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Abby Offsides
In this witty and heartfelt debut, a woman's impulsive journey across the pond after a broken engagement leads her to a new love—and a new version of herself.
Seeking a fresh start after leaving her cheating fiancé, Abby McIntyre makes a series of spontaneous decisions: She quits her job. She books a one-way flight to the UK. She even gets bangs!
Newly arrived in Liverpool, she lands a job with the Mersey Football Club and meets Lachlan Ramsay, the recently recruited Scottish star midfielder. Both lonely in a new city, the pair bond quickly, and Abby finds it nearly impossible to deny their chemistry—despite the nagging guilt she feels about Lachlan’s mysterious wife who didn’t relocate with her husband.
When Abby’s housing falls through, Lachlan insists she move into his massive penthouse. As they spend almost every waking moment together, Abby wonders if it’s possible that the world-famous footballer could be falling for her, too. But with her job and his marriage dependent on them staying firmly in the friend zone, can Abby risk being caught offside?
Crackling with witty banter and palpable sexual tension, Abby Offsides is at once a smoldering, slow-burn romance and a nuanced exploration of one woman’s journey to reclaim her own dreams and desires after years of living life on autopilot.
Seeking a fresh start after leaving her cheating fiancé, Abby McIntyre makes a series of spontaneous decisions: She quits her job. She books a one-way flight to the UK. She even gets bangs!
Newly arrived in Liverpool, she lands a job with the Mersey Football Club and meets Lachlan Ramsay, the recently recruited Scottish star midfielder. Both lonely in a new city, the pair bond quickly, and Abby finds it nearly impossible to deny their chemistry—despite the nagging guilt she feels about Lachlan’s mysterious wife who didn’t relocate with her husband.
When Abby’s housing falls through, Lachlan insists she move into his massive penthouse. As they spend almost every waking moment together, Abby wonders if it’s possible that the world-famous footballer could be falling for her, too. But with her job and his marriage dependent on them staying firmly in the friend zone, can Abby risk being caught offside?
Crackling with witty banter and palpable sexual tension, Abby Offsides is at once a smoldering, slow-burn romance and a nuanced exploration of one woman’s journey to reclaim her own dreams and desires after years of living life on autopilot.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2026
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July 12, 2026
4⭐️s
Abby is ready for a fresh start after discovering her fiancé has been cheating, forcing her to call off their wedding. Knowing nothing about football, she flies to Liverpool and accepts a job with Mersey Football Club, where she meets Lachlan Ramsay, the club's newly recruited Scottish midfielder. Lachlan is dealing with troubles of his own after his wife chooses to remain in Spain rather than follow him to England.
Lachlan was a top-tier swoon-worthy MMC. Was Lachlan married? Yes. Was there emotional cheating? Also yes. Was I still rooting for Abby and Lachlan? One hundred percent.
I know some readers are very black and white when it comes to any form of cheating, including emotional cheating, but I found this to be a much grayer situation. While I REALLY wish they had talked about their issues instead of pretending they didn’t exist, the emotional cheating was handled in a way that allowed me to understand all sides of the story. There were definitely times I didn’t agree with Abby’s choices especially given why she called off her wedding, but I enjoyed watching her growth as she navigated a very messy and difficult time in her life.
If there had been more communication earlier on about the situation they found themselves in, this would have been a five-star read for me. I loved the banter, the slow-burn tension, the humor, the characters, and the camaraderie within the team.
Overall, this was a very solid debut, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next.
Now available! My thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for my digital ARC.
Abby is ready for a fresh start after discovering her fiancé has been cheating, forcing her to call off their wedding. Knowing nothing about football, she flies to Liverpool and accepts a job with Mersey Football Club, where she meets Lachlan Ramsay, the club's newly recruited Scottish midfielder. Lachlan is dealing with troubles of his own after his wife chooses to remain in Spain rather than follow him to England.
Lachlan was a top-tier swoon-worthy MMC. Was Lachlan married? Yes. Was there emotional cheating? Also yes. Was I still rooting for Abby and Lachlan? One hundred percent.
I know some readers are very black and white when it comes to any form of cheating, including emotional cheating, but I found this to be a much grayer situation. While I REALLY wish they had talked about their issues instead of pretending they didn’t exist, the emotional cheating was handled in a way that allowed me to understand all sides of the story. There were definitely times I didn’t agree with Abby’s choices especially given why she called off her wedding, but I enjoyed watching her growth as she navigated a very messy and difficult time in her life.
If there had been more communication earlier on about the situation they found themselves in, this would have been a five-star read for me. I loved the banter, the slow-burn tension, the humor, the characters, and the camaraderie within the team.
Overall, this was a very solid debut, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next.
Now available! My thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for my digital ARC.
November 12, 2025
First of all, I have to admit something crucial: I LOVE football (and yes, it's blasphemy to call it soccer—it's FOOTBALL, dear readers!). I come from a family of passionate football lovers who took me to matches when I was only five years old! I had my designated groups in the stadiums, my sacred match-day routines, and I know the entire rulebook—probably better than some TV sports commentators, if I'm being honest. I've arrived late to my prom, my wedding day, and important meetings when they conflicted with my team's matches, so yes, I breathe and live this sport. Naturally, this made me the perfect fit to dive headfirst into this book with unbridled enthusiasm!
There are striking similarities with my favorite Apple TV show, Ted Lasso—only gender-reversed! We have an American learning the rules of the British Premier League, a friendship forged between wounded souls, troubled marriages, and healing from the damage inflicted by toxic exes. It also reminds me of Ted and Rebecca's dynamic (though they're unfortunately not meant to be romantically—though I'm STILL keeping my hopes up for a surprising upcoming season in Kansas featuring the women's soccer league!). Anyway, let's return to this debut novel, which I mostly enjoyed, especially the entertaining job interview opening where Abby decides to leave her life in the States behind and become part of Mersey Football Club in Liverpool. She wants to showcase her social media marketing skills, even though she doesn't know much about the sport—but her confidence and determination were enough to hook me immediately!
After her meeting with grumpy but gorgeously, mouth-wateringly hot Lachlan Ramsay, the storyline's resemblance to Ted and Rebecca quickly shifted into something more reminiscent of Keeley and Roy Kent's relationship (though Abby is vastly different from Keeley's bubbly personality, Lachlan's grumpiness and no-nonsense demeanor absolutely reminded me of Roy's energy). Lachlan is a Scottish star midfielder recently transferred from Spain, with a mysterious wife Abby never gets the chance to meet. Their dynamic starts with a slight enemies-to-lovers vibe—mostly grumpy-meets-partial-sunshine energy—then gradually transforms into friends-to-lovers with delicious slow-burn progression and forced proximity thrown into the equation when Abby's housing situation falls apart and she moves into Lachlan's luxurious penthouse.
The chemistry? Absolutely scorching. The banter? Brilliantly executed and laugh-out-loud funny. As both a football fanatic and a devoted Ted Lasso enthusiast, it was impossible for me not to thoroughly enjoy this book, which expertly weaves together several beloved tropes. I especially loved the themes of self-discovery and learning to differentiate right from wrong as Abby tries desperately to hold back her growing feelings because she believes she's falling for a married man. She respects the ethics of her profession and doesn't want to lose the job she's worked so hard to secure.
The only thing that made me drop my rating to 3.5 stars (and this is hard to explain without spoiling anything) is that certain communication issues in this book dragged on unrealistically long for normal, rational people, which significantly affected the entire progression between the main characters. I genuinely wished the obstacles could have been constructed differently or resolved more naturally. Besides that one frustration, this is a fun, easy-to-read, thoroughly enjoyable debut from an author whose sarcastic, engaging tone I absolutely loved. I'm genuinely looking forward to reading her upcoming works!
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell for providing me with this entertaining rom-com's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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There are striking similarities with my favorite Apple TV show, Ted Lasso—only gender-reversed! We have an American learning the rules of the British Premier League, a friendship forged between wounded souls, troubled marriages, and healing from the damage inflicted by toxic exes. It also reminds me of Ted and Rebecca's dynamic (though they're unfortunately not meant to be romantically—though I'm STILL keeping my hopes up for a surprising upcoming season in Kansas featuring the women's soccer league!). Anyway, let's return to this debut novel, which I mostly enjoyed, especially the entertaining job interview opening where Abby decides to leave her life in the States behind and become part of Mersey Football Club in Liverpool. She wants to showcase her social media marketing skills, even though she doesn't know much about the sport—but her confidence and determination were enough to hook me immediately!
After her meeting with grumpy but gorgeously, mouth-wateringly hot Lachlan Ramsay, the storyline's resemblance to Ted and Rebecca quickly shifted into something more reminiscent of Keeley and Roy Kent's relationship (though Abby is vastly different from Keeley's bubbly personality, Lachlan's grumpiness and no-nonsense demeanor absolutely reminded me of Roy's energy). Lachlan is a Scottish star midfielder recently transferred from Spain, with a mysterious wife Abby never gets the chance to meet. Their dynamic starts with a slight enemies-to-lovers vibe—mostly grumpy-meets-partial-sunshine energy—then gradually transforms into friends-to-lovers with delicious slow-burn progression and forced proximity thrown into the equation when Abby's housing situation falls apart and she moves into Lachlan's luxurious penthouse.
The chemistry? Absolutely scorching. The banter? Brilliantly executed and laugh-out-loud funny. As both a football fanatic and a devoted Ted Lasso enthusiast, it was impossible for me not to thoroughly enjoy this book, which expertly weaves together several beloved tropes. I especially loved the themes of self-discovery and learning to differentiate right from wrong as Abby tries desperately to hold back her growing feelings because she believes she's falling for a married man. She respects the ethics of her profession and doesn't want to lose the job she's worked so hard to secure.
The only thing that made me drop my rating to 3.5 stars (and this is hard to explain without spoiling anything) is that certain communication issues in this book dragged on unrealistically long for normal, rational people, which significantly affected the entire progression between the main characters. I genuinely wished the obstacles could have been constructed differently or resolved more naturally. Besides that one frustration, this is a fun, easy-to-read, thoroughly enjoyable debut from an author whose sarcastic, engaging tone I absolutely loved. I'm genuinely looking forward to reading her upcoming works!
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell for providing me with this entertaining rom-com's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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May 28, 2026
3/5 Stars
This was a nice debut by Anna McCallie that’s left me so conflicted. It was insanely well written. The chemistry between Abby and Lachlan was off the charts. I also loved the camaraderie among the entire team. It gave Ted Lasso vibes in the best way. I loved all the characters and the humor was laugh out loud funny.
I just wish that the Abby and Lachlan’s relationship didn’t center around infidelity. If not, this would’ve easily been a 5 star read for me. That was super disappointing and frustrating. Like why couldn’t they have a conversation about Lachlan’s marriage?! Who is telling their married friend about their sex dreams?! Why would she be the other woman when the whole plot is centered around the fact that she left a long term relationship where she was cheated on?! It made no sense and I was legitimately angry. And his poor wife! Made out to be the villain when she clearly wasn’t. The misogyny there was upsetting. The ending was partially redemptive, but they only ended up taking like 2ish months to “heal” before diving back into a relationship. That felt so disingenuous.
Ugh. I’m genuinely so bummed because I really do think this author has so much potential. But in good faith, I just can’t rate this one any higher. I would definitely check out future books by McCallie because I truly did enjoy the writing!
Biggest thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine | Dell for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review! ❤️
This was a nice debut by Anna McCallie that’s left me so conflicted. It was insanely well written. The chemistry between Abby and Lachlan was off the charts. I also loved the camaraderie among the entire team. It gave Ted Lasso vibes in the best way. I loved all the characters and the humor was laugh out loud funny.
I just wish that the Abby and Lachlan’s relationship didn’t center around infidelity. If not, this would’ve easily been a 5 star read for me. That was super disappointing and frustrating. Like why couldn’t they have a conversation about Lachlan’s marriage?! Who is telling their married friend about their sex dreams?! Why would she be the other woman when the whole plot is centered around the fact that she left a long term relationship where she was cheated on?! It made no sense and I was legitimately angry. And his poor wife! Made out to be the villain when she clearly wasn’t. The misogyny there was upsetting. The ending was partially redemptive, but they only ended up taking like 2ish months to “heal” before diving back into a relationship. That felt so disingenuous.
Ugh. I’m genuinely so bummed because I really do think this author has so much potential. But in good faith, I just can’t rate this one any higher. I would definitely check out future books by McCallie because I truly did enjoy the writing!
Biggest thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine | Dell for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review! ❤️
January 6, 2026
Fresh from a broken engagement, FMC Abby moves across the Atlantic Ocean to the UK to run from her heartbreak, and start work for the Mercy Football Club. Abby is sarcastic and her self deprecating humor lends for some really funny banter between her and her new coworkers and friends. Before she even gets the job she runs into Scottish player Lachlan. Kinda wishing I listened to this one to hear his accent, I bet it’s swoony. Abby and Lachlan have instant chemistry, but once Abby realizes he’s married, into the friend zone she put him. Having been cheated on by her ex, Abby won’t be the other woman, but emotionally lines are definitely crossed. This will definitely be a slippery slope for those who don’t want OW/OM drama at all, but if you can with no issue I definitely would jump in. I liked the humanness the author was able to flesh out even from the smallest character. I definitely felt everyone’s sides to how things rolled out. Abby is our only narrator but honestly I didn’t need Lachlans. Though he and Abby never brought up the elephant in the room, once it comes to a head the resolution is so satisfying. I had that stupid, dopey grin one gets when the HEA hits hard. This is authors debut and wow. She’s definitely one I’ll follow going forward.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 25, 2026
From the moment this debut was announced via @thousandvoices, it immediately catapulted to the top of my TBR (I mean look at this cover alone 😍). But it turns out neither the cover, nor the synopsis, nor the glowing reviews did it justice.
What I love most about this contemporary fiction with a strong side of romance, is the incredible journey our heroine takes— from the emotional to the romantic, and of course the gigantic leap of faith across the pond to a whole new sport and culture.
Her character growth arc was as wholly relatable as it was inspirational. She is a character you cannot help but root for all along the way. But just as Abby is struggling to find her way, so is Lachlan in a very different but equally profound way. What makes this story so refreshing is the mature way in which they both work towards a future they can be proud of even with missteps and communication mishaps along the way. By the end, as the reader finds themselves rooting for the Mersey Football Club to win it all, there is an equal emotional investment in the outcome of these two friends turned more.
“Life is messy. It’s imperfect and it’s hard and you can make plans but they’re going to be derailed.”
In many ways, this quote summarizes what lies at the center of this story. It’s the messiness of life; the heartbreak, the mistakes, the tears, the laughter, the friends we meet along the way, the people we let go of. And this beautiful book shows us just what Abby comes to realize— that “life is a game, and it is beautiful.”
Read if you like:
▪️genre mashups
▪️sports romance
▪️journeys of self-discovery
▪️forbidden love
▪️fútbol
▪️Ted Lasso x Kulti
Thank you Thousand Voices and PRH for the gifted copies.
What I love most about this contemporary fiction with a strong side of romance, is the incredible journey our heroine takes— from the emotional to the romantic, and of course the gigantic leap of faith across the pond to a whole new sport and culture.
Her character growth arc was as wholly relatable as it was inspirational. She is a character you cannot help but root for all along the way. But just as Abby is struggling to find her way, so is Lachlan in a very different but equally profound way. What makes this story so refreshing is the mature way in which they both work towards a future they can be proud of even with missteps and communication mishaps along the way. By the end, as the reader finds themselves rooting for the Mersey Football Club to win it all, there is an equal emotional investment in the outcome of these two friends turned more.
“Life is messy. It’s imperfect and it’s hard and you can make plans but they’re going to be derailed.”
In many ways, this quote summarizes what lies at the center of this story. It’s the messiness of life; the heartbreak, the mistakes, the tears, the laughter, the friends we meet along the way, the people we let go of. And this beautiful book shows us just what Abby comes to realize— that “life is a game, and it is beautiful.”
Read if you like:
▪️genre mashups
▪️sports romance
▪️journeys of self-discovery
▪️forbidden love
▪️fútbol
▪️Ted Lasso x Kulti
Thank you Thousand Voices and PRH for the gifted copies.
July 4, 2026
I feel like this will be a love it or hate it book that hinges on your feelings about infidelity.
This was a love & hate book for me and rating-wise I put it in the middle because I wasn’t sure what else to do.
The romance in this book starts as an intense emotional affair. The sexual tension is high, both parties know they shouldn’t but can’t help falling in love with one another despite the red flags everywhere.
Eventually the emotional affair ends before it gets out and out sexual and the two step back from one another and take some time to sort out their own lives and relationships.
But. This is a romance novel. You know what the ending is going in. You know that something that starts pretty toxic is going to end up happily ever after.
That is where I struggled. Fitting a very well-told story about the intoxicating experience of an emotional affair into the constraints of the romance genre… concerned me. Infidelity is not uncommon, but what place does it have in a happily ever after?
Aside from the issue of infidelity… the writing was great. The banter was cute and funny, some of the best I’ve read in a long time. The character growth was exactly what I like to see in a romance- a woman flourishing in her career and her friendships and finding herself. The football setting was fun and timely and gave that found family theme I also love in romances.
I have not read a book that elicited such complicated feelings in me. I guess that is a credit to the author, but… I think she wrote the wrong story for this genre. I’d love to see what she could do with this story as a drama or what she could with this story by making the workplace drama the tension instead.
This was a love & hate book for me and rating-wise I put it in the middle because I wasn’t sure what else to do.
The romance in this book starts as an intense emotional affair. The sexual tension is high, both parties know they shouldn’t but can’t help falling in love with one another despite the red flags everywhere.
Eventually the emotional affair ends before it gets out and out sexual and the two step back from one another and take some time to sort out their own lives and relationships.
But. This is a romance novel. You know what the ending is going in. You know that something that starts pretty toxic is going to end up happily ever after.
That is where I struggled. Fitting a very well-told story about the intoxicating experience of an emotional affair into the constraints of the romance genre… concerned me. Infidelity is not uncommon, but what place does it have in a happily ever after?
Aside from the issue of infidelity… the writing was great. The banter was cute and funny, some of the best I’ve read in a long time. The character growth was exactly what I like to see in a romance- a woman flourishing in her career and her friendships and finding herself. The football setting was fun and timely and gave that found family theme I also love in romances.
I have not read a book that elicited such complicated feelings in me. I guess that is a credit to the author, but… I think she wrote the wrong story for this genre. I’d love to see what she could do with this story as a drama or what she could with this story by making the workplace drama the tension instead.
June 28, 2026
oh i am so obsessed with this book!! before i get into the review, this is my warning that this book contains A LOT of emotional cheating so if that is not your jam be warned!! that’s why i can’t in good conscious give this 5 stars but just know i want to so bad!!!
but anyways, this was SO good. i have never read tension like this before i was literally sweating screaming biting my fist 🙂↕️ like i cannot stress the tension enough. AND THE BANTER!! i was grinning like a damn fool, laughing out loud at so many moments but also such a lovely story of self discovery and life changes and going after what you deserve. just all around so well done considering the situation these two are in and it truly didn’t feel icky to me at any point, i was just stressed tf out!!
but anyways, this was SO good. i have never read tension like this before i was literally sweating screaming biting my fist 🙂↕️ like i cannot stress the tension enough. AND THE BANTER!! i was grinning like a damn fool, laughing out loud at so many moments but also such a lovely story of self discovery and life changes and going after what you deserve. just all around so well done considering the situation these two are in and it truly didn’t feel icky to me at any point, i was just stressed tf out!!
July 1, 2026
Imma be so real with y’all, I didn’t gaf about the fact that this man was married at all. This book got me out of the worst reading slump of my life. Ted Lasso if it was a 2000s messy CW show.
June 23, 2026
wtf, what the actual fuck
jail, straight jail to anyone who gives it a rating more than one star.
jail, straight jail to anyone who gives it a rating more than one star.
July 6, 2026
3 ⭐
Післяфутбольна ейфорія покинула мене, і прийшло усвідомлення, який же чгг свиня.
Катастрофічно не вистачило розділів від нього. Хотілося б побачити деякі речі через його призму. Боягузлива поведінка і перекидання відповідальності на гг - не додали йому балів аж ніяк.
Попри все, історія написана досить цікаво: гострі жарти й живі діалоги. І все це підкріплено футбольною атмосферою Англії. Фанатам Ліверпуля ця книжка однозначно сподобається більше за інших 😅 Відсилку до Клоппа я зацінила на 100%.
YNWA 😎
Післяфутбольна ейфорія покинула мене, і прийшло усвідомлення, який же чгг свиня.
Катастрофічно не вистачило розділів від нього. Хотілося б побачити деякі речі через його призму. Боягузлива поведінка і перекидання відповідальності на гг - не додали йому балів аж ніяк.
Попри все, історія написана досить цікаво: гострі жарти й живі діалоги. І все це підкріплено футбольною атмосферою Англії. Фанатам Ліверпуля ця книжка однозначно сподобається більше за інших 😅 Відсилку до Клоппа я зацінила на 100%.
YNWA 😎
June 25, 2026
I was really excited for this book! However, it didn't meet my expectations. A lot of the story was tell not show, which removed a lot of the romance and relationship building. The FMC was a quasi-Mary Sue, where everyone loved her, and all the football players just adored and she was JUST SO funny. Also, it was annoying how naive she was about the relationship with the MMC. A lot of this felt silly, and not believable. It had a lot potential, it just didn't hit for me.
July 20, 2026
If you love rapid-fire, witty banter, let me tell you, this is IT. This was such a refreshing take on a sports romance, with a major dash of self-discovery for main character Abby. I was immediately invested in her fresh start, moving to Liverpool to work in social media for a professional football club, where she quickly forms a friendship with Scottish star player Lachlan Ramsay. Of course, things become much more complicated as attraction grows, especially with Lachlan still seemingly married. Oop!
I adored the Mersey teammates! They genuinely felt like a family. Everyone was treated the same, they were incredibly close-knit, and I loved how quickly Abby became part of the group, complete with plenty of playful ribbing. I will say, though, that Lachlan was almost too nice and open at first, to the point where it felt a little overeager and odd. Inviting Abby to live with him and being so immediately welcoming actually put me off a bit because it almost felt too perfect ... maybe even a little contrived?
But gosh, the sexual tension! And I really appreciate how honestly this explored marital separation and the messy, confusing, and emotionally complicated situation for everyone involved. I especially loved the emphasis on healing, growth, and figuring out who these characters were outside of their past relationships. There was patience and plenty of hard conversations, making the inevitable moment of Abby and Lachlan finally coming together feel all the more satisfying!
(spice level: 2 open-door scenes, moderate details)
I adored the Mersey teammates! They genuinely felt like a family. Everyone was treated the same, they were incredibly close-knit, and I loved how quickly Abby became part of the group, complete with plenty of playful ribbing. I will say, though, that Lachlan was almost too nice and open at first, to the point where it felt a little overeager and odd. Inviting Abby to live with him and being so immediately welcoming actually put me off a bit because it almost felt too perfect ... maybe even a little contrived?
But gosh, the sexual tension! And I really appreciate how honestly this explored marital separation and the messy, confusing, and emotionally complicated situation for everyone involved. I especially loved the emphasis on healing, growth, and figuring out who these characters were outside of their past relationships. There was patience and plenty of hard conversations, making the inevitable moment of Abby and Lachlan finally coming together feel all the more satisfying!
(spice level: 2 open-door scenes, moderate details)
July 3, 2026
4.5⭐️
Thank you @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner for the #gifted audiobook so I could go between eyeballs and earballs.
🔥🔥Technically one open door scene, one HIGH tension sort of fade to black scene, as well as innuendo and chatter outside of the bedroom.
CW: Emotional infidelity
Quick intro:
On the heels of a broken engagement and in search of a fresh start, social media manager Abby up and moves to England to work for the Mersey Football Club.
Quick thoughts:
Listen, when one of my trusted friends LOVES this book (@laura.getslit) and one of my trusted friends (@books_with_bex) LOAAAAATHES it, I know I have to read it so see where I fall. I’m happy to report I fall on the LOVE side, with a couple caveats.
This book will hook you immediately with its humor and banter and if you’re listening to the audiobook, the Scottish accent that Mia Hutchinson-Shaw pulls off for Lachlan (purrrrrrrr….highly recommend). I laughed out loud so much while reading this - the author is SO dang witty. BUT LISTEN. This is a messy messy romance. There were times (many) where I wanted to smack our MCs and ring their freaking necks because of bad decisions and lack of self awareness and their inability to have a freaking conversation. Sorry to those who were around me when I read this publicly because I was….very vocal.
HOWEVER, I loved this book?! I think it’s a testament to Anna’s writing (a debut hellooooo) that I didn’t absolutely hate the whole thing given the fact that the MMC is separated from his wife for the entire book. Any instance of mess/emotional infidelity is usually a hard no for me, but for some reason it worked in this instance and I ended up feeling really satisfied with both of the MCs journeys at the end. And even cried, because it was so dang beautiful. I think the topic is handled with such care and nuance. And can we give a shout out to Josh!? Abby’s BFF who was the voice of reason and such a good friend. We need more Joshes in the world. 👏🏼
I also want to add that I LOVED the Mersey Football Club. Reading the team scenes reminded me of how I felt reading The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams. Anna masterfully handled the locker room and soccer scenes in a way that made the room feel full, chaotic, lively, and all-in-all made sense. It was in these scenes I felt like her writing really shined.
Read this book if you like the SLOWEST OF SLOW BURNS, sports romances, workplaces romances, high tension, so much yearning, found family, deliciously funny banter, accents, are ok with MESS, bingeable reads, and know nothing about the World Cup but are in the mood for something soccer related because of it all (I.e. me).
Thank you @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner for the #gifted audiobook so I could go between eyeballs and earballs.
🔥🔥Technically one open door scene, one HIGH tension sort of fade to black scene, as well as innuendo and chatter outside of the bedroom.
CW: Emotional infidelity
Quick intro:
On the heels of a broken engagement and in search of a fresh start, social media manager Abby up and moves to England to work for the Mersey Football Club.
Quick thoughts:
Listen, when one of my trusted friends LOVES this book (@laura.getslit) and one of my trusted friends (@books_with_bex) LOAAAAATHES it, I know I have to read it so see where I fall. I’m happy to report I fall on the LOVE side, with a couple caveats.
This book will hook you immediately with its humor and banter and if you’re listening to the audiobook, the Scottish accent that Mia Hutchinson-Shaw pulls off for Lachlan (purrrrrrrr….highly recommend). I laughed out loud so much while reading this - the author is SO dang witty. BUT LISTEN. This is a messy messy romance. There were times (many) where I wanted to smack our MCs and ring their freaking necks because of bad decisions and lack of self awareness and their inability to have a freaking conversation. Sorry to those who were around me when I read this publicly because I was….very vocal.
HOWEVER, I loved this book?! I think it’s a testament to Anna’s writing (a debut hellooooo) that I didn’t absolutely hate the whole thing given the fact that the MMC is separated from his wife for the entire book. Any instance of mess/emotional infidelity is usually a hard no for me, but for some reason it worked in this instance and I ended up feeling really satisfied with both of the MCs journeys at the end. And even cried, because it was so dang beautiful. I think the topic is handled with such care and nuance. And can we give a shout out to Josh!? Abby’s BFF who was the voice of reason and such a good friend. We need more Joshes in the world. 👏🏼
I also want to add that I LOVED the Mersey Football Club. Reading the team scenes reminded me of how I felt reading The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams. Anna masterfully handled the locker room and soccer scenes in a way that made the room feel full, chaotic, lively, and all-in-all made sense. It was in these scenes I felt like her writing really shined.
Read this book if you like the SLOWEST OF SLOW BURNS, sports romances, workplaces romances, high tension, so much yearning, found family, deliciously funny banter, accents, are ok with MESS, bingeable reads, and know nothing about the World Cup but are in the mood for something soccer related because of it all (I.e. me).
July 18, 2026
4.5 stars— one of the best romances I’ve read this year. A realistic feeling love story, very well written, great banter, tension off the charts. Super impressed by this debut.
October 25, 2025
Abby finds herself in Liverpool, thousands of miles from home, after calling off her wedding to her cheating fiancé. When she lands a content creator role for a professional football (aka soccer) team, she meets Lachlan Ramsey — handsome, funny, kind… and married. Though Lachlan and his wife, Claire, are clearly on the rocks and have already filed for separation, something still holds him back from Abby. It all comes to a crashing head on New Year’s Eve — words are said, mistakes are made, and hearts are broken. Can Abby and Lachlan find a way through the mess?
Okay, first of all — this book is a masterpiece. Second of all, I wanted to throw my Kindle against the wall more than once. Both characters are painfully avoidant, and it drove me absolutely mad (in the best way). Around 70% in, something happened that made me have to take a walk to cool off. But that’s the power of a good book — it makes you feel everything.
It was laugh-out-loud funny, the humor was 10/10, and I highlighted a million witty lines. The angst and sexual tension were unmatched, and the slow burn? Torturous in the most delicious way. I couldn’t put it down. Not gonna lie, I was kicking my feet more than a few times. Complicated, emotional, funny, and full of heart — I loved every minute.
Tropes:
🔥 Forbidden romance
💬 Friends to lovers
⚽ Professional athlete
💞 Slow burn
Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, first of all — this book is a masterpiece. Second of all, I wanted to throw my Kindle against the wall more than once. Both characters are painfully avoidant, and it drove me absolutely mad (in the best way). Around 70% in, something happened that made me have to take a walk to cool off. But that’s the power of a good book — it makes you feel everything.
It was laugh-out-loud funny, the humor was 10/10, and I highlighted a million witty lines. The angst and sexual tension were unmatched, and the slow burn? Torturous in the most delicious way. I couldn’t put it down. Not gonna lie, I was kicking my feet more than a few times. Complicated, emotional, funny, and full of heart — I loved every minute.
Tropes:
🔥 Forbidden romance
💬 Friends to lovers
⚽ Professional athlete
💞 Slow burn
Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell for the ARC!
Sports romance? Absolutely count me in. As a longtime fan of rom-coms, this novel delivered everything I hoped for and more. The realness of emotions after a complicated breakup and overseas move was well displayed throughout the book. The slow burn tension was on point. All while also highlighting Abby’s friendships and chosen family. The banter is sharp, playful, and completely irresistible. This is a standout debut from Anna McCallie, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Sports romance? Absolutely count me in. As a longtime fan of rom-coms, this novel delivered everything I hoped for and more. The realness of emotions after a complicated breakup and overseas move was well displayed throughout the book. The slow burn tension was on point. All while also highlighting Abby’s friendships and chosen family. The banter is sharp, playful, and completely irresistible. This is a standout debut from Anna McCallie, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
July 19, 2026
4.5 ☆
Anna McCallie couldn't have timed her debut better if she'd tried. A sports romcom about a girl from Boston falling for a Scottish footballer as the Bostonians fell hard for the Scots during the World Cup IRL? Epic.
This one truly has it all: witty, heartfelt storytelling with relatable characters and a smoldering romance. Abby and Lachlan are a dynamic pair, and the slow burn from friends to lovers is palpable. Side characters add zest and drama and help ground the story. Josh is not only the quintessential bff but the 5 star voice of reason.
Look, I get it: infidelity + mis/ lack of communication are never tropes I'm going to love. BUT... as far as Lachlan’s marital status, it's stated in the synopsis. Even if you miss that, you know it early into reading. There's no gaslighting of falling in love with these two only to be like "ope, btw, he's married!" You have the facts from the get go and so do they, and the situation is carefully treaded. Did I wish the knuckleheads would fully have The Talk sooner? Sure, but that kind of conflict avoidance is on par for the Brits and fit the characters and story. It serves to significantly drive the plot as Abby is self aware and constantly internally questioning things. Honestly? I was too dang delighted by the book as a whole to be hung up on my usual qualms in these areas so bravo to McCallie!
I came for the Ted Lasso vibes (which delivered) and stayed for the top notch banter, crackling chemistry, and charming characters. This debut had me victoriously yelling "Gooooaaaalll!!" all the way.
🎙 Happy ears! Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was at the mic, and she was an absolute pro, as usual, at shifting between accents and tones for characters and dialogue.
Anna McCallie couldn't have timed her debut better if she'd tried. A sports romcom about a girl from Boston falling for a Scottish footballer as the Bostonians fell hard for the Scots during the World Cup IRL? Epic.
This one truly has it all: witty, heartfelt storytelling with relatable characters and a smoldering romance. Abby and Lachlan are a dynamic pair, and the slow burn from friends to lovers is palpable. Side characters add zest and drama and help ground the story. Josh is not only the quintessential bff but the 5 star voice of reason.
Look, I get it: infidelity + mis/ lack of communication are never tropes I'm going to love. BUT... as far as Lachlan’s marital status, it's stated in the synopsis. Even if you miss that, you know it early into reading. There's no gaslighting of falling in love with these two only to be like "ope, btw, he's married!" You have the facts from the get go and so do they, and the situation is carefully treaded. Did I wish the knuckleheads would fully have The Talk sooner? Sure, but that kind of conflict avoidance is on par for the Brits and fit the characters and story. It serves to significantly drive the plot as Abby is self aware and constantly internally questioning things. Honestly? I was too dang delighted by the book as a whole to be hung up on my usual qualms in these areas so bravo to McCallie!
I came for the Ted Lasso vibes (which delivered) and stayed for the top notch banter, crackling chemistry, and charming characters. This debut had me victoriously yelling "Gooooaaaalll!!" all the way.
🎙 Happy ears! Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was at the mic, and she was an absolute pro, as usual, at shifting between accents and tones for characters and dialogue.
July 15, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Abby Offsides had all the ingredients of a romance I expected to enjoy: a fresh-start heroine, a charming Scottish football club, workplace romance, and forced proximity. Unfortunately, while I can absolutely see why so many readers are loving this one, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
After her wedding is unexpectedly called off, Abby leaves Boston—where she managed social media for the Red Sox—and heads to the UK for a chance at a new beginning. She lands a job with Mercy Football Club, and the sports setting immediately gave me Ted Lasso vibes. Even if you’re not a huge soccer fan, the behind-the-scenes look at the club was one of my favorite parts of the novel.
Abbey herself was easy to root for. Watching her rebuild her life after such a public heartbreak was my favorite aspect of the story, and I genuinely enjoyed following her professional journey.
Where the book lost me was the romance. Lachlan and Abby have undeniable chemistry, but I struggled with the fact that Lachlan was still married and attempting to repair his relationship with his wife, Claire, when those feelings began to develop. I found myself rooting for him and Claire to reconcile instead of hoping he’d end up with Abby, which is obviously not the reaction I want to have while reading a romance.
The heavy reliance on miscommunication didn’t help either. So many conflicts felt like they could have been resolved with one honest conversation, and after a while that became more frustrating than romantic.
That said, I think readers who enjoy lots of yearning, forced proximity, and sports romances in the vein of Chloe Liese may have a very different experience than I did. If I could go back, I’d probably choose the audiobook—I have a feeling hearing Lachlan’s Scottish accent would add an extra layer of charm that I missed on the page.
This one ultimately wasn’t for me, but I completely understand why it’s found such an enthusiastic audience.
Abby Offsides had all the ingredients of a romance I expected to enjoy: a fresh-start heroine, a charming Scottish football club, workplace romance, and forced proximity. Unfortunately, while I can absolutely see why so many readers are loving this one, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
After her wedding is unexpectedly called off, Abby leaves Boston—where she managed social media for the Red Sox—and heads to the UK for a chance at a new beginning. She lands a job with Mercy Football Club, and the sports setting immediately gave me Ted Lasso vibes. Even if you’re not a huge soccer fan, the behind-the-scenes look at the club was one of my favorite parts of the novel.
Abbey herself was easy to root for. Watching her rebuild her life after such a public heartbreak was my favorite aspect of the story, and I genuinely enjoyed following her professional journey.
Where the book lost me was the romance. Lachlan and Abby have undeniable chemistry, but I struggled with the fact that Lachlan was still married and attempting to repair his relationship with his wife, Claire, when those feelings began to develop. I found myself rooting for him and Claire to reconcile instead of hoping he’d end up with Abby, which is obviously not the reaction I want to have while reading a romance.
The heavy reliance on miscommunication didn’t help either. So many conflicts felt like they could have been resolved with one honest conversation, and after a while that became more frustrating than romantic.
That said, I think readers who enjoy lots of yearning, forced proximity, and sports romances in the vein of Chloe Liese may have a very different experience than I did. If I could go back, I’d probably choose the audiobook—I have a feeling hearing Lachlan’s Scottish accent would add an extra layer of charm that I missed on the page.
This one ultimately wasn’t for me, but I completely understand why it’s found such an enthusiastic audience.
June 25, 2026
Genre: Sports/ Contemporary Romance
Format: 📱eARC
Pub date: June 23, 2026
Abby McIntyre moves from Boston to Liverpool after breaking off her engagement with her cheating ex-fiancée. She takes a marketing job with the Mersey football club, even though she knows nothing about football (soccer). Abby develops a strong friendship with star player, Lachlan Ramsay. As Abby begins to rebuild her life, she must decide which lines she is willing to cross to get what she really wants.
Themes and Vibes:
⚽️ sports romance
⚽️ friends to more
⚽️ slow-burn
⚽️ witty banter
⚽️ self-discovery
This story was witty and heartfelt. The author did great job of bringing the characters to life, making you feel the camaraderie of the team, and making you feel the emotional dilemma that Abby faced.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advance copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Format: 📱eARC
Pub date: June 23, 2026
Abby McIntyre moves from Boston to Liverpool after breaking off her engagement with her cheating ex-fiancée. She takes a marketing job with the Mersey football club, even though she knows nothing about football (soccer). Abby develops a strong friendship with star player, Lachlan Ramsay. As Abby begins to rebuild her life, she must decide which lines she is willing to cross to get what she really wants.
Themes and Vibes:
⚽️ sports romance
⚽️ friends to more
⚽️ slow-burn
⚽️ witty banter
⚽️ self-discovery
This story was witty and heartfelt. The author did great job of bringing the characters to life, making you feel the camaraderie of the team, and making you feel the emotional dilemma that Abby faced.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advance copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
July 5, 2026
I think this book best comps to Emily Henry's Funny Story in that both books are really following an FMC getting her life together after her wedding falls apart, though the two books obviously diverge tremendously from there. I compare it to Emily Henry though so that you know the vibes on the romance to contemporary fiction continuum. The romance in this book is so MESSY though too, so that's important to keep in mind. Actually read the description of this book if emotional cheating is something that you're a hard no on. But this book caught me off guard when suddenly I was crying, so I really do think it's an absolutely fantastic debut. Definitely the perfect time to read it too, with the World Cup happening.
July 13, 2026
4.5 stars!
I was so excited to read this book as a football fan, and it did not disappoint! The banter was so amazing and I loved Abby’s character arc as she finds the beauty in life again
In Abby Offsides, we follow Abby who makes an impulsive decision to move from Boston to Liverpool to start a new life after a bad break up. She gets a job at Mersey F.C as a social media manager and meets Lachlan Ramsay ,the recently recruited Scottish star midfielder. After Abby’s experience with a number of dodgy flatmates, she moves in to Lachlan’s penthouse - but just as friends (or are they..??)
The slow burn and banter was EXQUISITE in this novel, as Abby and Lachlan are dealing with their past failed relationships and the risk of Abby being fired if her boss finds out about their relationship. This book made me realise we need more UK-based football romances, I always eat them up!
I’m hoping we get another book from the perspective of some of Lachlan’s team mates and Abby’s co-workers (*cough* Sadie and Bashie). I highly recommend this book, especially since the World Cup is currently on!
I was so excited to read this book as a football fan, and it did not disappoint! The banter was so amazing and I loved Abby’s character arc as she finds the beauty in life again
In Abby Offsides, we follow Abby who makes an impulsive decision to move from Boston to Liverpool to start a new life after a bad break up. She gets a job at Mersey F.C as a social media manager and meets Lachlan Ramsay ,the recently recruited Scottish star midfielder. After Abby’s experience with a number of dodgy flatmates, she moves in to Lachlan’s penthouse - but just as friends (or are they..??)
The slow burn and banter was EXQUISITE in this novel, as Abby and Lachlan are dealing with their past failed relationships and the risk of Abby being fired if her boss finds out about their relationship. This book made me realise we need more UK-based football romances, I always eat them up!
I’m hoping we get another book from the perspective of some of Lachlan’s team mates and Abby’s co-workers (*cough* Sadie and Bashie). I highly recommend this book, especially since the World Cup is currently on!
July 9, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Guys… THE BANTER. I loved this book so much and had the best time reading it.
This might not be a book for everyone because of elements surrounding the characters’ friendship/relationship but I thought it was handled really well and the author can write some banter!!! Can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
Guys… THE BANTER. I loved this book so much and had the best time reading it.
This might not be a book for everyone because of elements surrounding the characters’ friendship/relationship but I thought it was handled really well and the author can write some banter!!! Can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
July 13, 2026
Book #74 of 2026
Thank you to @prhaudio for this gifted audiobook
The perfect sports rom com! Felt like a combination of Ted Lasso with Ten Things I Hate About You (for some reason to me). I loved the accents in the audio and found this to be such an easy book to get sucked into. There is only one open door scene, for which I appreciate! If you love a rom com with sports themes, found family, and self-discovery, this could be a great read.
Thank you to @prhaudio for this gifted audiobook
The perfect sports rom com! Felt like a combination of Ted Lasso with Ten Things I Hate About You (for some reason to me). I loved the accents in the audio and found this to be such an easy book to get sucked into. There is only one open door scene, for which I appreciate! If you love a rom com with sports themes, found family, and self-discovery, this could be a great read.
July 21, 2026
4.5/5 - loved it
There was no better time to binge this soccer romance than during the World Cup. I'm not a huge sports romance girlie, I just don't tend to read much of them (except for the Off Campus series), but this book made me rethink why. I loved ABBY OFFSIDES! If you enjoy romance with great witty banter and crackling slow burn tension, then you will love this.
After breaking off her engagement Abby spontaneously moves from Boston to Liverpool for a job opportunity running social media for the Mersey Football Club. Day one she bumps into (literally) their Scottish star recruit, Lachlan Ramsay. Both new to town they strike up a friendship, and although their chemistry is palpable Abby insists a friendship is all there is - because Lachlan is married. Eek!
A lot of readers will see the married MMC and steer clear, but I personally think there was a lot of nuance to his situation and have to applaud the author at how it was handled. For the most part it was done so well in my humble opinion! The writing is really crisp and the slow burn tension had me literally obsessed, so every time I picked the book up I read chunks at a time. I couldn't put it down! There was some miscommunication that went on for a bit too long for me, but otherwise I truly enjoyed my time with this debut! I can't wait to see what else Anna McCallie has for us in the future!
There was no better time to binge this soccer romance than during the World Cup. I'm not a huge sports romance girlie, I just don't tend to read much of them (except for the Off Campus series), but this book made me rethink why. I loved ABBY OFFSIDES! If you enjoy romance with great witty banter and crackling slow burn tension, then you will love this.
After breaking off her engagement Abby spontaneously moves from Boston to Liverpool for a job opportunity running social media for the Mersey Football Club. Day one she bumps into (literally) their Scottish star recruit, Lachlan Ramsay. Both new to town they strike up a friendship, and although their chemistry is palpable Abby insists a friendship is all there is - because Lachlan is married. Eek!
A lot of readers will see the married MMC and steer clear, but I personally think there was a lot of nuance to his situation and have to applaud the author at how it was handled. For the most part it was done so well in my humble opinion! The writing is really crisp and the slow burn tension had me literally obsessed, so every time I picked the book up I read chunks at a time. I couldn't put it down! There was some miscommunication that went on for a bit too long for me, but otherwise I truly enjoyed my time with this debut! I can't wait to see what else Anna McCallie has for us in the future!
April 26, 2026
Abby Offsides is a fast-paced, soccer rom-com about a woman named Abby who goes through a harsh break up from her fiancé and flees Boston to live in Liverpool for a new start. She becomes a social media manager for a pro football (⚽️) team and sparks a romance with a Scottish player named Lachlan.
Abby and Lachlan become fast friends and quickly gain attraction for each other, but there’s a line they know they can’t cross for many reasons.
Something that I enjoyed from this story were the Ted Lasso vibes I got from the beginning. An American coming to work for an English football team without knowing anything about the sport. Because of this element, I was excited to dive into the story from the start.
The banter between Abby and Lachlan was really entertaining and light hearted. Abby quickly developed a good relationship with all of the players and other coworkers which I found endearing.
The reason why I’m choosing to give this story a 3 star is what Abby’s and Lachlan’s relationship is built on. I understand people go through unique experiences at all ages, but I can’t support the things they were doing and acting like as people in their early 30s. Their relationship felt dirty to me and I think the trope is one that I don’t really enjoy. I was really enjoying seeing their friendship develop but as we got deeper into the issues, it just started to feel wrong. I personally wouldn’t want my friends in this situation, so I’m not going to enjoy my fiction characters in this state of delusion either. I’m giving this an average rating because everything else other than the romance was enjoyable, I just wish the romance didn’t feel like they were late teens/early 20s even though they were in their early 30s.
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna McCallie, and Dell for the eARC! Abby Offsides will be officially published on June 23rd, 2026.
Abby and Lachlan become fast friends and quickly gain attraction for each other, but there’s a line they know they can’t cross for many reasons.
Something that I enjoyed from this story were the Ted Lasso vibes I got from the beginning. An American coming to work for an English football team without knowing anything about the sport. Because of this element, I was excited to dive into the story from the start.
The banter between Abby and Lachlan was really entertaining and light hearted. Abby quickly developed a good relationship with all of the players and other coworkers which I found endearing.
The reason why I’m choosing to give this story a 3 star is what Abby’s and Lachlan’s relationship is built on. I understand people go through unique experiences at all ages, but I can’t support the things they were doing and acting like as people in their early 30s. Their relationship felt dirty to me and I think the trope is one that I don’t really enjoy. I was really enjoying seeing their friendship develop but as we got deeper into the issues, it just started to feel wrong. I personally wouldn’t want my friends in this situation, so I’m not going to enjoy my fiction characters in this state of delusion either. I’m giving this an average rating because everything else other than the romance was enjoyable, I just wish the romance didn’t feel like they were late teens/early 20s even though they were in their early 30s.
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna McCallie, and Dell for the eARC! Abby Offsides will be officially published on June 23rd, 2026.
November 16, 2025
Right off the bat, I knew this book was going to lean full rom-com in the best way. And when I pick up a rom-com, I want to know that’s what I’m getting into. From the very first chapter, Abby’s personality jumps off the page—quick-witted, sharp as a tack, effortlessly funny. Every one of her relationships, from friendships to colleagues to romance, has this warm, genuine feel that makes you root for her instantly.
Nobody loves a storyline where the “other woman” wins… but this book handles that angle so differently. It is that trope, but also absolutely not. You really have to read through to the end to understand how thoughtfully it’s done.
What I loved most was watching Abby find herself over the course of the story. It isn’t just a romance—it’s a journey of self-worth and stepping into your own life with confidence.
This is a slow-burn, soccer-themed rom-com, but you definitely don’t need to know anything about soccer to follow along. Some of the phrases the characters use went right over my head at first, but they fit the tone perfectly and added charm instead of confusion.
Abby and Lachlan’s progression felt natural, sweet, and genuinely satisfying. Overall, I really enjoyed the entire story and the heart behind it.
If this is going to end up a series, there are so many side characters with perfect main character energy.
Nobody loves a storyline where the “other woman” wins… but this book handles that angle so differently. It is that trope, but also absolutely not. You really have to read through to the end to understand how thoughtfully it’s done.
What I loved most was watching Abby find herself over the course of the story. It isn’t just a romance—it’s a journey of self-worth and stepping into your own life with confidence.
This is a slow-burn, soccer-themed rom-com, but you definitely don’t need to know anything about soccer to follow along. Some of the phrases the characters use went right over my head at first, but they fit the tone perfectly and added charm instead of confusion.
Abby and Lachlan’s progression felt natural, sweet, and genuinely satisfying. Overall, I really enjoyed the entire story and the heart behind it.
If this is going to end up a series, there are so many side characters with perfect main character energy.
December 23, 2025
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dell for an early e-Arc copy of Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. In theory the premise of the story is right up my alley, unfortunately the execution felt flat.
Abbey is a likeable FMC, I won’t lie there. She’s funny, witty and has been through a lot and it’s just trying to stay afloat. My issue is that she’s doing to someone exactly what was done to her. She’s having a whole emotional affair with Lachlan, all the while, knowing he was married.
I did see that the blurb had mentioned he was married but I figured they wouldn’t get emotionally involved with each other until afterwards.
I did like the friendship and banter between Abby and Lachlan, I just wish that they would be distant friends while he was married and that things had only developed after his separation, and I wished they had conversations about the situation sooner. If it wasn’t for this, I honestly think I would’ve really enjoyed the story and the development between the characters since they had some good banter and time to develop as characters. Honestly they deserve each other.
Overall the story was okay, definitely not for me personally but the book wasn’t terribly written or had bad pacing issues.
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. In theory the premise of the story is right up my alley, unfortunately the execution felt flat.
Abbey is a likeable FMC, I won’t lie there. She’s funny, witty and has been through a lot and it’s just trying to stay afloat. My issue is that she’s doing to someone exactly what was done to her. She’s having a whole emotional affair with Lachlan, all the while, knowing he was married.
I did see that the blurb had mentioned he was married but I figured they wouldn’t get emotionally involved with each other until afterwards.
I did like the friendship and banter between Abby and Lachlan, I just wish that they would be distant friends while he was married and that things had only developed after his separation, and I wished they had conversations about the situation sooner. If it wasn’t for this, I honestly think I would’ve really enjoyed the story and the development between the characters since they had some good banter and time to develop as characters. Honestly they deserve each other.
Overall the story was okay, definitely not for me personally but the book wasn’t terribly written or had bad pacing issues.
June 23, 2026
Happy pub date to one of my fave books of the year!!!
I will be singing the praises of Abby Offsides from every rooftop. This book has everything: a realistic FMC, a swoony Scottish love interest, SUCH a lovable supporting cast, and a high-energy soccer (sorry…football) atmosphere. I’d say the vibes are impeccably Ted Lasso romcom core.
Abby is a sharp, witty American coming off a baaaad breakup. She decides to hop across the pond and work for a football club in Liverpool—and she doesn’t know a thing about this kind of football! Of course, the footballers are all easy on the eyes…but none hold a candle to Lachlan Ramsey (who also happens to have a biiiiiit of baggage). Our girl Abby has a lot to learn and it is such a fun journey. This story had me giggling and blushing, but it also made my heart ache!!
All I can say is THANK YOU NetGalley for this ARC… I’m forever grateful. 4.5 🌟 rounded up! Seriously. I can’t believe this is a debut. Anna McCallie, I’m your new biggest fan. And now I have a parasocial connection to these fictional characters.
I will be singing the praises of Abby Offsides from every rooftop. This book has everything: a realistic FMC, a swoony Scottish love interest, SUCH a lovable supporting cast, and a high-energy soccer (sorry…football) atmosphere. I’d say the vibes are impeccably Ted Lasso romcom core.
Abby is a sharp, witty American coming off a baaaad breakup. She decides to hop across the pond and work for a football club in Liverpool—and she doesn’t know a thing about this kind of football! Of course, the footballers are all easy on the eyes…but none hold a candle to Lachlan Ramsey (who also happens to have a biiiiiit of baggage). Our girl Abby has a lot to learn and it is such a fun journey. This story had me giggling and blushing, but it also made my heart ache!!
All I can say is THANK YOU NetGalley for this ARC… I’m forever grateful. 4.5 🌟 rounded up! Seriously. I can’t believe this is a debut. Anna McCallie, I’m your new biggest fan. And now I have a parasocial connection to these fictional characters.
February 13, 2026
Overall: 3.25/5
Cheating: 5/5
Football Mention: 5/5
I received an ARC of Abby Offsides from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This was a hell of a book. It hit close to home in ways I wasn’t fully prepared for. At its core, it’s a story about rebuilding, starting over, and navigating the messy reality of cheating on both sides.
This feels like the “mistress story” the one where we’re asked to see her side, understand her perspective, and maybe even feel sorry for her. We’re also meant to feel relief when the original marriage falls apart. There’s very little real discussion of the emotional cheating beyond simply labeling it, which left me wanting more depth and accountability.
My favorite character was the best friend. He was the only one willing to tell the FMC the truth, and try to stick to morals and ethics.
If you’re okay with exploring the other woman’s side of the story, this might work really well for you.
Cheating: 5/5
Football Mention: 5/5
I received an ARC of Abby Offsides from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This was a hell of a book. It hit close to home in ways I wasn’t fully prepared for. At its core, it’s a story about rebuilding, starting over, and navigating the messy reality of cheating on both sides.
This feels like the “mistress story” the one where we’re asked to see her side, understand her perspective, and maybe even feel sorry for her. We’re also meant to feel relief when the original marriage falls apart. There’s very little real discussion of the emotional cheating beyond simply labeling it, which left me wanting more depth and accountability.
My favorite character was the best friend. He was the only one willing to tell the FMC the truth, and try to stick to morals and ethics.
If you’re okay with exploring the other woman’s side of the story, this might work really well for you.
January 10, 2026
what an incredible debut novel! i loved this from the moment i picked it up. lachlan was such a golden retriever and i absolutely LOVED him! i also loved abby so much. it was so fun watching her navigate her new life in another country after a failed engagement. she was so strong and so funny! the only thing that kept this from being a 5 star for me is that i feel like it moved a little too quickly for my liking. i really enjoy more of a slow burn. this has great tension, but it could have been even better!! all in all, i HIGHLY recommend abby offsides to any romance reader and think it will be highly enjoyable!
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