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The Greatest Game: A spicy enemies to lovers soccer romance
She's met her match. But will the winner take all or lose everything?Marcee Ackerman's dream job as head soccer coach at Pemberton Prep is turning into a nightmare. Her new boss has given her an ultimatum—win the state championship or she’s fired. To make matters worse, Pemberton's rival school hires hotshot ex-England player Remington Lockley as their new coach. How can she compete against a world-class pro?
To keep her job and her reputation safe, Marcee will do whatever it takes. But one steamy encounter with Remy has thrown her plans off-course. Falling for the enemy may be just what Marcee's boss needs to get rid of her for good, yet she is powerless to resist as she gets to know the real Remy behind the tabloid scandals.
Soccer is life, but love is the greatest game of all. Even Marcee’s competitiveness might not be enough for her to win…
This steamy sports romance is perfect for fans of Meryl Wilsner, Amy Lea and Elena Armas.
To keep her job and her reputation safe, Marcee will do whatever it takes. But one steamy encounter with Remy has thrown her plans off-course. Falling for the enemy may be just what Marcee's boss needs to get rid of her for good, yet she is powerless to resist as she gets to know the real Remy behind the tabloid scandals.
Soccer is life, but love is the greatest game of all. Even Marcee’s competitiveness might not be enough for her to win…
This steamy sports romance is perfect for fans of Meryl Wilsner, Amy Lea and Elena Armas.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
pre-read:
Huge thank you to netgalley, Tara Sexton and Canelo Romance for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I got this arc and i was extremely intrigued. I grew to like Marcee, but for the majority of the book i disliked her. remmy was a good mmc and i liked his aspect of the book and wish that we got to see his pov more and know more. I did like the soccer aspect of the book and how they were rival coaches. the interview left a sour taste in my mouth. by the time i finished the book it was just on an okay note. i liked the book, but didn't quite love it.
Huge thank you to netgalley, Tara Sexton and Canelo Romance for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I got this arc and i was extremely intrigued. I grew to like Marcee, but for the majority of the book i disliked her. remmy was a good mmc and i liked his aspect of the book and wish that we got to see his pov more and know more. I did like the soccer aspect of the book and how they were rival coaches. the interview left a sour taste in my mouth. by the time i finished the book it was just on an okay note. i liked the book, but didn't quite love it.
July 4, 2026
É sem dúvida um livro fácil de ler, e para alguns pode ser amor instantâneo, para mim foi bom...apenas e só.
Gostei da escrita da autora e a verdade é que voei pela história graças à escrita agradável que tem. Mas a temática central do futebol tirou, para mim, aquele que deveria ser o verdadeiro foco da ação.
Se toda a história se tivesse focado mais nos traumas do passado da Marcee e na importância da relação que estabelece com o Remy, do que no suposto relacionamento proibido entre eles (que na realidade não é assim tão proibido), teria sido uma história mais credível e bonita.
Foi bom, mas infelizmente não foi arrebatador...
Gostei da escrita da autora e a verdade é que voei pela história graças à escrita agradável que tem. Mas a temática central do futebol tirou, para mim, aquele que deveria ser o verdadeiro foco da ação.
Se toda a história se tivesse focado mais nos traumas do passado da Marcee e na importância da relação que estabelece com o Remy, do que no suposto relacionamento proibido entre eles (que na realidade não é assim tão proibido), teria sido uma história mais credível e bonita.
Foi bom, mas infelizmente não foi arrebatador...
August 3, 2026
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Greatest Game for review.
⚽The Greatest Game was one of my most anticipated sports romances because I haven't read many soccer romances, so I was really excited going into it, and it’s a debut for Tara Sexton. Unfortunately... it was just an alright read for me. 🥹
The story follows two rival soccer coaches who are both dealing with their own personal challenges while navigating an enemies-to-lovers romance. I was expecting lots of tension, banter, and that "I can't stand you, but I secretly want you" kind of chemistry. 😮💨 Sadly, I don't think it quite delivered the excitement I was hoping for.
At the beginning of the book, I won't lie... I was so confused. 😂 There were so many names, side characters, and things happening all at once that it took me a while to figure out who was who. Once I got past that, the story became much easier to follow. I did enjoy getting to know both Marcee and Remy; I just wish the enemies-to-lovers aspect had been pushed a little further. Give me more rivalry, more tension, more bickering before they fall for each other! 👀🔥
Overall, I still had a good time with the book, but I think my expectations were just a little too high. I wanted to fall in love with the soccer setting and the romance, but it never fully gave me that excitement I was chasing. ⚽
Thank you deifnitelybooks for this copy of The Greatest Games- Tara Sexton. Even though this was not for me, I am looking forward to reading more of Tara Sexton’s works
⚽The Greatest Game was one of my most anticipated sports romances because I haven't read many soccer romances, so I was really excited going into it, and it’s a debut for Tara Sexton. Unfortunately... it was just an alright read for me. 🥹
The story follows two rival soccer coaches who are both dealing with their own personal challenges while navigating an enemies-to-lovers romance. I was expecting lots of tension, banter, and that "I can't stand you, but I secretly want you" kind of chemistry. 😮💨 Sadly, I don't think it quite delivered the excitement I was hoping for.
At the beginning of the book, I won't lie... I was so confused. 😂 There were so many names, side characters, and things happening all at once that it took me a while to figure out who was who. Once I got past that, the story became much easier to follow. I did enjoy getting to know both Marcee and Remy; I just wish the enemies-to-lovers aspect had been pushed a little further. Give me more rivalry, more tension, more bickering before they fall for each other! 👀🔥
Overall, I still had a good time with the book, but I think my expectations were just a little too high. I wanted to fall in love with the soccer setting and the romance, but it never fully gave me that excitement I was chasing. ⚽
Thank you deifnitelybooks for this copy of The Greatest Games- Tara Sexton. Even though this was not for me, I am looking forward to reading more of Tara Sexton’s works
June 21, 2026
This was a perfect easing-into-summer romance that held way more than just a breezy love story!
As someone who truly doesn’t know her way around the pitch, I’m grateful that this was soccer-adjacent with enough mainstream lingo that a gal whose only reference is Ted Lasso can follow! I also love that there were some deeper topics that made the story have more weight to it—the addition of the struggles Marcee dealt with throughout her life as well as in the present-day of the story made me connect more with her.
This was a wonderful read by a debut author and I can’t wait for End Game Book 2! ✨⚽️🥅 🥇
Now to start listening to the audiobook!
As someone who truly doesn’t know her way around the pitch, I’m grateful that this was soccer-adjacent with enough mainstream lingo that a gal whose only reference is Ted Lasso can follow! I also love that there were some deeper topics that made the story have more weight to it—the addition of the struggles Marcee dealt with throughout her life as well as in the present-day of the story made me connect more with her.
This was a wonderful read by a debut author and I can’t wait for End Game Book 2! ✨⚽️🥅 🥇
Now to start listening to the audiobook!
June 22, 2026
My Selling Pitch:
What should’ve been a generic soccer coach romance is spoiled by an MMC who genuinely believes female coaches can’t win. And she doesn’t dump his ass.
On my do not read list.
Pre-reading:
Here’s my contribution to World Cup fever. I love this cover!
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Not his name being Remy the rat.
Oh fucking ew. I could not come back from that misogynistic comment.
I know they said there was gonna be eating disorder content in this, but this is a lot.
Also, holy fuck, I don’t know how they’re gonna make him redeemable because I could not come back from this!
Your sports bra is not acting like a corset, grow up. I feel like I’m all for enemies to lovers until it’s misogyny in a contemporary.
Smooth with my enemy, doesn’t fit here nor the context of Shakespeare. That speech is all I’ve been fake with everybody. And he’s not being smooth with his enemy right now, he’s not being cordial to her. He’s actively antagonizing her. That’s not masking his animosity, that’s not being smooth with mine enemy.
As if you could outrun me!
So you’re the man that you are around your friends as much as the one you are around your girlfriend. Throw him away!
You tell him, Marcee!
Girl, he’s a professional athlete. You’re a high school coach. Ra ra, girl power forever, but he’s got half a foot on you.
The enamel of her teeth thinned she wanted him so bad is crazy work.
You couldn’t waterboard that information out of me.
Don’t tell me a hand job is like riding a bike. What are we doing here?
Hey girl, how are you cleaning up splooge at summer camp? Neither of you have underwear to mop that shit up. Are y’all just fertilizing the grass and hoping for the best?
That was such a horrible sex scene. I don’t have words. This book is not gonna be good.
He sent porn to your work email and you work at a school. You have to report that right away.
But, but… she literally is out here supporting her smoothie habit! She just had one for breakfast!
So once again, she literally is subsidizing her smoothie habit.
If she’s the one paying the water bill, she would definitely have to figure out her taxes.
This book is not passing the Bechdel test.
I'm bored.
You taste like butter is CRIMINAL
Also, this book is ridiculous. He’s a professional soccer star and now he’s in love with a 24-year-old high school coach and he’s like no babe, we have to take it slow. This is so stupid. You don’t actually wanna fuck a celebrity if you say he’s a celebrity but then just make him a regular guy.
They don’t know shit about each other other than she drinks smoothies and they both play soccer. And by play soccer, I mean they watch teenage girls play soccer.
Is anyone else struggling because your brain is a hellscape so it’s just playing the Remy the Ratatouille song in your head this whole time?
The sex scenes are so quick.
Firmly team Eli.
She is the biggest asshole.
The music scoring is cringing me out.
Title drop
But also bitch, you’re 24. Pump the brakes.
She should absolutely take that job. He can definitely afford to go to New York. He’s an international soccer player.
I think it’s a generic romance where I actually wish it was a second chance because I think he’s a douche canoe and she’s a bad person.
Like a mustang is CRIMINAL work.
You raised the man who uses misogynistic locker room talk on teenage girls.
I’m actually pretty sure you have to take a child psychology class at minimum, so like they actually do prepare you for this.
I fucking love The Mummy.
So that is vandalism.
Correct, he does not respect your work ethic or your job because he SUCKS. You know who does, even after you bailed on him? Eli. Oh my goddd, this book is about the WRONG man.
He is not the love of your life. He is just a guy! Hit him with your car! OH WAIT-
Imagine intentionally trying to injure a CHILD over a soccer game! Girl, dump his ass. He’s a misogynistic predator.
A lawyer would have a field day with wrongful termination here.
DUMP HIM
She did not just give up her job for this asswipe. No. This isn’t real. Are you kidding me?
What, so the man just gets everything he wants, and she has to give up her whole life???
So he gets banned from one team for girl drama and you think the solution is to interrupt his first game with the new team with more girl drama?
You know, this whole time I was like blah, generic three star. Oh no. He’s the worst. One fucking star.
Post-reading:
The way he’s in the running for the worst book boyfriend I’ve ever read. Holy shit! We could’ve called it quits the moment he said women can’t be authority figures and teenage girls need ‘male energy to keep them in line.’ Excuse the fuck out of me? Oh but don’t worry, babe, that was just locker room talk. Except it’s not because then he takes a job interview at her place of employment because he thinks she’s such a bad coach, that the only way for her to keep a job is if he makes her his assistant. This guy stinks! But wait, there’s more because during the soccer championships, he tells his team to purposely shoot a goal that forces the goalie to injure her foot. Imagine, intentionally hurting a child to win a high school soccer game! And this is the MMC she’s willing to throw her entire life away for. We’re talking career, friendships, and medical support team for a woman still struggling with an eating disorder. Oh, this book made me livid!
And it’s not like there’s not a better alternative because don’t worry, she’s a bit of a shitbag too. She abandoned her high school boyfriend after he was paralyzed in a car accident, and when they reunited, I genuinely thought this was transitioning into a second chance romance. You know, he’d definitely still deserve better than her, but at least here was a man so confident in her professional abilities, he practically offers her a job on the spot. Like are we kidding? How is that not this book’s love story?
And then even setting aside the horrendous romance, this book requires too much suspension of disbelief to function. There is no world in which you can send porn on a private school’s email system and not be immediately fired. In the South, no less! We’re supposed to believe a professional soccer league gives two shits that a player was cheating on his girlfriend? Bitch, they let convicted rapists play. Be so for real. Similarly, a 24 year old high school coach is not turning the head of an international soccer star so they can settle down and play house. The characters have no personalities outside of their romance and jobs. Truly, what do we know about Marcee? She likes smoothies and has an eating disorder. End of character development. He grew up poor and…that’s genuinely it. He’s loaded now and his girlfriend on the teacher’s salary is still the one buying takeout for their dates.
There’s an anorexia side plot to this that seems to be coming from an earnest if not a capable place. Please eat because I, your coach who also struggled with this, said so is not exactly nuanced eating disorder commentary.
I think if you don’t find Remy the fuckin’ rat of an MMC absolutely heinous, you can get through this like it’s a generic small town romance. For a story that bills itself as spicy in the book’s subtitle, the sex scenes are infrequent, brief, and extremely tame. If however you have two brain cells to rub together, you’re gonna want to throw the whole man away from the jump, and the book will only get worse from there. I think you should skip this, and I personally wouldn’t read the author again.
Who should read this:
Generic sports romance fans
Ideal reading time:
Summer
Do I want to reread this:
No
Would I buy this:
Fuck no, which is a bummer because the cover’s adorable.
Similar books:
* Wildfire by Hannah Grace-contemporary, workplace romance, family drama
* Flawless by Elsie Silver-contemporary, workplace romance, family drama, enemies to lovers
* For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa-contemporary, workplace romance, family drama, enemies to lovers
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What should’ve been a generic soccer coach romance is spoiled by an MMC who genuinely believes female coaches can’t win. And she doesn’t dump his ass.
On my do not read list.
Pre-reading:
Here’s my contribution to World Cup fever. I love this cover!
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Not his name being Remy the rat.
Oh fucking ew. I could not come back from that misogynistic comment.
I know they said there was gonna be eating disorder content in this, but this is a lot.
Also, holy fuck, I don’t know how they’re gonna make him redeemable because I could not come back from this!
Your sports bra is not acting like a corset, grow up. I feel like I’m all for enemies to lovers until it’s misogyny in a contemporary.
Smooth with my enemy, doesn’t fit here nor the context of Shakespeare. That speech is all I’ve been fake with everybody. And he’s not being smooth with his enemy right now, he’s not being cordial to her. He’s actively antagonizing her. That’s not masking his animosity, that’s not being smooth with mine enemy.
As if you could outrun me!
So you’re the man that you are around your friends as much as the one you are around your girlfriend. Throw him away!
You tell him, Marcee!
Girl, he’s a professional athlete. You’re a high school coach. Ra ra, girl power forever, but he’s got half a foot on you.
The enamel of her teeth thinned she wanted him so bad is crazy work.
You couldn’t waterboard that information out of me.
Don’t tell me a hand job is like riding a bike. What are we doing here?
Hey girl, how are you cleaning up splooge at summer camp? Neither of you have underwear to mop that shit up. Are y’all just fertilizing the grass and hoping for the best?
That was such a horrible sex scene. I don’t have words. This book is not gonna be good.
He sent porn to your work email and you work at a school. You have to report that right away.
But, but… she literally is out here supporting her smoothie habit! She just had one for breakfast!
So once again, she literally is subsidizing her smoothie habit.
If she’s the one paying the water bill, she would definitely have to figure out her taxes.
This book is not passing the Bechdel test.
I'm bored.
You taste like butter is CRIMINAL
Also, this book is ridiculous. He’s a professional soccer star and now he’s in love with a 24-year-old high school coach and he’s like no babe, we have to take it slow. This is so stupid. You don’t actually wanna fuck a celebrity if you say he’s a celebrity but then just make him a regular guy.
They don’t know shit about each other other than she drinks smoothies and they both play soccer. And by play soccer, I mean they watch teenage girls play soccer.
Is anyone else struggling because your brain is a hellscape so it’s just playing the Remy the Ratatouille song in your head this whole time?
The sex scenes are so quick.
Firmly team Eli.
She is the biggest asshole.
The music scoring is cringing me out.
Title drop
But also bitch, you’re 24. Pump the brakes.
She should absolutely take that job. He can definitely afford to go to New York. He’s an international soccer player.
I think it’s a generic romance where I actually wish it was a second chance because I think he’s a douche canoe and she’s a bad person.
Like a mustang is CRIMINAL work.
You raised the man who uses misogynistic locker room talk on teenage girls.
I’m actually pretty sure you have to take a child psychology class at minimum, so like they actually do prepare you for this.
I fucking love The Mummy.
So that is vandalism.
Correct, he does not respect your work ethic or your job because he SUCKS. You know who does, even after you bailed on him? Eli. Oh my goddd, this book is about the WRONG man.
He is not the love of your life. He is just a guy! Hit him with your car! OH WAIT-
Imagine intentionally trying to injure a CHILD over a soccer game! Girl, dump his ass. He’s a misogynistic predator.
A lawyer would have a field day with wrongful termination here.
DUMP HIM
She did not just give up her job for this asswipe. No. This isn’t real. Are you kidding me?
What, so the man just gets everything he wants, and she has to give up her whole life???
So he gets banned from one team for girl drama and you think the solution is to interrupt his first game with the new team with more girl drama?
You know, this whole time I was like blah, generic three star. Oh no. He’s the worst. One fucking star.
Post-reading:
The way he’s in the running for the worst book boyfriend I’ve ever read. Holy shit! We could’ve called it quits the moment he said women can’t be authority figures and teenage girls need ‘male energy to keep them in line.’ Excuse the fuck out of me? Oh but don’t worry, babe, that was just locker room talk. Except it’s not because then he takes a job interview at her place of employment because he thinks she’s such a bad coach, that the only way for her to keep a job is if he makes her his assistant. This guy stinks! But wait, there’s more because during the soccer championships, he tells his team to purposely shoot a goal that forces the goalie to injure her foot. Imagine, intentionally hurting a child to win a high school soccer game! And this is the MMC she’s willing to throw her entire life away for. We’re talking career, friendships, and medical support team for a woman still struggling with an eating disorder. Oh, this book made me livid!
And it’s not like there’s not a better alternative because don’t worry, she’s a bit of a shitbag too. She abandoned her high school boyfriend after he was paralyzed in a car accident, and when they reunited, I genuinely thought this was transitioning into a second chance romance. You know, he’d definitely still deserve better than her, but at least here was a man so confident in her professional abilities, he practically offers her a job on the spot. Like are we kidding? How is that not this book’s love story?
And then even setting aside the horrendous romance, this book requires too much suspension of disbelief to function. There is no world in which you can send porn on a private school’s email system and not be immediately fired. In the South, no less! We’re supposed to believe a professional soccer league gives two shits that a player was cheating on his girlfriend? Bitch, they let convicted rapists play. Be so for real. Similarly, a 24 year old high school coach is not turning the head of an international soccer star so they can settle down and play house. The characters have no personalities outside of their romance and jobs. Truly, what do we know about Marcee? She likes smoothies and has an eating disorder. End of character development. He grew up poor and…that’s genuinely it. He’s loaded now and his girlfriend on the teacher’s salary is still the one buying takeout for their dates.
There’s an anorexia side plot to this that seems to be coming from an earnest if not a capable place. Please eat because I, your coach who also struggled with this, said so is not exactly nuanced eating disorder commentary.
I think if you don’t find Remy the fuckin’ rat of an MMC absolutely heinous, you can get through this like it’s a generic small town romance. For a story that bills itself as spicy in the book’s subtitle, the sex scenes are infrequent, brief, and extremely tame. If however you have two brain cells to rub together, you’re gonna want to throw the whole man away from the jump, and the book will only get worse from there. I think you should skip this, and I personally wouldn’t read the author again.
Who should read this:
Generic sports romance fans
Ideal reading time:
Summer
Do I want to reread this:
No
Would I buy this:
Fuck no, which is a bummer because the cover’s adorable.
Similar books:
* Wildfire by Hannah Grace-contemporary, workplace romance, family drama
* Flawless by Elsie Silver-contemporary, workplace romance, family drama, enemies to lovers
* For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa-contemporary, workplace romance, family drama, enemies to lovers
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2026
A reflective contemporary romance with a strong female main character and a touch of spice.
"The Greatest Game" would be described by some as a light read, but while it may very well be that, it is also something much deeper. Sexton writes about serious issues that affect women around the world, such as females in power, job harrassment, public scrutiny of athletes, female nutrition (anorexia), and modern female sexuality.
With that being said, the novel is about a strong, powerful female athlete, Marcie Ackerman, who comes up against an equally strong, powerful male athlete, Remy Lockley. They are soccer coaches at rival schools, and I must say, the sparks fly. They are on fire to take their teams to the championships, but they also have a desire for each other that is burning out of control. Marcie knows she has to ignore the desire for Remy or face being fired at Pemberton, her dream job.
Very good contemporary romance.
"The Greatest Game" would be described by some as a light read, but while it may very well be that, it is also something much deeper. Sexton writes about serious issues that affect women around the world, such as females in power, job harrassment, public scrutiny of athletes, female nutrition (anorexia), and modern female sexuality.
With that being said, the novel is about a strong, powerful female athlete, Marcie Ackerman, who comes up against an equally strong, powerful male athlete, Remy Lockley. They are soccer coaches at rival schools, and I must say, the sparks fly. They are on fire to take their teams to the championships, but they also have a desire for each other that is burning out of control. Marcie knows she has to ignore the desire for Remy or face being fired at Pemberton, her dream job.
Very good contemporary romance.
October 30, 2025
I was lucky enough to read an early version of this book and it was such a fun read! If you enjoy sports romance, definitely check this one out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Greatest Game was such a strong debut sports romance that balanced emotional depth, football drama, and slow-burn tension really well. This felt like a story written by someone who genuinely understands and loves the sport, and that made the entire book feel immersive instead of just using football as background decoration.
One of my favorite things about this book was Marcee. She felt incredibly real to me: flawed, guarded, passionate, and carrying years of unresolved hurt that shaped the way she moved through the world. I appreciated that the story allowed her to struggle and make mistakes instead of trying to make her endlessly strong or perfect. Her therapy journey and the way mental health was handled throughout the book added so much emotional weight and authenticity to her character.
I also loved seeing a sports romance where both main characters are coaches instead of the more typical player dynamic. It gave the story a fresh perspective and made the rivalry, tension, and professional boundaries feel even more layered.
Remy was such a solid counterpart to Marcee. He’s patient, supportive, emotionally aware, and clearly fascinated by her from the start without trying to overpower her personality. I really enjoyed their chemistry, especially because the romance was allowed to develop slowly instead of rushing straight into feelings. The slow burn worked really well here.
What honestly surprised me most was how much I loved Marcee’s relationship with her team. Her dedication to her players and the emotional connection she had with them became one of the strongest parts of the story for me. You could feel how much football meant to her beyond just competition.
I also appreciated how thoughtfully the book handled heavier topics like eating disorders, guilt, pressure, misogyny in sports, and mental health. None of it felt thrown in for drama. It felt purposeful and grounded in the characters’ experiences.
The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me was because the ending felt slightly rushed compared to the slower pacing of the rest of the story. I wanted just a little more emotional resolution after everything these characters went through.
Still, for a debut novel, this was incredibly impressive and emotionally engaging.
If you love:
⚽ sports romance with actual sports focus
⚽ slow burn forbidden romance
⚽ emotionally layered FMCs
⚽ coach x coach dynamics
⚽ mental health representation
⚽ strong female leads in male-dominated spaces
⚽ tension, rivalry, and emotional healing
…then this is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Greatest Game was such a strong debut sports romance that balanced emotional depth, football drama, and slow-burn tension really well. This felt like a story written by someone who genuinely understands and loves the sport, and that made the entire book feel immersive instead of just using football as background decoration.
One of my favorite things about this book was Marcee. She felt incredibly real to me: flawed, guarded, passionate, and carrying years of unresolved hurt that shaped the way she moved through the world. I appreciated that the story allowed her to struggle and make mistakes instead of trying to make her endlessly strong or perfect. Her therapy journey and the way mental health was handled throughout the book added so much emotional weight and authenticity to her character.
I also loved seeing a sports romance where both main characters are coaches instead of the more typical player dynamic. It gave the story a fresh perspective and made the rivalry, tension, and professional boundaries feel even more layered.
Remy was such a solid counterpart to Marcee. He’s patient, supportive, emotionally aware, and clearly fascinated by her from the start without trying to overpower her personality. I really enjoyed their chemistry, especially because the romance was allowed to develop slowly instead of rushing straight into feelings. The slow burn worked really well here.
What honestly surprised me most was how much I loved Marcee’s relationship with her team. Her dedication to her players and the emotional connection she had with them became one of the strongest parts of the story for me. You could feel how much football meant to her beyond just competition.
I also appreciated how thoughtfully the book handled heavier topics like eating disorders, guilt, pressure, misogyny in sports, and mental health. None of it felt thrown in for drama. It felt purposeful and grounded in the characters’ experiences.
The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me was because the ending felt slightly rushed compared to the slower pacing of the rest of the story. I wanted just a little more emotional resolution after everything these characters went through.
Still, for a debut novel, this was incredibly impressive and emotionally engaging.
If you love:
⚽ sports romance with actual sports focus
⚽ slow burn forbidden romance
⚽ emotionally layered FMCs
⚽ coach x coach dynamics
⚽ mental health representation
⚽ strong female leads in male-dominated spaces
⚽ tension, rivalry, and emotional healing
…then this is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Offside Has Never Felt So Good ⚽🔥
The Greatest Game -⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
A forbidden slow burn romance between a female football coach and a brooding English footballer? I was in from the very first page. 🏈⚽✨
The Greatest Game follows Marcee, a passionate and fiercely dedicated head coach trying to prove herself in a world where the sexism is impossible to ignore, and Remy, a star footballer who was run out of London carrying secrets he'd rather leave behind. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, but with the coach and player dynamic between them, acting on it is completely off the table. Which of course just makes everything so much more compelling. 😍
The slow burn in this book is the real deal. Marcee and Remy have incredible chemistry but the story takes its time getting there, and honestly? That patience pays off. Every small stolen moment between them hits so much harder because of it. The enemies to lovers tension is perfectly balanced, enough friction to keep you hooked without ever tipping into overdramatic territory. 💕
Marcee is such a brilliant female lead. Watching her navigate misogyny and harassment in a way that felt real and relatable rather than exaggerated was so refreshing. Her devotion to her team, the guilt she carries from her past, and the eating disorder storyline, all of it handled with genuine care and sensitivity. 🤍🙏
Now I'll be fully transparent, I know absolutely nothing about football. Like, nothing. My best friend who actually plays can barely look at me when the subject comes up. 😂 But even I could tell this author either loves the game deeply or did serious research, because the football never felt like window dressing. It felt like a world these characters truly belonged to. ⚽
A couple of things didn't land quite perfectly, a few plot points resolved a little faster than I would have liked, and the ending left some threads feeling slightly loose. But that last 5%? Completely wild. I did not see it coming.😭
Single POV, slow burn, forbidden romance and authentic football energy, this one really does have it all. If sports romance is your thing, don't sleep on this one. 🏆
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Canelo in exchange for an honest review. 💛
The Greatest Game -⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
A forbidden slow burn romance between a female football coach and a brooding English footballer? I was in from the very first page. 🏈⚽✨
The Greatest Game follows Marcee, a passionate and fiercely dedicated head coach trying to prove herself in a world where the sexism is impossible to ignore, and Remy, a star footballer who was run out of London carrying secrets he'd rather leave behind. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, but with the coach and player dynamic between them, acting on it is completely off the table. Which of course just makes everything so much more compelling. 😍
The slow burn in this book is the real deal. Marcee and Remy have incredible chemistry but the story takes its time getting there, and honestly? That patience pays off. Every small stolen moment between them hits so much harder because of it. The enemies to lovers tension is perfectly balanced, enough friction to keep you hooked without ever tipping into overdramatic territory. 💕
Marcee is such a brilliant female lead. Watching her navigate misogyny and harassment in a way that felt real and relatable rather than exaggerated was so refreshing. Her devotion to her team, the guilt she carries from her past, and the eating disorder storyline, all of it handled with genuine care and sensitivity. 🤍🙏
Now I'll be fully transparent, I know absolutely nothing about football. Like, nothing. My best friend who actually plays can barely look at me when the subject comes up. 😂 But even I could tell this author either loves the game deeply or did serious research, because the football never felt like window dressing. It felt like a world these characters truly belonged to. ⚽
A couple of things didn't land quite perfectly, a few plot points resolved a little faster than I would have liked, and the ending left some threads feeling slightly loose. But that last 5%? Completely wild. I did not see it coming.😭
Single POV, slow burn, forbidden romance and authentic football energy, this one really does have it all. If sports romance is your thing, don't sleep on this one. 🏆
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Canelo in exchange for an honest review. 💛
July 23, 2026
📖 O Maior dos Jogos, de Tara Sexton ❤️🔥
Estreei-me com esta autora e gostei muito! Foi uma leitura leve, envolvente e perfeita para o verão. Adoro romances passados no mundo do desporto e este, centrado no futebol, conquistou-me facilmente. ⚽
Marcee Ackerman sempre sonhou ser treinadora principal na Pemberton Prep, mas a sua carreira está por um fio. Com um ultimato do novo diretor, só há uma solução: vencer o campeonato estadual.
Do outro lado está Remington Lockley, antigo craque da Premier League e novo treinador da equipa rival. Entre rivalidade, competição e uma atração impossível de ignorar, começa um verdadeiro jogo dentro e fora das quatro linhas.
Gostei muito da Marcee. É uma protagonista imperfeita, reservada e muito humana, marcada por traumas do passado. Foi muito interessante acompanhar a sua evolução, as sessões de terapia e a forma sensível como a autora aborda temas como a saúde mental, os distúrbios alimentares, a pressão no desporto e a desigualdade entre homens e mulheres no futebol. É impossível não reparar como os treinadores masculinos continuam a ser mais valorizados e a ter melhores condições.
O romance desenvolve-se em slow burn, com uma química que cresce de forma natural. Mas, para mim, o grande destaque foi a relação da Marcee com a sua equipa. Ser treinadora vai muito além de preparar táticas ou treinos físicos: é motivar, apoiar, unir o grupo e acreditar nas atletas, mesmo quando elas próprias duvidam de si. ❤️
Também gostei muito de ver um romance desportivo em que os protagonistas são ambos treinadores, em vez da habitual dinâmica entre jogadores. Isso deu uma perspetiva diferente e tornou a rivalidade ainda mais interessante.
Demorei um pouco a entrar na história, mas, quando me envolvi, não quis largar o livro. Até dei por mim ansiosa com o resultado dos jogos! 😅 E o final conseguiu surpreender-me, com um momento digno de um filme de Hollywood. 🎬⚽
Se gostam de romances desportivos, rivalidade, slow burn, personagens com profundidade emocional e histórias de superação, esta é uma excelente escolha.
Estreei-me com esta autora e gostei muito! Foi uma leitura leve, envolvente e perfeita para o verão. Adoro romances passados no mundo do desporto e este, centrado no futebol, conquistou-me facilmente. ⚽
Marcee Ackerman sempre sonhou ser treinadora principal na Pemberton Prep, mas a sua carreira está por um fio. Com um ultimato do novo diretor, só há uma solução: vencer o campeonato estadual.
Do outro lado está Remington Lockley, antigo craque da Premier League e novo treinador da equipa rival. Entre rivalidade, competição e uma atração impossível de ignorar, começa um verdadeiro jogo dentro e fora das quatro linhas.
Gostei muito da Marcee. É uma protagonista imperfeita, reservada e muito humana, marcada por traumas do passado. Foi muito interessante acompanhar a sua evolução, as sessões de terapia e a forma sensível como a autora aborda temas como a saúde mental, os distúrbios alimentares, a pressão no desporto e a desigualdade entre homens e mulheres no futebol. É impossível não reparar como os treinadores masculinos continuam a ser mais valorizados e a ter melhores condições.
O romance desenvolve-se em slow burn, com uma química que cresce de forma natural. Mas, para mim, o grande destaque foi a relação da Marcee com a sua equipa. Ser treinadora vai muito além de preparar táticas ou treinos físicos: é motivar, apoiar, unir o grupo e acreditar nas atletas, mesmo quando elas próprias duvidam de si. ❤️
Também gostei muito de ver um romance desportivo em que os protagonistas são ambos treinadores, em vez da habitual dinâmica entre jogadores. Isso deu uma perspetiva diferente e tornou a rivalidade ainda mais interessante.
Demorei um pouco a entrar na história, mas, quando me envolvi, não quis largar o livro. Até dei por mim ansiosa com o resultado dos jogos! 😅 E o final conseguiu surpreender-me, com um momento digno de um filme de Hollywood. 🎬⚽
Se gostam de romances desportivos, rivalidade, slow burn, personagens com profundidade emocional e histórias de superação, esta é uma excelente escolha.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved it!
I've started to expect about 3 star reads for debut books, because most of the time for a first book authors tend to write action focused. Not that that's wrong, it just makes the characters lack depth most of the time. But this book was waaaay better than I expected. It's a solid 4.5 stars.
I loved the characters with their fears and passion. Marcee was a great, complex and lovely character. Even with her prickly exterior at times, she was remarkable. She felt so real to me with her struggles and doubts. The therapy sessions completed her character and challenged her to be better and more vulnerable with those who deserve to be part of her life. I loved that I saw her in some low and some high moments, representing real life so authentically.
Remy was charming and patient with Marcee, and was exactly what she needed. He was a pretty good communicater. He provoked her to express herself even when she didn't want to. He also addressed her doubts and fears, and tried to show her his feelings with actions, even though some of them were really stupid and not carefully considered. I think there wasn't enough information about him in the story, he didn't share a lot on the pages and I think this is the only drawback for me. I just wanted to learn more about him.
The romance was ok. It was turbulent at times, but considering they were rivals, that was expected. I really enjoyed it, but to be honest, I loved Marcee's connection to the team more. It was so emotional and inspiring. It just stole the show and my heart. I loved how strong and passionate she was for her girls, and how ready she was to do anything for them. It was truly heartwarming.
I love how well and thoughtfully the mental health issues were represented. And exactly that was the best surprise of all.
Thank you NetGalley, Tara Sexton and Canelo for the advanced copy.
I've started to expect about 3 star reads for debut books, because most of the time for a first book authors tend to write action focused. Not that that's wrong, it just makes the characters lack depth most of the time. But this book was waaaay better than I expected. It's a solid 4.5 stars.
I loved the characters with their fears and passion. Marcee was a great, complex and lovely character. Even with her prickly exterior at times, she was remarkable. She felt so real to me with her struggles and doubts. The therapy sessions completed her character and challenged her to be better and more vulnerable with those who deserve to be part of her life. I loved that I saw her in some low and some high moments, representing real life so authentically.
Remy was charming and patient with Marcee, and was exactly what she needed. He was a pretty good communicater. He provoked her to express herself even when she didn't want to. He also addressed her doubts and fears, and tried to show her his feelings with actions, even though some of them were really stupid and not carefully considered. I think there wasn't enough information about him in the story, he didn't share a lot on the pages and I think this is the only drawback for me. I just wanted to learn more about him.
The romance was ok. It was turbulent at times, but considering they were rivals, that was expected. I really enjoyed it, but to be honest, I loved Marcee's connection to the team more. It was so emotional and inspiring. It just stole the show and my heart. I loved how strong and passionate she was for her girls, and how ready she was to do anything for them. It was truly heartwarming.
I love how well and thoughtfully the mental health issues were represented. And exactly that was the best surprise of all.
Thank you NetGalley, Tara Sexton and Canelo for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75☆
(+) :
- I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. I don’t think I was really expecting anything specifically but the characters just really worked for me.
- I love that they’re both coaches. I love sports romances but so often they’re players or one is a player and one is a coach but having two coaches was not something I realized I was aching for until this book.
- Also *bless* a sports romance that actually focuses on the sport.
- I like this cover. I think Marcie looks fine, but Remy looks incredible and the strong yellow and cool tones just really work for me. Also the tied whistles is genius.
(-) :
- I do think that they are together as a couple for way too much of the story. The stakes basically evaporate even though she has a non-fraternization clause in her contract.
- I wanted a bit more from his trauma. We get a lot from Marcee’s and how it is intrinsically linked to her coaching storyline, but his feels underdeveloped. Like, why can’t he just play in America instead of coaching?
- There was an odd sort of reticence to writing the spice that I found disappointing. They sat in this weird sort of limbo between wanting to commit and not wanting to be super explicit.
- I think there was a stronger title out there somewhere.
(?) :
- ..how old is Remy? She’s supposed to have idolized him in high school but also that could mean he’s like two years older than her or a decade.
WILL I READ THE NEXT ONE? : Yes. I am looking forward to the next pair that was teed up.
(HOW LONG) DO I THINK THEY’LL STAY TOGETHER? : Oh they’re solid.
*Thank you to Canelo Romance & Netgalley for providing this ARC!
SIMILAR BOOKS :
‘Kulti’ by Mariana Zapata
‘Cloud Nine’ by Amanda Sinatra
’Pointe of Pride’ by Chloe Angyal
’The Right Swipe’ by Alisha Rai
(+) :
- I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. I don’t think I was really expecting anything specifically but the characters just really worked for me.
- I love that they’re both coaches. I love sports romances but so often they’re players or one is a player and one is a coach but having two coaches was not something I realized I was aching for until this book.
- Also *bless* a sports romance that actually focuses on the sport.
- I like this cover. I think Marcie looks fine, but Remy looks incredible and the strong yellow and cool tones just really work for me. Also the tied whistles is genius.
(-) :
- I do think that they are together as a couple for way too much of the story. The stakes basically evaporate even though she has a non-fraternization clause in her contract.
- I wanted a bit more from his trauma. We get a lot from Marcee’s and how it is intrinsically linked to her coaching storyline, but his feels underdeveloped. Like, why can’t he just play in America instead of coaching?
- There was an odd sort of reticence to writing the spice that I found disappointing. They sat in this weird sort of limbo between wanting to commit and not wanting to be super explicit.
- I think there was a stronger title out there somewhere.
(?) :
- ..how old is Remy? She’s supposed to have idolized him in high school but also that could mean he’s like two years older than her or a decade.
WILL I READ THE NEXT ONE? : Yes. I am looking forward to the next pair that was teed up.
(HOW LONG) DO I THINK THEY’LL STAY TOGETHER? : Oh they’re solid.
*Thank you to Canelo Romance & Netgalley for providing this ARC!
SIMILAR BOOKS :
‘Kulti’ by Mariana Zapata
‘Cloud Nine’ by Amanda Sinatra
’Pointe of Pride’ by Chloe Angyal
’The Right Swipe’ by Alisha Rai
May 22, 2026
The Greatest Game is a spicy sports romance by Tara Sexton. Marcee has just landed her first coaching job at an exclusive prep school in North Carolina. When she takes the team to training camp, she discovers that their rival team is being coached by Remington “Remy” Lockley, pro British footballer. When they first meet, sparks fly between Marcee and Remy from all of their arguing. They even get into a physical altercation on the field, and they really seem to hate each other.
When they run into each other on a late-night run, things heat up and they cross the line from hate to lust. Then they quickly get together, and seemingly fall for each other. Marcee was focused on her physical attraction to Remy, and Remy was smitten with her, but their transition from hate to love was too fast to be believable. I didn’t feel an emotional connection between them. It would have been great to have dual POV narration in this book to learn more about Remy’s thoughts and feelings. Of the two main characters, he seemed more grounded and stable than Marcee, who seemed very insecure and anxious.
A lot of this book focused on the soccer games that Marcee’s team played, and that was not very interesting to me. I wanted more about Marcee and Remy’s backstories and their romance - more development of their connection, more emotional intimacy. I love the tension and slow burn of enemies to lovers, but this book didn’t work for me. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, and Marcee and Remy’s love story didn’t feel very realistic.
Thank you to DK/Canelo Romance and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When they run into each other on a late-night run, things heat up and they cross the line from hate to lust. Then they quickly get together, and seemingly fall for each other. Marcee was focused on her physical attraction to Remy, and Remy was smitten with her, but their transition from hate to love was too fast to be believable. I didn’t feel an emotional connection between them. It would have been great to have dual POV narration in this book to learn more about Remy’s thoughts and feelings. Of the two main characters, he seemed more grounded and stable than Marcee, who seemed very insecure and anxious.
A lot of this book focused on the soccer games that Marcee’s team played, and that was not very interesting to me. I wanted more about Marcee and Remy’s backstories and their romance - more development of their connection, more emotional intimacy. I love the tension and slow burn of enemies to lovers, but this book didn’t work for me. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, and Marcee and Remy’s love story didn’t feel very realistic.
Thank you to DK/Canelo Romance and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 10, 2026
**A Winning Romance About Ambition, Redemption, and Choosing More Than Just Victory**
*The Greatest Game* is far more than an enemies-to-lovers sports romance. Beneath the competitive banter, undeniable chemistry, and high-stakes soccer matches is a thoughtful story about resilience, redemption, and the courage to redefine success when life refuses to go according to plan.
What makes this novel particularly engaging is the way Tara Sexton places both protagonists at pivotal moments in their lives. Marcee isn't simply coaching to win a championship—she's fighting to protect the career, purpose, and team she's worked so hard to build. Likewise, Remy arrives carrying the weight of a past that has threatened to define his future, forcing him to confront who he is beyond the headlines and expectations placed upon him.
Their rivalry feels authentic because it grows from two people who have everything to lose. As competition gradually gives way to understanding, the story becomes an exploration of trust, vulnerability, and the realization that true strength isn't measured only by victories on the field, but by the willingness to let someone see the person behind the ambition.
What stayed with me most is that *The Greatest Game* quietly asks an important question: When we've spent our lives proving ourselves through achievement, do we know how to recognize happiness when it finally appears?
Tara Sexton delivers an emotionally satisfying romance that celebrates perseverance, second chances, and the idea that some of life's greatest victories have nothing to do with the final score.
A heartfelt, engaging, and uplifting story that reminds readers the most meaningful triumphs are often the ones that transform us long after the game is over.
*The Greatest Game* is far more than an enemies-to-lovers sports romance. Beneath the competitive banter, undeniable chemistry, and high-stakes soccer matches is a thoughtful story about resilience, redemption, and the courage to redefine success when life refuses to go according to plan.
What makes this novel particularly engaging is the way Tara Sexton places both protagonists at pivotal moments in their lives. Marcee isn't simply coaching to win a championship—she's fighting to protect the career, purpose, and team she's worked so hard to build. Likewise, Remy arrives carrying the weight of a past that has threatened to define his future, forcing him to confront who he is beyond the headlines and expectations placed upon him.
Their rivalry feels authentic because it grows from two people who have everything to lose. As competition gradually gives way to understanding, the story becomes an exploration of trust, vulnerability, and the realization that true strength isn't measured only by victories on the field, but by the willingness to let someone see the person behind the ambition.
What stayed with me most is that *The Greatest Game* quietly asks an important question: When we've spent our lives proving ourselves through achievement, do we know how to recognize happiness when it finally appears?
Tara Sexton delivers an emotionally satisfying romance that celebrates perseverance, second chances, and the idea that some of life's greatest victories have nothing to do with the final score.
A heartfelt, engaging, and uplifting story that reminds readers the most meaningful triumphs are often the ones that transform us long after the game is over.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
Hard to believe that this is the debut novel by this author but here we are. The Greatest Game was a very well written sports romance covering several diverse topics throughout.
This is a slow burn done right. Them being rival coaches adds an interesting dynamic that I haven't read about before. They have great chemistry and banter and compliment each other well.
The book does cover a lot of heavy topics which have shaped our FMC Marcee into who she is today. These topics are handled very well and it is clear that they weren't just added to make the story juicy. They were added intentionally to show us who Marcee really is and given that we only get her POV in this story, this helps us as the reader to be on her side and understand why she is the way she is.
Remy is also a good match for her, no pun intended! He challenges her but isn't insensitive when it comes to her trauma. It would have been good to get his POV given he has a somewhat spicy past but alas!
Despite this being a romance, the strongest and most endearing relationship to me was the one between Marcee and her team. She truly care for them, their wellbeing and their futures. It's definately a stand out relationship in the book.
The author also clearly knows her stuff when it’s come to the world of football. Whether this was through research or simply being a fan I don’t know, but the sports setting was as flushed out as the romance.
Heavy topics aside, this was a very fun and entertaining read! At under 370 pages, this doesn't feel like a slog! Just an enjoyable experience!
Hard to believe that this is the debut novel by this author but here we are. The Greatest Game was a very well written sports romance covering several diverse topics throughout.
This is a slow burn done right. Them being rival coaches adds an interesting dynamic that I haven't read about before. They have great chemistry and banter and compliment each other well.
The book does cover a lot of heavy topics which have shaped our FMC Marcee into who she is today. These topics are handled very well and it is clear that they weren't just added to make the story juicy. They were added intentionally to show us who Marcee really is and given that we only get her POV in this story, this helps us as the reader to be on her side and understand why she is the way she is.
Remy is also a good match for her, no pun intended! He challenges her but isn't insensitive when it comes to her trauma. It would have been good to get his POV given he has a somewhat spicy past but alas!
Despite this being a romance, the strongest and most endearing relationship to me was the one between Marcee and her team. She truly care for them, their wellbeing and their futures. It's definately a stand out relationship in the book.
The author also clearly knows her stuff when it’s come to the world of football. Whether this was through research or simply being a fan I don’t know, but the sports setting was as flushed out as the romance.
Heavy topics aside, this was a very fun and entertaining read! At under 370 pages, this doesn't feel like a slog! Just an enjoyable experience!
March 20, 2026
Thank you to the publishers, author and net galley for an advanced copy of The Greatest Game.
I did really enjoy the majority of this book, I liked reading books about football, and sports romance in general is a really regular genre for me. There were parts I wasn’t so keen on, but overall this was a good book.
Things I liked was the drama, tension, depth of the main character, and plot. I also enjoyed the fact that this was single person POV, rather than dual (personally I’m getting a bit bored of dual POV in romance books). I thought the mental health and ED topics were handled well and with care, and I really loved the bond between coach and player.
Things I thought could have been better…sometimes it felt like we skipped away from major plot points a bit quickly, I also think the resolution (I won’t spoil anything) “resolved” without really being resolved.
Lastly, as someone who is English and watches a lot of premier league football, I could tell the author knows a lot about England and football, or has done a lot of research. I have read many books set in America with English characters and there are regularly slip ups with language and differences. It wasn’t perfect, and at times it did feel like the MMC (and some other English characters) were speaking a bit too prim and posh (almost like regency era dialogue).
Overall an enjoyable read, and definitely recommend if you enjoy football/sports romance.
May 21, 2026
“The Greatest Game” is Tara Sexton’s first book in her “The End Game” series. Marcee Ackerman is starting her first head coaching position with the girls soccer team at Pemberton Prep. Her childhood soccer idol, Remington Lockley, is starting his coaching career with the girls soccer team at rival school Alpha Ridge Academy. Marcee is the first female coach at her school and one of the conditions of her employment is to be the state championship winner. Unfortunately she is being hindered and sabotaged by the boys soccer assistant coach who wants her job. Add to that Marcee’s attraction to Remy. She could be let go due to conflict of interest and immoral behavior charges. Read to the end to see how Marcee fares!
This was a fun book to read. It was fast paced and kept my attention engaged to the last word. Ms. Sexton portrayed the challenges women may face in the workplace, especially in the athletic fields. The focus on eating disorders was very on-point and well done. It flagged the challenges and unexpected consequences related to this family of disorders. I applaud Ms. Sexton for her caring and thoughtful views on this topic. I’m excited to read the next book in this series. If you are a soccer fan, especially women’s soccer, and enjoy romances, this book is for you.
I wish to thank DK for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#TheGreatestGame
#DK
#NetGalley
#Romance
#WomensSoccer
This was a fun book to read. It was fast paced and kept my attention engaged to the last word. Ms. Sexton portrayed the challenges women may face in the workplace, especially in the athletic fields. The focus on eating disorders was very on-point and well done. It flagged the challenges and unexpected consequences related to this family of disorders. I applaud Ms. Sexton for her caring and thoughtful views on this topic. I’m excited to read the next book in this series. If you are a soccer fan, especially women’s soccer, and enjoy romances, this book is for you.
I wish to thank DK for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#TheGreatestGame
#DK
#NetGalley
#Romance
#WomensSoccer
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a huge fan of sports romances & this one does a good job finding the balance between soccer/football & the romance plot. There is quite a bit of emphasis on the sport & a lot of time spent on it - I'd say it's pretty much 50/50, not just a romance with one of the characters being a sports player. The two main characters are both coaches & have a long history of playing as well.
Marcee has been running from her demons for a long time... and while she is in therapy, she still hasn't really let go of or dealt with some issues from her past. I appreciated how the story of her & Eli came about throughout the book & how she finally came to terms with what had happened & didn't let it hang over her anymore.
Remy also has some past that is hanging over him. I love his Mom & how welcoming she is to Marcee!
The book covers some hard topics - including eating disorders. Marcee struggled with it in high school, to the point where her heart stopped during a game & she spent a lot of time in the hospital. But now, with therapy & time & hard work, she's at a good place and notices one of the girls on her team struggling with it. It's a hard topic, but handled well in the book. A good representation of a hard thing!
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Thank you to the author (Tara Sexton), publisher (Canelo) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Marcee has been running from her demons for a long time... and while she is in therapy, she still hasn't really let go of or dealt with some issues from her past. I appreciated how the story of her & Eli came about throughout the book & how she finally came to terms with what had happened & didn't let it hang over her anymore.
Remy also has some past that is hanging over him. I love his Mom & how welcoming she is to Marcee!
The book covers some hard topics - including eating disorders. Marcee struggled with it in high school, to the point where her heart stopped during a game & she spent a lot of time in the hospital. But now, with therapy & time & hard work, she's at a good place and notices one of the girls on her team struggling with it. It's a hard topic, but handled well in the book. A good representation of a hard thing!
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Thank you to the author (Tara Sexton), publisher (Canelo) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Why was this so goddamn good?!
First of all, check the content warnings!
On the surface, this is an FM romance, an enemies to lovers story done right, with just a touch of miscommunication (enough to hurt, but not enough to carry the entire plot). It’s sweet, sexy, and incredibly engaging.
Marcee is haunted by old memories while trying to prove she deserves to be the head coach at a school where the sexism is hard to miss. She has always had to fend for herself, and six years ago something happened. The guilt still follows her.
Remy is the star footballer (Football, not soccer! Like god intended it to be called!) who was run out of London. The ghosts of his past are catching up with him in the form of a photographer determined to uncover the truth about what happened.
The attraction between them is undeniable, along with their shared stubbornness and the thrill of the game.
But how do you move on from guilt and ghosts? And how do you stop others from making the same mistakes you did?
The last 5% of the book? Wild!
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for providing an eARC to review!
First of all, check the content warnings!
On the surface, this is an FM romance, an enemies to lovers story done right, with just a touch of miscommunication (enough to hurt, but not enough to carry the entire plot). It’s sweet, sexy, and incredibly engaging.
Marcee is haunted by old memories while trying to prove she deserves to be the head coach at a school where the sexism is hard to miss. She has always had to fend for herself, and six years ago something happened. The guilt still follows her.
Remy is the star footballer (Football, not soccer! Like god intended it to be called!) who was run out of London. The ghosts of his past are catching up with him in the form of a photographer determined to uncover the truth about what happened.
The attraction between them is undeniable, along with their shared stubbornness and the thrill of the game.
But how do you move on from guilt and ghosts? And how do you stop others from making the same mistakes you did?
The last 5% of the book? Wild!
"You taste like butter" [...]
"And you taste like paradise."
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for providing an eARC to review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book just completely missed the mark for me and I'm so bummed.
I am a BIG fan of the enemies to lovers trope but this was not that. Our FMC, Marcee, is the new head coach of an elite prep school and finds out that the MMC, Remington (Remy), former Premier League player, is the new coach of their rival school. The first few chapters leaned in HARD as the rivals butted heads every chance they interacted but it took a sharp turn into lovers WAY too quickly for my taste. There was barely any chance for the build-up, the best part of the trope, and quickly turned into instalove. Also, the author did a lot more tell then show when it came to their relationship so when they made their love confession, I was honestly perplexed that their relationship had gotten to that stage already.
Props to the author for tackling the rampant misogyny in sports and elite academia as well as focusing on the pressure for young female athletes regarding their bodies. This was the best, most well developed portion of the book and I give Tara Sexton credit for leaning into the uncomfortable scenarios that came up due to sexism, etc. because it truly helped the story.
Thanks to #Netgalley & Canelo for the ARC!
I am a BIG fan of the enemies to lovers trope but this was not that. Our FMC, Marcee, is the new head coach of an elite prep school and finds out that the MMC, Remington (Remy), former Premier League player, is the new coach of their rival school. The first few chapters leaned in HARD as the rivals butted heads every chance they interacted but it took a sharp turn into lovers WAY too quickly for my taste. There was barely any chance for the build-up, the best part of the trope, and quickly turned into instalove. Also, the author did a lot more tell then show when it came to their relationship so when they made their love confession, I was honestly perplexed that their relationship had gotten to that stage already.
Props to the author for tackling the rampant misogyny in sports and elite academia as well as focusing on the pressure for young female athletes regarding their bodies. This was the best, most well developed portion of the book and I give Tara Sexton credit for leaning into the uncomfortable scenarios that came up due to sexism, etc. because it truly helped the story.
Thanks to #Netgalley & Canelo for the ARC!
June 5, 2026
Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC.
4/5 Stars
Marcee Ackerman is away at a training camp to help the high school girls soccer team she coaches. While she is out on a run, she meets her soccer hero, Remington Lockley, after an ACTUAL run-in, and he takes her to the onsite doctor to stitch her back-up.
Now you might be thinking that is such a good meet-cute as they flirt while they walk there together. She is pretending she doesn't know he is a soccer legend, and he thinks this is just a random woman.
Yet when they get to the doctor’s office, Remy runs into a few coaches who are also there for team training and Marcee overhears Remy speaking badly about her coaching abilities without knowing who she actually is!
Now she is determined to beat him and prove the misogynistic things Remy and the other men were saying are all wrong!
To make matters worse, the high school girls' team's Remy coaches are the rival team of the school's Marcee coaches. If she doesn’t win she might lose her job.
If Remy doesn’t win, it might prove to the media and everyone around him that what they are saying is true.
This was such a great rival to lovers, coach vs coach, high school soccer, girls soccer teams book. I really loved and enjoyed it so much! Thank you for the e-ARC copy.
4/5 Stars
Marcee Ackerman is away at a training camp to help the high school girls soccer team she coaches. While she is out on a run, she meets her soccer hero, Remington Lockley, after an ACTUAL run-in, and he takes her to the onsite doctor to stitch her back-up.
Now you might be thinking that is such a good meet-cute as they flirt while they walk there together. She is pretending she doesn't know he is a soccer legend, and he thinks this is just a random woman.
Yet when they get to the doctor’s office, Remy runs into a few coaches who are also there for team training and Marcee overhears Remy speaking badly about her coaching abilities without knowing who she actually is!
Now she is determined to beat him and prove the misogynistic things Remy and the other men were saying are all wrong!
To make matters worse, the high school girls' team's Remy coaches are the rival team of the school's Marcee coaches. If she doesn’t win she might lose her job.
If Remy doesn’t win, it might prove to the media and everyone around him that what they are saying is true.
This was such a great rival to lovers, coach vs coach, high school soccer, girls soccer teams book. I really loved and enjoyed it so much! Thank you for the e-ARC copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Let's hear it for the slow burn forbidden romances! Marcee and Remy had fantastic chemistry and I loved that their romance was allowed to develop slowly, even though they had an instant connection. I loved that Marcee was just as passionate and competitive at football/soccer as Remy is, which added to Remy's attraction to her.
Importantly, the sports didn’t feel superfluous for the sake of cashing in on sports romance. The author clearly loves the game herself or did research to make me feel immersed enough to understand how kick arse Marcee was as a coach. She's devoted to the game, has a brilliant rapport with her team. The way Marcee naviated the misogyny and sexual harassment in a way that felt relatable, sometimes women just have to suck it up until we can find better opportunities. I appreciate the care weaving in the storyline about eating disorders and how that played into Marcee's guilt from her past. The only thing not quite explained is why Marcee didn't play professionally, which I would've loved. I also wasn't a fan of Nicole getting angry with Marcee early on thinking Marcee hooked up with Remy.
Fantastic debut.
Importantly, the sports didn’t feel superfluous for the sake of cashing in on sports romance. The author clearly loves the game herself or did research to make me feel immersed enough to understand how kick arse Marcee was as a coach. She's devoted to the game, has a brilliant rapport with her team. The way Marcee naviated the misogyny and sexual harassment in a way that felt relatable, sometimes women just have to suck it up until we can find better opportunities. I appreciate the care weaving in the storyline about eating disorders and how that played into Marcee's guilt from her past. The only thing not quite explained is why Marcee didn't play professionally, which I would've loved. I also wasn't a fan of Nicole getting angry with Marcee early on thinking Marcee hooked up with Remy.
Fantastic debut.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance reading copy recieved from Netgalley
How sad it is to have to give this book this rating, because it had the perfect combination of ingredients to make me love it.
Although I really enjoyed the humorous tone of the book, our FMC, all the football knowledge, the way the author represented women in male dominantes fields like football coaching, and how well she handled the eating dissorders of one of the players, the romance was not enough for me.
I don't usually like books with fast burn, but in this one everything happens too fast for my liking. The immediate insta love and the conflicts between them are resolved in the blink of an eye, not to mention that we know practically nothing about Remy (I think the chapters with his pov would have greatly benefited the story) or how they fall in love. Because the author, is telling us rather than showing us how their romance develops, and that takes a lot away from the story.
Furthermore, I think it is a story that deserves to be a little longer so that all the elements can be properly developed.
Thank you Netgalley, Canelo publishing and Tara Sexton for the advanced copy!!
How sad it is to have to give this book this rating, because it had the perfect combination of ingredients to make me love it.
Although I really enjoyed the humorous tone of the book, our FMC, all the football knowledge, the way the author represented women in male dominantes fields like football coaching, and how well she handled the eating dissorders of one of the players, the romance was not enough for me.
I don't usually like books with fast burn, but in this one everything happens too fast for my liking. The immediate insta love and the conflicts between them are resolved in the blink of an eye, not to mention that we know practically nothing about Remy (I think the chapters with his pov would have greatly benefited the story) or how they fall in love. Because the author, is telling us rather than showing us how their romance develops, and that takes a lot away from the story.
Furthermore, I think it is a story that deserves to be a little longer so that all the elements can be properly developed.
Thank you Netgalley, Canelo publishing and Tara Sexton for the advanced copy!!
June 3, 2026
This was such a fun, slow-burn, rival soccer coaches romance! I really enjoyed the sport aspect of the book and really liked all the matches that were played out. I personally had a hard time liking the FMC; she seemed a bit immature and it certainly came across during conversations with the MMC, particularly their arguments. She certainly has avoidance issues and would refuse to clearly communicate during any of their disagreements. The big reveal over why she stopped talking to her best friend was crazy, and I hope second book is maybe a love story between Eli and Nicole? I guess only time will tell!
Remy was a good MMC, but I personally would’ve loved to have some of the chapters be written from his POV; it would’ve helped me with sympathizing more with his character and would give me more background into some of the actions he took.
Overall, had a fun time and really enjoyed the eating disorder rep. Just wanted a bit more from the main characters romantically that really wowed me.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Remy was a good MMC, but I personally would’ve loved to have some of the chapters be written from his POV; it would’ve helped me with sympathizing more with his character and would give me more background into some of the actions he took.
Overall, had a fun time and really enjoyed the eating disorder rep. Just wanted a bit more from the main characters romantically that really wowed me.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Marcee (FMC) has always dreamed of coaching women's soccer. She played through college and got the head coaching job for a girl's high school team at a prep school. The rival school also has a new coach, Remy (MMC) a Premier League super star. They meet, she hates each other, eventually he wears her down.
I'm a big fan of enemies to lovers. And I thought Remy was a pretty good book boyfriend. I wasn't sure why a high school girls team would ever hire a current male soccer player to coach their team, but I tried to accept the premise. Marcee was not super likeable. She is always looking for the worst in people and she gets in her own way a lot. She pushes away everyone in the story.
Macree and Remy's relationship is just one plot in this story. There is sexism at the school, a traumatic childhood she must overcome, and eating disorders on the team. There were a lot of big plot points to cover. Each could have been the focus of the book and I felt they could have used more space in the book. It felt a bit choppy.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC this is my honest review.
I'm a big fan of enemies to lovers. And I thought Remy was a pretty good book boyfriend. I wasn't sure why a high school girls team would ever hire a current male soccer player to coach their team, but I tried to accept the premise. Marcee was not super likeable. She is always looking for the worst in people and she gets in her own way a lot. She pushes away everyone in the story.
Macree and Remy's relationship is just one plot in this story. There is sexism at the school, a traumatic childhood she must overcome, and eating disorders on the team. There were a lot of big plot points to cover. Each could have been the focus of the book and I felt they could have used more space in the book. It felt a bit choppy.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!
The Greatest Game by Tara Sexton was a fun, steamy romance that I really enjoyed overall. The premise hooked me straight away. I love an enemies to lovers trope, and the added thread of female empowerment gave the story an extra layer I appreciated!!
That said, the execution didn’t fully land for me. The shift into enemies felt quite rushed and a bit irrational, which made it harder to buy into the tension. At times, the female main character came across quite harsh because she leaned so heavily into that dynamic, and it made the relationship feel more forced than natural. Because of that, the transition into lust and romance didn’t hit as strongly as it could have.
Still, it’s an entertaining, spicy read with a solid concept at its core, definitely worth picking up if you enjoy enemies to lovers with a bold edge.
The Greatest Game by Tara Sexton was a fun, steamy romance that I really enjoyed overall. The premise hooked me straight away. I love an enemies to lovers trope, and the added thread of female empowerment gave the story an extra layer I appreciated!!
That said, the execution didn’t fully land for me. The shift into enemies felt quite rushed and a bit irrational, which made it harder to buy into the tension. At times, the female main character came across quite harsh because she leaned so heavily into that dynamic, and it made the relationship feel more forced than natural. Because of that, the transition into lust and romance didn’t hit as strongly as it could have.
Still, it’s an entertaining, spicy read with a solid concept at its core, definitely worth picking up if you enjoy enemies to lovers with a bold edge.
July 7, 2026
Remy, upon finding out his comments have been overheard — about how women are inferior coaches, how girls need a strong hand guiding them — says that eavesdropping is beneath Marcee rather than, you know, apologizing. Way to make me root for the main lead; turn him into a redpill. Between negging, the inability to use her name, and his general attitude, the knowledge that he was the love interest had me really disliking this book from the get go.
I don’t know that I want an enemies to lovers with some manosphere child who never does apologize, only explains and begs for understanding. And because he’s hot, Marcee decides she loves him. I’m sorry, but no.
Maybe if the author had done less well at making me loathe the male character, or gave him a redemption arc other than being hot. As it is, this is a pass from me. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 9, 2026
Last week, I picked up The Greatest Game and ended up flying through it way faster than I expected. I’d have to see it really scored my attention from the start! ⚽️☺️
You’ve got rivalry, pressure, and then… feelings getting in the way at the worst possible time and completely messing up the game plan. Marcee is trying to keep her head in the match, and not in the clouds, while Remy is just there being a very distracting opponent. Not ideal when you’re supposed to be focused on wining…
It’s fast paced, zero timeouts, which I really enjoyed, even if I wish a few moments had a bit more depth or a stronger wrap-up. Still, I had a really good time with it.
Also, as someone who has read quite some MM soccer romances, this felt like a fun switch-up, and if definitely worked for me. The spice is there, yes, but it’s more of a nice assist than the main goal (oh my god, me making soccer jokes? Someone check in on me asap! 😂)
Overall, if you like your sports romances fun and slightly chaotic, this one might keep you hooked!
You’ve got rivalry, pressure, and then… feelings getting in the way at the worst possible time and completely messing up the game plan. Marcee is trying to keep her head in the match, and not in the clouds, while Remy is just there being a very distracting opponent. Not ideal when you’re supposed to be focused on wining…
It’s fast paced, zero timeouts, which I really enjoyed, even if I wish a few moments had a bit more depth or a stronger wrap-up. Still, I had a really good time with it.
Also, as someone who has read quite some MM soccer romances, this felt like a fun switch-up, and if definitely worked for me. The spice is there, yes, but it’s more of a nice assist than the main goal (oh my god, me making soccer jokes? Someone check in on me asap! 😂)
Overall, if you like your sports romances fun and slightly chaotic, this one might keep you hooked!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first time I see a sports romance where both the FMC and MMC are in the position of coaches ; and it was BRILLIANT!
I love when the main characters are truly human; making mistakes and not always being brave or having the perfect reactions to their life's troubles. It just truly makes them endearing and gets me so emotionally invested , I love it.
The only reason I did not give it a 5 ☆ is that I felt like the ending was too short and rushed compared to the pacing of the rest of the story.
Definitely an amazing read for any sports romance reader who enjoy seeing strong and talented women give a piece of their mind to society's idiotic barriers while still getting an amazing romance win 🏆
ARC Review thanks to the author and NetGalley.
I love when the main characters are truly human; making mistakes and not always being brave or having the perfect reactions to their life's troubles. It just truly makes them endearing and gets me so emotionally invested , I love it.
The only reason I did not give it a 5 ☆ is that I felt like the ending was too short and rushed compared to the pacing of the rest of the story.
Definitely an amazing read for any sports romance reader who enjoy seeing strong and talented women give a piece of their mind to society's idiotic barriers while still getting an amazing romance win 🏆
ARC Review thanks to the author and NetGalley.
May 19, 2026
Thank you so much NetGalley & DK for the eARC of The Greatest Game by Tara Sexton in exchange of Am
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
This was a fun debut sports romance that had me hooked on the tension right away. I love enemies to lovers so the setup between Marcee and Remy was *chefs kiss* and their chemistry carried the story!!
I really liked Marcee’s drive, It gave the story real stakes beyond just the romance. Remy was charming and layered enough to stay interesting. The banter and tension were highlights for me, but I do think parts of the story felt a bit predictable for me. Overall, though, this was a good read with strong chemistry and a solid plot. It's definitely worth picking up if you like steamy sports romances with rivals to lovers vibe!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
This was a fun debut sports romance that had me hooked on the tension right away. I love enemies to lovers so the setup between Marcee and Remy was *chefs kiss* and their chemistry carried the story!!
I really liked Marcee’s drive, It gave the story real stakes beyond just the romance. Remy was charming and layered enough to stay interesting. The banter and tension were highlights for me, but I do think parts of the story felt a bit predictable for me. Overall, though, this was a good read with strong chemistry and a solid plot. It's definitely worth picking up if you like steamy sports romances with rivals to lovers vibe!
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