Sidelined Souls

Celestia Cove #2

by Sarah A. Bailey

Set in the sun-soaked world of California surf culture, Sidelined Souls is an emotional, accidental pregnancy romance about life changing surprises, shattered boundaries, and two childhood sweethearts forced to decide if their love is worth risking everything for.

With his wildest dreams on the line, Archer Ramos has only one to be drafted into the professional football league following his final college season. But nothing shakes his focus like his childhood best friend and first love, Allie Evans. They broke each other's hearts years ago, vowing not to risk their friendship again. So, when Archer takes a trip home to Pacific Shores for the summer, he's determined to uphold the boundaries he and Allie set—no matter how many times they've fallen back into old patterns. But they've never been good at following their own rules, and this most recent rendezvous is no different.

Allie has dreams of her own. As a culinary school graduate, dance instructor, and fresh off a break-up with her insufferable ex-boyfriend, her top priority is herself. Until a routine doctor's appointment ends in her receiving life-altering news. She's pregnant. Her first instinct is to rush to Archer, but with his future hanging in the balance, Allie hesitates.

In an instant, everything around them changes, which threatens to crumble the foundation they've spent their entire life building—the friendship, the romance, and their trust. As months pass, and they redefine their roles in life, forced to confront their deepest fears and forge a new path forward, Allie and Archer must decide if their soul-deep connection is worth the fight, or if they'll leave love on the sidelines.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Sports Romance, Sports, Surprise Pregnancy, Football, Childhood Friends To Lovers

415 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 22, 2026

About the author

Sarah fell in love with reading as a child, starting with the Magic Treehouse Series. She quickly learned that books can take her to all the places she always dreamed of going, and allow her to live endless lifetimes in the one that we are given.
Sarah believes that a good, fluffy romance novel can make even the darkest days a little bit brighter. She believes in love stories readers can root for, the kind that will make even the skeptics believe in all that cheesy stuff like soulmates. She longs to produce stories that readers can pick up, and regardless of what’s weighing them down in life, feel a little lighter when they finish.
Sarah was born in California and raised in Southern Oregon, and still considers herself a Pacific Northwest gal at heart; right down to being a coffee snob, collecting hydro flasks, adamantly believing in Sasquatch, and feeling like rain-drenched forests are a form of therapy. Sarah now resides in North Carolina with her husband, Mike, and their dog-baby, Rue. When she’s not writing, she’s likely reading, and if she’s not reading, odds are she’s out searching for a decent cup of coffee, or a rainy pine forest.

Reviews

[Mira]

DNF at 65%

I'd been wanting to try Sarah A. Bailey's books for a while, and I decided to start with this one because I liked the tropes. I know this is a second-generation series, but I wouldn't say that not having read the previous books affected my understanding or enjoyment of the story.

Unfortunately, my first experience with this author was disappointing. To me, the plot was full of unnecessary drama. The main characters have been in love with each other since childhood, but they decide not to be together because of the distance. I honestly don't understand why a long-distance relationship was such a big issue when they still saw each other from time to time. The first half of the book is basically them going in circles with, "We love each other, but we can't be together," mixed with flashbacks from the past.

I didn't feel any sympathy for the FMC. Yes, Declan, her boyfriend at the beginning of the book, wasn't perfect, but she treated him terribly as well. She didn't really have feelings for him and was essentially using him, only to leave him at the first opportunity.

In the second half of the book, the FMC gets pregnant, and at times the story became so overly sweet. Add to that the huge cast of side characters who were constantly around (sorry, but that's just not my thing), and I simply didn't have the energy to keep reading.

I can understand why so many people enjoy this author's books, but I think they're just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op (Page & Vine) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Olga Rudnitska]

DNF at 20%

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

As much as I liked the first book and loved the atmosphere of Celestial Cove, this one is not for me. I have struggled to connect with or understand Allie or Archer, and couldn't get interested in their relationship (past or present)

However, I'm looking forward to reading the first-generation books.

[Jackie]

4.5/5⭐️ god the men that sarah writes are just continuing to raise the bar… i mean i freakin MELTED

[AshReadThis]

3.5 ⭐️
This isn’t my first Sarah A Bailey book, and I don’t think it’ll be my last.

I always love a good childhood friends to lovers story, and this definitely delivered. Allie and Archer have such a sweet childhood story when they’re younger, and it sort of gets complicated as they grow older. (Doesn’t it always?)

I did have a hard time getting past Allie’s personality sometimes, it was a little grating for me, but I suspect maybe it’s an age of the character thing contributing, I’m not able to quite put my finger on it. Also, not a huge fan of miscommunication tropes, they’re so challenging to execute.

Aside from that, along with the pet name Allie Cat (lollll), this was a good, quick read. I loved the funny dialogue. For me, what really carried the story though was Archer’s character. He was just so sweet and supportive. 😭 Some of his lines in this book will straight up devastate you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah A Bailey for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

What to expect:
❤️ childhood friends to lovers
❤️ on again off again relationship
❤️ accidental pregnancy
❤️ miscommunication
❤️ football player MMC
❤️ right person, wrong time
❤️ small town

[catherine]

Sidelined Souls was so emotional and real. To start, the flashbacks of Archer and Allie as kids were so adorable, and seeing how Archer took care of her even back then was incredibly heartwarming. It perfectly foreshadowed the way he continues to look after her in the present.

One of my favorite things about Archer was how he remembers all of Allie’s favorite things because she’s forgetful. It’s such a small detail, but it says so much about how he cares for her.

There were moments when Allie frustrated me, but I understood where she was coming from. By the end of the book, I loved both her and Archer together, and I appreciated her character much more after seeing her full journey.

Their relationship was built on so much love and support for one another. I definitely wished they had communicated better at times, but I loved watching them grow and find their way back to each other. The ending felt so worth it.

I’m desperately hoping the next book is about Zander. He gave me major Isaiah Rhodes vibes from the Windy City Series and I’m here for it 🙏

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads)]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5 stars

Childhood friends to lovers done RIGHT. Add in a little “I’ll wait for you,” a little “right person, wrong time,” and two people who somehow always knew the other was their person, and I was completely obsessed with Allie and Archie.

From the very first scene, when Archie is just a kid and already wants to take care of Allie, you know these two are meant for each other. They go through SO much over the years, but what I loved most was that they never stopped choosing each other. Even when life pulled them in different directions, him going to Texas to play football and her staying in California to work at the bakery, their connection was always there.

And then the unexpected pregnancy happened, and honestly, I hate to admit how excited I was. It felt like the thing that was finally going to bring these two exactly where they were supposed to be. I just loved watching them navigate it together, especially Archie. The way he was willing to do whatever Allie needed to make her feel comfortable and supported throughout her pregnancy? WALKING. GREEN. FLAG.

I adored their relationship, their history, and the way their love grew alongside them. Sarah A. Bailey gave me everything I want in a childhood friends-to-lovers romance, and I was completely invested from beginning to end.

I just love Allie and Archie so much. This one was an absolute five stars for me!

[Tori B]

4.5⭐️ Sarah does it again folks!!!! There is just something about the way she writes her characters that always makes it feel like they are soulmates and really are going to be together forever. Archer has made is way to the top of my list of favorites. And I am an accidental pregnancy sympathizer. I love that trope😂 and add on top friends to lovers and right person wrong time, I was a goner before I even started the book, let’s be honest here. This story was beautifully written and the way Allie always made sure that Archer’s dream came true and Archer simultaneously doing the same thing for her😭 this one had so many cameos from all of Sarah’s past books that I loved SO much. I know this book doesn’t even release for another 3 months but I need the next book pronto😂

Thank you so much to Page & Vine for the e-arc via Netgalley💖💖💖

[Soph]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

⭐️ 4.25 Stars ⭐️

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.

This is a beautiful and emotional childhood best friends-to-lovers story.

Allie is wild, loud, stubborn, supportive, unhinged and compassionate. Archer is her perfect match - calm, steady and the one who keeps her grounded. He’s the calm to her storm.

Allie and Archer have to learn how to navigate their new reality at such a young age. Sure, there were some moments of miscommunication and I found myself wondering why they didn’t at least consider a long-distance relationship, but in the end, everything worked perfectly.

I absolutely love the “it’s always been you” trope. Their love is raw, intense and at times difficult, especially at the beginning of their journey. There’s a lot of yearning, angst and tension, but through it all, you can feel just how much Allie and Archer love each other.

I also loved the found family aspect and the support from the other characters. The flashback chapters to their childhood and teenage years also showed just how strong their bond has always been.

I’m very excited for the next book in this series.

Perfect for fans of:

* Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
* Small Town
* Accidental Pregnancy
* Sports Romance
* Found Family
* First Love

[Jasmine C]

This is actually a DNF (for now).
I’m really struggling to write this as it goes against my personal code of always completing an arc…but I have tried and tried with this and at 35% I just have have no desire to continue.
There is so much pointless drama going on in this book - why can’t they be together even though they live in different states???? They see each other anyway every few months so what is the problem???

Similarly to Heathen and Honeysuckle (by the same author), there are big declarations of love that made me cringe.

Archer: “Without you…I can’t keep going” (right before he leaves her AGAIN)

I will try to complete this at some point in the future but for now I have no wish to pick it back up and keep going.

Thank you Victory Editing and Sarah A.Bailey for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Lina]

3.75 / 5 Stars
This is very much a vibes rating because all of Sarah’s books are like brain candy to me. If you love big declarations of love and angst and tension, then I highly recommend this.

I highly enjoyed the first half. It was soooo angsty and I felt everything deep down in the pit of my stomach (which is exactly what I want with a “right person, wrong time” story). Were the characters making good and logical decisions? No. Did it take me a while to fully buy into why they couldn’t just do long distance? Yeah, because it just didn’t make sense to me for a really long time but I still really enjoyed that half. I especially thought the dual timeline worked really well.

The second half changes because of the accidental pregnancy. I thought it lost a little bit of steam and felt a tad repetitive, but I enjoyed the different tone.

I really enjoyed Allie (though sometimes I cringed a little at the complete lack of boundaries around what she told her parents and any other adults). I really liked Archer too though sometimes, in the flashbacks, he just felt too mature for a child. I really could feel that they loved each other so deeply and that their souls were deeply and cosmically connected.

I will also say that I think Sarah has an incredible ability to write spice that is very specific to each couple. Not every book necessarily worked for me spice-wise, but the spice is always specific and perfectly tailored to the story.

And yes, this whole series is an interconnected standalone but I think everything just hits a little harder if you have, at least, read the Pacific Shores series. This is a second gen book with the children of the couples from that series (and from her other books) so it is just more meaningful to see those characters again. I could imagine if you hadn’t read Pacific Shores you might be wondering why everyone is so involved in each other’s lives.

You will probably like this book if you like:
⭐ Football romances
⭐ Right person, wrong time
⭐ It’s always been you (soulmates and first loves)
⭐ Childhood best friends to lovers
⭐ Accidental pregnancy
⭐ Found family
⭐ So much angst and yearning
⭐ Small town romances

Thank you Page & Vine and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: September 22, 2026

⋆ ೀ ⋆ Follow me on Instagram @book.recs.by.lina for book recommendations and general fun times ⋆ ೀ ⋆

[Joseandbooks]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

This book gave me ALL the feels. 🥹❤️ I absolutely loved Archer and Allie’s story, especially getting to see their relationship from childhood to where they are in the present. Those flashbacks were honestly some of my favorite parts and made their connection feel so much deeper.

Archer was such an easy character to love. The way he remembered all of Allie’s little favorite things and always seemed to know what she needed just made me melt. 🥹 Their relationship had so much love and support, even when they struggled to communicate, and I really enjoyed watching them find their way back to each other.

Allie frustrated me at times, but I understood where she was coming from, and by the end I really appreciated her character and her journey. Together, these two just worked for me.

And that ending?! SO worth it. ❤️

The audiobook was such a great way to experience this story and really brought the characters and emotions to life. I flew through this one and honestly didn’t want it to end.

[siyaa]

I absolutely DEVOURED Sidelined Souls. The entire book felt so raw and real, and I adored how sweet Archer and Allie’s story was. It was heartbreaking, heartwarming, and literally EVERYTHING. I loved how there were chapters of Allie and Archer in the present as well as in the past; it made their story hit so much harder. I also love how bold Allie is in everything; she has THE BEST personality ever, and the way Archer’s calmer energy perfectly fits into hers…AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. They are two pieces of the same puzzle.

Also, the accidental pregnancy trope was ADORABLE?! The way Allie and Archer both connected, ugh, I love them! And don’t get me started on THE YEARNING AND THE ANGST. This book made me cry multiple times; I loved it so so so so so much. Thank you so much, Page&Vine, Netgalley, and Sarah A. Bailey, for the ARC. I already know Sidelined Souls is going to stay with me for a while.

[Lauren]

3.75⭐️

Definitely liked this one better than Tattered Tides! Love series that gets progressively better!

Early eARC from NetGalley 🤍

I was really looking forward to Sidelined Souls as a lover of the accidental pregnancy trope & Everett & Dahlia from wicked & wildflower.

I thought overall the book was good but so much of this relies on the miscommunication and “right person, wrong time” narratives that just aren’t as accurate as the MCs think.

So much of the turmoil could have been solved with open conversations and just… trying???

Some very beautiful writing in this book as per usual! I love how SAB brought in a lot of meaningful metaphors about the galaxy and the sun and how it ultimately led to a bigger meaning for Archer & Allie.

The pregnancy aspect here was also handled very well. I loved how SAB used Dahlia in a lot of the bigger conversations because we all read about her as a teen mom in W&W.

I’m also happy with the draft and ending!!! It’s not unrealistic story book decision making!!

TROPES:
🤍 friends to lovers
🤍 dual timeline
🤍 dual POV
🤍 accidental pregnancy
🤍 football player MMC
🤍 right person, wrong time
🤍 you came, you called

[ashley]

4.5★ This was such a beautiful childhood friends-to-lovers story. Archer and Allie were so perfect and are the definition of soulmates.

I’m not even sure where to really start with my thoughts on this one because all I can say is that it was flawless. Sarah A. Bailey has recently become a new favorite author of mine, and I can count on an emotionally impactful story every time. I felt so deeply connected to these two, and I’m not quite sure how to explain the way Bailey does this. The way she just throws you into the story so seamlessly that it feels like you've been reading about these characters for ages is truly a talent.

I loved how bright and confident Allie was and how supportive, determined, and obsessed Archer was. There was something about Archer that felt so safe; he truly was a calming presence. Allie and Archer reminded me a lot of Elena and Augustus. The way Archer was in love with Allie from the very beginning, Allie’s boldness, the strong friendship, and the gentleness with which they loved and cared for each other. I found myself just as obsessed with them as they were with each other.

The relationship between these two was perfection. It was soft, tender, and kind. They were made for each other, the definition of soulmates. One of my favorite things about Archer and Allie is how they always put each other first. They were so determined not to let each other stray from their dreams, goals, and ambitions, even if it hurt them. There was something so refreshing about this, and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. You could literally feel the love seeping off the pages as if these two characters were real. Bailey’s writing brought them alive and made it so heartbreakingly realistic. My heart ached every time these two just couldn't find their footing, but I understood it. Seeing them struggle to find their way and navigate the changes happening in their lives was real and raw. I could honestly go on for days about how much I loved Archer and Allie and their relationship, but I don’t want to spoil anything lol! Just know these two mean a lot to me.

I absolutely adored the families in here. I went a bit out of order here and have only read books 1-3 of Pacific Shores so far, and then I skipped over Tattered Tides for the time being to jump into Sidelined Souls, but it was so much fun seeing the Pacific Shores Crew all grown up with their kids. This also made me want to read Dom and Macie’s book asap because I fell in love with them! I loved Allie and Dom’s relationship; she was such a daddy’s girl, which I can relate to lol! I also loved how close Willow and Allie are. Their friendship is so cute and the epitome of girlhood. I can’t wait to go back and read all about Willow and Weston, and hopefully get more glimpses of Allie and Willow’s friendship! I loved how supportive Allie and Archer’s parents were.

I’m sure I have more to say about this book, but for now I’ll leave it at this. I was so captivated by this story, the writing, the characters, that I could not put it down. Sidelined Souls has found a special place in my heart, and I’m sad that the story is over, but I’m so happy for Allie and Archer. I can’t wait to continue my Pacific Shores and Celestia Cove journey, and I’m on the edge of my seat for Zander and Lou’s books!

Thank you to Page & Vine for the eARC! All thoughts are my own.

[Amber]

5 ⭐ | 3 🌶️

Ohhhh I just loved Sidelined Souls so much and it's right up there with Dahlia and Everett's story in Wicked & Wildflower who also happen to be our MMC Archer's parents. I haven't read our FMC Allie's parent's story in The Fate Philosophy but I don't think it took away from my read but it definitely helps knowing all the players because we get cameos from basically everyone in Sarah A. Bailey's universe. And I know not everyone loves a second gen series but could never be me. I eat them up.

Being teased Archer and Allie's story in Tattered Tides, I am so so glad that Sarah didn't make us wait too long to feed us. While I don't usually love flashbacks, I did love getting to watch these two fall in love from a very early age. The "it's always been you" and "soulmates basically from birth" trope is a favorite of mine and when you add in second gen, it's like the cherry on top (another favorite of mine is Little Lies by Helena Hunting - second gen to the Pucked series).

Another not for everyone trope - the accidental pregnancy - is a favorite of mine. Having Archer and Allie be so far apart definitely added in another layer of angst. The yearning was off the charts and this will leave you with all the feels cos the pregnancy adds to the baggage that they both have when it comes to getting all the things that they want in this life - not just one another. There was so much self-sacrificing going on. Even if you aren't into the preggo trope, I beg you to give this a try because it's truly worth it.

Thank you so much to Page & Vine for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All opinions are my own.

[Leona Greally]

4.5⭐️
2🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Page and Vine for the eARC of this book.

Book 2 in the Celestia Cove series was exactly what I hoped it would be! This book gave me all the angst feels of Heather and honeysuckle with the passion and humour from Violet and Vice - I absolutely loved being back in this world.

I knew when reading Tattered Tides that I was going to LOVE Allie and Archers story - it did not disappoint.

Allie and Archer have been best friends their whole lives. Their parents are friends and they grew up together. Watching the bond they have as children, seeing it progress in their teenage years and then blossom as adults was such a beautiful journey to read. Even through their struggles(which broke my heart) you could see the love they have for each other so clearly.

Allie has such a feisty personality with no filter, her one liners had me laughing so much throughout this, Archer adores her for who she is and it’s so lovely to see him lift her up, even when it’s hurting them both.

SAB really knows how to tell a story that makes you feel exactly how her characters are feeling and I love when an author can throw me into their world like I’m personally living it.

My only gripe about this book is that I felt like the ending was a little rushed and I would have liked a little more, however I can’t wait to see all our favourite people back in book 3.

[Katie (books_with_katie280)]

ADVANCED READER COPY FROM NETGALLEY

Holy shit, this book absolutely wreaked me in the best way!! I don’t even know where to start because I loved it so much. There is so much I want to talk about, but I don’t wanna spoil anything.

The chemistry between Allie and Archer, unreal!! From the very beginning their connection was wild! I adored seeing their backstory unfold watching how they first fell into each other’s orbit, and then getting to witness them finally finding their way back to each other and making it work! It felt earned, emotional, and so satisfying!

Archer. Boy, did I fall for this man. He was everything; sweet, caring, passionate, loyal, and deeply devoted to Allie! Yes, he had dreams he wanted to chase, but he never stopped choosing Allie! There were some rough moments in there for him and Allie, but no matter what he was doing he was doing it for the future for them. From page one you could tell he was all in!

Allie. She might genuinely be one of my favorite female characters! She’s cool, independent, wildly talented in what she does, and so full of love for Archer! Even when she was trying to move on, she couldn’t give herself fully because her heart was still Archer’s!! Throughout the whole book, she showed how fiercely she loved Archer; while still fighting to live her own life, on her terms.

This story had everything: tension, history, longing, growth, and ultimately so much love!!

[Kelly Hernandez]

I’m so thankful to have received this E-ARC and to continue with this series!

Allie and Archer are childhood best friends, and their love for each other was truly unmatched. While we know these two were always meant for each other, life, college, and their future goals kept pulling them apart.

With that said, I absolutely loved how perfect Archer was. His love for Allie was unconditional, and more than anything, he just wanted her to be happy. Meanwhile, Allie wanted nothing but success for Archer and his career. She’s also such a spitfire, confident, determined, and never afraid to stand up for herself.

While I did feel like something was missing from their story at times, I still really enjoyed watching everything come together, and I loved how their story ultimately wrapped up.

[Staci]

I’m always a skeptic of childhood friends to lovers but this one has me hooked! The bond between Allie and Archer was undeniable. They were meant to be together from a young age. They just had to overcome obstacles and get out of their own way to get to their happy ending.
I love a good, angsty book and this one delivered. Allie and Archer decided to not be together while they each got after their own dreams. Despite this, whenever they’re together, they can’t stay away. They are each other’s right person, they just can’t get the timing right. After one of their nights together, fate pushes them back together with an unexpected pregnancy.
It was rocky at first for Allie and Archer to navigate their relationship and having a baby together. Once they get out of their own way, they have such an unbreakable bond. They form their own family that is so beautiful.
This book had me going through all the emotions like all of Sarah’s book! I can’t wait to go back to Celestia Cove with all my favorite characters.
Releasing 9/22!

Thank you Sarah for the arc!
Read if you love:
✨right person x wrong time
✨first loves
✨mirror scene
✨she crawls
✨childhood friends
✨accidental pregnancy
✨football romance
✨small coastal time

[Kaylee Salsbury-Nelson]

4.25 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️ | 📖

I am telling you, Sarah CANNOT write a bad book. This was so fun. I loved the tension and yearning with the dual timeline. It almost felt like a miscommunication, but the miscommunication stemmed from over-communication and wanting to protect one another from a place of such deep love and understanding.

As a lover of the accidental pregnancy trope, and this one did not disappoint. I really liked the star-crossed lovers' tone and how they both reacted to this unexpected news. It actually felt like a very realistic situation for the circumstances, which I always appreciate about Sarah's stories.

Archer is top-tier, maybe one of the best book boyfriends ever written. And Allie was SO much fun. She was cute and spunky and hilarious, but also so self-aware. They were the perfect couple, and their story was so fun to read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Team S.A.B for the early reader copy! So excited for the world to get its hands on this book.

[Megan Coggins]

I knew going into this I was going to get emotional damage.

I am loving this second gen series.

Right person, wrong time. On crack.
Childhood best friends.
Long distance.

Enter the bomb. Accidental pregnancy.

He’s a big time football player. In Texas.
She’s our baker/dancer hometown girl. Cali.

I’ve really learned to take ages into account when I’m reading. Me single at 21 was an entirely different person than the 35 year old now married with kids me.

These two were 21 years. And their actions aligned with that. Justifiable.

But gosh darn did Sarah A Bailey wax her poetic emotional wording that I’ve come to expect and love.

Netgalley Arc review ✨

[Amanda Hopwood]

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC for my honest opinion
Narrations as fantastic

I am loving this series so much!! Have I read the previous ones , no , did I not realize till now they are connected … yup lol so guess I just added to my tbr

Anywho… childhood best friend who are just drawn to each other . They are each others first kiss , first love but choose to be apart so they can live out their individual dreams… until a situation happens and they have some choices to make .

I relate to this story in my personal like in a lot of ways!!

[courtney]

This spin off series has been giving me life. I love the original but seeing all their children intertwined makes me so happy. I love seeing all of the parents in their lives as well. They all have healthy and happy relationships and it is a nice change to see from the first series. This one is a pregnancy book which normally isn’t my favorite but this was done just right. Sports romance, it’s always been you, childhood besties to lovers. What more could you want.
Thank you page and vine for the arc

[Stephanie | ReadWithSnicks]

Back to Celestia Cove, with Allie and Archer 🤩

Allie was so fierce, and her spirit was so strong… I absolutely love that. She’s stuck up for herself every step of the way, and certainly was not shy 😂 which is helped by having Archer supporting her always, from the very beginning as children all the way through an accidental pregnancy and discovering that they both truly want each other forever.
Allie and Archer being childhood friends to best friends to first loves…to being forever 🥹

and I cannot tell you how fun it is to see the parents we know and love from Pacific Shores throughout this book, and now seeing their kids giving them a run for their money ‼️

I will say, I did think some of their emotional responses/maturity level and corresponding actions made them seem older than their 20-21 year old ages they were, which took me a little bit out of the story.

Tropes you’ll find:
🏈 childhood friends
🏈 first loves
🏈 next generation
🏈 accidental pregnancy
🏈 football romance

✨ many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the advanced reader copy

[hannahwells.books]

ARC Review

Sidelined Souls

Childhood best friends to lovers
Football Romance
Accidental Pregnancy
ANGST & TENSION

I was ecstatic when I discovered Sidelined Souls would be childhood best friends to lovers, my favorite!

Allie and Archer’s bond is undeniable from the first page as children. Getting to see them grow up through dual timelines was so sweet.

Sadly, they grow into a repetitive cycle of “right person, wrong time” and can never seem to make things work except in the bedroom. This is where I start to have mixed feelings and where I sometimes struggled with the miscommunication trope. On one hand they were rock solid yet they could never seem to commit solely due to distance.

Overall, I still enjoyed the book. It all came together in the end and I am excited for the third book in the series.

Thank you to SAB and NetGalley for the gifted ARC of Sidelined Souls.

[CHELSEA]

Sidelined Souls gave me all the frustratingly delicious angsty vibes! Archer and Allie are childhood friends who are destined to be together but always seem to be in different places in life causing them to never be quite ready to take the leap into a relationship.

Archer is chasing his dreams of professional football while attending college in Texas. While Allie has dreams of a culinary degree and running the bakery in Pacific Shores. Neither one of them want to chance a long distance relationship but it hurts them each time they spend time together only for Archer to go back to Texas for school.

A classic right person wrong time until fate takes over and Allie faces an unexpected pregnancy forcing Allie and Archer to get uncomfortable and decide if this is their chance at their forever together.

Sarah always has such poetic writing and the angst vibes were on with this one!

I know not everyone loves an accidental pregnancy but I truly loved it for Allie and Archer especially given their long standing history together!

Perfect for lovers of:
Childhood friends to lovers
Right person wrong time
Accidental pregnancy
Angsty vibes
Delicious spice

Thank you Sarah A Bailey and Page & Vine for the early copy of Sidelined Souls!

[lucialeelibros]

3.75/5

this book could have been a 5-star read if only the drama had been… less, and perhaps a little less… tedious.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the romance! The way they handled the pregnancy storyline was brilliant. However, there was far too much drama over something as simple as wanting to be together; the distance was the problem, but at this stage I don’t feel it’s a real issue. That said, the ending was lovely – I liked it, but I didn’t love it.

I really wanted to give it 5 stars.

[Lindsey Innocente]

5 ⭐️

Beautiful. Raw. Emotional.
I don’t know how Sarah can pull these emotions out of me every time. If I’m ever going to tear up in a book, it will definitely be a birth scene written to perfection 🥹
I was in love with these characters, no one’s surprised. The entire second gen, found family that is so supportive and always there for each other, it’s such an emotional dynamic.

Anxiously awaiting book 3 in this series 🤭

Thank you Page & Vine and Netgalley for this EARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Mood Reader Megan]

Story 4.5/5
Spice 3.5/5
Audiobook Narration 3.5/5

Tropes: Football Romance, Small Town, First Love, Childhood Friends to Lovers, Right Person - Wrong Time, Angst, Tension, Accidental Pregnancy, Found Family

My first time reading Sarah A Bailey was when I got the ALC for the first Celestia Cove book, since then I have been working my way through the Pacific Shores series as well and I was so happy that I received the ALC for this book as well.
I am emotionally attached to these characters, both the first generation and the second. I think that for full impact I would recommend reading the Pacific Shores series before getting into Celestia Cove.

In the first book there was a lot of hinting about the relationship between these characters. Their parents are close family friends and they grew up together. The MMC has been protective of the FMC and has been proclaiming his love for her since they were children. In the first part of the book we go back and forth between the past and present timelines and I love all the insight we get into the characters and their history. They have given each other all of their firsts and even though they haven't been an official couple for most of their history. Even when they try to be with other people they are always thinking of each other and eventually pulled back together.
Most of the book is set during their final year of university - she went to a university close to their families and friends and has been working at his mom's bakery. He went to a university in Texas to play football and will be getting drafted into the professional league after he graduates.
They couldn't be officially together in high school because she was living in LA two hours away and they only saw each other during holidays/breaks. They didn't date during college because they didn't want long distance or to feel like they were missing out on any experiences, but they often fell into old habits (and bed) when they were together during school breaks and summer. They always planned to find their way back to each other and be together in the future... someday when they were done university.
During the last night he is home during their summer break before their last year of university they fall back into old habits.... but this time is different because a few weeks later the FMC learns she is pregnant.
There is a lot of struggle and angst that the main characters go through, maybe a some secrets, a little resentment, and mistrust. Sometimes the accidental pregnancy brings the main couple closer together, but this one is a little more complicated. The road is bumpy but eventually you get to the HEA and it is so worth the journey.
I loved this story, it was full of emotion and tension. The MMC has a filthy mouth and the spice was incredible!
Even through this is a dual style audiobook narration, I was still engaged in the book the whole time and thought these lesser known narrators both delivered great performances.

[Bri]

✨ALC Review✨ - 4.5 ⭐️

Did I finish the book, or did the book finish me?

This was one of the most achingly beautiful stories I have ever read. 😭💜

I already knew I loved Sarah A. Bailey’s writing, but then she went and made me fall in love with a trope I generally despise?? Incredible. Truly, HOW did she do that?!

During this listen, I was constantly torn between giggling and kicking my feet because of how sweet some of these moments were, and laying on the floor sobbing because of everything these characters had been through together, and everything they had to go through because of the love they had for each other. 😭😭

An achingly beautiful and deliciously spicy second-chance romance that somehow managed to completely wreck me while also making me feel so incredibly happy.

There were so many moments that just made my heart ACHE. I mean, read this quote and tell me you don’t want to cry:

“Looking at you hurts me.” “Yeah, well… Looking at you saves me.”

And I genuinely don’t even know what the right word is to describe the way he feels about her because “obsessed” doesn’t even come close. His entire world revolves around her. She is the center of his universe. His north star. And the way he loves her is so incredibly heartbreaking because there is so much love there, but he doesn’t believe they can actually have the life they want together.

And THEN when he tells her about his perfect future and we get this:

“But, when I do allow myself to dream, you’re always the center of it. In my perfect world, your the nucleus. You’re what I wake to. What I come home to. The image at the forefront of my mind.” 

LIKE??? 😭😭 How am I supposed to be okay after reading that?!

There are very few books that have made my heart hurt the way this one did, but I think that heartbreak is a huge part of what made this story so beautiful. All of the pain, everything they had to endure, it made the love between them feel that much deeper. It made the sweet moments sweeter, the happy moments more meaningful, and the ending feel so incredibly earned. This book hurt. A LOT. But it was the kind of heartbreak that made the story more beautiful, not less. 

I loved these characters, I loved their love, and I loved how deeply they felt everything. This one absolutely wrecked me, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. 🥹

AND I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for Zander and Zoe in Defensive Desires in Feb! 🤗

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.