Catching Feelings

Varsity #2

by Emily Charlotte

The first rule for a drama-free senior year? Don’t fall for the mysterious new football transfer. A swoony young adult romance full of undeniable chemistry and school spirit perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Friday Night Lights, from the author of Heart Check.

When Sabrina and Tyler meet by accident outside (okay, inside) the football locker rooms, it’s not a big deal. After a rocky summer, Sabrina is focused on leading the Spirit Committee to its best year ever, while Tyler is eager to leave behind the mess from his old school with a second chance playing football as a transfer. Neither is looking for romance.

But as the team’s newest (and most eligible) varsity athlete, Tyler is suddenly the center of attention. And Sabrina is busy dodging Ryan, her longtime flirtationship who is determined to take her to the homecoming dance. Ryan is exactly the kind of chaos Sabrina doesn’t need, so she asks Tyler to go as friends instead. Eager to fend off other unwanted advances, Tyler is happy to accept.

Of course, this was before Sabrina realized Tyler is Ryan’s cousin. But as long as they’re just friends, everything should be fine. Tyler is less willing to ignore the connection he feels toward Sabrina, but he’s also desperate to keep his past buried. When the chemistry between them becomes impossible to deny, can their carefully laid plans survive the fallout, or will secrets and social pressure threaten everything they’ve built?

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Sports Romance, Friends To Lovers, Sports, Contemporary

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 1, 2026

Reviews

[Sarah (will be back in a week)]

I GOT THE ARC??? I'M SOOOO FREAKING EXCITED!! 😆🧡💙

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆]

⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (4/29/2026): ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ I won a giveaway on the author's page for this ARC and it just came in the mail today! I'm super excited to head back to Hamilton Lakes and see Sabrina (my absolute fave character!) and Tyler!

Thank you to Emily Charlotte and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. Catching Feelings will be officially published on September 1st, 2026!

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky/fortunate/honoured to read an early copy of Catching Feelings and ommmmgggg Emily Charlotte you have done it UHGAIN. The chemistry? Off the charts! The yearning? Incredible. The warm-and-fuzzy feeling of kicking your feet as you watch two main characters slowly fall in love?!? Healed me.

I love reading romance because the characters have to do so much inner work to let themselves be happy and let the other person into their lives. Emily has such a knack for this and for writing characters with so much heart, her work is such a joy to read.

Also the cover is SUPER CUTE BAHHH

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts:
New football romance alert!! This was so good! I absolutely loved Heart Check and when I heard Emily was writing a football romance I freaked out!
Tyler and Sabrina’s relationship was so sweet! I loved their locker room meet-cute and the insta-attraction between them!
I was so happy with all the football talk hehe. I’m a football girlie through and through and am so happy to have another amazing football romance!
I loved seeing Harper and Dawson again! They’re so cute and in love ☺️
This was one of those books where you finish it and immediately want more! I was so sad when it was over!
I definitely recommend Heart Check AND Catching Feelings! This is quite possibly my new favorite football romance 🤭

Tropes:
🧡friends to lovers
💗insta-attraction
🧡he falls first
💗locker room meet-cute
🧡golden retriever MMC
💗secret relationship
🧡found family
💗football romance
🧡boy obsessed
💗high school romance
🧡dual pov
💗”ruin the friendship”
🧡no spice!

Content:
- 4.5☆
- spice: .5* (kissing only/closed door. Innuendo)
- language: 🗣️🗣️🗣️ (9 f-words. 51 a-, s-, d- words. 2 b-words)
- TW/CW: divorce. Fear of disappointment. MC is falsely accused.
*multiple gay side characters. Present often.

Huge thank you to Emily Charlotte, NetGalley, and Simon Teen for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Alannah]

IM SO EXCITEDDD OMGG

[Clara :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ - Catching Feelings

I am still screaming because I finally got to read my ARC of Catching Feelings!! 😭 After being obsessed with Heartcheck, I already knew Emily Charlotte was going to deliver, but I was NOT prepared for how much I would fall for these characters.

This story follows Sabrina during her absolute mess of a chaotic senior year, which gets even more complicated when Tyler, the new star football player, shows up. What starts as a whirlwind connection quickly turns into something neither of them saw coming as they try to balance their feelings with all the senior year drama happening on and off the field! 🏈✨

The football aspect was handled so well, but what really sold it for me was Tyler. Usually in romance books, it feels like the guy is just there to be the "love interest," but Emily actually gave him so much depth and made him feel like a real human being. I felt like I actually got to know him as a person, which made his relationship with Sabrina hit ten times harder!!

Overall, this was such a sweet, solid read that lived up to all my expectations. I am so happy I got to read this one early and I’m already missing these two!

10/10 would recommend if you love a romance where the characters actually have personalities and a good sports subplot! 🏈❤️✨

[Danika]

A book dedicated to all the eldest daughters out there?! I'm so going to read it!

[caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a wonderful time with Heart Check, so was so excited to see the next book in the series! Sabrina was one of my favorite characters in the previous book and I just knew she'd have an interesting story.

As much as I loved Heart Check, Catching Feelings definitely moved me even more! I love a (secret) sad girl x (secret) sad boy story, which is precisely what this delivered. Both Sabrina and Tyler were wonderfully deep (I teared up multiple times while reading this) and I loved witnessing their growth. The drama and mystery around Tyler's transfer was so compelling and fun to piece together. It kept me super engaged and I absolutely devoured this book because of it. The pacing was perfectly done! Seeing both characters slowly open up to one another, culminating in the big reveal and drama was so fun (less so for the characters, obvi).

One of the main things I noticed with both Heart Check and now Catching Feelings is just how real the high school setting feels. While this is fictional and some of the drama definitely feels fictional, the characters themselves feel like such accurate high schoolers. The way they think, act, and feel is very accurate! No one ever feels too juvenile or too adult. They're mature, but still have a lot to learn. Many kudos to Emily Charlotte for nailing this! It really makes these books feel so nostalgic and sweet.

Aside from the main plot and the writing, I really loved how much depth there was to the side characters. It really feels like a cast from a high school drama that we slowly unwrap with each book. Ryan was my absolute favorite this book and I sincerely hope he gets a book because he has so much depth and potential! I will be tuning into the next book regardless of who it's about because I really do love this series and Emily Charlotte!

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books for the ARC via Netgalley!

[leiidyy]

I CANT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK TO COME OUT!!!! sabrina was such a little cutie in Varisty #1 and im so deathly excited to hear more about her!!!!!

[norareadsromance21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Review of Adavanced Reader Copy from NetGalley!!!**

Ok I already love Sabrina! Yess Harper and Dawson! I love how Tyler loves football. Yes varsity! Awww what’s he giving up? Sabrina girl u can be behind schedule! OMG THE LOCKER ROOM SCEBE!!! Hahah why was he wearing headphones. Yes welcome him!!! Unless he doesn’t want to be welcomed bc he is sad. Awww he thinks she’s cute. Oh no I hate that he had to leave home! WHAT HAPPENED AT THE PARTY!!! Ryan no!!! Why is there no other option for Tyler?? I’m invested! Ooo are they enemies now? Haha Dawson. KATE UGH! I get you Tyler sometimes I just want to lay low :(. Aww Sabrina I hate when there’s tension too (with parents)!!! Also therapy yasss. Girl put urself first!! But have some fun. Yesss they were assigned together. This is a lot of attention on him! Aww they’re going to homecoming together as friends. BUT WAIT does she know Ryan is his cousin?? I hope Ryan gets his own book 💕💕💕. Aww Tyler wants to fix it. He’s listening & asking her questions awww. Aw they relate ❤️❤️❤️. Why’d he tell her? Aw she’s gonna keep it a secret & listen to him!! YES KEEP TALKING AND GO ON A DATE. Omg she found out! I am stressin’ for this girl. Good she’s a good thinker. I understand the feeling of lasts. Girl nooo! Girl protect ur safe space. Aww he’s putting up her posters!
They hooked up! Omg Tyler already knows more than Ryan lol. Omg Sabrina! Not to
Get back at Ryan for him saying you hooked up. Awww he feels at home 🥰. Why would he go home? Haha he does do puppets! Ooo college?? Boo lying 🤥 omg not the car!! Not the rumor abt him being kicked out! Girl it’s not ur fault about ur parents!! Tyler ur not trouble for ur parents they love you! The pep rally is so high school. Awww hug 🤗 yay for Not fading into the background. I love their car rides. There’s def more there.
The kiss 😘 football szn is the best!!! Oh no why is she gonna find out why he left!! Girl that’s for him to tell. Tyler is the best. Some guy I barely know!! Harsh. Yesss take Sabrina on a real date!!! Oooo not him thinking she’s similar to Kate 😣. Talk to ur fam kid!! This team cares abt you!!! Awww the letterman jacket. Stealing glances 😘. More kissing! And she’s still wearing the jacket 🧥💕💕. I love reading about football! Aw no one there but Sab is! Oh not the geelings of doubt about Ryan he’s gonna find out isn’t he??? These touches. Bathroom kiss but they don’t have anything confirmed between them.
Awww she’s less lonely with him. A man who thinks of her list aww. OOO GIRLFRIEND!!! a date? Haha not the mention of the freezer. awww they’re talking again. Omg he’s gonna tell her? Ok ig not. But they’re gonna tell Ryan! OMG RYAN NOOO. Why is she afraid. Why didn’t they tell him?? Fighting with his old friends oh no. Girl I understand the feeling of running at the sight of fights. Oh no. Girl he hurt someone bc he was trying to protect someone else.
Oh no Tyler feels like he has nothing left. Oh no. I feel Sabrina on cancelling homecoming when my own was cancelled my senior year bc of covid. Nothing to hang onto 😭😭. Why doesn’t Tyler tell any of his teammates! Why is Kate calling him!!? Oh no not his future. Oh boy Ryan why would you think that about Sabrina. Ooo Tyler to the rescue about homecoming! Awww strawberry milkshake!! Yay!! Oh he’s finally telling her about the fight. Awww yay Tyler’s part of the team!! With friends!! Oh geez his family is there!! Awww his friends
PUBLIC YAY! Awww sab’s mom is so sweet! Awww Dawson came to hoco! Omg KISS IN THE RAIN!!

EMILY CHARLOTTE YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!!! Overall, I really enjoyed this book and finding out more about Sabrina & Tyler as the story went on with them both struggling with their own thing. I so badly related to Sabrina and I appreciated them having a homecoming in the rain! I WANT THAT TO BE A MOVIE ASAP!!!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and Emily Charlotte for this Advanced Reader Copy of Catching Feelings by Emily Charlotte out 9/1/26!!!

[Alannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for this eARC!

I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of Emily Charlotte's debut novel "Heart Check" last november and loved it so much! I also was lucky enough to be on the spirit comitee and help reveal the cover for "Catching Feelings". I've spoken to Emily a few times over Instagram messages and comments and she's such a sweet person and truly cares about her readers, which really shows through her writing!

"Catching Feelings" is about Sabrina, the president of the spirit comitee, a selfless kindhearted girl, who loves to help people through their own feelings but refuses to let other people see her own feelings, and Tyler, the new Football player in town, ready to keep his head down for his senior year, and escape his messy past school, who meet outside (well inside 😉) the football locker rooms. Neither of them are looking for a relationship, senior year is busy enough, but to get Ryan, Sabrina's long term flirtationship, and hoards of fans trying to get Tyler to take them to Homecoming, off their backs they decide to go to Homecoming together as friends. But then Sabrina realises that Tyler is Ryan's cousin, but as long as they stay just friends they should be fine, right? But the longer they stay friends, the harder it is to deny their chemistry, can they make a way to be together or will secrets and social pressure break them apart?

OKK so I LOVEDDDD this so much, I adore sports romances just because of the found family that comes with it and this did that so well even when Sabrina and Tyler tried to keep other people out. I loved how we kinda got to see them together before the end of the book, since most romances end up with the couple getting together on like the last pages, but also without it being an "insta love" trope, I think that was really well written in that way (coming from someone who despises insta love).

Ok so SABRINAAA omg, I loved her so much and related to her so much, this is kind of a minor spoiler so if you want to go in completely blind dont read this part but during the book she dealing with the divorce of her parents and just like her thought process around that and how she dealt with it was like really relatable to me and I really felt seen during those parts. Also Sabrina is just like such an iconic kind soul and I love her so freaking much, I strive to be like her.

And TYLERRR, where do I even start, he was such a freaking yearner for Sabrina omg and like he would listen to her and hear what she needed done, even tho she was just telling him because she likes to talk, and then do the things that needed to be done WITHOUT. BEING. ASKED. or ASKING. HOW. TO. DO. IT. and like yeah thats the bare minimum but men in real life suck so yk. And he's so kind and would do literally anything for his friends and just AHHHH I can't even explain it, I just love him.

All in all this was a great read, and one of my most anticipated reads for this year and IT. LIVED. UP. TO. IT. I really loved this, if you love friends to lovers, sports romances, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce and true YA romcoms I think you will love this! Pre-order now, pub date Sep 1st 2026!

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

While Catching Feelings was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, it unfortunately left me feeling a bit underwhelmed by the novel’s end. Despite the robust characterization and level of detail, Charlotte’s sophomore foray into YA fiction elicited a convoluted mix of reactions from me.

Both Sabrina and Tyler were solid, engaging, and endearing protagonists. Sabrina’s charm and bubbly demeanor were infectious, while Tyler’s earnestness was unquestionably adorable. However, their narrative voices possessed a quite saccharine quality that caused most of the narration to feel cheesy, rather than natural. Perhaps this was due to the manner in which both characters seemed to over explain and describe everything, from their backstories to their very reactions during a conversation (having Tyler explain that he had to laugh, instead of just having him laugh felt off). In my estimation, Charlotte relied a bit too much on the narration and not enough on the action itself during the first half of the novel. In doing so, she shortchanged the story to some extent, as the dialogue and active scenes were her true strengths.

The development of each character, as well as the pacing of the plot itself, seemed rushed. Given the amount of world building (at which Charlotte excelled both in Catching Feelings and Heart Check), one would think that the story took place over many months. The fact that it didn’t made for a few awkward moments. For example, at one point, Tyler remarked that Sabrina was always busy, after only having three short encounters with her. At another, Sabrina mentioned that they had been friends for a long time. Both instances were incredulous and unfortunately, pulled me out of the story temporarily. Charlotte’s intent to create nuanced protagonists to which readers of all ages can relate was successful (Sabrina’s and Tyler’s chemistry was great too!). However, the lack of interaction between Sabrina and her parents and Tyler and his parents (or his aunt and uncle, for that matter) created an imbalance in the emotional weight of their struggles. Had Charlotte included scenes with their families throughout the novel, she may have established a stronger and deeper connection to both characters’ experiences. As it was, the brief introductions to each set of parents felt more like an aside than the undercurrent for Sabrina’s and Tyler’s arcs.

While other reviewers have likened Charlotte’s novels to that of Lynn Painter, her writing style and storytelling remind me more of the author Abby Glines’s The Field Party series than anyone else’s work.

Ultimately, Catching Feelings was a cute follow-up to Heart Check and did make me wonder if there are other stories to tell within in the Hamilton Lakes universe. While my expectations were not met (which is my fault, not Charlotte’s), I do believe other readers will find the novel to be exactly what they need from a YA novel and love Sabrina and Tyler as much as they did Harper and Dawson, if not more.

Thank you very much to Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, and NetGalley for the privilege to read this ARC!

[Tiffany Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Simonteen, Netgalley and the amazing author herself, Emily Charlotte, for letting me read this amazing book early and trusting me to give an honest review in return.

My rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (if I could rate it more, I would)
🏈Tropes📔
📔No Spice/YA📔
🏈football player x head of the Spirit Committee🏈
📔locker meet-cute📔
🏈sports rom-com🏈
📔insta-attraction📔
🏈he falls first🏈
📔dual pov📔

It's funny because it took me longer to actually sit down and write a review than it did to read the whole book. Like Heart Check, I DEVOURED this book. I loved it so freaking much, no one understands. It makes me wanna re-read Heart Check and Catching Feelings, but I won't because I'm saving them for when the paperback arrives. (Sep. 1st!)
Okay, first of all, I just wanna talk about how easily it was to read this book. I stayed up all night to read this book in a day, and I loved it so much. I love Emily Charlotte's writing style so much. It felt like one of those 2000s rom-coms that you wish you knew existed, then when you finally get to read it, it turns into your favorite movie ever, and that's exactly what this book did for me. It is now one of my favorite books of 2026.
Okay, now for the actual review lol.
Tyler freaking Holloway, ladies and gens. There's not much to say except I love this man so much. He is so sweet and kind, and I actually love his backstory and how there's some mystery to it because we don't find out what happened for a while. The whole book, I wanted to know so badly what happened, and then when we did, I was like... whoa. Besides his backstory, though, I loved HIM. The way he helped Sabrina (two specific times, iykyk) and the way he fits in right away with the football team were absolutely perfect. Also, the ending scene was THE best way to end the book. No one can convince me it wasn't. Also, this man made me giggle so much AGHHHHHH🤭Did I mention how in love I am with Tyler?
Now, for my queen, Sabrina. She is... LITERALLY my spirit animal. I related to Sabrina so much in so many different ways. I loved how she was so organized and how she really dedicated herself to being head of the Spirit Committee. Also, her rant about Gilmore Girls to Tyler was freaking hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing because of how true it was. She really opened my eyes about what team I'm on vs what team I SHOULD be on...lolll. I also loved her friendship with Ryan, but after they actually talked. I did find him annoying for a while because they wouldn't freaking talk, but it was for the plot, it's okay. I still loved him, and I think he has so much potential for a possible book (😉🤭pls, thank you in advance).
Anyway, overall, this book was obviously amazing in every way possible. I loved seeing Harper and Dawson together again, and Tyler and Sabrina are adorable in the best way possible. Their chemistry, banter, and personalities are everything, and I cannot wait to see them in any (maybe) future Hamilton Lakes books.
I enjoyed every minute of this book and am so, so grateful I got to read this masterpiece early. I almost wish it had taken me a week to read it because now I just feel sad I can't read it for the first time again. But I will be re-reading both Heart Check (which, you should definitely get if you haven't already) and Catching Feelings. Go pre-order this masterpiece and go read Heart Check (Hamilton Lakes book #1) if you haven't already, you won't regret it.💜🏈

[Emily Reister Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received from Netgalley for review.

Senior year is starting and after a difficult junior year Sabrina is determined to have the best senior year yet. It's her last year with her best friends before they move all over the country for college, she's in charge of making the best homecoming dance their school has ever seen, and in order to make the most of it all she needs absolutely no drama. Especially not boy drama. But when she gets tasked with showing Tyler, the new football player transfer around, making him feel comfortable and welcome at school becomes a top priority. As they get to know each other and find the other to be a safe space for processing that they have been missing in their lives, they agree to go to homecoming together as friends. As their friendship deepens the "just friends" aspect of their relationship gets harder to maintain. Will they continue to build something special with each other or will they let their fear and insecurities come between them?

This story was very sweet. Though YA sports romance isn't a genre I read often, I very much enjoyed this and understand the appeal. This struck a good balance of the sport and school spirit aspect alongside the relationship building. I also really felt like the portrayal of teenagers was done well. They don't handle things perfectly, they react first then process later, but they care enough for the people in their lives to come back and work things out after they've had time to process. I thought Sabrina and Tyler were very cute together, even if I don't always love the "super big guy and teeny tiny girl" thing. I didn't find that to be overemphasized in a way that was annoying. I felt like the balance between following our main couple and getting to know the people around them was also quite good. The friends are very real people without taking up too much space or attention from the main story line. While I'm not a huge football person, I did appreciate how that was integrated and central to the plot without overtaking the plot.

This was a very fun and easy read and well composed for its target audience, balancing the romance with highlighting experiences and trauma that many high schoolers can relate to. Would definitely recommend and am interested in more in this world!

[Emma Teagarden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Emily Charlotte and NetGalley for this ARC!!
4.5⭐️
To start off this review this book is perfect for the beginning of fall! It has the vibes of those first days of school, and the banter? Oh my gosh the banter between Tyler and Sabrina is so funny but so lovable at the same time!

Sabrina:
Sabrina is a head strong girl and if she wants something she is going to fight tooth and nail to get it.
With Homecoming season in full effect Sabrina and the rest of the spirit committee AKA my favorite girl group in a book I’ve ever read so far, are in full spirit mode to raise money for “the best homecoming ever” for their senior year.
While this is happening Sabrina is trying to hide for the demons of what happened over the summer/ spring, While also trying to stay drama free. Until she meets the new Football player on the Varsity team Tyler Holloway.

Tyler:
Tyler Just moved to Hamilton Lakes for a fresh start, he wants to stay hidden for his Senior Year, Sabrina wants the whole town to know him.
Tyler is troubled by drama that happened at his last school and is praying no one finds out. Tyler who was once trying to hide from the Limelight that Sabrina had put on him isn’t too sad once he gets to know her. And becoming
Carpool Buddies that (Redacted) Sometimes

Final thoughts:
This book trying was so cute I might like this a tiny bit more than Heart Check, This book made me laugh out loud and I couldn’t help but smile like a fool when reading this book! Both of the characters I could relate to on a very deep personal level, it was very hard to not like these characters!

Be sure to Preorder this beautiful book before September 1st for 1. The first print run gets the most beautiful purple spayed edges. And 2. Of you fill out the form you get some beautiful stickers designed by the amazing @haileyxhan on instagram

[Chaptersxchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I found this to be a fun and lighthearted read with a surprising amount of emotional depth. The male main character’s past and the challenges he had to overcome added a meaningful layer to the story and gave it some emotional weight. However, I felt that both the male and female protagonists’ personal struggles were resolved or addressed fairly quickly, leaving me wanting a bit more development in those areas.

The romance was definitely on the lighter side, with nothing progressing beyond kissing, which was actually refreshing compared to many of the books I’ve read recently. The focus remained on the characters’ connection rather than physical intimacy, making it a sweet and wholesome romance.

Because the book is relatively short, the pacing moved quite quickly, and some plot points and character development felt a little rushed. Even so, it was an enjoyable and charming story overall, perfect for readers looking for a cute, easy-to-read romance with a touch of emotional depth.

[Savannah Mattair · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up
Such a cute cover! I was excited to see this was coming out after I enjoyed Heart Check. I’ve been checking NetGalley daily waiting to see this pop up and I’m so glad I got the arc yesterday!
Tyler & Sabrina were really good together. I like that they started off as just friends even if they did move pretty quickly. I enjoyed their conversations and that they both felt safe enough to open up with each other. They were also great friends to their peers. Always there to support and listen to them.
I will say the conflicts they both had felt rushed near the end but I feel that way a lot. There was a lot of build up about what happened at Tyler’s last school but it didn’t feel finished to me.
I also wish they would have been up front and told Ryan from the beginning instead of dodging him half the book.
Overall this was a cute YA romance that flew by. I definitely recommend picking up this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review!

[Priscilla Stalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought Catching Feelings was such a cute and fun high school romance. The chemistry between Sabrina and Tyler was instant, and I loved watching their relationship grow throughout the story. They were so sweet together, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time.

Sabrina was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book. She was fun, caring, and determined to make homecoming the best it could possibly be, but underneath all of that she was dealing with so much emotionally. I really appreciated how the story showed both her confident side and her more vulnerable moments. Tyler was also such a lovable character, and I liked how supportive he was despite carrying around secrets from his past.

The homecoming and football elements made this such an entertaining read, while still balancing emotional moments throughout the story. If you love YA romances with school spirit, adorable chemistry, and heartfelt characters, this is definitely one to pick up.

[Cassy Klisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute privilege of reading an early copy of this amazing book, which I somehow loved even more than Emily’s debut, but I think that just speaks to her ability to write lovable, compelling characters and swoony, funny, un-put-downable stories. CATCHING FEELINGS is absolutely everything I love about YA romance and is filled with so much heart. Sabrina is the most relatable and iconic FMC who you have no choice but to root for, Tyler is the literal MMC of my sixteen-year-old, feet-kicking dreams, and their chemistry as they both navigate the ups and downs of their individual journeys and grow together from friendship to something more had me turning pages at breakneck (finger?) speed, which was unfortunate only because I never wanted this book to end. Emily has truly surpassed the expectations she set with Harper and Dawson’s incredible story, and I’m so excited for everyone else to get to return to Hamilton Lakes too!

[Franki · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you so much to Simon Teen from the Yallwest book festival in Santa Monica, Ca. this past weekend for sharing this ARC.

This was a really sweet story with a good cast of characters. You really get to see all the personalities develop naturally. Sabrina and Tyler , our main focus, definitely keep you interested in their lives and drama surrounding them. And I love how Sabrinas best friend is so protective of her. She reminds me a lot of my best friend from high school who is still my best friend to this day! This story was a nice sidetrack from my usual monsters and mayhem reads.

[Bethany C · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a sports romance series after finishing off campus, look no further!!!! (The first one is hockey and this one coming out in September is football!!)

I just love Emily’s books!!!!! I obviously love a sports romance and reading them in the YA genre is so new and fun!! I am loving this series so much!!! It’s so nostalgic reading about young love and high school days! I absolutely binged this and I am already ready for her next book!!

I think these are great if you’re an adult but also if you’re a teenager and looking for an appropriate book to read!

Thank you Simon teen for the arc!!!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words to properly express my love of Emily Charlotte and her books, but I’ll try anyway.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Emily, and her team for granting me an ARC for this book.

First of all, Tyler is THE cinnamon roll golden retriever boy that I would defend with my life. From page one you are rooting for this guy because he is simply too pure for this world.

Sabrina is everything. She is the girl that all of us wanted to be in school but didn’t have the energy to be. She’s absolutely stunning, a perfectly well rounded character in a series that already features amazing characters.

If you love a cute high school romance, this is a home run!

[Queen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon Teen for the gifted eARC.

I don’t know what it is about this series, but I am in love with it. I devoured this book. Do I have plenty of other books that release sooner (or in the past, oops) that I should have read first? Don’t know, don’t care, I needed this one.

Catching Feelings was so good. The joy and lightness of two teenagers falling in love while also the reality of parentification, the fear of becoming an adult, the loneliness of never feeling enough. It’s just so realistic while also being sweet and effervescent.

I loved how Sabrina feels so comfortable with Tyler, that he becomes her safe space. And that Tyler feels such acceptance from her. Even with their third-act break-up (ish!!??), both of them communicate and grow and ugh, it’s just so beautiful to see what can happen when people be vulnerable and open and accepting.

I hope this series never ends, I’m always gonna need more.

[Jineth Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC through @NetGalley , and it was the perfect cute YA romance. Reading it gave me that same butterfly feeling I remember from high school. This is definitely a book I know my teen daughter would like to read..a quick, sweet, and young romance.

It really shows how you can have all these plans and expectations for your life, but things can change in ways you never see coming. Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes those changes turn out to be exactly what you needed.

This book is set to release in September 2026.

[Alia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina, my GIRL. Logan girls unite! Tyler, the guy you are! I wish all real-life men and male friendships were written by Emily Charlotte.

Really, I wish I lived in Hamilton Lakes.

I feel like I can't gush about this book too much without spoiling everything, but I will say it should come with a warning page that says "PAUSE HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SLEEP/WORK/DO ANYTHING BESIDES FOCUS YOUR WHOLE BEING ON THIS BOOK," cause my heart was STRESSED for the last 30% of this book.

[Basma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not rooting for this couple lol

It was cute!! I just couldn't get invested in the romance or like anything else? It lacks depth and I wish we'd explored some of the reveals and the emotions behind them more

[Katy O.]

School Library Journal review title