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Sports #4
Finding a Keeper
Sports Series Book #4. This series is related by a sports theme, not by characters.
Sloan Rossi is about to go to college on a soccer scholarship. She has spent the past six years living in London and playing for a well-known team. Now, she’s ready to bring her talents back to the States in hopes of developing into a world-class footballer and heading back to England to play for the English Premier League one day.
When Sloan arrives as a freshman thinking she’d get the starting spot in her role as a forward, she is mistaken. An injury to their goalkeeper and a backup goalie forces Sloan into a different role on the team than she had planned, but she happens to be good at it.
Too good if you ask Marley Nichols, the star goalie for Winterpark University. Marley is a junior, with her sights set on playing in the NWSL after graduation. An injury sidelines her for the entire season, putting a freshman who’s never played goal into the starting spot.
The real problem with all of this isn’t that Sloan’s good and Marley’s worried about losing her spot. It’s that Sloan has become a friend; a best friend, really. And as the two spend time together over the course of the school year and the summer, it develops into more for Marley.
Sloan hasn’t ever thought about being with another woman before. She’s suffered loss after loss in her life, and she puts her heart into her sport. When she and Marley spend an entire year getting to know each other, though, Sloan starts to think that maybe Marley isn’t just her best friend. Maybe she’s something more altogether.
Books in the series:
Book #1 - Always More
Book #2 - A Shot at Gold
Book #3 - The Unexpected Dream
Book #4 - Finding a Keeper
Sloan Rossi is about to go to college on a soccer scholarship. She has spent the past six years living in London and playing for a well-known team. Now, she’s ready to bring her talents back to the States in hopes of developing into a world-class footballer and heading back to England to play for the English Premier League one day.
When Sloan arrives as a freshman thinking she’d get the starting spot in her role as a forward, she is mistaken. An injury to their goalkeeper and a backup goalie forces Sloan into a different role on the team than she had planned, but she happens to be good at it.
Too good if you ask Marley Nichols, the star goalie for Winterpark University. Marley is a junior, with her sights set on playing in the NWSL after graduation. An injury sidelines her for the entire season, putting a freshman who’s never played goal into the starting spot.
The real problem with all of this isn’t that Sloan’s good and Marley’s worried about losing her spot. It’s that Sloan has become a friend; a best friend, really. And as the two spend time together over the course of the school year and the summer, it develops into more for Marley.
Sloan hasn’t ever thought about being with another woman before. She’s suffered loss after loss in her life, and she puts her heart into her sport. When she and Marley spend an entire year getting to know each other, though, Sloan starts to think that maybe Marley isn’t just her best friend. Maybe she’s something more altogether.
Books in the series:
Book #1 - Always More
Book #2 - A Shot at Gold
Book #3 - The Unexpected Dream
Book #4 - Finding a Keeper
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2020
166 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Pyland
79 books813 followersNicole Pyland is a bestselling author of lesbian romance novels, including No After You, All the Love Songs, and the series like Chicago, San Francisco, Tahoe, Sports, Boston, and more. Since 2017, she’s published over 30 novels (not including her What Happened After shorts), and more books are on their way!
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a start-up. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Website: nicolepyland.com
Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter
Twitter: @nicole_pyland
Facebook: @nicolepylandauthor
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a start-up. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Website: nicolepyland.com
Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter
Twitter: @nicole_pyland
Facebook: @nicolepylandauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 31, 2020
Content warnings: death of parent, mention of conversion therapy, disowning
2nd read: 25th Dec 2020
Sloan and Marley are one of my favorite couples ever. After reading the novella about Emily and Alison (my review here), I knew I had to reread Finding a Keeper. I love Sloan’s journey of realizing she’s in love with her best friend and Marley admitting that she loves her “straight” bestie. Even during the second reread, I almost cried. Plus, this novel has a cute sporting epilogue.
1st read: 18th Oct 2020
This is my eighth Pyland novel, and I have learned by now to never start reading her books on a busy day because they are impossible to put down. Clear your schedule, and get ready for Sloan and Marley’s cute, slow-burn, best-friends-to-lovers romance.
Sloan Rossi (18, 1/4-Black) has just moved back to the US from the UK to attend college for soccer. As a striker in U18 Premier League (stated as EPL Youth League in the book), she doesn’t want to be a goalie. But when her new friend junior goalie Marley Nichols (20, lesbian) injures her rotator cuff, Sloan becomes the backup goalkeeper. With their strengthening friendship over the course of a year as they both stay by each other’s side through difficulties in life, Sloan and Marley become virtually inseparable. When people start assuming they were dating, Marley could only wish they really were as Sloan reevaluates her own sexuality and what Marley truly means to her.
This is the first Pyland book featuring a teenage as well as a non-white main character I have read, and it might also be her youngest pairing ever. While the preceding but unrelated book The Unexpected Dream has more fluff, this one deals with much heavier subjects. The overall romance is very slow-burn with Sloan previously identifying as straight. This is an adorable best-friends-to-lovers romance I needed and my heart ached for them to be together. I love how there is almost no angst between the main characters, no disrespectful pushing nor internalized homophobia. But note that both characters are dealing with heavy issues.
As much as I often cry while reading, the heavy scenes in the book weren’t too painful. It was the sense of loss that brought Sloan and Marley together as they navigate their new adult lives through life-changing events. I love Sloan’s journey of discovering her sexuality and that what she has been feeling for Marley probably isn’t what a best friend feels for one another. I love all their intimate physical contacts and how their conflicts are fully relatable. Some of the other events were rather random, but what is life without uncertainties?
Pyland always creates amazing mains with great character growths and beautiful romance, and that’s the main reason I love her works so much. Finding a Keeper is no exception. I love how every one of Sloan’s and Marley’s friends are loving, supporting, and sometimes unwanted matchmakers, how nothing between Sloan and Marley was contrived. There were no forcing as a person’s journey of figuring out their sexuality is theirs alone—no one should pressure anyone else to come out—so Sloan’s storyline is beautiful and adorable to read. I love how physically close Sloan and Marley are throughout the whole book, even though their actual relationship doesn’t begin until much later, I fully feel that their friendship is part of their love story and romance.
Most of Pyland’s works feature the life journeys of the main characters as individuals as well as a couple without very important secondary characters, but in Finding a Keeper, we have a prominent f/f couple who are close friends with Sloan and Marley and play a big part in the story. Also, in true Pyland fashion, the epilogue takes place a long time after the last chapter, allowing us to believe in their HEA.
Though Finding a Keeper is the fourth and final book in the Sports series, this book is a standalone and does not have any preexisting characters that I know of. Whether or not you have read the previous three books will not affect the reading experience of Finding a Keeper. But if you are a sports romance fan, I highly recommend you check them all out.
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Read my reviews of other books in the Sports series:
1. Always More
2. A Shot at Gold
3. The Unexpected Dream
2nd read: 25th Dec 2020
Sloan and Marley are one of my favorite couples ever. After reading the novella about Emily and Alison (my review here), I knew I had to reread Finding a Keeper. I love Sloan’s journey of realizing she’s in love with her best friend and Marley admitting that she loves her “straight” bestie. Even during the second reread, I almost cried. Plus, this novel has a cute sporting epilogue.
1st read: 18th Oct 2020
This is my eighth Pyland novel, and I have learned by now to never start reading her books on a busy day because they are impossible to put down. Clear your schedule, and get ready for Sloan and Marley’s cute, slow-burn, best-friends-to-lovers romance.
Sloan Rossi (18, 1/4-Black) has just moved back to the US from the UK to attend college for soccer. As a striker in U18 Premier League (stated as EPL Youth League in the book), she doesn’t want to be a goalie. But when her new friend junior goalie Marley Nichols (20, lesbian) injures her rotator cuff, Sloan becomes the backup goalkeeper. With their strengthening friendship over the course of a year as they both stay by each other’s side through difficulties in life, Sloan and Marley become virtually inseparable. When people start assuming they were dating, Marley could only wish they really were as Sloan reevaluates her own sexuality and what Marley truly means to her.
This is the first Pyland book featuring a teenage as well as a non-white main character I have read, and it might also be her youngest pairing ever. While the preceding but unrelated book The Unexpected Dream has more fluff, this one deals with much heavier subjects. The overall romance is very slow-burn with Sloan previously identifying as straight. This is an adorable best-friends-to-lovers romance I needed and my heart ached for them to be together. I love how there is almost no angst between the main characters, no disrespectful pushing nor internalized homophobia. But note that both characters are dealing with heavy issues.
As much as I often cry while reading, the heavy scenes in the book weren’t too painful. It was the sense of loss that brought Sloan and Marley together as they navigate their new adult lives through life-changing events. I love Sloan’s journey of discovering her sexuality and that what she has been feeling for Marley probably isn’t what a best friend feels for one another. I love all their intimate physical contacts and how their conflicts are fully relatable. Some of the other events were rather random, but what is life without uncertainties?
Pyland always creates amazing mains with great character growths and beautiful romance, and that’s the main reason I love her works so much. Finding a Keeper is no exception. I love how every one of Sloan’s and Marley’s friends are loving, supporting, and sometimes unwanted matchmakers, how nothing between Sloan and Marley was contrived. There were no forcing as a person’s journey of figuring out their sexuality is theirs alone—no one should pressure anyone else to come out—so Sloan’s storyline is beautiful and adorable to read. I love how physically close Sloan and Marley are throughout the whole book, even though their actual relationship doesn’t begin until much later, I fully feel that their friendship is part of their love story and romance.
Most of Pyland’s works feature the life journeys of the main characters as individuals as well as a couple without very important secondary characters, but in Finding a Keeper, we have a prominent f/f couple who are close friends with Sloan and Marley and play a big part in the story. Also, in true Pyland fashion, the epilogue takes place a long time after the last chapter, allowing us to believe in their HEA.
Though Finding a Keeper is the fourth and final book in the Sports series, this book is a standalone and does not have any preexisting characters that I know of. Whether or not you have read the previous three books will not affect the reading experience of Finding a Keeper. But if you are a sports romance fan, I highly recommend you check them all out.
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Read my reviews of other books in the Sports series:
1. Always More
2. A Shot at Gold
3. The Unexpected Dream
November 23, 2020
It's probably fair to say that soccer was my first love, so it's perfectly possible that my five star rating partially relates to the fact that this a book full of all the feelings I experienced about sport and life at a certain period of my life. The club team I support gets a lot of mentions and I was also crazy enough to be a goalkeeper, so the way Pyland explained goalkeeping also made me very happy. However, it's also because Pyland has again created a wonderful book, full of interesting characters in a different environment to any she has written before.
Marley is a junior. She's the starting goalkeeper coming into the season where she'll start to get noticed by scouts from the NWSL. Sloan joins the team as a striker, she's lived in England for the past six years, playing in an English developmental league and is trying to settle in as a freshman after having experienced a more adult life in England. Marley's gay - Sloan isn't. They become fast friends. Marley suffers an injury and finds herself out for the season. As Sloan is a new face to the squad she's drafted in to support in Marley's absence and turns out to be good.
When I read other reviews that mentioned the age of the main characters I was slightly worried how I would feel about this book - but these feelings and emotions discussed fit so perfectly with college aged characters that any reluctance I had dissipated very quickly. I also really enjoyed the fact that Pyland didn't rush this narrative. The book mainly takes place over the period of two years (barring the epilogue of course) so it could technically be described as a slow burn - but the friendship the two share and the move into a relationship for the two of them just works so well that I was never frustrated with them like I often am with slow burn romances.
The narrative covers difficult topics especially grief and loss in different ways. Religion and parental acceptance also plays a big part and I liked how Pyland introduced a slightly different narrative than one I often read and the parents in this storyline ended up surprising me. I also loved Emily and Alison - their roommates/friends and their secondary relationship in the storyline. I enjoyed how their relationship and characters brought out things in Marley and Sloan.
This is another book from Pyland with great characters, emotional depth and an interesting narrative. I'm sad this is the last of the sports series - but am happy to have spent time with some really great characters along the way.
Marley is a junior. She's the starting goalkeeper coming into the season where she'll start to get noticed by scouts from the NWSL. Sloan joins the team as a striker, she's lived in England for the past six years, playing in an English developmental league and is trying to settle in as a freshman after having experienced a more adult life in England. Marley's gay - Sloan isn't. They become fast friends. Marley suffers an injury and finds herself out for the season. As Sloan is a new face to the squad she's drafted in to support in Marley's absence and turns out to be good.
When I read other reviews that mentioned the age of the main characters I was slightly worried how I would feel about this book - but these feelings and emotions discussed fit so perfectly with college aged characters that any reluctance I had dissipated very quickly. I also really enjoyed the fact that Pyland didn't rush this narrative. The book mainly takes place over the period of two years (barring the epilogue of course) so it could technically be described as a slow burn - but the friendship the two share and the move into a relationship for the two of them just works so well that I was never frustrated with them like I often am with slow burn romances.
The narrative covers difficult topics especially grief and loss in different ways. Religion and parental acceptance also plays a big part and I liked how Pyland introduced a slightly different narrative than one I often read and the parents in this storyline ended up surprising me. I also loved Emily and Alison - their roommates/friends and their secondary relationship in the storyline. I enjoyed how their relationship and characters brought out things in Marley and Sloan.
This is another book from Pyland with great characters, emotional depth and an interesting narrative. I'm sad this is the last of the sports series - but am happy to have spent time with some really great characters along the way.
May 17, 2021
I really like Nicole Pyland and I liked this book
Though...
Her books could use better covers in my opinion. Her name and plots are enough to capture me but upgrading the covers could perhaps give her books a neater professional finish.
Though...
Her books could use better covers in my opinion. Her name and plots are enough to capture me but upgrading the covers could perhaps give her books a neater professional finish.
November 9, 2025
4.25⭐
I thought the time it took for them to get together was realistic and definitely a slow burn (which I love)
I really loved the main characters and the side characters, Marley was my favorite.
I've read multiple books by the author before and I always enjoy the writing.
This one in particular I was flying through.
My only complaint is that a lot of things weren't described or talked about in as much detail as they should've been imo.
I feel like for a sports romance the game's weren't really detailed enough and it was really anticlimactic.
Weeks or even months would pass between chapters and I felt like we were missing out on some stuff that I found important or would have enjoyed to read about.
I thought the time it took for them to get together was realistic and definitely a slow burn (which I love)
I really loved the main characters and the side characters, Marley was my favorite.
I've read multiple books by the author before and I always enjoy the writing.
This one in particular I was flying through.
My only complaint is that a lot of things weren't described or talked about in as much detail as they should've been imo.
I feel like for a sports romance the game's weren't really detailed enough and it was really anticlimactic.
Weeks or even months would pass between chapters and I felt like we were missing out on some stuff that I found important or would have enjoyed to read about.
October 31, 2020
I love this series! I am not a fan of soccer but this book was amazing. The best one out of the series by far coming from a softball coach. Marley and Sloan were there for each other through tragedies and triumphs. I would love to see a second book featuring this great group.
October 22, 2020
I just love Nicole’s books and this might be the best of the sports series. The game action was great. There is a great friendship that builds over time. The supporting characters of Emily and Alison are also wonderful. It’s a slow burn with some emotional issues. I couldn’t put it down once I got into it.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
February 15, 2024
3.5 Stars
January 28, 2021
New adult, slow-burn, self-discovery, growing up fast, dealing with painful exigencies – this book covers a lot of dimensions with panache.
Read the full review @https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
November 1, 2020
I love it!
The build up was amazing, a love a friend to lovers plot and it was amazing.
I think Marley made real the dream of all girls who had fall in love with her straight best friend (not so straight after all, right?)
It actually makes a lot of sense that Sloan didn't know she liked girls since she was so young
But I think the author could have explored more her finding that she liked Marley
Like she thinking and questioning if she was attracted to Marley before really getting to acknowledge that
And man, poor Sloan, what happened to really was A LOT
It's all so cute and amazing that now I want a gay best friend to fall in love with :(
F/f explicit and slow burn
The build up was amazing, a love a friend to lovers plot and it was amazing.
I think Marley made real the dream of all girls who had fall in love with her straight best friend (not so straight after all, right?)
It actually makes a lot of sense that Sloan didn't know she liked girls since she was so young
But I think the author could have explored more her finding that she liked Marley
Like she thinking and questioning if she was attracted to Marley before really getting to acknowledge that
And man, poor Sloan, what happened to really was A LOT
It's all so cute and amazing that now I want a gay best friend to fall in love with :(
F/f explicit and slow burn
January 6, 2024
I’m going to repeat myself in every review but I love Nicole Pyland. Her books always contain good characters and the story does not have a typical conflict/break up just because. I also like how in every book the coming together of the characters is portrayed realistically in a well fitted time frame. She seriously knows how to write relationships. This book got me kicking my feet and giggling lol.
I loved this book extra because it’s about football and that’s one of my biggest hobbies ;)
I loved this book extra because it’s about football and that’s one of my biggest hobbies ;)
February 27, 2021
Loved this book, but hey, loved the series, love the writer. Ticks most of my bookshelves but a really good novel on loss, confusion, rejection and of course sport. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2024
This is my favorite so far in this series. I was very pleasantly surprised with descriptions of the game play throughout the book. They were spot on and easy to follow what was happening in the soccer match and felt like they added to the story instead of just random filler.
October 12, 2020
My absolute favorite of the series and not because it was about soccer! (I’m going to ignore the all of a sudden being a star keeper in college after never having played the position before part.) ;) I was born next to a soccer pitch, so it’s been in my blood since day 1. I played until injuries prevented me from going further and I religiously follow the game, so I knew this story would be right up my alley. It was with great joy that I realized this story was about so much more than the game. So even if you are not a fan, I still think you will enjoy their story. This is a slow burn and heartwarming story of teammates, best friends, and love. Sloan and Marley make an unexpected pair. Upperclassmen and freshmen just don’t mesh, but it wasn’t a problem for these two or their friends. Sloan & Marley go through significant ups and downs in their lives, but most importantly, they were always there for each other. Whether it was a shoulder to cry on or celebrating victories, big and small. I’m not usually one for sequels (even though I always read them) because sometimes it’s hard to replicate the same magic touch. These two however have much more of their story that needs to be told, and I’ll be impatiently waiting.
September 22, 2022
TW: death of a parent, homophobia, disowning
This was so cute ah! Marley and Sloan have such a special place in my heart. I absolutely adore these two and their love story. This is one of those books you want to start from the beginning again after you finish it!
In this book we follow Sloan who is going to university and is playing for her schools soccer team where she meets Marley. When Marley gets injured, Sloan starts being trained temporarily as goalie and the two of them form a friendship which slowly grows into something more.
I don’t know how many ways I can tell you that I loved this book but yeah I absolutely loved this book! I’m such a sucker for friends to lovers and this was no exception. I loved the development between the two as they become friends and realize they’re in love with each other. I am also growing to realize I love the trope of “everyone sees it but them.” It’s funny how everyone thought they were dating when they were “just friends.”
I definitely loved both characters but I really resonated with Marley. I absolutely loved her and I found myself relating to her in ways I didn’t expect. I really loved her and I could feel for her and what she was going through.
The sports element was fun and I’m glad that it didn’t drive a lot of tension between the two characters and what they really wanted was to support one another.
One thing I wasn’t crazy about was the parent death around the 25% mark. I definitely think seeing Sloan grieve is important but when I went into this thinking it would be a pretty lighthearted book, I found it a little jarring when all of the sudden someone dies.
Overall though I absolutely loved this book and I can’t recommend it enough. Definitely a favourite of the year!
This was so cute ah! Marley and Sloan have such a special place in my heart. I absolutely adore these two and their love story. This is one of those books you want to start from the beginning again after you finish it!
In this book we follow Sloan who is going to university and is playing for her schools soccer team where she meets Marley. When Marley gets injured, Sloan starts being trained temporarily as goalie and the two of them form a friendship which slowly grows into something more.
I don’t know how many ways I can tell you that I loved this book but yeah I absolutely loved this book! I’m such a sucker for friends to lovers and this was no exception. I loved the development between the two as they become friends and realize they’re in love with each other. I am also growing to realize I love the trope of “everyone sees it but them.” It’s funny how everyone thought they were dating when they were “just friends.”
I definitely loved both characters but I really resonated with Marley. I absolutely loved her and I found myself relating to her in ways I didn’t expect. I really loved her and I could feel for her and what she was going through.
The sports element was fun and I’m glad that it didn’t drive a lot of tension between the two characters and what they really wanted was to support one another.
One thing I wasn’t crazy about was the parent death around the 25% mark. I definitely think seeing Sloan grieve is important but when I went into this thinking it would be a pretty lighthearted book, I found it a little jarring when all of the sudden someone dies.
Overall though I absolutely loved this book and I can’t recommend it enough. Definitely a favourite of the year!
November 4, 2020
Another great book in the Sports series
The newest installment in Nicole Pyland’s Sports series, Finding a Keeper, was a truly enjoyable read. It is a slow burn romance where a solid friendship is built prior to any real romance occurs. However, the chemistry between the main characters is palpable from the beginning of the story and you can’t help but root for them to finally realize that there is something more between them.
One of the best aspects of reading any of the books in the Sports series is how well written the sports scenes are. Ms. Pyland captures the nuances and has an understanding for the sport that she is writing about that draws you in. As a soccer fan, I appreciated how she depicted the way the game was played, spotlighting training, the NWSL and the player dynamics. It adds another level of depth into the storyline that just sucks you in even more.
I absolutely loved the story and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be reading this one again.
The newest installment in Nicole Pyland’s Sports series, Finding a Keeper, was a truly enjoyable read. It is a slow burn romance where a solid friendship is built prior to any real romance occurs. However, the chemistry between the main characters is palpable from the beginning of the story and you can’t help but root for them to finally realize that there is something more between them.
One of the best aspects of reading any of the books in the Sports series is how well written the sports scenes are. Ms. Pyland captures the nuances and has an understanding for the sport that she is writing about that draws you in. As a soccer fan, I appreciated how she depicted the way the game was played, spotlighting training, the NWSL and the player dynamics. It adds another level of depth into the storyline that just sucks you in even more.
I absolutely loved the story and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be reading this one again.
February 6, 2024
This was so much better than I expected! I find football books to be a bit hit or miss because sometimes it’s super clear the author knows very little about the game but this was definitely not one of those books. In fact of all the football romances I’ve read this one is easily the best in terms of football knowledge.
The football content doesn’t overwhelm the plot to the point it would be confusing for a non fan but it’s more than just a very basic setting for the story.
I loved Marley and Sloan, they were both wonderful characters and seeing their friendship blossom and turn into more was really lovely. I would have liked a little more internal monologue from Sloan in realising her feelings but they did enough. But all in all it was a fabulous job tackling the ‘straight girl falls in love with her lesbian best friend’ in such a pure non problematic way!
I also really loved the way Marley’s relationship with her parents, it was tough to read but I think it was handled well and shows that grace and growth is possible.
The football content doesn’t overwhelm the plot to the point it would be confusing for a non fan but it’s more than just a very basic setting for the story.
I loved Marley and Sloan, they were both wonderful characters and seeing their friendship blossom and turn into more was really lovely. I would have liked a little more internal monologue from Sloan in realising her feelings but they did enough. But all in all it was a fabulous job tackling the ‘straight girl falls in love with her lesbian best friend’ in such a pure non problematic way!
I also really loved the way Marley’s relationship with her parents, it was tough to read but I think it was handled well and shows that grace and growth is possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2022
It was pretty compelling, I would have loved some first person to know what was really going on with Sloan to finally realize that she loved her best friend in that way. There were some heavy events that helped the MCs get closer. The slow burn was good and at three hundred pages I was wondering when they were finally going to get together and what drama there would be. Even with the slow burn, I didn’t really get deep feels from this book so I probably won’t reread it. The ending
January 23, 2022
“Sloan laughed and realized that most of her best moments these days came when she was with Marley Nichols.”
18 year old Sloan Rossi has been in London the last several years with her father. She has been playing for a developmental team associated with one of the best European Premier League clubs. She decides to put everything on hold to attend Winterpark University on scholarship to improve her skills. The only issue is that she is the back up to the back up in her preferred position. She becomes close to 20 year old Marley Nichols, the teams star goalie, but things get complicated between them with unrequited feelings and when Sloan takes over Marley’s position when she’s injured.
This slow burn was right up my alley until it started focusing on other characters and jumping around. I liked Sloan. I liked Marley. What I don’t like is losing time.
Cliffhanger – no (book #4 in series)
POV - Sloan & Marley
18 year old Sloan Rossi has been in London the last several years with her father. She has been playing for a developmental team associated with one of the best European Premier League clubs. She decides to put everything on hold to attend Winterpark University on scholarship to improve her skills. The only issue is that she is the back up to the back up in her preferred position. She becomes close to 20 year old Marley Nichols, the teams star goalie, but things get complicated between them with unrequited feelings and when Sloan takes over Marley’s position when she’s injured.
This slow burn was right up my alley until it started focusing on other characters and jumping around. I liked Sloan. I liked Marley. What I don’t like is losing time.
Cliffhanger – no (book #4 in series)
POV - Sloan & Marley
February 11, 2024
A Slow Burn Coming Out And Romance Story
While it takes Marley a while to admit her feelings for her supposed straight friend Sloan to herself, it takes Sloan even longer to admit that she doesn’t want just friendship with Marley. And things get complicated when Marley gets injured then the backup goalie gets injured, forcing their team to move Sloan into Marley’s position, where she excels beyond all expectations.
And when Marley heals but Sloan still holds the starting spot at goalie the next year, on field competition tries to come between them.
But love won’t be denied so read the book if you want to know how this gets resolved!
P.S. I’ve not yet been disappointed in any book in Nicole Pyland’s Sports Series, though I’ve read a few out of order. And now I’m off the start on Book 6!
While it takes Marley a while to admit her feelings for her supposed straight friend Sloan to herself, it takes Sloan even longer to admit that she doesn’t want just friendship with Marley. And things get complicated when Marley gets injured then the backup goalie gets injured, forcing their team to move Sloan into Marley’s position, where she excels beyond all expectations.
And when Marley heals but Sloan still holds the starting spot at goalie the next year, on field competition tries to come between them.
But love won’t be denied so read the book if you want to know how this gets resolved!
P.S. I’ve not yet been disappointed in any book in Nicole Pyland’s Sports Series, though I’ve read a few out of order. And now I’m off the start on Book 6!
January 11, 2025
This was recommended to me as a sports romance, and… the soccer action was OK. I mean, what was there was great but there wasn’t a whole lot? On the other hand, put the soccer part aside, and this was just plain a fantastic story. Following along for the ride as Sloan and Marley became friends, then best friends, then… well, it got a little complicated. Marley coming to terms with her parents, Sloan coming to terms with her feelings, all their friends having an opinion, it was just a great story, and I was hooked from the start.
So, I’m not sure I’ll pass on the recommendation as a great soccer book… I feel like there are others that lean a little more into the sports action. But I’m more than happy to recommend this as just plain a wonderful read, with a side of some entertaining soccer. :)
So, I’m not sure I’ll pass on the recommendation as a great soccer book… I feel like there are others that lean a little more into the sports action. But I’m more than happy to recommend this as just plain a wonderful read, with a side of some entertaining soccer. :)
May 10, 2021
I would give this soccer-themed romance 3 and 1/2 stars. Liked it, didn't love it. My favorite in this sports series was the one about volleyball because: 1) I thought the 2 MCs were more believable and relatable than most romance leads and 2) I thought the back story about starting a new professional league was actually interesting. Most back stories in romance novels are so perfunctory you can almost hear the writer thinking "let's finish writing this mildly angst-provoking scene so I can get back to the 2 of them getting totally loved-up." That being said, I like Nicole Pyland's novels and recommend them.
October 18, 2020
I’ll put this closer to a 3.5 just for the good descriptions of matches.
This is the fourth book in Pyland’s Sports Series stories and this one focuses on what most of the world calls futbol, but Americans refer to as soccer. Perhaps it is just me, although the characters, venues, and sport changes these just feel too similar. It’s a sweet escape for a few hours, however. So, if you are a sports fan and miss watching your favorite sport (or team) or are disappointed there was no Olympics this year, you might get your fix here. Just sayin’.
This is the fourth book in Pyland’s Sports Series stories and this one focuses on what most of the world calls futbol, but Americans refer to as soccer. Perhaps it is just me, although the characters, venues, and sport changes these just feel too similar. It’s a sweet escape for a few hours, however. So, if you are a sports fan and miss watching your favorite sport (or team) or are disappointed there was no Olympics this year, you might get your fix here. Just sayin’.
October 22, 2020
This is a very good book, part of the sports series, about Sloan who goes to college on a soccer scholarship with a view to playing as a striker. There she meets Marley who is a goalkeeper for the college team. They become good friends. Marley gets injured, the backup keeper also gets injured and Sloan is thrown in as a goalkeeper. She does very well and it then puts a strain on their friendship. This book has a good storyline and is very well written - would highly recommend.
October 23, 2020
Scooooooore!!!
Powerful story of profound loss, missed opportunities, and painful rejection. With a deep, intense strength drawn from each other, two very young women find solace in a loving relationship with each other. I love and am moved by Ms. Pyland’s Sport Series. I enthusiastically and unequivocally recommend this series and any other works by this author.
A very good read! Thank you Peace
Powerful story of profound loss, missed opportunities, and painful rejection. With a deep, intense strength drawn from each other, two very young women find solace in a loving relationship with each other. I love and am moved by Ms. Pyland’s Sport Series. I enthusiastically and unequivocally recommend this series and any other works by this author.
A very good read! Thank you Peace
November 5, 2020
Loved it!
This sports series has been the best! This 4th book is the cutest well I think all of them are hehe. If you like a slow burn story that it is also funny, starting with a young love you will like this book. The chemistry or the way Sloan and Marley story develop is just lovely!
This sports series has been the best! This 4th book is the cutest well I think all of them are hehe. If you like a slow burn story that it is also funny, starting with a young love you will like this book. The chemistry or the way Sloan and Marley story develop is just lovely!
December 5, 2020
Fantastic slow burn at first sight
Is it possible for a story to be both a slow burn romance and a love at first sight romance? If Nicole Pyland is writing the story, it certainly is! Fantastic characters and character development, for the leading ladies and the supporting cast, as well as exquisite pacing make this a hard book to put down.
Is it possible for a story to be both a slow burn romance and a love at first sight romance? If Nicole Pyland is writing the story, it certainly is! Fantastic characters and character development, for the leading ladies and the supporting cast, as well as exquisite pacing make this a hard book to put down.
March 6, 2021
Fun and sweet storyline
I love this author! I practically binged read all of her books. Like many of her books, it concise, informative, fun, sexy and romantic. I now know more about soccer! Another one of her books that is filled with great characters that you can fall in love with. The dialogue is never dull and always keeps you turning the page!
I love this author! I practically binged read all of her books. Like many of her books, it concise, informative, fun, sexy and romantic. I now know more about soccer! Another one of her books that is filled with great characters that you can fall in love with. The dialogue is never dull and always keeps you turning the page!
March 31, 2021
An awesome way to end the series
This book was an awesome way to end this series. In fact, it was so good that I forgot it wasn’t a stand alone but part of the series. Maybe it was because of the length of time it covered, or the intricacies of the storyline, or the development of the characters —whatever it was, it worked!!
This book was an awesome way to end this series. In fact, it was so good that I forgot it wasn’t a stand alone but part of the series. Maybe it was because of the length of time it covered, or the intricacies of the storyline, or the development of the characters —whatever it was, it worked!!
July 23, 2023
I started this book before bed, and I finished it at 7am, no way I could put it down! No doubt, it's one of the best books I've read this year! From the pace to the characters to their story to their interactions, everything is just right. How Sloan and Marley go through everything is simply perfect.
December 12, 2024
This was so very very slow burn it was almost irritating sometimes. There were a number of lead ups to situations were I was sure there would finaly happen something and it just didn't. Frustrating really, but it kept me reading. But all in all it was just a very good book, as I have come to expect from Nicole Pyland. Definitely 4+⭐️
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