Book Review - The Long Game by Elena Armas

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Title: The Long Game

Author: Elena Armas

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 5th September 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Adalyn Reyes has something to prove. After years of working at her father’s football club, she wants to make a name for herself. But not for the wrong reasons.

When an embarrassing video of Adalyn goes viral, her father sends her to a small town to turn around their struggling soccer team. She arrives armed with plans to kick them into shape only to find a group of nine-year-old girls. One person is there to help: Cameron Caldani, a goalkeeping legend who is also inexplicably in town. After an unfortunate incident involving a rooster, the two find themselves on opposing sides.

Adalyn thinks Cameron is a surly, scowling brute. Cameron thinks Adalyn needs to take life less seriously. Despite their differences, the two need to play nice and remember they’re on the same team. After all, it’s a long game… 

How had I not read any book by Elena Armas before this one, she's fabulous.  Wow the sexual chemistry between Adalyn and Cameron is so strong, even when they are sniping at each other. 

It's a clear enemies to lover trope, and one that I loved every second of, from the fact that it centres around women's soccer (it's based in America, so I'll use their term, but clearly football!), and a small football club in the heart of small town USA. 

In fact there is so much about this book that makes me think it would make a wonderful film, it certainly would fill most boxes and would be a joy to see on a large screen.  

And the characters, especially Adalyn, and Cameron with his almost Southern drawl, I absolutely adored getting to know them both, and as we see more of them, learning about their pasts.  

And the real truth behind Adalyn's momentary loss of control that led to the viral video and her being exiled from the MLS club where she was working, to this small town posting, will have you wishing you could have done exactly the same as she did. 

If you aren't a sports fan, then please don't worry there is very little actual sport, or specific training exercises or anything in this story, which is to my eyes a shame as the more sport the better in my eyes! 

I just loved though every page of this book, it completely gripped me and hoping for good things for our leads.  Add in some wildlife, some hilarious children, some secrets and all manner of wonderful dialogue and you have a wonderful book in your hands. 

I'm definitely an Elena Armas convert and feel like I either need to wait for her to write another book, or to start reading the back catalogue! 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.