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Girls of Summer #5
Girls of Summer
The first four books of the Girls of Summer series introduced Emma Blakeley and Jamie Maxwell, two athletes with bright soccer futures. Now, in Girls of Summer, the US Women's National Team (USWNT) is in its final round of preparations before the 2015 World Cup. For Jamie, a starting spot on the World Cup roster would be a dream come true. For Emma, the summer of 2015 offers a chance at redemption. Will both women see their lifelong hopes and dreams realized? And can their relationship withstand the intense scrutiny of the outside world?
To find out where this crucial summer takes Jamie and Emma, check out the latest installment in the story of their lives, loves, and would-be world championships in Girls of Summer, book five of the bestselling series.
To find out where this crucial summer takes Jamie and Emma, check out the latest installment in the story of their lives, loves, and would-be world championships in Girls of Summer, book five of the bestselling series.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2019
28 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Kate Christie
40 books249 followersKate Christie, author of In the Company of Women, Gay Pride & Prejudice, and the Girls of Summer series, was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. A graduate of Smith College, she lives near Seattle with her wife, their three daughters, and the family dogs.
To join her mailing list and receive email notifications of new releases, giveaways, and other news, visit https://katejchristie.com/mailing-list/.
To join her mailing list and receive email notifications of new releases, giveaways, and other news, visit https://katejchristie.com/mailing-list/.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 7, 2025
Delightful read!
Nice and ongoing addictive chemistry between the leads (Emma & Jamie) and pretty good supporting characters.
Highly recommended book and series!
Nice and ongoing addictive chemistry between the leads (Emma & Jamie) and pretty good supporting characters.
Highly recommended book and series!
July 19, 2019
Even though this is a recap of what occurred during the 2015 Women’s World Cup, the sports action was still quite thrilling to read. Especially those games with meat in their descriptions (I mean, at least two games were just completely skipped over with a little bit of thinking after the fact about what happened – they played a game, that night they rest/exercise/etc., next chapter starts after the next two group play games occur (course not much happened in those two games, scoring wise, but . . . still)).
Had a slight worry when the book opened and Ella and Jaime were examining apartments together. I didn’t remember the main characters having those names. Hmms. Had a fear that maybe I did not remember this series well enough to continue, until Jaime started talking on the phone with her girlfriend, Emma. Ah yes, Emma and Jaime, I remember them.
Right, so – book opens with Jaime and Emma still girlfriends (those who’ve read the series know this isn’t always the case with these two). Which reminds me and kills this paragraph.
This is the fifth book in the Girls of Summer series. A) This book and the series have the same name, is this a combination of all of the previous books? No, it’s a continuation of the series, presumably what all of the previous books have been working up to; B) This book is the fifth book in a series, but really – I can read this by itself, right? I’d not recommend doing that, reading this as a stand-alone. No, I’d advise reading this series in order from the beginning. Even if you do not normally read young adult books (first book finds the two leads as ‘kids’, teenagers, they ‘rapidly’ age as the series continues, to this book here wherein the two mains are . . . hmms, 29 (Emma) and the other is roughly 26 (Jaime)).
Back to whatever I was writing before.
This book follows Jaime and Emma as the team plays a few (3) friendly matches against international opponents before heading off to Canada to participate in the 2015 World Cup. And then proceeds to move from that through the final. With the book closing more or less in the middle of the after tour.
Fun book to read. Certain amount of angst here or there (other players and their mothers; Jaime and her mother; Emma and her dead father; vague hints of such between Emma and Jaime (with Emma revealing even more things she’d lied about to Jaime over the years).
Emma comes out of her shell a little more (she has fears of public displays of affection; and fears about coming out – a certain growth on both matters occurs over the course of the book); Jaime matures a little more (she can be hotheaded at times).
In terms of things of a sexual nature: I remember squealing, or repressed squealing, while in a room near family but that might have been a different book I read recently. What I do recall that occurred within this book: the feeling that a specific moment in time would be a perfect moment to *falls asleep* (not me, the character). As in, there’s one moment where they are free from roommates and Federation rules, but . . . they are super tired.
Rating: 4.88
July 19 2019
Had a slight worry when the book opened and Ella and Jaime were examining apartments together. I didn’t remember the main characters having those names. Hmms. Had a fear that maybe I did not remember this series well enough to continue, until Jaime started talking on the phone with her girlfriend, Emma. Ah yes, Emma and Jaime, I remember them.
Right, so – book opens with Jaime and Emma still girlfriends (those who’ve read the series know this isn’t always the case with these two). Which reminds me and kills this paragraph.
This is the fifth book in the Girls of Summer series. A) This book and the series have the same name, is this a combination of all of the previous books? No, it’s a continuation of the series, presumably what all of the previous books have been working up to; B) This book is the fifth book in a series, but really – I can read this by itself, right? I’d not recommend doing that, reading this as a stand-alone. No, I’d advise reading this series in order from the beginning. Even if you do not normally read young adult books (first book finds the two leads as ‘kids’, teenagers, they ‘rapidly’ age as the series continues, to this book here wherein the two mains are . . . hmms, 29 (Emma) and the other is roughly 26 (Jaime)).
Back to whatever I was writing before.
This book follows Jaime and Emma as the team plays a few (3) friendly matches against international opponents before heading off to Canada to participate in the 2015 World Cup. And then proceeds to move from that through the final. With the book closing more or less in the middle of the after tour.
Fun book to read. Certain amount of angst here or there (other players and their mothers; Jaime and her mother; Emma and her dead father; vague hints of such between Emma and Jaime (with Emma revealing even more things she’d lied about to Jaime over the years).
Emma comes out of her shell a little more (she has fears of public displays of affection; and fears about coming out – a certain growth on both matters occurs over the course of the book); Jaime matures a little more (she can be hotheaded at times).
In terms of things of a sexual nature: I remember squealing, or repressed squealing, while in a room near family but that might have been a different book I read recently. What I do recall that occurred within this book: the feeling that a specific moment in time would be a perfect moment to *falls asleep* (not me, the character). As in, there’s one moment where they are free from roommates and Federation rules, but . . . they are super tired.
Rating: 4.88
July 19 2019
July 16, 2019
First things first:
It has been all I had hoped for. Obviously perfectly timed release.
Half of the book is spend at the world cup tournament. So I feel like this book had more soccer in it than the others in the series. But it was never boring.
Only thing I have to mention as negative is: I had a really hard time getting through the game against Germany. I mean they don't even get a PK or a corner goal? Seriously? That's like where they usually always score. But to be fair, I see that I might have just noticed that because I am biased as a German. 😂 So I can't hold that against the book.
This book has been in my opinion a great continuation for the series. I even hope the series doesn't end here.
It has been all I had hoped for. Obviously perfectly timed release.
Half of the book is spend at the world cup tournament. So I feel like this book had more soccer in it than the others in the series. But it was never boring.
Only thing I have to mention as negative is: I had a really hard time getting through the game against Germany. I mean they don't even get a PK or a corner goal? Seriously? That's like where they usually always score. But to be fair, I see that I might have just noticed that because I am biased as a German. 😂 So I can't hold that against the book.
This book has been in my opinion a great continuation for the series. I even hope the series doesn't end here.
July 16, 2019
A nice addition to the series. This one focus a little more about the team dynamic than just Jamie and Emma. It also is surrounded by the SCOTUS gay marriage law passed. And finally, FINALLY, the World Cup games. While do I enjoy that the book did circle around equality, I do wonder if the setting of the World Cup would have been better bl held in the US than Canada. I personally don't know what Canada's laws are regarding gay marriage so I am not sure how they and even other countries would feel about it. Just a thought.
Anyways, the story was a good addition like I said. Not a lot of drama like the others but then again the focus was on the World Cup. The next series I am sure will hold promise of drama with the media and the whole team stepping out of the soccer bubble. Really looking forward to that one!
Anyways, the story was a good addition like I said. Not a lot of drama like the others but then again the focus was on the World Cup. The next series I am sure will hold promise of drama with the media and the whole team stepping out of the soccer bubble. Really looking forward to that one!
July 24, 2019
Finally, we are going to Canada for the World Cup. This book centers around the World Cup. The last preparations and then all the games till the final. Even though most everybody knew how the US team played in 2015, it was very entertaining to witness the road to and in Canada. I loved that it has more soccer in this installment than in the previous books.
It gives some insight into team preparations and rules during team time, even if it isn’t exactly like this. I never played sport as a pro, only just as an amateur, but I can imagen, that the rules sometimes are not that easy especially you are involved with a team member.
I very much like Christie's writing style and I love the composition of the stories from book one to five. Emma and Jamie are amazing and all the secondary characters, like team members and the national team staff bringing so much depth and also fun to the stories. Especially the good friends Ellie and Britt.
Normally I like a book more when there is a lot of one to one talking than a great amount of time in the head of the MCs, but in this series it makes sense. To feel the uncertainty if you make the roster or not and if your body can cope with all the pressure of constantly training and competing and playing on this high level. And at the same time figure out the long-distance-relationship with the love of your life.
I hope the series will continue after watching the amazing World Cup in France, I want more of this team.
Recommended to all the sport romance fans out there
My rating 4.5 stars
It gives some insight into team preparations and rules during team time, even if it isn’t exactly like this. I never played sport as a pro, only just as an amateur, but I can imagen, that the rules sometimes are not that easy especially you are involved with a team member.
I very much like Christie's writing style and I love the composition of the stories from book one to five. Emma and Jamie are amazing and all the secondary characters, like team members and the national team staff bringing so much depth and also fun to the stories. Especially the good friends Ellie and Britt.
Normally I like a book more when there is a lot of one to one talking than a great amount of time in the head of the MCs, but in this series it makes sense. To feel the uncertainty if you make the roster or not and if your body can cope with all the pressure of constantly training and competing and playing on this high level. And at the same time figure out the long-distance-relationship with the love of your life.
I hope the series will continue after watching the amazing World Cup in France, I want more of this team.
Recommended to all the sport romance fans out there
My rating 4.5 stars
December 18, 2020
I loved this series!!! As a former athlete, it was really nice to read about sport camp and also everything that goes on whilst traveling for a tournament: the hard work, the feelings, the joking with friends and even the complying with rules!!
Plus, Jamie and Emma and all secondary characters are imperfect and lovely and funny and quite unique!
As for this book in particular, Kate Christie did a very good job describing the feelings and the action before, during and after the matches and each play. And reading about the World Cup was really exciting because it's what (SPOILER ALERT)......... actually happened in Vancouver 2015!!! So I obviously watched the USA matches after having read them in this book, which for me was one of the things that made this reading stand out from others😊
Throughout the series, Kate also addressed tough topics that I unfortunately relate to, but she mostly gave them a positive outlook (and outcome) and that was good for my soul.
5 stars even though I'm not sure if I'll be able to reread this series... 😅
Plus, Jamie and Emma and all secondary characters are imperfect and lovely and funny and quite unique!
As for this book in particular, Kate Christie did a very good job describing the feelings and the action before, during and after the matches and each play. And reading about the World Cup was really exciting because it's what (SPOILER ALERT)......... actually happened in Vancouver 2015!!! So I obviously watched the USA matches after having read them in this book, which for me was one of the things that made this reading stand out from others😊
Throughout the series, Kate also addressed tough topics that I unfortunately relate to, but she mostly gave them a positive outlook (and outcome) and that was good for my soul.
5 stars even though I'm not sure if I'll be able to reread this series... 😅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2019
Seriously, emma and jamie = relationship goals! I LOVE these two, especially emma!
This was so great - I felt like I was reliving the 2015 world cup. All the plays, all the players. And it's so cool to see which characters remind you of which players. I felt as though I had a front row seat to the wnt and all its ensuing drama. Especially with the womens team being so front and centre these days, it was the perfect time for this series!
I was actually so inspired I sat down and watched all the 2015 world cup matches again, and relating them to the book was so fun! I really hope kate christie continues this series - I cant wait to see where emma and jamie end up for 2019 and how christie writes it!
Definitely one of my favourite series - it was warm and sweet and just... like the perfect mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day.
This was so great - I felt like I was reliving the 2015 world cup. All the plays, all the players. And it's so cool to see which characters remind you of which players. I felt as though I had a front row seat to the wnt and all its ensuing drama. Especially with the womens team being so front and centre these days, it was the perfect time for this series!
I was actually so inspired I sat down and watched all the 2015 world cup matches again, and relating them to the book was so fun! I really hope kate christie continues this series - I cant wait to see where emma and jamie end up for 2019 and how christie writes it!
Definitely one of my favourite series - it was warm and sweet and just... like the perfect mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day.
March 15, 2025
I got sick and needed some comfort reading, so despite my feelings on book 4, Jamie and Emma provide me comfort. Book 5 finally delivers the World Cup. It felt like it took forever! This one is very soccer heavy, so steer clear if reading sports action sequences isn't your thing. But also steer clear if you haven't read the previous 4 books.
Kate Christie is clearly enjoying herself, writing her own USWNT fan fiction, but it really feels like she's doing very little to mask which real life person inspires each character. So if you're really into USWNT lore, this is the series for you! But beware of super cringy dialogue... again ("It's been broughten"? Really? This actually starts in earlier books).
Anyway, two more books to go. I have to see how this plays out.
Kate Christie is clearly enjoying herself, writing her own USWNT fan fiction, but it really feels like she's doing very little to mask which real life person inspires each character. So if you're really into USWNT lore, this is the series for you! But beware of super cringy dialogue... again ("It's been broughten"? Really? This actually starts in earlier books).
Anyway, two more books to go. I have to see how this plays out.
July 10, 2019
Kate Christie is one of my favorite writers. Her prose is excellent, and I appreciate how she allows her readers to get to know the characters so well, and allows her readers to go on a journey along with those characters. The first two books in this series are both excellent, because they do just that.
I am less enamored with books three, four, and five. For me, they felt like pure exposition, just a description of what the characters were experiencing on their journey to the World Cup. There was little character growth. The weight of the exposition was even heavier because Christie’s characters were just walking the exact same path the USWNT did in 2015, so readers who are soccer fans already know what’s going to happen. That’s especially true of this 5th book, which is mostly just a recap of the 2015 tournament, with fictional characters mimicking what the real players did.
Most other writers would have gotten a lower rating from me for a storyline like that, but again Christie’s strength with her writing, along with the fondness I developed for these characters in earlier works, made it a decently enjoyable reading experience. I look forward to whatever Christie writes next, which I will certainly purchase immediately and devour with glee.
I am less enamored with books three, four, and five. For me, they felt like pure exposition, just a description of what the characters were experiencing on their journey to the World Cup. There was little character growth. The weight of the exposition was even heavier because Christie’s characters were just walking the exact same path the USWNT did in 2015, so readers who are soccer fans already know what’s going to happen. That’s especially true of this 5th book, which is mostly just a recap of the 2015 tournament, with fictional characters mimicking what the real players did.
Most other writers would have gotten a lower rating from me for a storyline like that, but again Christie’s strength with her writing, along with the fondness I developed for these characters in earlier works, made it a decently enjoyable reading experience. I look forward to whatever Christie writes next, which I will certainly purchase immediately and devour with glee.
July 27, 2019
The USA team plays at the 2015 World Cup from coast to coast in Canada. I enjoyed this book even though it felt written in a bullet point manner. It missed having a natural flow.
I am a huge soccer fan and followed Every game of the World Cup since 1991 when it started. Reading about the games brought back a lot of fond memories.
I was not impressed with the Canadian team bashing in the novel. They were unfairly represented. All the other teams were written from a base of respect.
3 stars
I am a huge soccer fan and followed Every game of the World Cup since 1991 when it started. Reading about the games brought back a lot of fond memories.
I was not impressed with the Canadian team bashing in the novel. They were unfairly represented. All the other teams were written from a base of respect.
3 stars
June 28, 2020
This would have been a 3 star like the previous two, but the author’s obsession to put down every other team annoyed me to no end. Literally every team fakes fouls, dives and plays dirty which is why we should root for the US, I guess. It would have been so easy to make it an underdog-ish story considering they didn’t manage to win the last time. And yet, the author insists on not capitalizing on that and instead makes the matches be a struggle because the other team plays dirty or the ref is being unfair. The only one not like that is the match against Japan and I wonder if it’s because it’s from Jamie’s POV or because the author doesn’t care about japan enough to hate on them. I hope the way she narrates matches changes in other future books because yikes.
August 2, 2022
This has been my least favorite in the series. Gave it 3 stars cause i loved the four previous ones.
The first four ones were light on the soccer, and this one definitely made up for that cause it was just a big recap of the world cup games, i felt like there wasn’t enough story and i wish we had seen more of Emma and Jamie and not just soccer games and a few here and there jamie and emma moments.
The first four ones were light on the soccer, and this one definitely made up for that cause it was just a big recap of the world cup games, i felt like there wasn’t enough story and i wish we had seen more of Emma and Jamie and not just soccer games and a few here and there jamie and emma moments.
February 19, 2023
Reading a Kate Christie book is always a great experience; all her characters are so likable and the romances are really sweet. This one had the added bonus of being the fifth book in the series, which means that I already knew and cared about the protagonists and I was rooting for them to fulfill their dream of becoming World Cup champions as I knew how much it meant to them and how much they'd worked for it.
Now, I'm excited to see how the story will continue.
Now, I'm excited to see how the story will continue.
November 17, 2020
This is hands down one of the best series on women's sports that I have ever read. The characters were well defined and frankly lovable. I am now interested in women's soccer. I have looked at you tube women's soccer and the players are amazing. Only down side is that it takes a long time and a lot of work to write a series that can be read in a week. So rereading.
May 21, 2022
Entertaining
Fun escape with familiar characters. Alas the ladies get
to fulfill their lifetime dream- playing in the world soccer championship. Getting there with them was an enjoyable experience.
Fun escape with familiar characters. Alas the ladies get
to fulfill their lifetime dream- playing in the world soccer championship. Getting there with them was an enjoyable experience.
August 29, 2023
Loved Book 5
Emma and Jamie relationship keeps building stronger and stronger. I remember when same sex marriage became legal. One of the happiest days of my life. Anyway on to book 6. Please read this series. I think you will love it.
Emma and Jamie relationship keeps building stronger and stronger. I remember when same sex marriage became legal. One of the happiest days of my life. Anyway on to book 6. Please read this series. I think you will love it.
January 1, 2021
A great finish to a great book series!
I loved every minute of reading this.
I loved every minute of reading this.
April 19, 2021
Loved this series. You really get a sense of growth and progression in their relationship and careers. It was such a joy to be along for the ride.
July 12, 2023
3.5 stars
February 3, 2024
Wonderful
Another great book in the series and very much made me think about the 2015 world cup run. Wonderful job by the author
Another great book in the series and very much made me think about the 2015 world cup run. Wonderful job by the author
July 8, 2019
Omg!!!! Totally LUVED IT!! I knew they won, yet it felt like going through it again, winning the cup that is!! It was also made better because the Team had won yesterday, I had just finished the audio book like 10 minutes before book 5 was released, and of course , Cup #4 was JUST WON!!!!!!!!!!
These women in the GoS series are amazing, and not just #BlakeWell, they do Rock and I Totally luv them!! But the cast of this series are amazing! Kate has pulled fiction from non-fiction in such an amazing combination. Jamie and Emma are good for each other, and they're struggles are making them stronger!! So when is Book 6 coming out??
These women in the GoS series are amazing, and not just #BlakeWell, they do Rock and I Totally luv them!! But the cast of this series are amazing! Kate has pulled fiction from non-fiction in such an amazing combination. Jamie and Emma are good for each other, and they're struggles are making them stronger!! So when is Book 6 coming out??
July 10, 2019
Great book
I really love this book. I started reading the series around the beginning of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, so it was good to understand what the players were going through. I love the way it is a book of fiction but the author has stayed true to the facts for the score lines and the main news item at the time.
Perfect book for and lesbian sports fans.
I really love this book. I started reading the series around the beginning of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, so it was good to understand what the players were going through. I love the way it is a book of fiction but the author has stayed true to the facts for the score lines and the main news item at the time.
Perfect book for and lesbian sports fans.
September 13, 2019
Just a bit disappointed
I think there was too much soccer going on, not enough of their life outside of soccer. I know Americans are proud of their win, but the story could of evolve a bit more.
I think there was too much soccer going on, not enough of their life outside of soccer. I know Americans are proud of their win, but the story could of evolve a bit more.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews