience and while I enjoyed the epilogue I was annoyed it WASN'T IN THE BOOK.
*thanks to the publisher for an eARC; all thoughts are my own*
One thing about me is if there is a WNBA romance novel, I'm going to read it! I've been skeptical of 831 Stories marketing and their general "Not Like Other Romance Novels" vibe but the desire for more WNBA romances had me requesting this title. And I enjoyed it!!
I love basketball and I love the WNBA so I loved seeing the league in fiction! It was kind of weird to have some real players/teams in the text while others were fictional in a way that had me like who is Natalie supposed to be?? But I could mostly ignore that and enjoy what was happening in the book. (RIP LA SPARKS LOL)
I've seen that 831 FMC's tend to be pretty generic so readers can self interest and I found Jennifer Felix to be kind of like that. She has some interesting qualities, but doesn't really stand out as a character. I did really like her journey covering the W and how she found her niche in sports reporting. The ending had me a bit emotional in a way I did not expect.
What I enjoyed about this book was the little details. Felix's love of sports. Natalie carrying in the Golden Compass in her tunnel entrance. Little nods to the W. The sports bar the friends go to. Felix casually coming out in her work. The queer elders who have been fans of the W since the beginning.
This book won me over ONLY FOR THE ENDING TO BE SO ABRUPT AND THEN I HAD TO GO TO A WEBSITE (WITH MERCH???) TO READ THE EPILOGUE??? I finished this book on my kindle at 12am. and then I had to go find my phone and expose my eyes to a SCREEN to read the ending to this book to see these two get their HEA bc the ending of the text is an implied HFN. This really turned me off the whole experience and while I enjoyed the epilogue I was annoyed it WASN'T IN THE BOOK.
*thanks to the publisher for an eARC; all thoughts are my own*
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 !!**
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