From Sara Rider, a fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Keeping Score is a fast-paced, sizzling sequel in the Perfect Play series that'll leave everyone needing a cool down...
Professional soccer player Jaime Chen is used to hearing the word "no"-she's just not used to listening to it. Despite her tiny frame, she's won two Olympic medals and earned the title of Assistant Captain of the Seattle Falcons. And when Sport Fitness magazine decides it wants her for the cover of its annual Bodies of Sport issue, she finally has the chance to prove to the world that she truly is a top-class athlete. But when a lingering ankle injury forces the team's physiotherapist to bench her, Jaime's top-ranking dreams start to slip through her fingers.
In his career as a pro sports physiotherapist, Alex Martinez's instincts have never steered him wrong. But he's also never met someone as obstinate and frustrating as the snarky Jaime Chen. With their spot in the playoffs on the line, the Falcons' owner gives him an ultimatum: get Jaime back in the game or kiss his job goodbye. When she skips yet another appointment with him, the only way he can wrangle a diagnosis from the medically-phobic midfielder is to stick to her like a shadow. But getting close to the woman who simultaneously irritates him and turns him on like no other is the last thing he wants to do.
Usually, when I read a sports romance, the hero is the athlete. That said, one of the things I like most about this series is that it focuses on female athletes. Rider talks about the sacrifices of a female athlete, the difference in funding for women's teams versus men's teams. She describes the games, the practices, the cuts and bruises. I appreciate someone putting female athletes up on a pedestal.
I really enjoyed this book. I found Jaime to be an awesome heroine. She was a good friend and a great athlete with a huge heart, tons of determination, and the desire to live life to the nth degree. Her health struggles and her back story made me care for Jaime, but her moxie and humor made me love her. Alex burrowed his way into my heart early on. The way he cared about his players and his family set my heart aflame. The two of them together was perfect. The banter, the lust, the love -- it's was all great.
I also enjoyed the plot of this book. Yes, there is the romance, but there was also Jaime's health mystery and Alex's career problems. I really liked the way it all played out, and was quite captivated the entire story.
I will also say there is a ton of diversity. We have Chinese and Latino MCs, as well as two moms announcing they are expecting their first child.
Overall: fun sport romance with lots of empowering female moments.
