Cleat Cute: A Novel

Meryl Wilsner

Sep 2023 · Macmillan Audio · Narrated by Dana Varden and Zim Avaltrades

About this audiobook

A sapphic rivals to lovers rom com for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own, where two soccer teammates are at odds before falling in love as their team gears up for the World Cup.

Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women’s National Team for ten years, even though she’s only 26. But when she’s sidelined with an injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. 22-year-old Phoebe is everything Grace isn’t—a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace lost somewhere along the way. The last thing Grace expects is to become teammates with benefits with this class clown she sees as her rival.

Phoebe Matthews is too focused on her first season as a professional soccer player to think about seducing her longtime idol. But when Grace ends up making the first move, they can’t keep their hands off of each other.

As the World Cup approaches and Grace works her way back from injury, a miscommunication leaves the women with hilariously different perspectives on their relationship. But they’re on the same page on the field, realizing they can play together instead of vying for the same position. With every tackle the tension between them grows, and both players soon have to decide what's more important—being together or making the roster.

The perfect blend of funny and steamy, Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute is about being brave enough to win on and off the field.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

Ratings and reviews

3.5 Stars. I'm kind of on the fence about this book. I loved that it was about professional female sports players. I wasn't real fond of how awkward the characters seemed together. Grace and Phoebe almost immediately have sparks and act on them, yet it is a big secret even from their teammates and seemingly from each other (if that's possible). I liked Phoebe more than Grace because she seemed more honest with herself. Grace always seemed to be holding back. I really didn't like that she was hiding an injury from her trainer and the team. If she's a professional sports player, she should have been open with them. I feel like this review isn't making any sense. I'm missing the mark here. It just didn't really gel for me. It was overly long and really dragged in some places. The narrations by Dana Varden and Zim Avaltrades were good. It was entertaining, but not something I would listen to again. Thanks to MacMillan Audio for the gifted copy of this audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

Meryl Wilsner's Cleat Cute is a fun enemies to lovers F/F romance. The traditional trope of the veteran player and the rookie, Phoebe and Grace have tons of chemistry. I could have done with more soccer scenes, though the interactions between the team members is nicely done. Both of the characters are complex, and the story is nicely written. The audio is performed by Dana Varden and Zim Avaltrades.

About the author

MERYL WILSNER writes happily ever afters for queer folks who love women. They are the author of Something to Talk About and Mistakes Were Made. Born in Michigan, Meryl lived in Portland, Oregon and Jackson, Mississippi before returning to the Mitten State. Some of Meryl's favorite things include: all four seasons, button down shirts, the way giraffes run, and their wife.