Full Court Crush

by Sasha Brennan

When your team’s future is on the line, falling for a teammate is the riskiest play of all.

Amelia Preston, captain of her women’s basketball team in their debut professional season, carries both the team and her own impossible standards on her shoulders. Add a high-pressure career and overbearing parents, and she can’t afford to lose control – especially not to Keira Morgan. She could never jeopardise team dynamics by dating a teammate. Her anxiety wouldn’t take it. But with every incendiary contact on court, every little smirk, and rising changing room tension, Amelia finds it harder to keep putting the team above her heart.

Keira Morgan returns to the UK with a singular focus: do whatever it takes to help her dad beat cancer. Her new job as a semi-professional basketball player keeps the lights on, but her probationary contract leaves her in a precarious position. One false step could land her on the bench, or worse. She can’t risk distractions throwing her off her game. However, after some late-night lifts home, interesting room assignments, and a Christmastime Ferris wheel ride, the team captain becomes the biggest distraction of them all.

With the season unravelling, pressure from sponsors mount, and cracks begin to show. Amelia and Keira realise they’ve been playing with fire. They know some things are worth the burn, but their desire could burn it all to the ground.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Sports, Contemporary, Queer, LGBT

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

About the author

Sasha Brennan loves cats, coffee, and creativity (and alliteration, apparently). Never far from her keyboard, she loves writing down to earth sapphic romances that feel like eating a box of chocolates next to a warm fire; it's just that, sometimes, that fire might get a little out of control. Sasha is proudly queer and neurodivergent, and this is reflected in her writing. To find out more, visit her website www.sashabrennan.com or connect with her on social media @sashabrennanauthor

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Court Crush by Sasha Brennan is an adult contemporary romance about two women who play on the same professional basketball team. One is the team captain, and the other is a new player on the team. Both have insecurities, but they are unable to deny the connection they feel on and off the court.
This is my first book by Brennan, and I was pleased with it. The story is sweet and spicy, with building tension and some well-placed intimate moments.
Keira returns home to Cardiff, Wales, to care for her ailing father, and she joins the Blizzards. Amelia is a pediatric doctor who splits her time between work and basketball. They have great chemistry, cute and flirty interactions, a third-act breakup, festive holiday fun, and a satisfying payoff to the slow burn.
The writing is well-done. It starts slow, but the pace picks up a little and remains consistent. There are some cliché romantic moments, but I don't hate it. Sometimes the Hallmark formula is exactly what I need. The found family offers the couple solid support.
Trigger warnings for toxic parents, anxiety, panic attacks, and a parent sick with cancer.
I enjoyed this romance and look forward to the next installment in the series.
#workplaceromance #onlyonebed #forcedproximity #sports #toxicparents #sickparent #basketball #anxiety #panicattacks #paediatricdoctor #thirdactbreakup #holiday #Wales #foundfamily #HEA #epilogue
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.

[Gio.reads.sapphic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patience is the key to reading this slow burn !!

I have to say that even though I don't understand much about basketball, it was very easy to follow the various games, there aren't too many technical terms or rules that aren't explained first, making the book easy to follow even for non-fans.

All the characters are adorable and despite the difficult situations you will arrive at the end of the book with a beautiful smile on your face. I loved the dynamic of Amelia and Kiera's first meeting but as much as I felt the longing I missed the chemistry.

That said, let's move on to the tropes:
-Forced Proximity
-Only one bed
-Attraction at first sight
-Strangers to Friends to Lovers
-Slow Burn
-Almost kiss
-Found Family
-Sport romance
-Contemporary
-Femme × Femme
-Meet cute
-Mental health rep
-Captain × Rookie
-Locker room spice
-Set in the UK

Over all it's a 4⭐ and 3🔥

CW: panick attack - cancer - loss of loved one - controlling parent - financial struggle

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can imagine this story broken down into bullet point ideas that then need to be created into a story and it just seemed like 5 too many things to focus on to be written well. Over-bearing parents, life threatening illness , part time job as an over worked paediatrician (how she found the time is still beyond me), estranged sibling, money problems (that never get solved) etc etc. These MCs have so many elements to consider even before they hit the court and I’m not convinced the on court scenes were written with enough of a competitive sports mindset. I didn’t feel the drive for basketball like I was hoping. The last match they won was also poor coaching from the opposition lol, with 2 points down, the oppo should’ve been fouling the Blizzards and making them earn 2 at the FT line and then running down the clock but meh. They also drink throughout the season, don’t have great nutrition, and I can remember very few elements that would fill up the days for a semi pro player (watching game footage, physio, strength and conditioning etc.) Meanwhile there’s a whole lots of empty space about things that I probably didn’t care too much about and ended up glossing over them, with no effect on the story either, so that tells me plenty.

I don’t exactly feel these two are loved up but they compliment each other well and have a huge commonality from their sport. They were both likeable people though with good intentions so I gave it 3 stars.

Last thing, but these huge ball players are maxing out at 35kg bench press?? I warm up with 40kg and haven’t played international sport in years at 5ft 7 and 71kg… They absolutely should’ve had some respect put on their physicality. Even on testing day when you’ve run, jumped and squatted your ass off they would’ve done more.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay start. Although there is a bit of teammates so can’t have relationship with the captain barrier, and a bit of shame /privacy creating a barrier I’m still waiting to feel involved.
My worry with a sports book set in the world of a sport I don’t follow, always is that I won’t follow all the parts as I don’t know the sport. Often there are explanations to make sure you have the basics. Either this book didn’t or the explanations it gave left me none the wiser. Not a big issue really as I am reading for the romance rather than the basketball, but my lack of knowledge has made some scenes difficult to picture.
I think what has perhaps not made me fall in love with this early on is that I am not reading about a happy life. I am reading about a good person, who has not only come back to look after an ailing parent but they do it in unassuming but very thoughtful ways - things like giving their dad a fresh omelette while they eat dodgy scraps of food in the background.
The barrier of teammate/captain isn't really giving me the tension I need. However some precipice scenes work really well. Others not so much.
The ending is a happy one and I cared enough about the mains I was happy.

[The Wild Weary Cow Reads Sapphic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Read- Thank you!!

Looking for a well written, heart-warming story with a likeable MC & plenty of Side ones?

I can’t recommend this book enough!

We get

Only one Bed

A Ferris Wheel moment!

Hot locker room sex

Found Family

Slow Burn

Angst

Full on chemistry

We also get a whole buzzing undercurrent of attraction between Amelia and Keira from the moment they BUMP into each other.

There’s something so sweet about Amelia, here she is this confident doctor and team captain but she’s shy & blushing around Keira… She’s also capable of throwing the sexiest winks lol

Feeling the pressure of being responsible for her young patients & fellow teammates, getting as many wins as possible under their belts knowing for some this is their livelihood, especially for new recruit Keira, who has just transferred from an American team back home to Cardiff after finding out about her father’s cancer diagnosis. It all takes its toll, she’s struggling with panic attacks/anxiety

In Keira she finds her calm…The Ferris Wheel moment in particular stands out for me.

Amelia feels she can’t possibly date a teammate, even one she’s impossibly drawn to!

Keira has this quiet energy about her. She may be worrying about how she’s going to pay the bills, while her father recovers, on her basic wages from playing but she’s determined not to ask for help from anyone, especially not the hot captain of the team who she’s quickly falling for.

This is one of those books that I couldn’t get enough of and had to slow my roll not wanting it to end.

Sasha writes these characters beautifully and I'm looking forward to what comes next!

I adore Keira and Amelia!

[The Sapphic Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from author:

Rating: 4
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

As a former basketball player, I'll admit that I was hesitant to pick up a sports romance, particularly one centered around basketball. That said, Full Court Crush by Sasha Brennan was executed quite well!

From a technical standpoint, the basketball scenes were accurate and felt believable. They also weren't overly complicated, so anyone without a basketball background would still be able to follow along. I do wish there had been a little less basketball at times so we could've gotten more time with Amelia and Keira developing their relationship beyond teammates.

The chemistry was there from the start with their accidental run-in, and I was immediately rooting for them and their new semi-professional basketball team (yay for women’s sports ⛹️‍♀️). Fair warning: this is definitely a slow-burn, so it took awhile for things to fully pick up in the romance department, but there was plenty to keep me entertained in the meantime.

The team dynamics were beautifully crafted, and I really enjoyed getting to see how so many different personalities can come together both on and off the court. Lucy is a big personality, but I know there's depth to her if we just dig a little. Evie and TJ were adorable, and I honestly loved the wittiness we got from Coach Grant and her husband. Having this foundational ensemble makes me even more excited for future books in the series when we get to dive deeper with other pairings.

TLDR: A solid slow-burn sports romance with accurate basketball scenes and great team dynamics. Perfect if you're looking for a sapphic romance that actually knows the game!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I know that I enjoy a good sapphic sports romance. Every one I've read has been a slam dunk (pun intended). This book was no different. 

Keira and Amelia are immediately engaging. 
- Keira, having moved home from college and life after in the states, signs on to play for a semi-pro basketball team in her home town, hoping to be able to take care of her ill father. 
- Amelia, a pediatric doctor juggling bank work and basketball, is the captain of Keira's new team and the woman Keira accidentally ran into (literally) before her first training session with the team.

The tension is so well built. Keira and Amelia dancing around one another was just right. The constant “will they, won't they?” kept me drawn in and wanting to see what happens. Amelia, our soft yet stern captain, knows she has feelings for Keira, but uses her position as her captain as an excuse. Keira, knowing Amelia's hang-ups, starts teasing her. 

When the tension boils over, the ride just gets better. The pair navigate their feelings and relationship together…until…

Honestly, I'm not going to say more about the story. If you want to know more, snag the book.

I loved the writing, the character development, the pacing, and the spice. Everything was worked together beautifully, and I loved every page of the book.

[Kasley.K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Court Crush took me out of what started to look like a reading slump. I finished it in a few hours. It shows how fun it was to read it.

The Blizzards are a lovely team. I was rooting for them as they grew as a semi-pro team. They weren’t the only ones I was rooting for. I enjoyed Amelia and Kiera’s story, how they met, and how they connected. They made me giggly, and some scenes were swoon-worthy.

The angst was well-brought, without the miscommunication that sometimes can be frustrating. It felt realistic, and I could understand where the two of them came from.
I also greatly enjoyed teh families subplot and was glad to see how it ended.

I had a great time reading Full Court Crushand I very much look forward to reading Inside the Paint.

[Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special thank you to author Sasha Brennan for this ARC opportunity. I am happily sharing my honest review.

I was immediately captivated by the book summary blurb because I love a good sports romance and friends to lovers is my absolute favorite trope! I must say that I found the cover art to be pretty cute and fitting for the story. Full Court Crush was so much fun to read! It was exactly the sort of believable and sweet slow burn sapphic romance that I really needed to read right now! I am a basketball fan and found through this book to highlight the sport in just the right way to enjoy it but not be overwhelmed. I found this book to be character centric and emotionally charged which allowed me to become quite invested in it from beginning to end.

I felt like this book was a refreshing take on friends to lovers in a sort of teammates to friends to lovers aspect that was great. Sure, there was a lot of hesitancy on the part of both of our main characters to go for anything romantic because of the teammates aspect but that made it all more juicy to read. We meet Ameila who is the Blizzard team captain by day and a full time medical doctor eh…also by day! I was immediately impressed and intimidated because I can barely handle my regular job and would never be able to add on being the team captain and star player of a semi-pro team! Hmm…unless it was a semi pro sleeping team or semi pro eating snacks while reading team but you get my point lol! Ameilia is strong and smart. She is comfortable painting inside the lines and doesn't consider blurring the lines by dating a teammate. Well, meeting Kiera kind of pushes her outside of that rule following comfort zone because some rules were made to be broken. Kiera is kind of running on empty these days and she’s back home to care for her ill father battling cancer while trying to make a living playing semi professional basketball. I will say that the caregiver aspect and helping support her Dad while he fights for his life part really got to me. I, unfortunately, know how scary and unbelievably difficult it is to support and care for a sick family member and this aspect of the story made me fall in love with Kiera a little. She’s a special girl and deserves to be cherished and loved.

The basketball was of course ever present and I enjoyed the competition and camaraderie it added to the story. Nothing overly technical so if you don't follow the sport, don't worry, there is a lot to love about this story. I loved the tension in Full Court Crush! I found myself smiling wide throughout the book. I really enjoyed the pacing as Keira and Amelia sort of find their way to each other and choose one another. Of course the team dynamic and life struggles offer a bunch of reasons why they shouldn't be together but slowly but surely their chemistry and connection cannot be denied. The subtle flirtation was delicious and the slow burn is essential as it created a believable love story for me. Late night lifts home, sharing hotel rooms, spending time together on and off the court builds up their relationship organically. Kiera and Amelia compliment each other well and just are so good together. I was a fan of theirs immediately and was shipping Kiermelia hard! A lot happens and their journey is not an easy one as they are forced to overcome more than one obstacle but that’s life and that made them so much more real for me. They go through a lot and come out of it all stronger as individuals and as a partnership. I was so very happy with their happy ever after because they worked for it and boy, did they ever deserve it! Oh and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the very fun to read and oh so smoking hot intimate scenes! I always prefer steamy romantic interludes in every sapphic romance and these scenes were not only very hot but made me believe in the love story so much more. Bravo Sasha Brennan!

The writing is awesome. Brennan writes with passion and it comes through on every page. The writing is clear, strong and fun to read. I truly appreciated the dual pov aspect as it really allowed me to get to know both Keira and Amelia. Each of their perspectives were very distinct and allowed for a more emotionally resonant story. Brennan does a wonderful job using symbolism and creating characters that I respected, admired and really grew to care about. Every time I had to put the book away I found my mind drifting to Kier and Amelia until I was able to pick it back up. Overall, this was a very enjoyable slow burn sapphic romance with a fun basketball foundation. I highly recommend this for anyone who prefers emotionally layered characters with a compelling story and swoon worthy love. Following Kiera and Amelia on their journey toward real love and real happiness filled me with joy. I can't wait to read Sasha Brennan’s next book in the Courting Blizzards Series!

[Misha · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Rounded down from 3.25)

Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Romances based on a sport are tricky to pull off because of the balance required between action sequences (which should not be too technical) and the relationships between the characters being sufficiently developed. In the case of this book, while it was a reasonably enjoyable story, I feel that the basketball aspect doesn't lend much to the enjoyment of the book aside from a commonality for the main characters. Honestly, it often feels a bit odd that one of the main characters is a full-time doctor and still has time to practice, take up extra shifts on demand, and also have time to captain a semi-professional basketball team, and practice enough to be one of the better players on the team. Given the sheer amount of things that need to be resolved in this book, I can't help but wonder if it would have been better to simplify it and focus either on full-time basketball players or just have the sport be a hobby.

Given the reasonably elaborate basketball game scenes, I feel that we don't get enough time to explore a myriad of other issues that are more important in the main characters' lives, such as their relationships with their families, their best friend who is far away, a parent with a serious illness, an estranged older sister, chronic anxiety, financial troubles, professional conflicts as a captain and rookie, and other things. To counter all of these issues in the background, the main characters don't seem to have much of an emotional connection, but instead find each other attractive and essentially lust after each other for ages. Unfortunately, this doesn't work terribly well for me with romances, since the purpose of them for me is to be invested in the characters' emotional connection to each other and how they fit together in ways that improve their lives. In this case, we barely have any dating or connection aside from finding each other physically attractive, so even the "slow burn" aspect feels more like dancing around an obvious attraction for little reason.

Overall, this was a fun ride, but it feels a bit underwhelming to me when both MCs ought to get therapy for their own serious issues, but things are just hand-waved away and are simply fine as soon as they get together. It feels unrealistic and as if the obstacles in their way were just pointless ways to stretch out a plot. In any case, one date and a single night together, but no honest conversations about their issues, doesn't particularly satisfy me for a romance, but this was a reasonably quick and fun read, nonetheless, if you enjoy basketball and sapphic romances.

[Finding Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an amazing debut! Let me preface this by saying I know nothing about basketball, but despite this book being a sports romance and centering around the captain of a basketball team and a rookie, it absolutely did not hinder my enjoyment at all. In fact, I ended up really enjoying it, yes, including the sports.

It's set in Wales, UK, and so, weirdly, it felt familiar even though it's not Australia; some of the terms translate! I loved the meet-cute between the two main characters. I honestly am such a sucker for that trope, and this one did it so well.

Keira, when we meet her, is great and heartwarming, leaving her life behind in the US to move back home to Wales to be closer to and care for her sick dad. Her ability to help support her dad financially is dependent on her success in recently joining the Blizzards team! Eee!
Then we have Amelia, who, wow, I just truly related to more than I care to admit. Amelia is a perfectionist workaholic, a product of extremely high familial expectations, and stays busy to keep her anxious mind at bay. She's also the very talented captain of the Blizzards!

Amelia and Keira were amazing, and I loved the friends-to-lovers (while secretly pining over each other but unable to act on it) storyline! The pacing was so good, the chemistry felt so real, their push and pull realistic. I just loved how authentic it all felt. It was a slow burn, and I ate every detail of it up. Of course, once we did get to the spice, Sasha turned up the heat because, let me tell you, that locker scene had steam coming out of my Kindle.

The multi-POV throughout this book was amazing and truly allowed you to get to know the characters; it felt very immersive. The mental health representation, especially the anxiety and panic attacks, was so well done, and I have actually never read anything with them represented quite this way before. Some parts made me tear up because of how much I related to Amelia especially, with her anxiety and panic attacks.

I adored the side characters and how they felt like fully fleshed-out people too. The found family aspect between them all was wholesome, and I loved the different dynamics between them all. Overall, I just genuinely think this is such an amazing debut novel!


Things I loved:
Sapphic sports romance
Slow burn friends to lovers
Found family
Mental health rep
Locker room spice

[Samantha Holder-Venter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good sports romance. Maybe it’s because every sport automatically comes with tension, team dynamics and high stakes or maybe it’s just the competitive energy but it always adds that extra spark that I can’t resist.

I adored Kiera from the very beginning. She’s juggling real life, real responsibility, financial stress and the weight of a parent’s health issues and I knew almost immediately that I was going to connect with her. I was right. She’s strong in a quiet, grounded way. Even when insecurity creeps in, she feels solid. Like the foundation of a building. Steady, dependable, supportive. The kind of person you can lean on without even having to ask.

Amelia is almost her opposite on the surface. A wildly successful doctor, adored by her patients, the fearless captain of her team and clearly one of the best players on the field. She takes life seriously and gives everything her absolute best effort and honestly that level of competence is very attractive. Of course, she’s carrying her own baggage too, which keeps her from ever feeling untouchable.

I really loved the way the two of them circled each other. The hesitation, the tiptoeing, the sparks that flicker before either of them is brave enough to fully step in. Their chemistry worked for me and in my opinion they make a really great match.

My biggest wish is that we’d gotten more time with them together. More shared moments, more interaction with the side characters and more space to just sit in their dynamic. What we did get was genuinely lovely but I wanted a little more of it.

I also really appreciated the growth both characters showed. It came through clearly, but I would have loved a slower build toward it and a deeper dive into their emotional journeys. A bit more showing and a bit less telling, especially when it came to the heavier feelings.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read and a solid four-star book for me. Warm, engaging and easy to get invested in from start to finish.

[sapphicliteratureirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 ARC Review 📚 Thanks to the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A contemporary sapphic friends-to-lovers sports romance - and it's set in Wales? Yes please 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

This story follows the dual perspectives of basketball teammates Amelia and Keira, charting the highs and lows of professional sport alongside the slow, inevitable pull of falling in love.

Amelia is the captain of a semi-professional basketball team, balancing the pressures of leadership with a demanding medical career and overbearing parents. Determined to stay in control, she believes the team must always come before her heart. Keira, meanwhile, has returned to the UK to care for her ill father (who I absolutely loved 🫶) and to play for the Cardiff Blizzards team. Focused and guarded, she wants no distractions.

As someone who has never really watched or played basketball, I did have to meander through some of the gameplay — but I really enjoyed the team environment, with away matches, team-building nights out, and one-on-one training sessions all helping to build rapport and chemistry between the two protagonists.

Amelia and Keira support each other through different pressures while very obviously fancying one another, which only adds to the tension. And when that tension finally sparks… it leads to some seriously 🔥🌶 moments (including a locker room), full of electric chemistry and sharp, engaging dialogue 🫠

Spoiler ahead...

There is some angst — including a break-up before things even really begin 😮‍💨 — but I appreciated seeing both characters grow individually. The inclusion of discussions around anxiety felt thoughtful 🫶 Expect sports, romance, and one of my favourite elements: characters who stand up for themselves and go after what they truly want ❤️

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Enjoyable enough read to get me out of a slump. The first half had a lot of potential but the second half just fell quite flat for me.


Highlights:
- Keira: great character that felt fully fleshed out. We love a queen with boundaries. I also really loved her relationship with her Dad.

- The Christmas presents they bought for each other were really cute, I love women ✨

- The after hours gym and locker room sequence… hell yeah 🌶️ The buildup to it and everything was perfect, but then that’s when the rest of the book went downhill :/

Lowlights:
- Amelia: ugh she really irritated me. The whole part about her being a doctor felt really underdeveloped to me. And her main reason for not wanting to be with Keira being that she was her team captain and it would be unprofessional? C’mon girl, this is women’s basketball, half your team are sleeping with each other- get over yourself. And guess what, when you two did finally get together, nobody on the team cared. Literally nobody. She also just treated Keira really badly throughout their situationship and was then like PLEASE GIVE ME A SECOND CHANCE. Boring

- Winter Wonderland in Cardiff supposedly being the most romantic part of the whole book?! If the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is anything to go by… I dread to think how much they paid for those bloody doughnuts. No wonder Keira couldn’t afford her electricity bill.

- I could not keep up with the basketball team. Kept getting the players all mixed up. Felt like the author could’ve done a better job at establishing the team and each player’s personality.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Court Crush was an entertaining and swoon worthy sapphic read. It can be classified as a slow burn but I breezed through it and found the pacing anything but slow. It was also sexy and spicy and full of heart. I enjoyed that we get to see complex characters and well developed side characters. The main characters weren’t perfect but they were perfect for each other. They just had to get over themselves and work through some stuff to see it.

There is a dynamic of strangers to friends to lovers with an adorable meet cute. Our main characters Amelia and Keira play together on the semi-professional basketball team the Blizzards. Amelia is team captain and also a successful pediatric doctor outside of basketball. Keira has returned home to support her ailing father and her only job is basketball, so she struggles more with money. It was a little unbelievable that Amelia would have time to play semi-pro basketball while also being a doctor but I know nothing about professional sports or being a doctor so it didn’t bother me too much. I thought she and Keira had great chemistry that was more than just lustful desires. But that being said the desires were hot and the spicy scenes incredibly well written.

Full Court Crush had just the right amount of angst and the drama was believable. I was rooting for the Blizzards as well as the romance. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Thank you Sasha Brennan for the ARC.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Court Crush is a basketball romance focused on Amelia and Kiera as they navigate work, family and their teams first year as pros. Amelia, a doctor and captain of the Blizzards, has panic attacks and trauma from her perfectionist and not-very-nice family. She is afraid of letting people down, and when she meets Kiera, she fights the attraction as a distraction she doesn't need. Kiera has just moved back home to care for her father, is broke and feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. Like Amelia, she fights her attraction for many of the same reasons.

The basketball bits were good, but not super detailed as most of the book focused on the personal lives of Amelia and Kiera - their jobs (or lack of one) and their relationships with their families. Honestly, both women needed more time with therapists. Their were some interesting bits about Wales where the story is set, and the supporting characters were well written (and looks like this will spawn a second book). The romance was sweet and the spicy bits were pretty spicy and well-written.

Overall I give it 4 stars - it was a good read with some serious parts around family dynamics and mental health and enough basketball, romance and spiciness to keep the story engaging.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Thao Ngo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ARC review.

Meet cute? Check.
Knocked off her feet? Literally.
Yearning? Check.
Lust? Check.
Mental health awareness? Check.
HEA? Nothing but net. 🏀

Keira is back in her hometown, trying to find her footing again. Amelia’s always been there, rooted, steady, captain of the local basketball team and carrying more than just plays on her shoulders. When Keira literally runs into her, it’s less of a meet cute and more of a full-court press from fate. Sparks fly fast, but what I loved is that the story doesn’t rush the emotional side of things. There’s space for vulnerability, growth, and honest conversations about mental health that feel real and grounded.

The tension between them on the court mirrors everything happening off it. Their chemistry isn’t just about stolen glances and almost touches. It’s about trust, rhythm, and learning how to move as a unit. You can’t win games if you’re out of sync, and the same goes for love. When they’re aligned off the court, their game tightens up in the best way.

Sasha Brennan takes us through more than a sports romance. It’s about choosing your own happiness over the expectations trying to box you in. It’s about realizing that the scoreboard doesn’t define you. Your joy does.

4.5 out of 5 for me. Sweet, a little spicy, and absolutely delivering on the sportsmance energy I live for. 🧡🏀

[Jo King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will preface this review by admitting that Basketball is a sport that I do not have much knowledge of. That said, I do enjoy the camaraderie, tension, and rivalry that comes with sapphic sports romance. I did not feel overwhelmed with understanding the basketball scenes, though I did wish there had been fewer or they had been shorter, or perhaps more scenes of the characters connecting personally, to balance the ratio a bit better. I did find it somewhat unbelievable that a someone could balance being a full time doctor, with the requisite overtime that entails, while being on a semi-professional sports team and highly competitive in the field. Maybe if she were a robot who lacked human needs such as sleep. The physical connection between the leads is compelling and enjoyable to read. I do feel that for a slow burn, they could have spent more time interacting with and engaging with each others' personal lives, rather than the more physical nature of their yearning. The conflict seemed a little forced. I was appreciative of the mental health rep, and that a character was dealing with financial concerns, and dealing with a parents healthcare needs. This made it feel quite true to life. I do understand that there will be a sequel and perhaps the scenes I found myself missing are planned for down the road.

[MS J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read a story based in the UK.
Kiera finds herself back in Wales helping and supporting her Dad whilst he undergoes treatment. She has landed a much needed job playing basketball for the Cardiff Bay Blizzards, its not much but it should be enough to pay the bills if she can maintain her place on the team.
Dr Amelia Preston, has put herself on the bank system at work in order to have the flexibility to play the sport she loves, after all she is the captain, and this season comes with the added pressure of the team going professional. There are new signings that will need to gel into the team if they are to have some success and maintain their sponsorship. It's more pressure and responsibility.
Kiera and Amelia first meet in a clash of bodies whilst running in the park, little do they realise they are connected by the Blizzards. The story that unfolds challenges both characters in different ways and has a great supporting cast. Its well written and a good pace. This is the first story I have read by Sasha Brennan and I'm looking forward to book 2 in the Courting Blizzards series.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keira has returned to Wales to care for her father, whom has cancer, and play basketball for the Cardiff Bay Blizzards. Out for a morning jog, she accidentally runs a attractive woman down.

Amelia Preston is Captain of the Blizzards, as well as a doctor. (And whom got knocked down.) She is not happy when she hears the team is adding players, as she fears it'll disrupt how well they play.

Kiera and Amelia get along, and both have their issues. K struggles with imposter syndrome, while A is dealing with anxiety. As they spend time together both are attracted, but Amelia doesn't date teammates.

After a game, they finally give in, but both are dealing with Amelia's job and Kiera worrying about dad and his declining health.

When Amelia goes to the coach to get Kiera pulled from a game, they argue. Kiera decides they should break things off.

Al first they resolve to be friends but Amelia realizes she's still in love with her. They make up, story wraps up.

3 out of 5 stars. Needed something more to drive the story...

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, entertaining story! Sapphic workplace romance featuring first season professional basketball players Kiera and Amelia and a whole team of interesting side characters.
We get both MCs POV’s allowing for more depth and appreciation of both characters.
Kiera has returned home to stay with her dad whose health has been compromised. She is happy to be playing basketball professionally and getting that much needed income. Amelia is the captain and also a pediatrician.
They literally run into one another and some sparks fly only to meet again at the first practice. Their attraction is undeniable but they are teammates and that comes first. As their friendship develops with ease, attraction becomes palpable. Are they meant to be? Or are they risking everything just to quench the heat between them? Read and find out!!

[Dulaine Roode · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had some triggers for me, but it was manageable. Kierra left the pro basketball league in the USA to head back home to help take care of her dad wheh he got sick. There she started playing for a pro league in her hometown, at first it was a battle to get used to how things were now that she is back home. Money being one of the issues. Then she 'ran' into Amelia, even though she had no idea who she was at the time. Amelia is the captain of the basketball team, Kierra is the new player.
Amelia has her own set of family drama to work through, her family wanted her to be a doctor, but they also wanted to dictate what kind of doctor, and that she couldn't play basketball anymore.
That back fired on them, even more when she fell in love with Kierra. That had its own issues to sort through, but in the end it all worked out for the two of them.

[Wes McGie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this basketball sports romance. It’s about the Blizzards, a new professional team playing in Cardiff, Wales. It centers around the captain of the team, Amelia, and new player, Keira. The two players have their “meet cute” when they literally run into each other while out for a jog. There’s instant attraction, but they both have obstacles to making it work when they realize they are teammates. This book also features a delightful cast of characters, mostly the other players and coaches on the team. I love sports almost as much as a good romance, so this book kept me interested in both. I can’t wait to read the continuing saga of the Blizzard players in the next two books in the series.

[Aspen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The balance between the sports and the plot was greatly appreciated. 
With Keira returning to the UK to be there for her father that has cancer and start on a new pro basketball team. And, Amelia being the captain of said team. The seriousness taken by both to prove this team can stay a pro team while learning its okay to love with every crazy thing going on in life.
I enjoyed the banter and the way more sensitive topics were touch on. I will be recommending this to friends. 

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love sapphic sports romance and this one is such a joy to read! The couple has instant chemistry, but it takes a while for them to reach the HEA. I like the realistic description of the basketball team that just turned pro, the support and friendship between players and coaches, the hard fought wins and crushing loses, and how the players' family situation directly affect their performance on court. Both MCs are not perfect, each has her own struggle but together they make a strong pair in sports and in life!

[Amy Ehret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm new to both sapphic sports & Brennan & I'm happy to have found both in this fun, quick read. As a former college athlete, I love it & can't wait for the next in this series.

The writing is done well, although a bit cliche, who doesn't love a good Hallmark movie now & again? The story is a slow build, sweet & spicy. The world of competitive athletics, found family, the many issues they've dealth with, etc. all are pretty spot on for things I've come across in my own life & found the characters relatable.

[Charlotte Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ruined my life!
I couldn’t put the book down and cried more than I’d like to admit. Full court crush throws so many curveballs into Amelia and Kiera’s relationship I loved it!! Experiencing Amelia’s hard outer shell melt away and feeling Keira’s ability to believe in herself and take risks melted my heart. The “will they, won’t they” keeps you on your toes through the entire book, a very kind romance between two very passionate (although troubled) characters.

[Maria Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited for this as a fan of basketball. Unfortunately, I had a little trouble finishing it. Reads more like young adult than full grown women. The angst seems too forced and their issues were more with themselves than each other which brought no chemistry to the MCs. At some point I was rooting against them more than I wanted them together. A lot of details and chapters felt more like fillers than story development. Readable but maybe as a palate cleanser.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable sports romance!

This is a heartwarming story of two professional basketball players. Amelia, the older captain of the team, who is also a doctor, and newby Keira, who left America to care for her ailing father in Wales. Both put everyone before themselves and tried to stay away from each other, but... Will they go for what they need?

It's very sweet with likable characters and dynamic secondary characters just waiting for their own story. Well done!

[Gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

Disclaimer: I was gifted an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute friends to lovers romance perfect for sports romance fans! I did feel that it was a little slow to start, but I enjoyed how sweet the romance was once it picked up. To be honest, I’m not the biggest basketball fan or very knowledgable about the sport, but it was still very easy to follow. I read it in one day!