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Half-Court Heat
The spotlight’s never been hotter, and neither has their love.
Lex Bennet didn’t plan on falling for Eva Montgomery—her fiercest collegiate basketball rival, turned teammate, turned secret girlfriend. Now, with the cameras off and the season over, they finally have a shot at something real. For once, Lex isn’t chasing wins. She’s chasing a future.
But being in love with one of the most recognizable faces in women’s sports means there’s no such thing as off-the-clock. Eva’s rising star draws endorsements, headlines, and pressure Lex never expected. When the pair signs on to a new, high-profile basketball league in Miami, the glare of fame only intensifies—and so do the cracks in their bond. And just when Lex starts to wonder if their love can survive life in the spotlight, a devastating injury threatens to upend everything.
Suddenly, it’s not just about whether Lex and Eva can go the distance—but whether they’re strong enough to hold on when everything around them begins to fall apart.
Lex Bennet didn’t plan on falling for Eva Montgomery—her fiercest collegiate basketball rival, turned teammate, turned secret girlfriend. Now, with the cameras off and the season over, they finally have a shot at something real. For once, Lex isn’t chasing wins. She’s chasing a future.
But being in love with one of the most recognizable faces in women’s sports means there’s no such thing as off-the-clock. Eva’s rising star draws endorsements, headlines, and pressure Lex never expected. When the pair signs on to a new, high-profile basketball league in Miami, the glare of fame only intensifies—and so do the cracks in their bond. And just when Lex starts to wonder if their love can survive life in the spotlight, a devastating injury threatens to upend everything.
Suddenly, it’s not just about whether Lex and Eva can go the distance—but whether they’re strong enough to hold on when everything around them begins to fall apart.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2025
109 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Lentzski
30 books857 followersEliza Lentzski is the best-selling author of sapphic fiction, romance, and erotica including the Winter Jacket and Don’t Call Me Hero series. A historian by day, Eliza is passionate about telling the stories of marginalized communities.
Born and raised in the upper Midwest—a landscape that often shapes her novels—Eliza now lives in Boston with her wife and their cat, Charley.
Born and raised in the upper Midwest—a landscape that often shapes her novels—Eliza now lives in Boston with her wife and their cat, Charley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 19, 2025
Nice read!
A steamy at times book #2 of the 'Hoops & Heartstrings' women's basketball series. Passionate and explicit sex scenes abound between the leads (Eva & Lex) -- tastefully and enticingly written.
Think their love story might continue.... book #3?
Recommended book and series!
A steamy at times book #2 of the 'Hoops & Heartstrings' women's basketball series. Passionate and explicit sex scenes abound between the leads (Eva & Lex) -- tastefully and enticingly written.
Think their love story might continue.... book #3?
Recommended book and series!
October 5, 2025
5/5 - sapphic, basketball, contemporary, sequel, celebrity, sports. I loved the first book and was excited to see how Lex and Eva’s story would progress here. I’m happy to say this turned out to be an excellent sequel that did not disappoint! We get plenty of spice but also more relationship development and angst btwn the leads, making their relationship feel more realistic and believable. Eva’s fame and Lex’s complicated feelings towards that fame were very well handled. Also, Unrivaled! I loved how Eliza doesn’t shy away from big topics going on in the basketball world like the CBA and Unrivaled/WNBA dynamics, even touching on the issues specially facing Black women in sports. I do wish we got a few more scenes on the court with Lex and Eva, but oh well, can’t really complain. Loved it and am dying for more books like this!
October 17, 2025
Just ok. I really enjoyed the first book of this series. The rivals to lovers storyline was great and the ending left me wanting more. This sequel does not live up to the first. It was an interesting choice to have this immediately take place right after then ending in book one. The first half of this was ok - but as hot 🔥 as it was, I kept wondering, where is this going? The second half didn’t really clear that up at all and just kinda was all over the place tone and pacing wise. By the ending of this one (which has an 18 month time skip epilogue) it feels clear this is going to be a trilogy and book 2 just comes off as a weird placeholder for that.
October 6, 2025
2,75/5 stars
I read the first book in march and was a little let down by how it ended. Needless to say I was excited to see if this sequel would tie everything up nicely- I was hoping to see them settle into their careers and their relationship and maybe the author would slip a little further into the future and we would get to see where they would be. At first it was very promising but the second half of this was a mess and I’m still not satisfied with the outcome of this story. Kinda bummed about this.
I read the first book in march and was a little let down by how it ended. Needless to say I was excited to see if this sequel would tie everything up nicely- I was hoping to see them settle into their careers and their relationship and maybe the author would slip a little further into the future and we would get to see where they would be. At first it was very promising but the second half of this was a mess and I’m still not satisfied with the outcome of this story. Kinda bummed about this.
November 23, 2025
High 4+…. Loved the series! Waiting for book 3 to ‘pop up’ 😊
January 4, 2026
I feel similarly about this book to how I felt about the first one which was that it was fine. I like the first one more because it’s a classic rivals to lovers set up to it. This felt a bit like a sequel that could’ve been a bonus epilogue novella. I just feel like the way the previous book ended didn’t really lend itself to it becoming a series. A follow up novella? Sure. But while I enjoyed it the first one I didn’t exactly leave me desperate for more. It ended succinctly and gave no indication that a sequel was to come. So now that we have the sequel a part of me can’t help but ask, what is really necessary?
That being said, it still was a solid book. It brought up realities in pro basketball that are very similar to what’s happening in reality (at least as far as the fight for fair pay, I’m not sure where the WNBA and the players are exactly in that journey). There were plot points that caused conflict that made sense (sort of, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Kate/Rayah situation but whatever). In terms of sequels that were unexpected and initially felt unnecessary, this book definitely did well. A fine follow up to a fine book.
SHOUTOUT to the interracial relationship rep! Yet another criminally underrepresented dynamic in fiction. It’s more so mentioned/present in the first book but obviously still exists in this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️(3 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(4.5 rounded up, I lost count how many explicit scenes, somewhere around 6-8 which is a lot for only so many pages imo)
That being said, it still was a solid book. It brought up realities in pro basketball that are very similar to what’s happening in reality (at least as far as the fight for fair pay, I’m not sure where the WNBA and the players are exactly in that journey). There were plot points that caused conflict that made sense (sort of, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Kate/Rayah situation but whatever). In terms of sequels that were unexpected and initially felt unnecessary, this book definitely did well. A fine follow up to a fine book.
SHOUTOUT to the interracial relationship rep! Yet another criminally underrepresented dynamic in fiction. It’s more so mentioned/present in the first book but obviously still exists in this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️(3 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(4.5 rounded up, I lost count how many explicit scenes, somewhere around 6-8 which is a lot for only so many pages imo)
October 6, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded to 4! I didn’t realize there was a second book to this! I was so excited to read it because I loved Hoops and Heartstrings. Once again, the author hit the WNBA/women’s basketball culutre perfectly.
There’s already an established relationship, so it did feel a little stagnant at times. However, I’m fully invested in their relationship now and want another book where they get married and have babies lol
There’s already an established relationship, so it did feel a little stagnant at times. However, I’m fully invested in their relationship now and want another book where they get married and have babies lol
October 4, 2025
Good stuff! I enjoyed this a lot even though I don’t know anything about the WNBA. These two are so hot together. The author knows how to write excellent spicy scenes. I loved Eva’s vulnerable side and her openness about her feelings towards Lex. The only thing that annoyed me was how she didn’t stick up for Lex with her mother/ex girlfriend in the moment. The side characters were entertaining.
Keep them coming! This was fun.
Keep them coming! This was fun.
October 15, 2025
Argh, I was so frustrated reading this. You know when you absolutely love a Disney movie — say, The Lion King — and you watch it all the time, and then they release The Lion King 2, and you’re excited but secretly wondering why they bothered to ruin a good thing? Well, Half-Court Heat is The Lion King 2… if Simba and Nala were horny young adults trying to navigate long-distance, that is.
Seriously — there wasn’t much point to this. Half of the book is pure smut. Hot, sure, and I loved that in the first one because it served a purpose then. Here, it didn’t.
I honestly didn’t know what the plot was supposed to be. Lex was being a big baby — it’s been, what, one month since they went public with their relationship? And she’s already throwing tantrums about Eva’s obligations? Boo boo, your girlfriend is a millionaire and a busy professional! I felt like the angst was forced, and I couldn’t find any real “moral” or emotional takeaway. Was the point just “and they lived mostly-happily ever after but it was really difficult to get there”? That's just a bit depressing.
By 35%, I already felt like nothing was happening. Pages and pages of repetition — the players explaining that the new league is for a greater purpose, Lex whining about Eva not having time for her — rinse and repeat. And then later on, it really killed me how easily Lex was tempted by another woman, and how casually Eva hung out with her ex even though she knew it bothered Lex.
I’m giving it 3 stars purely because the writing is good, I still love Lex and Eva, I have a soft spot for a good sports romance, and — credit where it’s due — the sex scenes were great.
But I’m a bit pissed, I’ll be honest.
Seriously — there wasn’t much point to this. Half of the book is pure smut. Hot, sure, and I loved that in the first one because it served a purpose then. Here, it didn’t.
I honestly didn’t know what the plot was supposed to be. Lex was being a big baby — it’s been, what, one month since they went public with their relationship? And she’s already throwing tantrums about Eva’s obligations? Boo boo, your girlfriend is a millionaire and a busy professional! I felt like the angst was forced, and I couldn’t find any real “moral” or emotional takeaway. Was the point just “and they lived mostly-happily ever after but it was really difficult to get there”? That's just a bit depressing.
By 35%, I already felt like nothing was happening. Pages and pages of repetition — the players explaining that the new league is for a greater purpose, Lex whining about Eva not having time for her — rinse and repeat. And then later on, it really killed me how easily Lex was tempted by another woman, and how casually Eva hung out with her ex even though she knew it bothered Lex.
I’m giving it 3 stars purely because the writing is good, I still love Lex and Eva, I have a soft spot for a good sports romance, and — credit where it’s due — the sex scenes were great.
But I’m a bit pissed, I’ll be honest.
October 3, 2025
Each Eliza Lentzski book seems to be better than the last. I wanted to wait for the audiobook, but I loved Hoops and Heartstrings so much that I had to go for it. This book was so well-written and blew me away with the wide spectrum of emotions. At times, I laughed, I fought back tears, I became furious, I experienced fearful concerns and I smiled joyfully.
Eve Montgomery and Lex Bennett are our mixed-racial stars and our lovers. They’d gone from being teammates, to long distance separation, to being roommates, experiencing such emotions as being insecure in their relationship, resentment, jealousy and those that accompany being under the scrutiny of the public eye. Eve was the more famous, so much so that she was practically her own brand. She and Lex were dubbed, “The chosen two.”
I don’t know if the author ever played basketball, but she sure captured the essence of the game from the dynamics of player relationships, the grind of practices and the actual games. Added in this book was the 3X3 league in Miami with a lot of attention to the team members’ relationships, the pain of dealing with a serious injury, a sexual proposition and the resulting tension it caused in their relationship as well as the threat from a former girlfriend.
One more heads-up thing I’d like to mention is the book’s title. HEAT should be in all-caps because the heat was almost too-excessively sizzling! This settled down in the second half, but it’s what a lot of readers look for and I guess it did validate the couple’s passionate love.
Eve Montgomery and Lex Bennett are our mixed-racial stars and our lovers. They’d gone from being teammates, to long distance separation, to being roommates, experiencing such emotions as being insecure in their relationship, resentment, jealousy and those that accompany being under the scrutiny of the public eye. Eve was the more famous, so much so that she was practically her own brand. She and Lex were dubbed, “The chosen two.”
I don’t know if the author ever played basketball, but she sure captured the essence of the game from the dynamics of player relationships, the grind of practices and the actual games. Added in this book was the 3X3 league in Miami with a lot of attention to the team members’ relationships, the pain of dealing with a serious injury, a sexual proposition and the resulting tension it caused in their relationship as well as the threat from a former girlfriend.
One more heads-up thing I’d like to mention is the book’s title. HEAT should be in all-caps because the heat was almost too-excessively sizzling! This settled down in the second half, but it’s what a lot of readers look for and I guess it did validate the couple’s passionate love.
October 12, 2025
A Love For “Hoops & Heartstrings” Grows Bigger!
I have to quickly say that I loved the writing style of Eliza Lentski from her series “The WinterJacket” and “Don’t Call Me Hero”. This “Hoops & Heartstrings” series has been amazing. Big basketball fan, so I have been impressed with the play by play writings. The proper approach to the game and her ability to weave a very strong love story through it all. Eva & Lex’s story continued in this book. Eliza’s words had us following the couple as they fell deeper for each other, showing the world. Joining forces on a 3x3 Miami off season league until tragedy hit. Their relationship taking a few hits when an old love comes back. Trying to find their way back during some tough times. This book had everything. Excitement, Happiness, Anger, Sadness and a yearning for more….
I have to quickly say that I loved the writing style of Eliza Lentski from her series “The WinterJacket” and “Don’t Call Me Hero”. This “Hoops & Heartstrings” series has been amazing. Big basketball fan, so I have been impressed with the play by play writings. The proper approach to the game and her ability to weave a very strong love story through it all. Eva & Lex’s story continued in this book. Eliza’s words had us following the couple as they fell deeper for each other, showing the world. Joining forces on a 3x3 Miami off season league until tragedy hit. Their relationship taking a few hits when an old love comes back. Trying to find their way back during some tough times. This book had everything. Excitement, Happiness, Anger, Sadness and a yearning for more….
October 23, 2025
Raw Familiar Love - Messy and Real
The review headline is actually a quote from this book and it quite characterizes the theme of Book 2 in this series. Eliza Lentzski has crafted a real view into women’s professional basketball with the on court action, the off court action, and everything in between. This story focuses on the continuing careers of Lex Bennet and Eva Montgomery and the challenges that they face to the careers, their love, and their health. Add in their participation in a new 3x3 women’s league, brand endorsements, and ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, and the action never slows in this story. Another winner from Lentzski.
The review headline is actually a quote from this book and it quite characterizes the theme of Book 2 in this series. Eliza Lentzski has crafted a real view into women’s professional basketball with the on court action, the off court action, and everything in between. This story focuses on the continuing careers of Lex Bennet and Eva Montgomery and the challenges that they face to the careers, their love, and their health. Add in their participation in a new 3x3 women’s league, brand endorsements, and ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, and the action never slows in this story. Another winner from Lentzski.
October 12, 2025
Eliza Lentzski did it again bringing us such a passionate great story about when love is put to the test could they survive all the different types of obstacles they face and make it work.
I really enjoying seeing the way Lex and Eva relationship develops in the second book.Even thought they are still pretty young, life throws them some tough challenges that they have to learn to navigate and the way they get through it together makes their relationship stronger.
I really hope to read so much more about them. Eliza created some great characters, i am such of fan of Eve!!
This was such an great read with all the feels and a lot of spice!!
October 6, 2025
She dropped it right in time for the WNBA finals and the book is definitely better. I loved the first book of the series and the second book is a great follow up. The ending was left so we could hopefully see more in the future? Young love is a beautiful thing to see between Eva and Lex. Trying to navigate through a long distance relationship is tough stuff at any age and we get to go with them on that journey. This book was quite the bargain on Kindle Unlimited so I recommend the small investment for such a beautiful story.
October 18, 2025
Wow!
I read the first book of the series and jumped immediately to this sequel. I love these books so much that I immediately read both again. I really love the way the author captured their love of both the game and each other! As a lover of women’s sports, the basketball scenes were amazing! As a lover of sapphic romances, the love scenes were definitely spicy and just as amazing! I absolutely wouldn’t hate a third book in the series just because I can’t seem to get enough of Lex and Eva!
I read the first book of the series and jumped immediately to this sequel. I love these books so much that I immediately read both again. I really love the way the author captured their love of both the game and each other! As a lover of women’s sports, the basketball scenes were amazing! As a lover of sapphic romances, the love scenes were definitely spicy and just as amazing! I absolutely wouldn’t hate a third book in the series just because I can’t seem to get enough of Lex and Eva!
October 7, 2025
This was such a great continuation of the first book! I love the love Lex and Eva have for one another and the author does such a great job with the push and pull with the intimate scenes. The only thing I didn’t love was how Eva sort of pushed aside the way Lex was feeling about Eva and her ex girlfriend/family and how she felt about Eva being pulled in too many directions. I felt Eva dismissed her very valid feelings too many times and sex was used multiple times to sort of change the subject or shift them away from a hard conversation. I felt it did a disservice to Lex and she deserved better from Eva more than once in this book. Other than that, it was a great follow up story!
October 12, 2025
A must read for women’s sports fans!
The 2nd book to this series didn’t disappoint! It was HOT & SEXY! It also shows you the big difference between men’s & women’s sports & what women have to do to try & prove their worth. I could feel the emotion for Eva & Lex & communication is key to their relationship. It had a fantastic amount of steaminess & purple may be my new favorite color!!! Fingers crossed that there is another book, because I need more!
The 2nd book to this series didn’t disappoint! It was HOT & SEXY! It also shows you the big difference between men’s & women’s sports & what women have to do to try & prove their worth. I could feel the emotion for Eva & Lex & communication is key to their relationship. It had a fantastic amount of steaminess & purple may be my new favorite color!!! Fingers crossed that there is another book, because I need more!
November 25, 2025
As a true Women’s Basketball fanatic, this is honestly awesome!
Eliza Lentzski has just given women’s basketball a gigantic gift with this stunning story. It is so easy to fall into these characters seeing many of my “sisters in sport” idolized by fans on the internet and in all media! The pressure they work under is real, different from other stressful jobs but there nonetheless. The honesty brought forth is astounding, the sensitivity presented pure magic. Thanks Eliza.
Eliza Lentzski has just given women’s basketball a gigantic gift with this stunning story. It is so easy to fall into these characters seeing many of my “sisters in sport” idolized by fans on the internet and in all media! The pressure they work under is real, different from other stressful jobs but there nonetheless. The honesty brought forth is astounding, the sensitivity presented pure magic. Thanks Eliza.
October 4, 2025
Things really picked up and blasted off halfway through. Lentzski does an amazing job building tension between characters and pushing them to the brink. Her writing sucks you in so much you find yourself seething and despising the villains while investing your entire heart behind her MCs. It's a great continuation from book one. The angst is high, the love strong, and the spice blazing.
October 5, 2025
Loved it
I liked the first book but I loved this one. All the ups and downs those two went through was so real to life it was as if I was living it.
The fact they didn't give in to temptation just
Shows how much love they had for each other. I look forward to reading another one of your books. Thanks for the wonderful read.
I liked the first book but I loved this one. All the ups and downs those two went through was so real to life it was as if I was living it.
The fact they didn't give in to temptation just
Shows how much love they had for each other. I look forward to reading another one of your books. Thanks for the wonderful read.
October 5, 2025
Such a great second book. The only thing that bothered me a little was how Eva could have stood up a little bit more for Lex against her mom and ex girlfriend but other than that I loved everything. The angst, the spice and all the basketball thrill. Absolutely loved reading this book and now I am off reading other books by Eliza Lentzski!!!
October 8, 2025
Their connection in this book seems weak, compared to the first book. I'm also not a fan, when a central emotional conflict is resolved by writing "and they finally talked about everything" and sex. Which is just a huge cop out after all the previous drama and angst.
I'd be hyped to read a third book in the series, only because there's still so much conflict between the two open.
I'd be hyped to read a third book in the series, only because there's still so much conflict between the two open.
October 19, 2025
As a WNBA fan, both books felt like real story for what currently happened at W, and I loved it. It made me understand the situation better and hopeful the result could happen with the real professional W basketball players. Loved how the author described the relationship between Lex and Eva, about their loyalty and genuine feelings, without sounding implausible.
Read
November 2, 2025DNF at 36%. I really dislike how whiny and annoying Lex is about her situation. It sounded ungrateful and silly since she knows she plays a sport that is broadcast and is actively dating a famous woman. She was constantly complaining about being noticed and I also didn’t like her making Eva’s endorsements about her own insecurities.
December 29, 2025
I’ll read anything Eliza writes, she’s simply one of my favorite authors of romance novels. The second installment in the Hoops & Heartstrings series didn’t disappoint. It has sports, it has drama (but not melodrama), it has some steamy scenes, and overall it has everything needed to make it a very entertaining read. 5 starts and can't way for a 3rd installment, hopefully we get one.
October 6, 2025
absolutely love it
What a great book two. Meet all my expectations. So much spice and lots of relationship building. Really enjoyed the storyline and the realism of long distance relationships struggles.
What a great book two. Meet all my expectations. So much spice and lots of relationship building. Really enjoyed the storyline and the realism of long distance relationships struggles.
October 6, 2025
I was excited for this one but it was a let down big time. Their relationship is nothing but physical. They lack communication and there problems just go on and on until poof the author is like ok that's enough let's make it a HEA and resolve their issues with a 3 sentence convo. It was just poor.
October 9, 2025
The second instalment in the series was a good read. Lex and Eva are negotiating how to make space for each other when distance, media pressure, business commitments, other people’s interests are all piling the pressure on.
For those who enjoy lots of spice you won’t leave disappointed.
For those who enjoy lots of spice you won’t leave disappointed.
October 3, 2025
I love all of her books! Really enjoy her characters and their growth throughout the books! Super good books!
October 5, 2025
All sex, no plot. But at least the sex was hot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews