One Small Step

by M.A. Binfield

Where love is concerned, the smallest steps are often the hardest to take—especially when you’ve guarded your heart as carefully as Iris Miller has. Still bruised from a relationship that crashed and burned, and all the meaningless hookups that followed, Iris has given up on love and buttoned her feelings up tight.
But when Cameron Hansen joins Iris’s law firm and her soccer team, and even starts hanging out in her favorite bookstore, everything gets turned upside down. Beautiful, open, and forward, Cam is impossible to ignore, and Iris is surprised to find herself intrigued. Cam’s straight, happily engaged, and simply looking for a friend—or so it seems.
London’s bitterly cold winter makes winning their soccer championship almost as difficult as keeping their feelings in check, being honest with each other, and trying not to fall in love. Iris and Cam are about to discover the meaning of taking chances and following your heart, even if it means getting hurt.

Cover Artist: Tammy Sedick
Genres: Contemporary / Romance
Tags: Workplace Romance, Big City, International Setting, Sports, Friends to Lovers Romance

Genres: Romance, Sports, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Lesbian, Lesbian Fiction

314 pages, Paperback

First published December 10, 2019

About the author

MA Binfield is a hopeless romantic living in the UK with her long-term partner. She loves books, tea, traveling, tea, theater, and tea. She is a frustrated linguist who is overly tall and has always wanted to be left-handed. She’s a passionate public servant and, randomly, a qualified football referee. Home is always where the heart is.

Reviews

[Corporate Slave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very happy that I picked this book not knowing the author, and I believe as a debut novel, this was quite a nice surprise :)

This book is full of angst, and because this is something I love, I really had such a good time reading this. There’s a bit of soccer there, mixed with office romance and a good amount of interesting supporting characters!

The connection between both MCs is incredible and it was very believable for me! The sex scenes were really hot as well! Again, because this is a debut novel, I found the overall storyline quite impressive! Even the dialogue was done quite well!

This book kind of reminded me a bit with the movie “imagine me and you” so if you liked that movie, I’m sure you will really enjoy this read :)

I would’ve preferred it to be slightly shorter than that to be honest as sometimes I felt that some scenes didn’t add a lot to the overall plot.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised, very entertained, had a small crush on Iris (one of the MCs), hated Jess (one of the supporting characters), liked the dad, was really annoyed with the mom, and most importantly, loved the angst again! :)

I recommend this book to everyone who appreciates angst and wants a pleasantly frustrating read that has a very cute happy ending :)

My rating is a solid 4 and I will be looking forward to the next read by this author!
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”

[Harrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Seeing someone in physical pain.. you know what to do.. how to help someone heal, but when people hurt emotionally it’s much harder to know what they need because you can’t see the bruises or the cuts. It’s hopeless.”

Cameron joins Iris’s law firm, they become friends and then fall in love except Cam is engaged to be married soon and supposedly straight. The plot here wasn't anything unique but it's execution was pretty perfect.
The leads had excellent chemistry and an emotional connection that gradually builds over the course of the book. This was a wonderfully done angst filled slowburn. The miscommunication plot, while frustrating, actually made sense here because they doubted the depth of each other's feelings and that's how it is in real life. I really enjoyed the slow growing attraction and jealousy on both sides.
While the book was slow paced and longer than most, it never got boring for a second. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbidden attraction.

Iris returns to her work footy team to find that there is a new player. Cameron joined to fill the vacancy while Iris was away. Iris is immediately taken by Cameron but is very quickly informed that the fit beauty is a recent transplant from America and lives with her fiance, Ryan. The two women develop a friendship that betrays their honorable intentions.

I really loved this book and the gradual way Iris and Cameron's relationship builds. It feels very authentic as they both gain confidence from their genuine care for one another. Whether it is getting support for their hobbies and passions that had gone stagnant or simply spending time together that helped them feel seen and appreciated. The author takes time to carefully build something real between the two of these women.

Of course, in doing that, it causes a huge conflict of interest. Cameron has no business putting all of her emotions into Iris when she is engaged to be married. Sure, all is not peachy or full of engagement bliss for her and Ryan. He is all wrapped up in work and spends any free time playing sport with his buddies instead of nurturing his relationship with Cameron. But she hasn't been feeling it for awhile. Even before they moved from Seattle.

Also, Iris is recovering from dissolution of a relationship due to infidelity. Imagine the turmoil she goes through as she finds her feelings growing for her very unavailable friend.

This book kept me intrigued. It had me rooting for Iris and Cameron despite the fact that it was very much forbidden. The whole time I was dreading that the author would take this in an inappropriate direction and at the same time wondering how it could be taken anywhere else. In the end, I felt that it was tastefully and realistically delivered.

I recommend this to people who like to read about romance, forbidden love, friends to more, football (the non-American kind), infidelity, being true to oneself, and pubs.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[Joc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially all the angst. When Iris first lays eyes on Cam in the dressing room of the company soccer team, she is drawn to her. But it’s of no consequence because Cam is straight and engaged to Ryan. What neither of them expect is how quickly they find things in common and become good friends.

This is a really simple story with no real surprises but the characters are beautifully written. I like books set in London because it’s one of the places I can fully imagine as I’m reading. Cam and Iris talk all the time and it is engaging dialogue but their thoughts are just as interesting. It’s one of those books that you know will break your heart but you just can’t put it down.

If this is Binfield’s debut, I’m all in for future offerings.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[JulesGP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infidelity is a tricky subject and it’s got to be an enormous challenge on the part of a writer to create empathetic characters who are navigating that line. Though physical cheating doesn’t actually take place in the book, the friendship is drenched in heat and emotional intimacy that a lot of people would still consider a breach in a committed relationship. If angst is your thing, this book has loads and no waiting until the 80% mark. It’s fully present from the beginning and I loved it.

Cam is an American in London because of her fiancé and his work. While there, she decides to join her company’s soccer team and gain a few friends. Drifting is a good word for Cam, not quite unhappy but not in great spirits either. Gradually, she forms a tight bond with Iris, one of her teammates, and the feelings grow into a dangerous inevitability.

Iris is torn between living the life of a person with integrity and falling into her feelings for Cam. Both mc’s are distinctly written and I enjoyed the secondary characters as well, even the fiancé, Ryan, has his moments, thankfully not written as a villain or a victim. Smooth writing for most of the way and good layers of story. I’m looking forward to this debut author’s next book.

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 *

Another pretty good debut novel, I’m reading a lot of those lately, and that’s really good news.

Coming back to her office and her work football team (football as in soccer) after a business trip, Iris meets Cameron, a new American colleague and teammate. Still hurting not so much from the failure of her last relationship but from the way she behaved after the break-up, Iris has closed herself off to any idea of falling in love again. She’s not immune to Cam’s charms however, and the fact that her new friend is engaged to a ma, and won’t be staying in London forever helps her keep their relationship in check, or so she believes. Cam is not as straight as she seems, and not as indifferent to Iris as she thinks.

In the beginning, One Small Step was too much tell, not enough show, and I was worried I wouldn’t get into the story, but it got a lot better after a while. The pace picked up, and I lost myself in Iris and Cam’s growing feelings and doubts in a very enjoyable way. They’re both endearing characters, and the web of friends and teammates around them is full of interesting people.

A few things puzzled me, for instance how Iris keeps telling Cam she’s so brave and gutsy when she’s so obviously not: she lets her fiancé decide for her all the time, she chose a career she doesn’t care about over her love of writing etc. Another example is how, once they’ve declared their love for each other, they keep questioning it, not trusting either themselves nor the other. As I said, I was puzzled, but it was plausible, I would have been similarly puzzled IRL.

This book undeniably feels like a first novel, which it is so it’s okay, and I’m sure MA Binfield’s writing will keep growing. I’ll keep an eye out for her next book.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aleana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Iris just came back from a working trip when she rejoin her soccer team she notice a woman she never met before. She learns from her friend Hazel that her name is Cam and that she replace her on the team while she was away.

Cam is still new to London where she move with her fiance Ryan because of his job not wanted to live off Ryan she gets a job and join their soccer team to make friends.

When they are introduce they both instantly like each other it wasn't until they ran into each other at poetry outing they realize they have a lot in common so decide to become friends and hangout. As Iris is attracted to Cam she tries to not let it go any futhur bit when she starts spending more time with Cam the more her feelings starts to become too much. Cam starting to realize her relationship with Ryan is not all that great especially when she has to beg him to spend time with her and when start feeling more then she should for Iris.

There was a lot of asgnt because you have Iris trying keep her feelings in check because she doesn't think Cam will feel the same way also because she believes she doesn't deserve happiness because of how her relationship with her ex Amanda ended even though Amanda the one cheated and she spiral out of control with drinking and sleeping around. Cam who is struggling with her feelings start to wonder does she want her life the way her mother wants it she already gave up one relationship for mother because she didn't have courage to stand up for herself or does she do want she wants.

I really enjoy this book the characters was well written even though I didn't like the character of Jess who would badmouth Iris any chance she get because she mad and jealous that Iris won't give her want she want which is her. I like that Cam would stick up for Iris to Jess while Iris friends Hazel and Casey and the rest of the team ignore Jess and I like that Iris finally said something to her because I really don't like when someone throws people past in their face.

[Colleen Corgel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a perfectly fine slow burn romance as far as the pacing of the action goes. The two leads, Iris and Cameron, have a lot of issues to work through, and it leads to a very intense, if very elongated courtship between the two. So, when they finally do get together, it happens very very late in the book and that actually loses a lot of the payoff of all the other stuff that the author build up so painstakingly throughout the rest of the book.

Cameron is trying to navigate through a low point in her relationship with her fiance and moving to London for his job. She does feel neglected and hurt that Ryan doesn't seem to have any kind of time for her, and seems to be less considerate of her feelings than of his own. She then meets Iris while practicing for the first time with their company women's soccer team, and they hit it off immediately. Iris has some baggage in her past, and is a kindred soul that Cameron just can't ignore. This starts a rather intense and intimate friendship that set both of them reeling.

There's a lot of stuff going on here that makes for a good look into a person dealing with the end of their relationship, but is unwilling or emotionally incapable of letting go. I found it interesting that the biggest problem between Ryan and Cam is that they are dancing around the issues - Ryan is using his work and Cameron is using her new friendship with Iris. It draws a ton of stuff out almost painfully, and unfortunately Cam is just this side of selfish enough to drag Iris into the drama.

What I found both interesting and frustrating about the book is that all three people within this tangled up relationship share at least some of the blame for some of the emotional distress. Iris isn't clear about her needs with Cam. Cam is a terrible communicator and can't confront Ryan on his behavior and her feelings. Ryan seems to not really understand Cam, and is very bad at including her in plans that really should involve them both.

This has a ton of angst in it, which is fine. Like I said, it is a slow burner, but with both characters actually acknowledging their feelings to themselves, but not able to express it to each other, or to Ryan. There are some themes that it doesn't quite follow through on, and others that it hits on really well. Overall, though, I thought it was a little long and perhaps could have benefited from more balance.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Agirlcandream · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris is still reeling from a bad breakup. She has moved on from the destructive behaviour she regrets and is afraid to trust her heart to someone new.
Cam is a new employee who joins the office soccer team while Iris is out of town for work. She’s talented, beautiful and engaged to a man. She’s also lonely and hopes to make some friends on the team. Can these two find a way to be friends and teammates and keep their libidos under control?

I enjoyed this debut novel and loved the interaction between Cam and Iris from the moment they meet. Iris is on her best behaviour and trying hard not to fall for the attractive Cam. Cam’s journalistic background has her surprising Iris with personal questions. The two make clear their desire for a “friendship”. Of course this is a romance so it’s not long before they find more and more reasons to spend time with each other.

The soccer team and the few games played take a backseat to the romance but I did like the jealousies and gossip sessions between teammates after the games. . They added a realistic feel to the story. I also liked how the soccer scenes and players showcased the inequities between male and female sponsorship support in team sport.

My only grumble was the drawn out “breakup” scenes. We’ve come to expect the reality check in our romance reads and they can be the key to giving readers the warm fuzzies when a couple overcome their differences and achieve their HEA. In One Small Step indecision, lack of understanding how the other must be feeling and all around dumb, clueless behaviour went on long enough to make me want to bitch slap one of the mains. Less dither would have made this an even better read.

Binfield has talent, no question. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review

3.5 stars

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the short description about this book, I was eager to read it. I tend to enjoy a romance where one person is mostly straight and has to come to terms that the person they have feelings for is of the same sex. I thought that Binfield did a really good job on this one. I found myself liking both MCs for the most part and liked the interaction between the two. The writing was good and the overall story was put together well. I did find that this romance is too long. If the author had not made this so angsty, it probably would not have been sloooowwww. If you have read any of my other reviews, I have a hard time staying focused and find the book to be a bit boring. My other issue is that Iris is beating herself up over her past failed relationship and it wasn't even her fault and I would have thought the breakup was a few years ago when it was more recent. Those two things did bother me.

So despite the fact that I had a few issues including the pace of the romance, I still found it likable. 3.5 stars.

This ARC was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many feels!!!

American Cameron finds herself living with her fiancé in the UK, and hasn’t been happy for many months but upon joining a law firm, and their company football team, she meets and befriends Iris. Everyone on the team has stories about Iris’s dramatic past and romantic liaisons gone wrong. Cam doesn’t seem to mind though, finding herself having a brilliant time falling in love with London, and unknowingly Iris in the process. Unfortunately, Iris is hesitant to act on any of her attraction to Cam afraid of history repeating itself and further sealing her tainted reputation. When she discovers Cam has the same feelings for her, it’s just a case of taking that small step to happiness, if they can to find a love they always wanted.

I adored this friend’s to lovers story. It was filled with emotion, angst, and the cutest moments. I loved the slow burn build up of Cam and Iris’s friendship, and subsequently their falling in love with one another. It was very realistic. As both characters carry a lot of insecurity it meant we got a very intimate look at their thoughts, feelings, and inner deliberations as they toyed with feelings, and how everything might be perceived by their friends and colleagues. There was a lot of drama, and it was interlaced throughout their blossoming friendship to create a lot of inner turmoil for both Cam and Iris.

I really felt for both Iris and Cam. Iris had this reputation and it was lovely that Cam had to learn that it wasn’t as black and white as all the gossip made it appear to be. Iris was just a lovely character, flawed but not of her own doing, and with a beautiful heart and soul. She was such a character to empathise with. I really felt as if I knew her, and had for a long time. The fact that Cam also turned out to be quite mysterious in her own troubled way was great, as Iris got to know her so did I, and by the end I loved them both.

I felt quite emotional and choked up at more than one scene. Talk about drama! This story is packed with it. The angst, the exes, the fiancé, hidden thoughts and feelings, it really had all those elements of a great romance. I really enjoyed it and it was a fantastic debut from MA Binfield. Excited to see what comes next, and hope for more Cam and Iris in future!

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh
Iris is still suffering from the after effects of a relationship gone bad. She has locked up the part of her that wants sex and a relationship, believing she does not deserve to be loved. She instead focuses on work and her football (soccer) team. When she meets the beautiful American Cam in the locker room, she is immediately drawn to her. Turns out she is not only the newest team member but a coworker…and straight to boot. Cam is unhappy with her life. She followed her fiancée to London when he took another job and while she loves it, she isn’t happy that her man is always too busy for her and she resents the hell out of him always making all the decisions and talking down to her. She’s tired of always being the good girl and doing what everyone expects of her. After striking up a friendship with the lovely Iris, she begins to see how truly unhappy she is and how attracted she is to her dear friend.

This is a lovely and sweet tale but I thought it dragged at times. I loved the tension between Cam and Iris. I felt so badly for poor Iris! She had so much to overcome and while Cam was a big help in her healing, she also caused her share of new pain. Iris tried so very hard to do the right thing even though she was having a difficult time overcoming the past. I got somewhat tired of Cam’s drama with Ryan. He is a putz and it took her long enough to realize it and deal with him! On the other hand, I can also see where she was coming from, no one likes to hurt the person they are supposed to love. I was so relieved to see her stand up for herself and do the right thing. The ending was a long time in coming and I felt sort of cheated because they skipped over some things that I would have liked to see, such as their teammates reaction to them becoming a couple. While it is not my favourite book, it was an entertaining read but a once and done one for me.

[Grfb · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I was intrigued just from the summary of this book and at the end I was so happy that I took a chance with it. To think that it's the authors debut novel makes it even more impressive.
The book was not perfect but the writing and the chemistry between the MCs felt so real that I just couldn't put it down.
Both Cam and Iris were flawed but likable characters and the built up plus the sexual tension between them felt so natural and believable.
Totally loved the angst as well (and believe me there is a lot of delicious angst in this book). Only major issue that I had was the length, I think the author should have cut a couple of chapters cause after the 70% of the book some situations or inner dialogues started getting repetitive.
Other than that, it's a highly recommended book from a new and promising author.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iris is single by choice after crashing and burning post-breakup. Cam is in London with her fiance, Ryan. The two meet playing on the same soccer team and strike up an immediate friendship. It is obvious that there is also an attraction and romantic interest between the two women, but it is complicated by both women's pasts. The idea for the story was a good one, and I enjoyed how detailed the characters were, including the other members of the soccer team. Ryan was a bit two-dimensional, but it felt like he existed more as a plot device than as an actual character in the story. I think some of the obstacles the two faced and a little bit of the angst was a bit clunky, but the book was, overall, a nice romance with some robust bedroom scenes tossed in.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this though can't pretend that the material wasn't difficult to live with at times. Powerful, but clever sport & work backgraound made this a really strong debut. Will definitly buy more of hers.

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read this book you won’t be disappointed and to top it of you will learn a lot about soccer or as in this book ‘footie’.
Cameron Hansen is new to London, having followed her fiance when he was offered a job. They had four years together and her mother wanted them to at least set a date for their wedding but Cam just can’t. She’s unhappy in her relationship with Ryan but if asked why she would have a hard saying just what the reason is. While in school she’d played soccer so decided to join the team sponsored by the company she worked for so she could hopefully make a few friends to spend time with while waiting for Ryan to find time to actually be with her.
Iris Miller works for the same company and is also on the soccer team. She was raised by her father after her mother left them and if asked she’d say she had a great childhood. Her father was always there for her, even when she came out as a lesbian. She’s just broke up with her long term girlfriend and didn’t exactly handle it that well. After lots of one night stands she’d finally decided to settle down and move on. That’s if some members of the team would let her. The last thing she needed was falling for someone like Cam who’d presented herself as totally straight.
But as time goes on the women find themselves getting closer, too close. Ms Binfield has written a really good story that once you start you will have a hard time putting down. Very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

[Barbro-Katrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the books I most looked forward to reading in Dec. The cover was lovely and the blurb had me all excited. I liked the slow build up, the getting to really know the characters and their feelings, the angst, the friendship. I loved that it was soccer involved cause I love soccer. I loved the supporting characters. But what I didn’t like was the MCs not sticking up for themselves. Iris with Jess and Cam with Ryan. And Cam’s revelation later in the book cane kinds out of the blue. There was nothing really hinting about it until she suddenly told Iris. It kinda ruined the whole story for me. Cheapened it in a way. After that I kinda lost interest a bit. I liked the story for the first 70% but after that I just struggled with it. I finished it cause I was so close to the end but I just ended up annoyed and disappointed. It fell somewhere in the middle for me.

[Best Lesfic Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming of age need not always be during the teens. Exploring oneself, finding who you are and being assertive about your needs and personhood can happen at any point in life. While this one might be considered a slow-burn toaster oven romance, it is so not that. It is a story about coming into one’s own, albeit close to the thirties.

Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book. Deals with tougher topics of being unhappy in life and relationships and falling for someone else while you're still in a couple (i.e. cheating).

Cam is drifting through her life, doing what others want and concerned out others' (especially her Mother's) opinion. This has led the American to London, her fiance Ryan, and her job as an accounting office assistant... none of which she's particularly fond of. Things change for Cam when she joins her London offices' women football (soccer for the Americans in the room!) club and starts making friends, particularly Iris.

Iris has sworn off women after going on a promiscuity binge following a breakup with her cheating ex. Iris knows Cam is off limits. Cam knows she can't be involved with Iris. But... as the two women spend more and more time together, such distance becomes harder and harder to maintain. Eventually, Cam has to make a choice: safety, acceptability and marry Ryan; or take a chance, stay in London and be with Iris.

[Giuls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Angst, so much angst!!

Iris is a great football player at her work company's football team and a proud lesbian while Cam is a blunt American who just transferred from the US because of her fiancé's new job. They become incredibly close in a few days and what starts as a beautiful friendship, then becomes something else entirely...

This book was full of feelings and the author punched us in the gut with some breathtaking lines. I related so much to the character of Cam, she's always been the good little girl who always put other people's wishes before her own, always too scared to make her own choices. Then Iris came along and she realized that she wasn't living the way she wanted, the way she deserved to. The end left me all fuzzy and I 'm a sucker for happy endings.

In conclusion, if you are a fan of slow burn, friends to lovers and lots of angst, this is definitely the book for you!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iris returns from her business trip to find a new team member on her football team. She is captivated by her instantly. Cam has taken Iris’s place while she was away. Team is sponsored by their employer, so all the women know each other and work or worked together.

Iris is recovering from a break up a couple months ago and Cam is trying to find her way in London after moving their with her fiancé. Iris takes Cam on trips around the city and they become good friends. Their relationship builds up slowly and it feels natural. There are some complications on the way when they start to develop more than friendly feelings for each other. The angst feel real and genuine.

I like how the book ends as well, feels good.

The writer did a good job of writing about an office environment, football and going out and about.

*received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

[Fornia · Rating 4 out of 5]

at the risk of sounding like a blurb...
fun and sweet and chemistry-y and thoughtful and joyously lgbtq+
did it deserve four stars in terms of its Literary Merit??? idk maybe not
did it deserve four stars in terms of how Gosh Darn Happy it made me?????? yes definitely

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Small Step

This is the first book I have read by MA Binfield. It was a good story, angsty. The final angst was resolved timely and appropriately. The chemistry wqs great. At times, the book felt too discripted. I look forward to more books by this author.

[Mirtha Siblesz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This is a debut book but in reading it I felt that the author was a well grounded experienced writer. The two characters Iris and Cam had so much angst in trying to reach their HEA it was heartbreaking at times. Overall, they told their story very well!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Cathie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy the slow burn of romance with plenty of angst, then One Small Step is just right for you. Much of the book centers on the burgeoning friends to lovers relationship which is quite lovely to observe. There’s plenty of longing glances, witty and fun dialogue, and contemplations of “does she or doesn’t she like me.” Whether or not you will like the last few chapters after true feelings are revealed is entirely up to your preference. Both women struggled mightily with maturity, communication, and responsibility within the confines of their given situation. This would be an interesting book to discuss within a book club to debate the finer points and the differences of opinions that would surface in the face of Cam and Iris’ predicament. Lastly, I absolutely adored the cover. It immediately pulled me in and I wanted to read it. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤‍👩📚⚢ 🇺🇸👫🗂⚽️🇬🇧👩‍❤‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈

That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received (from BSB via NetGalley) an ARC of « One Small Step », MA Binfield’s debut novel … So, here it is !!!

My rating : 4.5 ⭐️

I’m happy ‘cause, we’ve got a brand new and very promising author here… 👍🙃🙂😊

The story sets in the City of London, in the UK and focuses on Iris Miller & Cameron « Cam » Hansen. They met when Iris comes back from a several weeks long professional trip. During Iris’s absence, Cam has joined Iris’s law firm and her soccer team … Iris is still bruised from a relationship that crashed and burned, and all the meaningless hookups that followed, but with Cam’s arrival (Cam who even starts hanging out in Iris’s favorite bookstore !!) everything gets turned upside down … Cam’s beautiful, open, and forward .She’s also straight, happily engaged, and simply looking for a friend—or so it seems…


The Pros :
° the settings : the descriptions made in this book make me want to go back to London ASAP and take my time to really visit the city…
° the author’s humor & really good writting style. I’m impressed since it’s her debut novel …
° the really great chemistery / connection between the MCs which, in the end, results in « hot » lovemakings and some poetry.
° a good evolution in time, no rush here ..
° very down-to-earth situations & realistic deep emotions … You know what ? => The forbidden attraction between the MCs… all along, the novel made me think about one of my favorite lesb movie « Imagine Me and You » (even if the contexts are different). IDK for the others, but I think it could become a good movie, as a matter of fact, I’d love to watch Iris and Cam’s journey on a big screen.
° good secondary characters, (OK … I confess, I really hated Jess, Ryan got on my nerves and I don’t even want to talk about Cam’s Mum who’s mentionned a few times)
° the good dialogues
° usually, I don’t like football/soccer (like not at all), but I appreciated the sports in the book because it’s about the love of the sport carried by the players in spite of the lack of financial support (the « mercantile » side of the, mainly masculine football, is what made me turn my back to this sport I enjoyed when I was a child) …
° the mix of English from the UK and from the US : soccer when it’s Cam, football when it’s Iris or even the explanation of vocabulary. Cam was not the only one perfecting her English vocabulary 😊


The cons :
° as much as I understand Cam’s issues (I know that’s not an easy choice to make when you want to finally embrace the life you really want for yourself (to be yourself) when people have always decided for you until this moment), I found the part where she debates with herself and her « straight status », way too long … I struggled and, a couple times, I’ve been tempted to skip a page or two (but I didn’t ..)

If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Yes
- Did I find the characters believable? => Yes … They’re are realistic and very touching
- Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Yes …
- Will I purchase the paperback? => No need… It’s already on my bookshelves !!
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes, yes, yes … the author has a good humor & a really good writting style. Since this is her debut novel, I find it’s highly promising for the next books … Can’t wait !!!
- Would I recommend this book => Yes … and not just to the feminine football/soccer fans ..

Hey guys and gals, you know that now it’s your turn to take one small step and go to London… So … Grab your own copy and make your own opinion …

Enjoy (or not) your reading … 😉

🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤‍👩📚⚢ 🇺🇸👫🗂⚽️🇬🇧👩‍❤‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. This book is about Iris Miller who has been hurt once in love and decides to stay away from relationships. That is until she meets Cameron Hanson, who joins her law firm and her soccer team, but is engaged to a man. When Iris runs into Cam at a poetry event, she decides she needs to get to know her better. They both cannot stay away from each other and become friends. They have a lot of interested in common, interests Cam does not share with her fiance, Ryan. Ryan seems to not be there at all for Cam, even tho Cam moved from Seattle to London for him.

I enjoyed thus novel a lot. There was lot of tension between the two characters, as there should be when one of them is engaged to someone else. Their relationship evolves throughout the book and I like how they get to know each other better. This book got dinged a little for some things that seem to come a little out of left field and for Iris seeming so negative about relationships and her past throughout the entire book. I know that kept them from hooking up early on, but it seemed to be avoided too long. This book felt a little long to me, not sure why, but the middle dragged a little when there is drama between the two characters, Iris and Cam. I would still recommend it, it was solid.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb of this book talks about Soccer/ football and there is some on that in the first third of the book. If you are looking for more look elsewhere. It is not a sports book. This is a well written/edited book by what I think is a first time writer. I really liked the first part of the book and getting to know the M/Cs and the story moved along at a good page turning pace. Then it ,well dragged somewhat and In the end I found myself wishing it would end and I did not feel really invested in the MCs. In fact I did not even like them much. The book should have been shorter in my view. All that being said I still look forward to more from this author in the future as she is very polished. 3.5 stars rounded up. This book was received from Netgalley and the publisher in return for a honest review

[Lynn Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story takes place in London in December. There are a group of women who are bonded by one activity forming a sisterhood. The protagonists are Iris and Cameron aka Cam. It is told from two points of view and is in the third person POV.

Iris is a local woman who is freshly back from an out-of-the-country work assignment. In the past, she has been hurt and tends to shy away from love. Deep inside is a fire waiting to be tamed. Iris fills her days with work although she can be social at times. There is an attraction to her that is addicting. I can clearly see how uncomfortable Iris is when talking about herself.

Cam is an American woman who is engaged to a man who doesn't deserve her. She works at the same place as Iris. Cam has a sweet heart and wants to have friends; she is a bit of a loner. Underneath, she is miserable, but doesn't know the way out. She comes off as stiff during certain parts of the book, and you'll find out why when you read it. I like this character because she is sweet.

A couple of secondary characters need to be mentioned. Jess is a big mouth who has nothing but bad things to say about Iris. She was so inconsiderate at times and got on my nerves. However, it created great drama between she and Iris and the scenes are priceless.

There is another secondary player who got under my skin. They are grimy and frugal with a heartless personality. I cringed each time they were in a scene. It made for some good drama with Iris. However, I was glad when the scenes ended as this person is atrocious.

Here are a few things I liked about the story:

The women played football. I got an insider look into what goes on behind the scenes. And then the author took us to a live game. It was magical.

The vibe the British pub had. It gave me a cozy feeling, and I could imagine being there right with the players.

The characters enjoy poetry and often go to poetry slams. This added a nice angle to their personalities.

I loved the interactions the protagonists had with the other players. Then there was tension when a blast from the past came to haunt someone. I had chills going down my spine with this one.

On the other hand, the romance scenes, although are hot, are also graphic. The chemistry between the protagonists will zing you.

The pace of the story is moderate and is a fun read. I feel the characters are well developed. Also, I can see things from their points of view. This book is perfect for a cozy weekend in front of the fireplace. I am recommending it to everyone.