Kirkus
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High school juniors Lacey Kerr and Vaughn Collins seemingly couldn’t be more different, but when romance blossoms, they must decide what’s most important to them. Lacey is the ever-optimistic cheer captain who’s trying to finish her late mom’s bucket list as a way of connecting with her. Vaughn is the serious, brooding captain of the soccer team who’s obsessed with making it to the state championships. When Vaughn fails an algebra test, his coach, who’s also his famous soccer star dad, benches him until he can get his grades up. Lacey resents Vaughn for the way he dumped her best friend, Claire, but she reluctantly agrees to tutor him for the sake of the team’s success. The last thing the white-presenting duo expect is to fall in love, but their attraction builds as they discover their hidden similarities. Jenshak authentically portrays the struggles of balancing a relationship with academics, athletics, and parental expectations and commitments. The dynamic characterization and adorable romance are the story’s highlights, but the fast-paced soccer scenes boost the pace. Vaughn, in particular, shows genuine growth. This dual-perspective novel works as a stand-alone, but fans of the series’ opener,Stealing for Keeps (2024), will be delighted by glimpses into the ongoing relationship between Claire and Austin, the leads of the earlier story. A sweet high school sports romance whose engaging leads will draw readers in. (high school bucket list, reading group guide)(Romance. 14-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.