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, Sports Romance, Friends To Lovers, Sports, Second Chance, Surprise Pregnancy, Childhood Friends To Lovers

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 · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[AshReadThis · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 🙏

[Tori B · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[siyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Jasmine C · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Leona Greally · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kaylee Salsbury-Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 ✨

[Lindsey Innocente · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[hannahwells.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Trinket Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
Another Sarah A. Bailey book, another 5-star read. At this point, if she writes it, I'm reading it. It's honestly as simple as that. This follows Allie and Archer, who we meet in Tattered Tides. They are childhood best friends to lovers to friends to...you get the drift. They can never get the timing right, Archer is a shooing for NFL glory and is accepted into a College miles away, where Allie has dreams of taking over his Mom's bakery in the smalltown they fell in love in. Both are so selfless and determined not to impact the other's lives that they both agree to remain best friends. But every time they see each other their chemistry is instant. No one can ever deny how much they love each other, I mean Archer declared he was going to marry her at 9 years old for goodness sake, this is a man completely gone for his Allie Cat. During one break from college they reconnect again, only this time they get something they never expected...a pregnancy!
Their story is an emotional, messy, and beautiful second chance at the love they never really got over. I was completely invested in these two from the beginning. The right person, wrong time trope gets me every single time, and Sarah absolutely nailed it here. The history between Allie and Archer was felt in every interaction, and you could tell neither of them had ever truly moved on.
Archer was absolutely pathetic for Allie in the best possible way. The longing, the devotion, the way he would have done literally anything for her... I ate it up. Every single second of it. And the mouth on him, both with his words and actions...my my my! Allie is a very lucky lady
Allie was a firecracker, she was strong but she was vulnerable without being weak, and I loved watching her find her footing while navigating everything life kept throwing at her. Were there times I wanted to shake her, yes? But that's what I love about Sarah's character writing, they have flaws and always have moments I want to shout at them or cry with them, it makes their story all the more raw and real to me.
Allie & Archer's chemistry was incredible, the emotional moments hit hard, but the spicy moments between them were HOT and yes I'm talking about a particular mirror scene.
There was angst, heartbreak, healing, plenty of tension, and some truly swoony moments mixed in with all the emotional chaos. Add in the accidental pregnancy (a trope I love) and I was completely gone.
I cannot finish this review without also saying how much I LOVE catching up with all my fave SAB characters especially Daddy Everett. Sheer perfection from start to finish.
The countdown for book three officially starts now, please say it's Zander?

[Katrina Sarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinity stars - I am certain this will forever be one of my favorite books of all time and not just of 2026! If you are a fan of childhood friends to lovers and right person wrong time then this book is seriously for you. The yearning in this book was on another level! I cannot even accurately describe the emotional depth of this book. I was instantly hooked and devoured it in just over 24 hours. I couldn't put it down!

This book follows Archer (Everett and Dahlia's son) and Allie (Dom and Macie's daughter) and it was the second gen book of my dreams. We see them fall in love from single digit ages and it felt so raw and authentic. The journey of them navigating being best friends who know they are the loves of each other's lives, while also never quite getting the timing right was literally everything I wanted to read. I felt every single emotion on every single page on such a visceral level. Their story is so real and beautiful and messy and FULL of so much love! I know that accidental pregnancy is not everyone's favorite trope (although it is one of mine) but this one was done so well! I really felt like I was on this lifelong journey with them to get to the ultimate finish line and oh was it satisfying! It also helps that Archer has been a giant green flag literally from the day he was born. The way he says he entered this earth in search of her - SWOON. This book is without a doubt SAB's best work yet!

[Jordan Grilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW


literally would rank this book higher than 5 if I could
It’s a 1000/5 star book
Possibly my top read of 2026. #1 spot

If there’s anything I love in this life
It’s an accidental pregnancy romance
But top that with childhood friends to lovers
IM LITERALLY DOWN BAD

Archer is baby
Archer is daddy
I’m down right obsessed with him
He can do no wrong

Allie is a badass
Allie is a queen
I literally love her
She deserves the world

But add these two firecrackers together?!
Literally my dream
I cannot get over them
They spent so much time apart doing what they “thought was best” only for them to come together and always choose each other.
The chemistry they shared is off the charts and always has been
They deserved each other and all this life has to offer

The way in which I spent the entire book just SOBBING
Speaks volumes to how amazing it is

The baby?!
How much they loved that baby!?
Gave up dreams and postponed dreams for that baby?
The way archer read and loved and talked to the baby!?
THE FREAKING NAME AND THE REASONING!?
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Your honor I love them
And the family the build and continue to build.

(Btw the wedding scene really did do me in at the end)
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Absolutely in love with this read
New personality unlocked
I’ll never shut up 💜🩵

[Chey ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25/5

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Page and Vine for an early copy for an honest review.

Since meeting Archer and Allie in Tattered Tides, I was dying to know their story. This did not disappoint. They both showed how young and dumb we can be when we are in love at 19 and the importance of staying at each other’s side when times get tough. Bailey’s writing made you feel all the frustration and heartbreak of wanting someone so bad yet you don’t want them to stop achieving their dreams.

If there is one thing that is consistent across Sarah A. Bailey books, it’s her top tier MMCs. Archer is a walking green flag. No matter what size, what happened, etc. he loves Allie and would sacrifice it all for her. Even as a reader who cannot stand the pregnancy trope, the way Bailey wrote it worked for me solely because the actions afterwards felt so healthy.

Overall, continuing on a second generation series, this was such a great and emotional read! I cannot wait for Zanders book.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The angst, the drama, the heartfelt moments take you on a wave of emotions from the very first chapter of Sidelined Souls. Archer and Allie are childhood friends and their connection from such an early age is perfection. The right person wrong time perfectly sums of Archer and Allie and their love forever each other is heartbreaking at times. The way Sarah captures their emotions keeps you invested from the very first page, honestly I just love the way she writes.
Between a 4 1/2 - 5 🌟
I received a complementary copy from NetGalley.

[Alicia Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. This was a long time friends to lovers with one of my favorite tropes an unplanned pregnancy. I loved the flow of the story. Part 1 had many flashbacks to when the FMC (Allie) and the MMC (Archer) were kids growing up and how they built the relationship that could never be.

I loved the side characters and I know there is 1 other book and more to come of the side characters. I plan to read those too. At times Allie would bug me with her doubts and choices, but it also felt real how it may be in real life. This is a level 2-2.5 spice level 🌶️ The only reason I’m not giving this 5⭐️ is only personal reasons. I’m not huge on the details of intimate scenes in books, do that’s my main “dislike”, but I will say it’s not terrible. 4.25⭐️

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is, by far, my favorite SAB book I’ve read. I genuinely liked both MCs. I felt like the back and forth of their relationship was, while frustrating at times, very accurate for their age and for how much genuine love they had for one another. Allie was unabashedly herself always, and I definitely got some good laughs out of her candor. And as always, the writing was very quotable, often taking a poetic cadence that had me frequently stopping to highlight.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a childhood friends to lovers romance. Seeing Archer and Allie’s relationship development was so sweet with the flashbacks, but the right person wrong time component was driving me nuts. I couldn’t put this down and had to know when they would figure it all out.

I loved seeing my favorite characters from the first gen series too🩷🩷

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Page & Vine and Sarah A. Bailey for the opportunity to read this early🩷

[Catie]

Beta Read

[Melissa (BWM) Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an infinite stared book for me. 5 stars isn’t enough. It was beautiful and I’ll be rereading for sure before release. 🩵 Bravo Sarah & thank you SO MUCH for the eARC

[ashley post · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well. That fucking wrecked me.

10/10 highly recommend.

[marilyn silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating : 5/5⭐

Tropes
🩷Childhood friends to lovers
🩷Small town setting
🩷Football romance
🩷Accidental pregnancy

first and foremost i would like to thank author Sarah A Bailey and Netgalley for giving me the ARC copy of the book. Im truly grateful

Absolutely! I toned down a few phrases to make it more NetGalley-appropriate while keeping your voice, excitement, and Gen Z energy.

I have to start by saying **Sarah A. Bailey** never disappoints with her delivery. She genuinely only knows how to write books that leave readers completely obsessed. If *Tattered Tides* had me hooked, then *Sidelined Souls* had my heart in the palm of its hands. This book had me in an absolute chokehold from beginning to end.

I was so excited to start this book, and the moment I did, the amount of excitement and pure enjoyment I felt was everything. It honestly exceeded every expectation I had. This book was simply perfection for me, and I already know I'm going to be thinking about it for a long time.

*Wicked & Wildflower* is still one of my favourites in the Pacific Shores series, so seeing little glimpses of Everett in Archer had me completely obsessed. I absolutely loved that connection.

This story follows Archer and Allie. Archer is on his way to becoming a football player, while Allie is an aspiring baker and dancer. They've been best friends for years and have secretly loved each other for what feels like forever.

**Best friends to lovers? Please sign me up.**

The angst in this book was everything. The right person, wrong time situation genuinely broke my heart. I honestly ugly cried because everything Archer and Allie went through was so emotional. Their quiet moments together, the unwavering support they had for one another, and the way they always found comfort in each other made every scene feel so meaningful.

And Archer...

This man doesn't seem to see anyone but Allie. She is his safe place, his home, and the center of his world. The amount of devotion, loyalty, and love he has for her was absolutely beautiful to read. The way he yearned for her, the way he always wanted to be there for her, and how deeply he loved her made him impossible not to fall for. Archer Ramos has officially earned a place on my list of favourite book boyfriends.

Then there's Allie.

What a woman.

She is fierce, stubborn, confident, and unapologetically herself. I absolutely loved her personality. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, she stood her ground, and she felt incredibly real. Her love for Archer was just as unwavering. The way she wanted him to be part of every chapter of her life, the way he became her comfort and safe space, and the way she continued to love him through every stage of their journey made my heart so full.

One of my favourite things about this story was that even while they were apart, no one could ever replace the place they held in each other's hearts. That unwavering love made every emotional moment hit even harder.

The angst was incredible, although there were so many moments where I just wanted to yell, **"Please just get together already!"** Watching them stay apart was heartbreaking, but it made their journey feel even more rewarding. Seeing them finally face everything they thought would keep them apart, only to discover something even more beautiful waiting for them, made every emotional moment worth it.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It delivered the perfect balance of friendship, romance, longing, heartbreak, healing, and unwavering love. Sarah A. Bailey once again created characters I couldn't help but become emotionally invested in, and *Sidelined Souls* is another unforgettable addition to the Pacific Shores series. If you're a fan of best friends-to-lovers, emotional slow-burn romance, plenty of angst, and characters who love each other with their whole hearts, I highly recommend picking this one up.

[Seershhhhh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly grateful to have gotten this opportunity to receive an advanced copy. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved this! Literally the moment I seen I had been approved I started reading and stayed up until 3am trying to get it read, I was just constantly rooting for them.
I especially appreciated that the friends to lovers romance wasn't drawn out by years of one character pining while the other remained completely oblivious. Archer and Allie have been lifelong friends, and while I was initially frustrated by their inability to communicate what they truly wanted, I ended up appreciating how their situation was handled. Much of their hesitation stemmed from their age and circumstances, they're still young, finishing college, and worried that pursuing a relationship too soon could ultimately lead to resentment. Their chemistry was excellent, and it was easy to see why they belonged together. More than anything, they needed the time and maturity to recognise what was right in front of them and learn how to fight for each other with complete honesty. That said, their pattern of sleeping together during holidays only to go their separate ways afterward was frustrating at times. It felt a little toxic, and it was difficult watching them repeatedly put themselves through that cycle.
Both characters could be immature, but considering they're only just finishing college, it felt age appropriate rather than unrealistic. There was a significant amount of miscommunication throughout the story, and occasionally it felt as though they were strangers rather than lifelong friends. One example was when Archer moved into the guesthouse with Allie. Given how close they are and how physically comfortable they are with one another, some of the awkwardness between them, particularly their reluctance to even share a bed…didn't feel entirely true to their established dynamic. I also enjoyed Allie's sense of humour. Her more vulgar jokes, especially in scenes with her parents, were genuinely funny and highlighted the comfort and familiarity within those relationships. I loved how confident Allie was and how unapologetically herself she remained throughout the story. She never felt like a character willing to change who she was for someone else's approval, and I appreciated that Archer loved her for exactly that. One of my favourite aspects of their relationship was how consistently he reassured her and supported her without trying to make her into someone different.
Archer was incredibly easy to root for as a love interest. He had that undeniable "when you know, you know" feeling when it came to Allie, and his actions throughout the book reflected that. He genuinely loved and cared for her, and even when they weren't together, it was clear that he had never really moved on. I also appreciated that the story didn't rely on Archer distracting himself with a string of meaningless relationships. His feelings for Allie remained constant, and it was obvious that she was the person he truly wanted. That unwavering devotion made their eventual romance all the more satisfying. Although this is marketed as a sports romance, the sports element felt fairly light. Personally, that didn't bother me. If anything, I would have enjoyed seeing more scenes of Allie supporting Archer at games and Archer showing interest in her passion for the bakery. Those moments could have further strengthened the sense that they were invested in each other's lives and dreams.

It was kinda cute how they came up with their baby girls name. I enjoy this trope, and the fact that they both knew each other so long and were basically acting like a couple, I think the baby just forced them to finally speak up and fight for what they wanted.

Thank you Sarah Bailey, NetGalley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op!! 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars.

"Sidelined Souls" by Sarah A. Bailey is a "right place, wrong time" x 9483787452 childhood friends-to-lovers accidental pregnancy football romance, and it's the first book from her I haven't absolutely loved. Allie (FMC) and Archer (MMC) have basically been in love since they were nine years old. When they became teens, they decided not to be together because the physical distance had always been too hard on them, and it would surely get worse if and when Archer made it professionally as a football player. They have always been "it" for one another, but circumstances and happenings and life (and themselves!) have always gotten in the way. Archer wants Allie to experience all of life without him tying her down, but he doesn't realize that he's all she wants. Archer goes off to college and does the football thing, but his heart remains with her back in Celestia Cove in San Diego, California. He comes back for holidays and such, but they are never on the same page. Eventually, they give in to the want between them, and Allie winds up pregnant. She doesn't want Archer to give up his football dream, so she spends a lot of time alone while he finishes college and potentially gets picked in the NFL draft. She has to put her dreams of owning a bakery and learning to bake professionally on the back burner for the sake of their baby. Because I have loved all of Sarah's other books thus far, I think the expectations were sky-high, and they just didn't meet up to them. It could have been the tropes, it could have been the constant back-and-forth and miscommunications between Allie and Archer, it could have been how long the book felt at times, or a combination of these things, or something else entirely. I did appreciate the dual POV. I think it was much needed to see how Archer and Allie are both experiencing their "relationship" at specific times from both perspectives. Some people will call their dynamic "complex" or "complicated." I lean toward "toxic" or "messy." Usually, the dramatics in Sarah's books feel like it serves a purpose, fueling the plot and making readers connect with the emotions they are feeling. It, sadly, all felt like drama here. I guess once they put their doubts aside and finally get out of their own way, things speed up in the second half of the book, where it is all pregnancy, all the time. The characters themselves are fine as individuals, though exceedingly frustrating, but don't have a lot going on other than "they love each other," "Allie used to dance and currently loves backing," and "Archer plays football." I did like Allie, though. She is a firecracker, that's for sure, saying things no one else would think to say out loud, let alone in front of parents and their adult friends. The banter between them is biting and mean at times, but in a funny and childlike way. I think this is mostly a "me" problem this time around; I fully admit that. I do not doubt that people will love and devour this one. I might give this another chance in a year or two, and I will definitely continue reading Sarah A. Bailey's books in the future, but as it stands now, this one was only so-so.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah A. Bailey, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Page & Vine for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Sarah A. Bailey, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of Sidelined Souls in exchange for an honest review. Expected release: September 22, 2026.

Tropes:
🏈 Football Romance
❤️ Right Person, Wrong Time
🤰 Accidental Pregnancy
💕 First Loves
🪞 Spicy Mirror Scene
🫠 He's Pathetic for Her
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family
🧎‍♀️ She Crawls
🏡 Small Town Romance
✨ Cinderella Story Moment

**Spoilers Below**

This is easily one of my favourite books by Sarah A. Bailey so far.

I absolutely loved following Allie and Archer's journey from childhood all the way into adulthood. Watching their connection grow over the years made every moment between them feel so much more meaningful, and seeing them eventually find their way back to each other was incredibly satisfying and emotional. I was completely invested in their story from beginning to end.

One quote that perfectly captures the essence of their relationship is:

"I've spent my entire existence stuck in the gray area between longing for and loving him. Almost as if I were created for the latter but destined for the former—perpetually tangled in a cruel cosmic web."

That line absolutely broke my heart because it captures so much of what Archer and Allie go through throughout the book.

I'll admit that at first I wasn't sure how I felt about Allie. She came across as loud, over-the-top, and larger than life in a way that initially felt a little obnoxious. But the more I read, the more I understood her. As her layers were peeled back, I found myself relating to her far more than I expected, and by the end I absolutely adored her.

And Archer? I loved him. He was so sweet, and you could feel how devoted he was to Allie in every single interaction. The "he's pathetic for her" trope was done perfectly because no matter how much time passed or how complicated things became, his feelings for her never wavered. Also, the nickname *Allie Cat*? My Off Campus-loving heart was instantly sold.

One of my favourite things about their relationship was how they were constantly supporting each other's dreams. Allie never stopped believing in Archer and doing everything she could to help him reach his goals, while Archer was doing exactly the same for her. They loved each other so selflessly, and that honestly got me a little emotional. 😭

And then Sarah Bailey had the audacity to give us this:

"I couldn't love her more. I couldn't be more sure of anything in life than the simple fact that I was created with Allie in mind. I was made to love her, and if I accomplish nothing else in my existence, I'll have achieved everything I've ever dreamed of."

EXCUSE ME??? 😭

How was I supposed to read that and remain emotionally stable?

I will say that miscommunication is usually not one of my favourite tropes because it's such a difficult one to pull off successfully. There were definitely moments when I wanted to shake both of them and tell them to stop getting in their own way and just take a chance on each other already. But at the same time, I completely understood why they couldn't. They were young, scared, and trying to navigate life while carrying feelings that were much bigger than they knew how to handle. Because of that, their mistakes felt realistic rather than frustrating.

I also really appreciated how complete this story felt. By the time I reached the final page, I wasn't left with lingering questions or loose ends. Archer and Allie's story felt fully told, which made the ending all the more satisfying.

One thing Sarah A. Bailey continues to do so well is connecting all of her stories together. Returning to Pacific Shores and seeing familiar faces again felt like coming home. Every book adds another layer to this world, and I love how the characters and storylines continue to intertwine. At this point, I am completely obsessed with this series and never want to leave it.

This book made me laugh, made me emotional, and had me fully invested in every step of Archer and Allie's journey. If you love first loves, right person wrong time romances, accidental pregnancy, small-town settings, and heroes who are absolutely gone for their girl, you need to add this one to your TBR.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be impatiently waiting for Zander and Zoe's book because I already know Sarah is going to put me through it.