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Keeping Score
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26Love is on the line, and this goalie is playing for keeps, in this steamy soccer romance from Brittany Kelley, author of Relationship Goals.
Michelle Oxford lives and breathes soccer. After an injury that ended her dreams of going pro, she snagged the next best thing: a position as the director of operations for the LA Aces. And even if it’s not quite what she imagined it would be, it’s still better than cutting out soccer altogether.
The only problem? Carefree, wonder boy goalie, Tristan Gold.
Tristan has wanted more than just friendship with Michelle since the moment he laid eyes on her, but nothing would kill her career faster. When she loses a bet, the team gleefully insists she has to take lessons on “being chill” from Tristan himself.
They couldn’t be more different, but Tristan’s always met her perfectionist tendencies with good-natured goofiness, so she reluctantly agrees. The more time she spends with him, the more she likes what she sees . . . and Michelle starts to think that with him by her side, she could do just about anything—even saying goodbye to the future she thought she always wanted.
Michelle Oxford lives and breathes soccer. After an injury that ended her dreams of going pro, she snagged the next best thing: a position as the director of operations for the LA Aces. And even if it’s not quite what she imagined it would be, it’s still better than cutting out soccer altogether.
The only problem? Carefree, wonder boy goalie, Tristan Gold.
Tristan has wanted more than just friendship with Michelle since the moment he laid eyes on her, but nothing would kill her career faster. When she loses a bet, the team gleefully insists she has to take lessons on “being chill” from Tristan himself.
They couldn’t be more different, but Tristan’s always met her perfectionist tendencies with good-natured goofiness, so she reluctantly agrees. The more time she spends with him, the more she likes what she sees . . . and Michelle starts to think that with him by her side, she could do just about anything—even saying goodbye to the future she thought she always wanted.
- GenresSports
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 25, 2026
3 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
2026
February 25, 2026Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
March 11, 2026
4.5/5⭐️
This novel was so cute!! I absolutely love the FMC. Michelle is such a badass. She’s independent, strong, and I loved her growth. I adored Tristan so much. I appreciate how he helped Michelle see her worth. The way they faced obstacles together was refreshing. I also enjoyed the side characters as they were given such amazing personalities that it made me want to read even more!
I would highly recommend this to those who love workplace sports romance, novels where the FMC truly finds herself, and the friends to lovers trope.
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for letting me be part of this ARC. Please note all reviews are my honest and unbiased opinion.
This novel was so cute!! I absolutely love the FMC. Michelle is such a badass. She’s independent, strong, and I loved her growth. I adored Tristan so much. I appreciate how he helped Michelle see her worth. The way they faced obstacles together was refreshing. I also enjoyed the side characters as they were given such amazing personalities that it made me want to read even more!
I would highly recommend this to those who love workplace sports romance, novels where the FMC truly finds herself, and the friends to lovers trope.
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for letting me be part of this ARC. Please note all reviews are my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars
Keeping Score started off pretty cute, but the more I read, the more I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up.
It is marketed as a standalone, but the way characters like Abigail and Luke are dropped in without any context made me feel like I had walked into the middle of a movie.
The lack of backstory makes the emotional stakes feel surface level. Michelle and Tristan seem into each other from page one, so we miss the entire build-up, and I never really understood why they were falling for each other.
The whole pretext for their relationship felt forced, starting with a shuffleboard bet at a bar that led to these "relaxation lessons." It just felt like a hit to get the plot moving rather than a natural progression. While they have a few hot scenes and go to a rage room, there is no real depth to their connection. She tells him her dad was an alcoholic, but they never actually dive into how that shaped her or why she is the way she is. Without those deeper conversations, the "I love him" realization just felt unearned.
The plot itself felt heavily manufactured to hit specific tropes. The one bed scene and the sleepover when he was not even drunk felt forced just to check a box. There was also some annoying miscommunication for the sake of conflict. Michelle says she does not do casual, then immediately agrees to it, and Tristan just leaves her feeling vulnerable instead of actually talking to her.
I also struggled with the realism of the professional setting. Michelle is supposedly a high-level director who is so overrun she sleeps in her office, yet she suddenly has all the time in the world for relaxation lessons and last-minute barbecues the second she needs a character arc.
There were definitely bright spots. The writing style is engaging, the jokes made me smile, and the chaos of the locker room scenes was written really well. As an injured athlete myself, I was really looking forward to seeing how she navigated her injury, but that part of the story felt very surface level and was a bit of a let down. Her realization about pushing her friends away after her injury did hit home for me, though. That was the one part that felt truly grounded and real.
Some of the dialogue felt a bit off, like when she calls Tristan a "dummy" while he is being vulnerable about his insecurities, but the chemistry was there. I am actually interested in reading Lauren and the coach’s story next, mostly because I have already read the beginning of it in this book, which makes it feel like it may be more of a complete narrative than the main couple's story did. It is a fast, fun read if you can ignore the logic gaps, but the plot shortcuts kept it from being a favorite for me.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Keeping Score started off pretty cute, but the more I read, the more I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up.
It is marketed as a standalone, but the way characters like Abigail and Luke are dropped in without any context made me feel like I had walked into the middle of a movie.
The lack of backstory makes the emotional stakes feel surface level. Michelle and Tristan seem into each other from page one, so we miss the entire build-up, and I never really understood why they were falling for each other.
The whole pretext for their relationship felt forced, starting with a shuffleboard bet at a bar that led to these "relaxation lessons." It just felt like a hit to get the plot moving rather than a natural progression. While they have a few hot scenes and go to a rage room, there is no real depth to their connection. She tells him her dad was an alcoholic, but they never actually dive into how that shaped her or why she is the way she is. Without those deeper conversations, the "I love him" realization just felt unearned.
The plot itself felt heavily manufactured to hit specific tropes. The one bed scene and the sleepover when he was not even drunk felt forced just to check a box. There was also some annoying miscommunication for the sake of conflict. Michelle says she does not do casual, then immediately agrees to it, and Tristan just leaves her feeling vulnerable instead of actually talking to her.
I also struggled with the realism of the professional setting. Michelle is supposedly a high-level director who is so overrun she sleeps in her office, yet she suddenly has all the time in the world for relaxation lessons and last-minute barbecues the second she needs a character arc.
There were definitely bright spots. The writing style is engaging, the jokes made me smile, and the chaos of the locker room scenes was written really well. As an injured athlete myself, I was really looking forward to seeing how she navigated her injury, but that part of the story felt very surface level and was a bit of a let down. Her realization about pushing her friends away after her injury did hit home for me, though. That was the one part that felt truly grounded and real.
Some of the dialogue felt a bit off, like when she calls Tristan a "dummy" while he is being vulnerable about his insecurities, but the chemistry was there. I am actually interested in reading Lauren and the coach’s story next, mostly because I have already read the beginning of it in this book, which makes it feel like it may be more of a complete narrative than the main couple's story did. It is a fast, fun read if you can ignore the logic gaps, but the plot shortcuts kept it from being a favorite for me.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3 🌟
This is a cute rom-com that grabbed me immediately from the first chapter. I LOVED that from the very first MMC POV he is absolutely in love with her, I was swooning. There are lots of jokes referencing pop culture, which I don't pay attention to so I couldn't appreciate it. I feel like if I understood the references it would've been even funnier. That being said I had a fun silly goofy time, this is such a vibes read. I was literally reading this with a smile on my face the entire time. Also, I was halfway through the book before I realized there was a book before this one. I didn't need that knowledge though, this can totally be read on its own. I really hope this book takes off as I had a good time reading it. Also, the fact that this is SOCCER was a breath of fresh air, there's no 3rd act break up. The team was hilarious! The chapters are short!
All of that being said I found the "trauma Tristan experienced to be strange. I found myself thinking he was a crybaby, but maybe that's the dark romance reader in me. Also the confrontation with his mom was cringe and anticlimactic but I loved that Michelle stuck up for him.
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Usual quotes to follow after book is published.
3 🌟
This is a cute rom-com that grabbed me immediately from the first chapter. I LOVED that from the very first MMC POV he is absolutely in love with her, I was swooning. There are lots of jokes referencing pop culture, which I don't pay attention to so I couldn't appreciate it. I feel like if I understood the references it would've been even funnier. That being said I had a fun silly goofy time, this is such a vibes read. I was literally reading this with a smile on my face the entire time. Also, I was halfway through the book before I realized there was a book before this one. I didn't need that knowledge though, this can totally be read on its own. I really hope this book takes off as I had a good time reading it. Also, the fact that this is SOCCER was a breath of fresh air, there's no 3rd act break up. The team was hilarious! The chapters are short!
All of that being said I found the "trauma Tristan experienced to be strange. I found myself thinking he was a crybaby, but maybe that's the dark romance reader in me. Also the confrontation with his mom was cringe and anticlimactic but I loved that Michelle stuck up for him.
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Usual quotes to follow after book is published.
March 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of Keeping Score.
This was my first soccer romance, and as a soccer fan I was excited to pick this one up. The story blends humor, friendship, and slow-burn romance in a way that makes it an easy and enjoyable read. I especially loved the Frozen references by Tristian. They added a fun and unexpected layer of humor.
Tristan and Michelle’s dynamic was one of my favorite parts of the book. Watching Tristan help Michelle step out of her shell while their friendship slowly grows into something more felt natural and realistic. The humor throughout the story was very relatable, and I found myself laughing out loud several times. Also, I felt like we had the same exact humor 😂
The only element I wished had been explored more was their earlier history. Their past connection is mentioned throughout the book, and I would have loved to see more of those early moments to extend the slow-burn tension even further.
Overall, Keeping Score is a cozy, feel-good romance that will especially appeal to readers who enjoy sports romances with humor and a strong friendship-to-romance arc.
⚽️ Sports romance
⚽️ Workplace romance
⚽️ Opposites attract
⚽️ Golden retriever MMC
⚽️ Protective MMC
⚽️ Friends to lovers
⚽️ He falls first
This was my first soccer romance, and as a soccer fan I was excited to pick this one up. The story blends humor, friendship, and slow-burn romance in a way that makes it an easy and enjoyable read. I especially loved the Frozen references by Tristian. They added a fun and unexpected layer of humor.
Tristan and Michelle’s dynamic was one of my favorite parts of the book. Watching Tristan help Michelle step out of her shell while their friendship slowly grows into something more felt natural and realistic. The humor throughout the story was very relatable, and I found myself laughing out loud several times. Also, I felt like we had the same exact humor 😂
The only element I wished had been explored more was their earlier history. Their past connection is mentioned throughout the book, and I would have loved to see more of those early moments to extend the slow-burn tension even further.
Overall, Keeping Score is a cozy, feel-good romance that will especially appeal to readers who enjoy sports romances with humor and a strong friendship-to-romance arc.
⚽️ Sports romance
⚽️ Workplace romance
⚽️ Opposites attract
⚽️ Golden retriever MMC
⚽️ Protective MMC
⚽️ Friends to lovers
⚽️ He falls first
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for letting me be part of this eARC.
I thought the book started out really strong, and Tristan was already a favorite by the way that he was basically the only one in Michelle’s corner as she tried to maintain the front office of the soccer club. I didn’t like how the author made Michelle seem so frazzled and haggard in her role. It almost diminished her role to me at the onset.
I felt like the relationship part was forced almost to fit a narrative of the book. There were some cute moments and some sweet banter. The HEA at the end was cute and overall, I thought the book was a good read. It was quick and I did enjoy it. There were just some parts to me that didn’t make this book stand out.
I thought the book started out really strong, and Tristan was already a favorite by the way that he was basically the only one in Michelle’s corner as she tried to maintain the front office of the soccer club. I didn’t like how the author made Michelle seem so frazzled and haggard in her role. It almost diminished her role to me at the onset.
I felt like the relationship part was forced almost to fit a narrative of the book. There were some cute moments and some sweet banter. The HEA at the end was cute and overall, I thought the book was a good read. It was quick and I did enjoy it. There were just some parts to me that didn’t make this book stand out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was so stinking cute! I had such a fun time reading it. Michelle is a total badass FMC! She’s independent, strong, and I loved watching her growth throughout the story.
And Tristan, I adored him. The way he supported Michelle and helped her see her worth was everything. Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved how they faced their challenges together.
The side characters also added so much personality to the story and made me want even more of them.
If you love workplace sports romance, friends-to-lovers, and an FMC who truly finds herself, definitely add this one to your TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for this ARC!
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And Tristan, I adored him. The way he supported Michelle and helped her see her worth was everything. Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved how they faced their challenges together.
The side characters also added so much personality to the story and made me want even more of them.
If you love workplace sports romance, friends-to-lovers, and an FMC who truly finds herself, definitely add this one to your TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for this ARC!
FOLLOW ME
http://Www.instagram.com/lynnmarie542...
http://Www.tiktok.com/@lynnmarie542_b...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
• sports // soccer
• workplace
• opposites attract
• golden retriever mmc
• independent fmc
This was a cute story. Michelle was so focused yet unhappy & I loved that Tristan wiggled his was into her life outside of work & helped her find happiness again. Them as a couple was relationship goals & I loved that there was no dreaded third-act breakup.
I enjoyed the storyline but there were a couple spots where it felt like we just jumped around instead of it flowing, but overall it was a fun story to read.
• workplace
• opposites attract
• golden retriever mmc
• independent fmc
This was a cute story. Michelle was so focused yet unhappy & I loved that Tristan wiggled his was into her life outside of work & helped her find happiness again. Them as a couple was relationship goals & I loved that there was no dreaded third-act breakup.
I enjoyed the storyline but there were a couple spots where it felt like we just jumped around instead of it flowing, but overall it was a fun story to read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for this E-Arc
I love a good soccer romance and was so excited to read this one. I was left a little confused. Tristan and Michelle were obsessed with each other from the beginning and it kept being referenced that he had previously asked her out but she shut him down but we never got experience that and I wish we would've been able to process the build up vs be directly in the middle of it on page 10. I felt like the relationship was forced and rushed because of the bet and them like each other in the past but the chemistry lacked.
I love a good soccer romance and was so excited to read this one. I was left a little confused. Tristan and Michelle were obsessed with each other from the beginning and it kept being referenced that he had previously asked her out but she shut him down but we never got experience that and I wish we would've been able to process the build up vs be directly in the middle of it on page 10. I felt like the relationship was forced and rushed because of the bet and them like each other in the past but the chemistry lacked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
Cute, quirky, loving, adorable and just a fun story.
Easy and a shorter read than most, I got through it in less than 24 hours. It kept me engaged and I was giggling/kicking my feet at Tristan’s jokes.
Tristan is also like the perfect golden retriever boyfriend. I love him! 😍
For a cute, quirky and sweet story between two characters….i fully recommend keeping score 💗💗
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
Cute, quirky, loving, adorable and just a fun story.
Easy and a shorter read than most, I got through it in less than 24 hours. It kept me engaged and I was giggling/kicking my feet at Tristan’s jokes.
Tristan is also like the perfect golden retriever boyfriend. I love him! 😍
For a cute, quirky and sweet story between two characters….i fully recommend keeping score 💗💗
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I devoured this book in a single day. I fell in love with Michelle and Tristan so quickly. Michelle was such an easy character to relate to between her fierce protectiveness of Tristan to her passion for youth coaching reigniting her love of the game. This was such a fun read!!
Thank you Berkley Romance, Brittany Kelley, and Netgalley for the ARC!
Thank you Berkley Romance, Brittany Kelley, and Netgalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Breaking her out of her shell, this was the best! As they tried to stay just casual and friends. But soon realized she meant way more to him than just that. The way he would get mad for her, and stand up for her when she didn’t even realize it, gosh yes please! Loved this so much and I can’t wait for more to come!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Opposites attract and make life better for each other. The friendships were fantastic. Great fun! Thanks to edelweiss and the publisher for a review copy. Release date 8/25.
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