Maggie Wells’ Love Game totally took me by surprise. Had I not stumbled on the Dear Author review that clued me in to the fact that it’s a sports romance that features characters over the age of 40, I might not have picked it up. And did I mention that it’s a feminist romance? Done and done.
Love Game turns the sports romance genre on its ear, leading with a basketball coach heroine who’s at the top of her game. In a department usually dominated by men, Wolcott University basketball Coach Kate Snyder is a legend, a hotshot…who’s wildly underpaid. Danny McMillan rolls into town to coach the less than spectacular football team at Wolcott. Fresh off a scandal, he’s scraped his way back into Division 1 ball and has nothing to lose.
Love Game is refreshing on so many levels. Both coaches are full-fledged adults who’ve been around the block. Kate is talented, driven and totally unapologetic about it. She’s as cocky as ANY winning coach would be. It is SO GREAT to see those tables turned. Danny is secure enough not only to NOT be intimated by Kate’s drive and physical abilities, but to be totally enamored by them. The banter and the chemistry are pretty electric from the get-go, and these two give as good as they get.
I loved that this book made pay (in)equity part of its narrative and allowed Kate to leverage her personal capital to make things happen. Although it starts off basically as animal attraction between these two, it evolves into a partnership, a true team effort, as Kate and Danny go toe-to-toe with the forces working against them. And it is so satisfying.
The supporting cast is rounded out by the college’s athletic director; Ty Ransom, the men’s basketball coach; and Kate’s friends, Millie and Avery (who are a couple of characters themselves). I can’t wait for book two, Play for Keeps, which drops on April 3.
Favorite line:”Kate’s eyebrows rose…Lines creased her high forehead, but the marks only made her more attractive. They spoke of a life lived open to surprise and amusement.”
Amen to that.
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