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The Trouble with Tomboys #1
Playing the Enemy
Fake dating the new team captain? Seriously. What could possibly go wrong?
Hannah's ex has some nerve. First he breaks up with her in a text, and now he thinks he can take soccer away from her? Think again. As the captain of their intramural team, her ex might be able to kick her off his team, but he can't stop her from playing for their rivals.
The enemy of my enemy is my ... fake boyfriend?
The fact that her new team captain is her ex's arch nemesis? Even better. Playing for River's team on the other side of town is the perfect payback. When her ex sees them together and gets the wrong idea ... well, what's the harm in playing along? Hannah has already learned her lesson about falling for a teammate, and it's not a mistake she'll ever make again. Besides, her relationship with River is just for show--a way for them both to get vengeance on her ex. His kisses might muddle her mind, but he'll never steal her heart ... right?
Hannah's ex has some nerve. First he breaks up with her in a text, and now he thinks he can take soccer away from her? Think again. As the captain of their intramural team, her ex might be able to kick her off his team, but he can't stop her from playing for their rivals.
The enemy of my enemy is my ... fake boyfriend?
The fact that her new team captain is her ex's arch nemesis? Even better. Playing for River's team on the other side of town is the perfect payback. When her ex sees them together and gets the wrong idea ... well, what's the harm in playing along? Hannah has already learned her lesson about falling for a teammate, and it's not a mistake she'll ever make again. Besides, her relationship with River is just for show--a way for them both to get vengeance on her ex. His kisses might muddle her mind, but he'll never steal her heart ... right?
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Published November 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
January 6, 2020
I expected to hate this (bought it anyway, logical I know!), but I didn´t. I almost even loved it. I really enjoyed the character development which you don´t always get in kindle YA.
December 21, 2024
Review from 1/31/23:
Delightful, G-rated, YA, sports romance
Hannah Crowley has lived in a small town in Upstate New York her whole life. For all of her school years, she has attended Lakeview Prep, a ritzy, private, K-12 school, with her next-door neighbor, and boyfriend of the past five years, Caleb Everette. She’d assumed that she and Caleb would be together forever, though their relationship was anything but romantically passionate. But that was just the way Hannah liked it. They were good friends who kissed occasionally and could count on each other as a reliable date for school dances. Then, out of the blue, the summer before their junior year, Caleb falls for another girl and callously dumps Hannah via text. And to add insult on top of injury, as captain of the Lakeview Prep intramural soccer team that they’ve both been part of since grade school, Caleb makes it humiliatingly clear to Hannah that because her presence on the team with him would upset his new girlfriend, he wants Hannah off the team.
Hannah feels almost as wounded by Caleb’s second betrayal as his first one. Her passion is basketball, and she is outstanding at it. But she is also very good at soccer, and even though she plays it mainly as a way of staying in shape and competitive during the basketball off-season, it is an exhilarating pastime for her. She is devastated to think she won’t be able to play soccer, until her best friend, Rose, reminds her that there is another possibility in town for her to play the game.
River Owens is a star soccer player who attends Fairmont, the local public high school, and is captain both of the school’s soccer team and Fairmont’s off-season, intramural soccer team. He and Caleb Everette are the same age and have been bitter rivals since elementary school, during both the regular soccer season and the off-season intramural league. River believes that if there is anyone standing in the way of his winning a full-ride, soccer scholarship to college, it’s Caleb. So it’s a big shock when Caleb’s lovely, long-time girlfriend, Hannah Crowley, asks to play on the Fairmont intramural soccer team. When they were little kids, and Caleb and River were still friends, Hannah had been River’s friend as well. But once she became Caleb’s girlfriend, around the same time that Caleb and River became enemies, Hannah has never talked to River since then. Until today.
It is obvious to Hannah when she shows up at the bedraggled Fairmont soccer field that River Owens is deeply suspicious of her. So she assures him, when he grills her as to her intentions, that she is not a spy for the Lakeview team, and she is no longer the girlfriend of his biggest enemy.
River’s team is desperate for a solid, female soccer player. Hannah is one of the best in town, and her offering to play for them is like the answer to a prayer. But more than that, she is the girl River has had a crush on for the past six years. And she is finally single.
I am a big fan of YA sports romances where the heroine is a talented athlete, and it is even more fun when the romantic hero is outstanding in the same sport as the heroine. Hannah and River are both highly sympathetic protagonists, and they are terrific together. Another big plus for me is that this book is written in the classic romance format: dual point of view of the hero and heroine, no cheating or romantic triangles, and a guaranteed, and believable, HEA.
The soccer scenes are very well done in this book. They are detailed enough to add excitement, but concise enough to avoid boring non-soccer fans. In addition, there are many fun and colorfully drawn subcharacters. In particular, Hannah’s nine-year-old brother, Bentley, is adorable and contributes a lot to the story. As do her friend Rose and her two long-distance girlfriends, who are fellow, skilled athletes, and who are the protagonists of the other two books in this trilogy.
Like all Ms. Dallen’s books, this one is G-rated. There is no cussing, drinking, smoking, drugs or sex. But even though there is no more than kissing between Hannah and River, these two vibrant, attractive protagonists have plenty of chemistry, and it was a great pleasure for me to experience their courtship.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Soccer Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
Reread 12/20/24: I enjoyed this cute YA romance just as much the second time around. I had access to the audiobook version for free through my Audible membership, and it is well done.
Delightful, G-rated, YA, sports romance
Hannah Crowley has lived in a small town in Upstate New York her whole life. For all of her school years, she has attended Lakeview Prep, a ritzy, private, K-12 school, with her next-door neighbor, and boyfriend of the past five years, Caleb Everette. She’d assumed that she and Caleb would be together forever, though their relationship was anything but romantically passionate. But that was just the way Hannah liked it. They were good friends who kissed occasionally and could count on each other as a reliable date for school dances. Then, out of the blue, the summer before their junior year, Caleb falls for another girl and callously dumps Hannah via text. And to add insult on top of injury, as captain of the Lakeview Prep intramural soccer team that they’ve both been part of since grade school, Caleb makes it humiliatingly clear to Hannah that because her presence on the team with him would upset his new girlfriend, he wants Hannah off the team.
Hannah feels almost as wounded by Caleb’s second betrayal as his first one. Her passion is basketball, and she is outstanding at it. But she is also very good at soccer, and even though she plays it mainly as a way of staying in shape and competitive during the basketball off-season, it is an exhilarating pastime for her. She is devastated to think she won’t be able to play soccer, until her best friend, Rose, reminds her that there is another possibility in town for her to play the game.
River Owens is a star soccer player who attends Fairmont, the local public high school, and is captain both of the school’s soccer team and Fairmont’s off-season, intramural soccer team. He and Caleb Everette are the same age and have been bitter rivals since elementary school, during both the regular soccer season and the off-season intramural league. River believes that if there is anyone standing in the way of his winning a full-ride, soccer scholarship to college, it’s Caleb. So it’s a big shock when Caleb’s lovely, long-time girlfriend, Hannah Crowley, asks to play on the Fairmont intramural soccer team. When they were little kids, and Caleb and River were still friends, Hannah had been River’s friend as well. But once she became Caleb’s girlfriend, around the same time that Caleb and River became enemies, Hannah has never talked to River since then. Until today.
It is obvious to Hannah when she shows up at the bedraggled Fairmont soccer field that River Owens is deeply suspicious of her. So she assures him, when he grills her as to her intentions, that she is not a spy for the Lakeview team, and she is no longer the girlfriend of his biggest enemy.
River’s team is desperate for a solid, female soccer player. Hannah is one of the best in town, and her offering to play for them is like the answer to a prayer. But more than that, she is the girl River has had a crush on for the past six years. And she is finally single.
I am a big fan of YA sports romances where the heroine is a talented athlete, and it is even more fun when the romantic hero is outstanding in the same sport as the heroine. Hannah and River are both highly sympathetic protagonists, and they are terrific together. Another big plus for me is that this book is written in the classic romance format: dual point of view of the hero and heroine, no cheating or romantic triangles, and a guaranteed, and believable, HEA.
The soccer scenes are very well done in this book. They are detailed enough to add excitement, but concise enough to avoid boring non-soccer fans. In addition, there are many fun and colorfully drawn subcharacters. In particular, Hannah’s nine-year-old brother, Bentley, is adorable and contributes a lot to the story. As do her friend Rose and her two long-distance girlfriends, who are fellow, skilled athletes, and who are the protagonists of the other two books in this trilogy.
Like all Ms. Dallen’s books, this one is G-rated. There is no cussing, drinking, smoking, drugs or sex. But even though there is no more than kissing between Hannah and River, these two vibrant, attractive protagonists have plenty of chemistry, and it was a great pleasure for me to experience their courtship.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Soccer Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
Reread 12/20/24: I enjoyed this cute YA romance just as much the second time around. I had access to the audiobook version for free through my Audible membership, and it is well done.
June 29, 2020
Hannah's boyfriend dumps her via text and kicks her of the soccer team, luckily she's not one to just cry in a corner and decides to go to the rival team to play, the captain of which - River is the long-term enemy and one time friend of her ex.
I wasn't keen on the back and forth when it came to Hannah's ex he just annoyed me.
Some nice moments in this between Hannah and River. Very light and fluffy, I wanted more heat and energy. Good for young teens.
Acquired via KU.
I wasn't keen on the back and forth when it came to Hannah's ex he just annoyed me.
Some nice moments in this between Hannah and River. Very light and fluffy, I wanted more heat and energy. Good for young teens.
Acquired via KU.
December 20, 2019
Cute!
This was a cute young adult, high school age story. I love the tomboy theme for this series with Hannah and her love of soccer up first. The feelings of love and friendship seemed on par for the age group and I enjoyed Hannah's personality. She felt like someone I would have wanted to be friends with in high school. Sweet romance - kissing only.
This was a cute young adult, high school age story. I love the tomboy theme for this series with Hannah and her love of soccer up first. The feelings of love and friendship seemed on par for the age group and I enjoyed Hannah's personality. She felt like someone I would have wanted to be friends with in high school. Sweet romance - kissing only.
January 15, 2024
As I predicted this was very cute, though it did have a few issues. RTC
November 1, 2019
It’s no secret that I love Maggie Dallen. My currently reading list has had at least one of her books included since May, and I’m slowly making my way through them. I think I’ve read at least six or seven, and this is now one of my top favorites!
The characters are so real and well developed. I just adore River and Hannah. Even though he doesn’t want to trust her in the beginning, you can clearly see how much River cares. Not just because she’s Hannah, but because he’s a genuinely good person. I also love their friends, whom I wish to see more of. Especially River’s friend Tristan. I hope Maggie will consider returning to this group because I feel like there’s a lot more to him in particular that we didn’t see.
As usual, the book is well written and set at good pace. I wish the fake relationship had lasted a tiny bit longer, but it also made sense the way things happened. (I’m trying to be vague enough to not spoil!) I really enjoy Maggie’s style of writing. It’s easy to read and always keeps my attention.
It’s got a plethora of my favorite tropes all wrapped up in this sweet and amusing story. Full of heart and emotion, it shows these two characters grow together. If you like YA romance, definitely check it out!
*Original review on Functionally Fictional.
The characters are so real and well developed. I just adore River and Hannah. Even though he doesn’t want to trust her in the beginning, you can clearly see how much River cares. Not just because she’s Hannah, but because he’s a genuinely good person. I also love their friends, whom I wish to see more of. Especially River’s friend Tristan. I hope Maggie will consider returning to this group because I feel like there’s a lot more to him in particular that we didn’t see.
As usual, the book is well written and set at good pace. I wish the fake relationship had lasted a tiny bit longer, but it also made sense the way things happened. (I’m trying to be vague enough to not spoil!) I really enjoy Maggie’s style of writing. It’s easy to read and always keeps my attention.
It’s got a plethora of my favorite tropes all wrapped up in this sweet and amusing story. Full of heart and emotion, it shows these two characters grow together. If you like YA romance, definitely check it out!
*Original review on Functionally Fictional.
May 10, 2020
The enemy of my enemy is my fake boyfriend.
This is a cute, squeaky clean, fluffy young adult read.
This is a cute, squeaky clean, fluffy young adult read.
May 26, 2021
**Read for Jordan Ford's Summer Reading Challenge 2020. Prompt: 2. A book involving a sports team**
- Fake dating
- Intramural soccer league
- Co-ed teams
- Childhood crush!!
- Boy from poor side of town with awful father. Girl with perfect family from the money side of town, but she ain't an arrogant princess, she a tomboy!
- No really, she's innocent and cannot perceive any difference between her more economically stable self and her poorer peers - no prejudice *Hannah blinking her huge brown deer eyes at us*
- "Ok, but is it fun?" I'd say so, yeah. There is banter. We thrive with that. Cute too
- Girls staying supportive besties from different States sniff
- The ex is a douche of big proportions. I feel like that should be a tag, for people who are tired of thosedirtbags
- Quick read. Fast paced. Too fast *Tokyo drift*
- The way a junior high schooler is going on and on about another high schooler's manly scent, and how it affects her clarity, kind of freaks me out, I'm not going to liepre-sex polen??
- Needs more sports and we didn't get much on the fake dating front boo
- Star Wars references, anybirdie?
- #EndsWithProm. (actually had 2 of those)
- Fake dating
- Intramural soccer league
- Co-ed teams
- Childhood crush!!
- Boy from poor side of town with awful father. Girl with perfect family from the money side of town, but she ain't an arrogant princess, she a tomboy!
- No really, she's innocent and cannot perceive any difference between her more economically stable self and her poorer peers - no prejudice *Hannah blinking her huge brown deer eyes at us*
- "Ok, but is it fun?" I'd say so, yeah. There is banter. We thrive with that. Cute too
- Girls staying supportive besties from different States sniff
- The ex is a douche of big proportions. I feel like that should be a tag, for people who are tired of those
- Quick read. Fast paced. Too fast *Tokyo drift*
- The way a junior high schooler is going on and on about another high schooler's manly scent, and how it affects her clarity, kind of freaks me out, I'm not going to lie
- Needs more sports and we didn't get much on the fake dating front boo
- Star Wars references, anybirdie?
- #EndsWithProm. (actually had 2 of those)
August 1, 2025
Plot- Okay, this started out so good!
I loved the premise!
Jerk boyfriend dumps FMC over text because he’s suddenly fallen in love with someone new. He treats the FMC like crap and bullies her into quitting the co-ed soccer team he captains, which she has played on for YEARS. She joins the co-ed soccer team of their biggest rival, and the captain happens to be her ex’s nemesis. This team is “across the tracks” and from the poor part of the city, so it’s smacking of West Side Story. The team captain is hot, and he’s always been into her. But up until now, she’s been unavailable.
Sounds awesome, right??!
I’m getting distinct How to Get Revenge on Your Cheating Ex vibes, which is my FAVORITE YA BOOK EVER.
(Also happens to be written by Maggie Dallen, and was a stroke of pure genius on her part. I’m telling you, I could read it every year, it’s that good.)
Well, sadly this book did NOT deliver. The promise of sweet revenge never happened. After she kept pursuing a healthy friendship with her jerk-wad ex (gah! sorry, but I was not on board with this- you don’t have to resurrect your friendship with this self-centered boy- forgive him but move on! You don’t need this guy! Stop seeking his friendship!) they became friends again.
LAME.
And she didn’t even stay on the love-interest’s soccer team. It was the biggest let down ever. Totally guppy ending. Got me so excited and then blah.
There was so much potential for angst and revenge and jealousy (from the ex) and all the toe-curling goodies that come with that. Like chemistry and tension! Instead we got boring. I’m so bummed.
Writing - Good, I guess.
Characters- I liked the characters.
Romance- Good and then disappointing.
Content-
Language- none
Spice- clean
Substance abuse- none that I recall
Violence- none
Cover- fine
POV- dual POV
Cliffhanger- no
Format- audio via Hoopla
Narration- good
I loved the premise!
Jerk boyfriend dumps FMC over text because he’s suddenly fallen in love with someone new. He treats the FMC like crap and bullies her into quitting the co-ed soccer team he captains, which she has played on for YEARS. She joins the co-ed soccer team of their biggest rival, and the captain happens to be her ex’s nemesis. This team is “across the tracks” and from the poor part of the city, so it’s smacking of West Side Story. The team captain is hot, and he’s always been into her. But up until now, she’s been unavailable.
Sounds awesome, right??!
I’m getting distinct How to Get Revenge on Your Cheating Ex vibes, which is my FAVORITE YA BOOK EVER.
(Also happens to be written by Maggie Dallen, and was a stroke of pure genius on her part. I’m telling you, I could read it every year, it’s that good.)
Well, sadly this book did NOT deliver. The promise of sweet revenge never happened. After she kept pursuing a healthy friendship with her jerk-wad ex (gah! sorry, but I was not on board with this- you don’t have to resurrect your friendship with this self-centered boy- forgive him but move on! You don’t need this guy! Stop seeking his friendship!) they became friends again.
LAME.
And she didn’t even stay on the love-interest’s soccer team. It was the biggest let down ever. Totally guppy ending. Got me so excited and then blah.
There was so much potential for angst and revenge and jealousy (from the ex) and all the toe-curling goodies that come with that. Like chemistry and tension! Instead we got boring. I’m so bummed.
Writing - Good, I guess.
Characters- I liked the characters.
Romance- Good and then disappointing.
Content-
Language- none
Spice- clean
Substance abuse- none that I recall
Violence- none
Cover- fine
POV- dual POV
Cliffhanger- no
Format- audio via Hoopla
Narration- good
January 20, 2021
הספר זרם מהר מידי, לא היה מתח, לא היתה בניית עלילה. כן, העלילה צפויה אבל עדיין אפשר לבנות אותה בהדרגתיות- כאן הכל היה מהר מידי.
ספר נוער, אך היצה בו ילדותיות יתר.
אני פחות התחברתי, מומלץ לגילאי 15 ומטה
ספר נוער, אך היצה בו ילדותיות יתר.
אני פחות התחברתי, מומלץ לגילאי 15 ומטה
November 12, 2023
It was good enough to read once but not a second time.
The ending was quite quick and I think that some aspects could have been expounded upon.
3 Stars
Clean
The ending was quite quick and I think that some aspects could have been expounded upon.
3 Stars
Clean
December 19, 2019
Pages: 195
My rating: 4
Read other books by this author in the future: yes
I would not read this book if I choose my books by the cover, because I actually do not like the covers of the series. But the story was about tomboys and I love a good tomboy story. And I enjoyed this one too. It was a good tomboy story, entertaining, with good girlfriend, but she only has one boyfriend. It was also a story about growing up and I liked it very much. I am going to read the next one in this series too. All books in this series are written by different authors and I do not know the the other two authors, so I am looking for my reading time.
October 17, 2019
2.5*
That cover just gives me shivers every time I look at it...ugh.
However, Playing the Enemy was exactly what it said - "A sweet stand-alone high school sports romance."
And a rather short one at that, thus it's flow was quite fast paced with very little details.
Thou' that "sweet"ness...more like the naivety and foolishness of youth? Where everything is shiny unrealistic rainbows at the end? I guess that is it's own kind of sweet.
Well, maybe I'm too judgmental, but everything being all ok and friendly at the end...meh.
But for a short read, it did ok.
But this kind of YA is not for me. Too...sweet? XD
Not my cup of tea ;p
That cover just gives me shivers every time I look at it...ugh.
However, Playing the Enemy was exactly what it said - "A sweet stand-alone high school sports romance."
And a rather short one at that, thus it's flow was quite fast paced with very little details.
Thou' that "sweet"ness...more like the naivety and foolishness of youth? Where everything is shiny unrealistic rainbows at the end? I guess that is it's own kind of sweet.
Well, maybe I'm too judgmental, but everything being all ok and friendly at the end...meh.
But for a short read, it did ok.
But this kind of YA is not for me. Too...sweet? XD
Not my cup of tea ;p
May 5, 2022
Playing the Enemy is a sweet YA contemporary romance. Hannah is a charming, sporty, and fierce girl whose first chance at love seemed like a forever deal. The river is a guy who is soft-spoken but respected. He is also working on getting away to college (so mainly work, school, and soccer). He loves soccer just like Hannah, but his time on the team is dependent on his grades, keeping his job, and staying out of trouble.
Though not original in its plot, this story made it special because Hannah learned a lot about her character and former relationship interaction.
Yes, the plot is a predictable YA, but Hannah & River are too young for a forever relationship.
Though not original in its plot, this story made it special because Hannah learned a lot about her character and former relationship interaction.
Yes, the plot is a predictable YA, but Hannah & River are too young for a forever relationship.
July 23, 2020
Está bien para una lectura ligera, no tienes que pensar mucho nada ni hay mucho drama. Todo pasa rápido, pero es continuo así que tiene algo de sentido. Tiene algunos momentos cutes y un final feliz. Tampoco puedes pedir mucho más de estos libros. El drama no es muy complicado y las típicas rayadas de enamoramientos de si sí pero es muy complicado o no quiero reconocer mis sentimiento porque no quiero más dificultades en mi vida blah blah blah. Pero oh, después te das cuenta de que tu vida con ella sería mucho más divertida y que la amas y muchas cosas bonitas.
Para pasar el rato si no tienes nada mejor y quieres despejarte pues es perfecto.
Para pasar el rato si no tienes nada mejor y quieres despejarte pues es perfecto.
July 28, 2020
I read this book in 4 hours. It was just plain fun to read. It was a good way to pass the afternoon. Also, I actually felt some sort of connection with this heroine (I don’t no why. I’m no tomboy, hate sports - it’s just running from one place to another for no reason to me- and haven’t had any of her experiences except maybe having supportive parents and younger siblings) so it may have been that.
I don’t remember what other book I’ve read by this author by was pleasantly surprised then and now I was again.
I don’t remember what other book I’ve read by this author by was pleasantly surprised then and now I was again.
August 8, 2021
Ugh, I don't know what to say or think about this one: two stars, three stars? Settled on 3 stars because there was an epilogue.
To me, it had some irritating segments, mainly Caleb who was a major jerk (not the male lead, thankfully).
From the blurb and title I expected fun, larky moments but there was none of that. None. Teenage problems and drama.
It's an easy, quick read, simple language, pretty fast paced, clean, got kisses, a lot of football (we say football over here not soccer).
To me, it had some irritating segments, mainly Caleb who was a major jerk (not the male lead, thankfully).
From the blurb and title I expected fun, larky moments but there was none of that. None. Teenage problems and drama.
It's an easy, quick read, simple language, pretty fast paced, clean, got kisses, a lot of football (we say football over here not soccer).
August 28, 2020
I finished it because I had to.
But they fell in love in 2 freaking days! I don’t care that they knew each other and he used to like her or have a crush.
But anyway, I finished it, because my OCD won’t let me leave something unfinished but this book wasn’t worth it .
But they fell in love in 2 freaking days! I don’t care that they knew each other and he used to like her or have a crush.
But anyway, I finished it, because my OCD won’t let me leave something unfinished but this book wasn’t worth it .
Want to read
May 27, 2020🎁The complete Trouble with Tomboys Series (3 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (5/27/2020)! 🎁
September 7, 2022
3.5 honestly this wasn't even that bad. finally a female lead character that says she's mature and actually means it.
November 28, 2019
fun and simple romance, about being yourself . two characters who should've been together since the start but were drawn apart by jealousy. I love how being sporty or being a tomboy is a good thing. which it totally is. a book to read.
November 25, 2019
Cute story, but I thought Hannah was to forgiving. Her ex Caleb was a jerk who thought the world revolved around him.
November 26, 2019
A cute read!
September 13, 2020
An ok ya book.
December 31, 2024
This book starts with a prologue from two years earlier, which I imagine is to introduce the three girls from The Trouble with Tomboys series, this being Book 1 with Hannah. The other two girls, Jordan and Alex, only appear in this book at the very end, otherwise Hannah keeps in touch with her summer sports camp, Camp Haversham, friends mainly via text message, as they are all from different towns and schools.
It’s the beginning of Hannah Crowley’s junior year at Lakeview Prep, and Hannah suddenly finds herself without her neighbour, childhood friend and long-time boyfriend Caleb Everette, having been dumped by him — by text message! — just a week earlier, while at a basketball clinic in Maine. The worse thing, however, was that Caleb just also happened to be the captain of the co-ed intramural soccer team she played on.
When she turns up for their first soccer practise of the season, she notices Caleb lovingly eyeing a pretty blonde and she smiling at him in return. Hannah surmises quite correctly that this girl was the real reason Caleb dumped her, and not for Caleb’s need “for space”, as he had claimed. She is then told by Caleb that “for the good of the team”, she should leave and not make things awkward.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, in the poorer district, the Fairmont School’s co-ed intramural’s soccer team suddenly finds itself down one girl. The dark, unruly-haired, blue-eyed, strong-jawed and cleft-chinned River Owens is this rival team’s captain, he also just happens to be Caleb’s archnemesis. Hannah joins the team, not only for the love of the game and to keep herself in shape for basketball, but she decides it’s the perfect payback, and when her ex sees them together and gets the wrong idea, Hannah asks River to play along.
This book is short and isn’t really cohesive. The prologue gives a lot of information about people that don’t even appear in the book. Then there is a lot about Hannah, her family, and the events that led up to the beginning of soccer practice. Next, Caleb is introduced, with details of his parents and home conditions. This comprises most of the book, after which there’s only a few pages/minutes around the “fake boyfriend” scenario. I was disappointed by the brevity of this part, especially as this is what one expects the story to mainly be about, judging by the blurb. Finally, it’s the ending, mainly with what the MFC and MMC learn:
-
My favourite quote:
It’s the beginning of Hannah Crowley’s junior year at Lakeview Prep, and Hannah suddenly finds herself without her neighbour, childhood friend and long-time boyfriend Caleb Everette, having been dumped by him — by text message! — just a week earlier, while at a basketball clinic in Maine. The worse thing, however, was that Caleb just also happened to be the captain of the co-ed intramural soccer team she played on.
When she turns up for their first soccer practise of the season, she notices Caleb lovingly eyeing a pretty blonde and she smiling at him in return. Hannah surmises quite correctly that this girl was the real reason Caleb dumped her, and not for Caleb’s need “for space”, as he had claimed. She is then told by Caleb that “for the good of the team”, she should leave and not make things awkward.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, in the poorer district, the Fairmont School’s co-ed intramural’s soccer team suddenly finds itself down one girl. The dark, unruly-haired, blue-eyed, strong-jawed and cleft-chinned River Owens is this rival team’s captain, he also just happens to be Caleb’s archnemesis. Hannah joins the team, not only for the love of the game and to keep herself in shape for basketball, but she decides it’s the perfect payback, and when her ex sees them together and gets the wrong idea, Hannah asks River to play along.
This book is short and isn’t really cohesive. The prologue gives a lot of information about people that don’t even appear in the book. Then there is a lot about Hannah, her family, and the events that led up to the beginning of soccer practice. Next, Caleb is introduced, with details of his parents and home conditions. This comprises most of the book, after which there’s only a few pages/minutes around the “fake boyfriend” scenario. I was disappointed by the brevity of this part, especially as this is what one expects the story to mainly be about, judging by the blurb. Finally, it’s the ending, mainly with what the MFC and MMC learn:
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My favourite quote:
May 29, 2020
Hannah & River
This is the 1st book in the Trouble with Tomboys series.
Hannah is an amazing soccer player who goes to a private school. She plays on a co-ed team - both boys & girls. When she comes back from summer camp, Caleb (boyfriend/best friend/boy nextdoor of 5 years), breaks up with her via text saying he needs space.
When Hannah shows up for practice, she sees Caleb talking with a blond on the sidelines and realizes he broke up with her to date another girl named Val. Not only is she hit with this, but he also asks her to leave the team so things aren't awkward. She is so hurt, and rightfully so.
River, is captain of his soccer team and goes to public school. During practice, one of the girls on the team gets hurt and can no longer play. In order for them to qualify as a team, they need another girl on the team. Word spreads and who shows up but Hannah, whom River hasn't seen since they were younger, and he had a crush on her then.
His first instinct is that his rival team has sent her to spy on them. When Hannah sets him straight - Caleb breaking up with her &kicking her off the team - all she wants to do is play a sport she loves. After her practice, he eventually lets her know that she made the team.
The two have unbelievable chemistry, but, River seems hung up on their different financial status - her rich & him poor - which Hannah doesn't care about. She likes him for him. Will River let this come between the two?
I loved this book series!!
This is the 1st book in the Trouble with Tomboys series.
Hannah is an amazing soccer player who goes to a private school. She plays on a co-ed team - both boys & girls. When she comes back from summer camp, Caleb (boyfriend/best friend/boy nextdoor of 5 years), breaks up with her via text saying he needs space.
When Hannah shows up for practice, she sees Caleb talking with a blond on the sidelines and realizes he broke up with her to date another girl named Val. Not only is she hit with this, but he also asks her to leave the team so things aren't awkward. She is so hurt, and rightfully so.
River, is captain of his soccer team and goes to public school. During practice, one of the girls on the team gets hurt and can no longer play. In order for them to qualify as a team, they need another girl on the team. Word spreads and who shows up but Hannah, whom River hasn't seen since they were younger, and he had a crush on her then.
His first instinct is that his rival team has sent her to spy on them. When Hannah sets him straight - Caleb breaking up with her &kicking her off the team - all she wants to do is play a sport she loves. After her practice, he eventually lets her know that she made the team.
The two have unbelievable chemistry, but, River seems hung up on their different financial status - her rich & him poor - which Hannah doesn't care about. She likes him for him. Will River let this come between the two?
I loved this book series!!
April 17, 2020
I am so confused about this book. Not sure it deserves that high of a rating and at the same time wondering if I'm being too harsh…
Positives
-The tomeboy/sports' theme was fun.
-The main female character had a surprising emotional maturity.
-The love story was cute.
Negatives
-Way to short. When you read the summary, you expect the story to be about a girl who dates her ex's rival to get back at him. The pretending part lasted for about 5 pages and happened only in the second part of the book. And that's really what got me confused. There's a good beginning to this book, with interesting characters, an entertaining premise. Then, halfway into it and the novel immediatly jumps to the end, with the characters confronting their issues and having great emotional epiphanies. Where is the middle? Where is the part where the characters play sports, win and lose matches and get to know each other? It was like I skipped about 100 pages. It left me with the same feeling as if I started watching a good romantic movie on TV, left to do some laundry and came back to watch the ending.
So, I'm not sure if I should recommend this book or not. It was a good beginning with a good ending. With no middle. Is it enough?
Positives
-The tomeboy/sports' theme was fun.
-The main female character had a surprising emotional maturity.
-The love story was cute.
Negatives
-Way to short. When you read the summary, you expect the story to be about a girl who dates her ex's rival to get back at him. The pretending part lasted for about 5 pages and happened only in the second part of the book. And that's really what got me confused. There's a good beginning to this book, with interesting characters, an entertaining premise. Then, halfway into it and the novel immediatly jumps to the end, with the characters confronting their issues and having great emotional epiphanies. Where is the middle? Where is the part where the characters play sports, win and lose matches and get to know each other? It was like I skipped about 100 pages. It left me with the same feeling as if I started watching a good romantic movie on TV, left to do some laundry and came back to watch the ending.
So, I'm not sure if I should recommend this book or not. It was a good beginning with a good ending. With no middle. Is it enough?
February 17, 2022
yikes. I love sports romances, but this one fell flat for me. The book has an interesting concept; the heroine fakes date her ex's rival in order to exact revenge on him for dumping her and kicking her out of the team (it's petty, but I would have enjoyed it), but there was no plot at all. There was even no build-up between Hannah and River. They simply became teammates and hangout a few times then all of a sudden... BAM! They fell hard for each other. Everything felt rushed. and don't even get me started on the hero's cringe-inducing internal monologues. "my breath caught in my lungs," "knocked the wind out of me," "I've been sucker-punched" every damn time she smiles or looks at him?? wtf 💀💀💀. Also, there were too many superfluous dialogues in a single scene. It felt as though the author threw these words, phrases, and sentences out just to lengthen the pages. The book could have been way better when done right. On the bright side, I smiled a few times and atleast my 12-year-old self would've ate this up.
April 2, 2020
This was a pretty good book. It did something different, and I liked that. It's the third sports romance I've read in the past few days, and I enjoyed it. Hannah and River are cute together, and I liked that Hannah was coming out of her relationship with Caleb. On that note, I liked that The epilogue was good. I'd say this book is worth a read. It's not amazing, but it's solidly done, and it's really cute. In terms of faults, I will say it was a bit fast-paced for me, but overall not too bad. 3.5 stars.
January 11, 2021
Hannah and river.
Thought the plot was decent, although it went too fast, i wanted more detail in certain events, like when they were fake dating, they were done in 1 ch. There are many events that were too short to really feel the emotions. Also we get to see his and her pov, I usually like that, however we get to see one pov per event/scene. I didn’t like that tbh, i like to see the pov of the other person too. The book was abt soccer, but there were barely any real references, when she tried out for the enemy’s team, the only discription of that event was: it was hard( st like that) short and flat. Overall i don’t dislike or like the book. More depth could’ve made it much better
Characters
I hoped we get to know River better, even in his pov, it’s not explained why he said this or that, he’s also to stuck up abt where her school and house is located( like poor vs rich) when she says he’s the only oje who thinks so, he responds with that she can easily talk( bc she lives there)
I liked hannah’s character tho
Thought the plot was decent, although it went too fast, i wanted more detail in certain events, like when they were fake dating, they were done in 1 ch. There are many events that were too short to really feel the emotions. Also we get to see his and her pov, I usually like that, however we get to see one pov per event/scene. I didn’t like that tbh, i like to see the pov of the other person too. The book was abt soccer, but there were barely any real references, when she tried out for the enemy’s team, the only discription of that event was: it was hard( st like that) short and flat. Overall i don’t dislike or like the book. More depth could’ve made it much better
Characters
I hoped we get to know River better, even in his pov, it’s not explained why he said this or that, he’s also to stuck up abt where her school and house is located( like poor vs rich) when she says he’s the only oje who thinks so, he responds with that she can easily talk( bc she lives there)
I liked hannah’s character tho
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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