★Armas, Elena. The Long Game. Atria. Sept. 2023. 384p. ISBN 9781668011300. pap. $18.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Adalyn Reyes is dedicated to working for the Miami Flames, the major-league soccer team that her father owns. But when her reaction to an overheard conversation causes her to attack the team’s mascot—and video of it goes viral—Adalyn is banished to a philanthropic project in North Carolina to earn her job back and give the incident time to blow over. Finding herself in a small town with a soccer team of young girls to coach is surprising enough, but then Adalyn encounters pro goalkeeper Cameron Caldani, who is hiding from the press after his unexpected retirement. Forced to coach the girls together, Adalyn and Cameron’s initial dislike soon turns to grudging respect and mutual attraction. The ebb and flow as they learn how to balance strength and softness and become protective of each other is incredibly emotionally satisfying. While Adalyn will have to face decisions about her career and priorities, life with a gruff but tender goalkeeper, his cats, and some stray baby goats is starting to seem very appealing. VERDICT This slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance from Armas (The American Roommate Experiment) is sexy, satisfying, and perfect for any reader who has ever swooned over Roy Kent.—Melissa DeWild

Wilsner, Meryl. Cleat Cute. St. Martin’s Griffin. Sept. 2023. 336p. ISBN 9781250873309. pap. $18. LGBTQIA+ ROMANCE

The New Orleans Krewe’s star player, Grace Henderson, is the soccer team’s veteran at just 26-years-old. She’s beginning to feel her age too, but she’s ignoring the twinge in her hip because she’s afraid of being sidelined and replaced. At 22, Phoebe Matthews is a team newbie. It’s her first season, and she couldn’t be more excited to play alongside her hero, Grace. When solitary, taciturn, serious Grace meets lively, gregarious, spirited Phoebe, the sparks fly on the field and off. Neither wants a relationship—or so they think—but “friends with benefits” sounds just fine. Until they start developing feelings, and the stakes are higher than ever as they are called up to the U.S. Women’s National Team and have to prepare for the World Cup. Both Phoebe and Grace are undiagnosed, untreated neurodivergent characters, and the strengths and weaknesses of their ADHD (Phoebe) and Autistic (Grace) brains are treated as matter-of-factly as their queerness. The sex scenes are fan-your-face hot, and the emotional confusion and wariness ring true. VERDICT This steamy opposites-attract romance from Wilsner (Mistakes Were Made) is recommended for all collections.—Heather Miller Cover