Another sport romance read to my list with this 1st instalment from the Windy City series. A fun and quirky enemy to lover plot that served me with an enthralling execution and storytelling that centered through familial, mental health, friendship and self-love theme; bit intense and chaotic for the banters and conflicts yet the exploration almost a page-turner to me.
Meet Evan Zanders; the notorious playboy and arrogant athlete in Chicago Raptors who grew up without the love of his parents and forcely need to hide his kind, lovable and protective persona from the public and Stevie Shay; a flight attendant who works with the Raptors’ private plane having a dislike to one of the egotistical player who always bothering her onboard. From an unpleasant meet-cute to unexpected ‘are you following me’ incidents, I followed their alternating perspectives through a series of annoying and heart swooning interactions that soon has spark a chemistry and a new found friendship.
An easy to predict love story yet loving the characterization a lot and how the execution intertwining a gripping view of selfhood and one’s inner struggles; Zanders with his family issue and identity crisis while Stevie with her appearance insecurities and the pressure she received from her mother— a battle of anxieties to both with a glimpse on stigma and prejudice towards beauty standard, of self-acceptance and trust.
Well crafted side characters that gave me admirable friendship and supportive siblings narrative; Indy, Logan and the heartwarming relationship of Ryan and Stevie as well Lindsey to Zanders. Bearable intimate scenes which not too random or awkwardly plotted in between— bit cringe on the dialogues but loving their dynamics and those small cute bickerings which somehow addictive much.
A captivating romance plot overall; insightful exploration on the mental health and career parts as well Stevie and her animal-related volunteering job, so cozy and not really that cliche for an enemy to lover trope. Will definitely go with book 2 later for Ryan and Indy. 4 stars to this!
Thank Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review!