The Striker (Gods of the Game #1)
If you're looking for that perfect enemies-to-lovers sports romance with family drama thrown in, this book delivers!
Set against the glamorous backdrop of the English Premier League, this novel follows Asher Donovan, a talented but troubled footballer whose world gets completely turned upside down when he's forced to work with his arch-rival Vincent DuBois. As if that tension wasn't enough, Asher finds himself falling hard for his new trainer, Scarlett DuBois - yes, his nemesis's sister! Talk about complicated!
What makes this book shine is how Huang balances the high-stakes world of professional football with the grace and discipline of ballet through Scarlett's background as a former prima ballerina. The contrast between these two worlds creates this tension that mirrors the characters' emotional journeys. Their training sessions? Electric. The way Asher's rough-around-the-edges football persona clashes with Scarlett's ballet precision is both hilarious and adorable.
The family dynamics here are perfect - the protective brother, the forbidden attraction, the complicated loyalties. Every interaction feels loaded with history and meaning. And don't even get me started on the slow-burn romance - Huang knows exactly how to build tension until you're practically screaming at the pages for the characters to just kiss already!
Perfect for fans of sports romances who want depth, heart, and characters that feel like real people with real struggles. This one's going straight to my "read again immediately" pile!
Rating: 4/5 Locker Room Looks✨
