SYNOPSIS

Queenie shows up to a party, ready to face her bully, only to be thrown off kilter. She blurts out that she arrived to meet someone and kisses the first guy she sees, Noah. Noah is intrigued by her. After a long night, they’re caught- together, by Queenie’s bully, half dressed in a blanket on the beach. Later, they realize there’s a video of them together. Noah proposes he and Queenie fake a relationship to quiet any rumors.

What could happen?

RECAP AND REVIEW

Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Out now! Available through Kindle Unlimited.

This is a sports romance told from both Queenie and Noah’s perspective in the first person. It’s a standalone book, but it’s apart of a bigger universe.

Queenie is 22 and going through a lot. She has been bullied to the point of dropping out at her college, leaving her full ride and living situation behind. Now she’s working in a diner and is feeling down and lost.

24-year-old Noah left Australia to come to Connecticut for an invite-only cricket training camp. He needs to succeed in it, because only one of the player’s name will be said on a call that’ll secure their future.

Queenie and Noah bond over their love of cricket, though they root for different teams. Their first meeting had me hooked and I loved the banter and the pining between the two of them. I also loved seeing how easily they’re able to speak and interact with each other once Queenie stops acting like she hates him. Noah is obsessed with her and would fight and kill over her if he had to.

They help each other grow in some ways and it was my favorite part of the story. They both make peace with their pasts, realize their faults (or lack thereof) in it, and make moves to address what’s been haunting them.

In the beginning, Queenie is self-deprecating. Her insecurities fall in line with what she’s been through and her character arc. However, her descriptions of how she views her body and herself got repetitive. When she wants to be, she’s determined and clever, but has lost herself after what happened and feels defeated.

I enjoyed Noah. He was sweet and sour, but it was clear where his affection lies. He’s a protector and is considerate of the people he cares about. He’s been through a lot and is determined to stay on track and make up for what he’s lost.

I wish we got more in page bonding between Queenie and Noah’s two friends who become her roommates. I was a little lost when it came to the Archer brothers, but in hindsight it’s because they’re apart of the bigger universe.

I don’t know anything about cricket, but I got the gist of it, and not knowing didn’t take away from the story.

The third act break up worked for me in this book because it made sense to me for their characters. The fight they had was pretty bad, but I feel like the resolution was rushed. There was a full circle moment that was pretty cute in the end, though it’s interesting it wasn’t mentioned before then.

Tropes include:

🏏 Fake dating

🏏 Desi Girl x Aussie Boy (their words)

🏏 Sports Romance

🏏 Roommates

🏏 Small town

Some triggers to keep in mind: mentions sexual assault and coercion, gaslighting, and death of a parent due to cancer.

OVERALL

Overall, I give this a 4 out of 5 stars. It did feel long at times, but the banter was it for me and some of the realizations in the end felt satisfying and it’s why I enjoyed it.