Ready to Score is the perfect sapphic sports romance for Pride Month

For quite some time, I’ve adored the works of Jodie Slaughter, eagerly following her progress as a published writer. Consequently, reading “Ready to Score” was a top priority for me in June.

Located in the same charming town featured in “Bet on It” and “Play to Win”, this heartwarming novel is destined to captivate readers, especially fans of Jodie Slaughter’s enchanting storytelling. Unlike its predecessors which were male-female romances, “Ready to Score” breaks new ground by exploring a delightful female-female relationship.

As a cinema enthusiast, the captivating cover alone drew me in during Pride Month, and I simply couldn’t resist diving into its pages. The choice to add this book to my collection was an effortless one, eagerly awaiting if the enchantment of Jodie Slaughter would persist. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

It’s great that St. Martin’s Griffin brought this book to my attention and sent me an advance reader copy, allowing me to read and share my thoughts about it earlier than usual.

Ready to Score is an unforgettable sapphic sports romance

Before delving into my critique, I should mention that I’m an ardent football enthusiast, so when I discovered the plot revolved around two women aspiring to become football coaches, I was instantly hooked. The series focuses on Jade Dunn, a teacher and assistant coach for Greenbelt’s football team, who appears to be the perfect candidate to succeed the retiring head coach. However, Francesca enters the scene, and from there, the real excitement commences.

Initially, it’s evident that Jade has no interest in interacting with, let alone being friendly towards Francesca Lim. However, Lim persists and chooses to invest more effort. Remarkably, they both start attending the weekly poker nights at the coach’s house. It appears as though they keep crossing paths, yet the appeal between them is undeniable. Moreover, their rivalry for a spot on the coaching staff adds complexity to this small-town love story, making it far from idyllic.

As a film enthusiast, watching the gradual rapport between Dunn and Lim brought me immense pleasure, yet it was disheartening to witness Jade’s cold and dismissive attitude towards Francesca. I understand that part of this behavior stemmed from her denial of her feelings, but it was truly aggravating. Lim was earnestly seeking acceptance in the town, and perhaps a new friend in Jade. Despite the eventual resolution, Jade’s conduct was nothing short of frustrating.

No matter what, the intense connection and love between Francesca and Jade ignited once it began. These two were drawn together like moths to a flame, and when they came into contact, it was as if they couldn’t break away. One thing that I always appreciate about Jodie Slaughter’s books is the tender emotion she infuses in them. Watching these characters connect on both an emotional and physical level created a captivating reading experience.

I really appreciated the unique third-act conflict that Jodie Slaughter introduced in the book. It made the story feel incredibly authentic. Jade’s poor decisions led to some difficult outcomes, but they were so amusingly portrayed that I couldn’t help but laugh as I visualized it all unfolding. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this book and would recommend it, especially for those seeking sporty romantic tales with a sapphic twist. Be sure to include Ready to Score on your reading list.

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2025-06-03 21:14