The Long Game by Elena Armas

Rating: ★★★★★

Dates Read: 7/21/23 - 7/30/23

    Adalyn Reyes has her whole routine down, grinding at Miami Flames FC to make her mark. But when a video of her clashing with the team's mascot goes viral, her dad (who also owns the team) doesn't fire her. Nope, he ships her off to the middle of nowhere in North Carolina! Her mission? To save the struggling Green Warriors soccer team and prove herself.

    But damn, the Green Warriors are not what she expected. Tutus at practice? Pet goats? Yeah, not exactly the pros she's used to. And to make things worse, there's this soccer prodigy named Cameron Caldani giving her major side-eye. First meeting? Rooster, Cam's leg, and Adalyn's bumper. But Adalyn's not backing down. Redemption is her game, and she's got a plan - with or without Cam's help.

    This is an absolute gem of a book that captivated me from start to finish. The characters were so well-developed and I found myself loving each and every one of them, especially Adalyn, her mom, and Cameron. The slowburn romance and chemistry between Adalyn and Cameron had me swooning and giggling throughout the entire story. This book is a standout in the author's collection, with a fiery love story set in a charming small town that felt incredibly genuine and heartwarming. Adalyn's journey from a major embarrassment to finding love and redemption in the unexpected town of Green Oak Warriors Young Club was beautifully written. The fiery banter and hate-at-first-sight relationship between Adalyn and Cameron added a layer of tension and excitement to the story. Both characters carried their own demons and insecurities, making them incredibly relatable and endearing.

    The supporting characters in the book were equally delightful, with memorable personalities like Brandy, the blind and socially anxious goat, Sebastian Stan, the rooster with nine lives, and the possessive cats, Willow and Pierogi. Little Maria was an absolute cutie with her brilliant mind and hilarious nicknames for Cameron.

    Elena Armas's writing style is captivating and enchanting, transporting readers to the charming town of Green Oak and making us fall in love with its residents. I couldn't put this book down and was left yearning for more. I can't wait to read future works by this talented author. Overall, "The Long Game" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a captivating and heartwarming romance with well-crafted characters and a delightful small-town setting. It's a perfect reading experience that will leave you wanting more.

    Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest opinions. Elena Armas's talent shines through, and I can't wait to see what captivating stories she'll weave next.

    The Long Game is set to publish on September 5th, 2023.

    slight spoiler maybe

- I am eagerly looking forward to the potential spin-off book featuring Matthew and Josie.