This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Verdict: A gentle, feel-good slow burn about two women carving out space in the NFL, with thoughtful attention to sexism and homophobia in sport. Readers liked the premise and characters; many found the romance understated to the point of lacking chemistry, and the family drama distracting.
Best for: Readers who want a low-key workplace romance about women breaking into men’s sport.
Heat level: Moderate
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.3/5 — a 3.75 Goodreads average across 522 ratings, 3.59 on StoryGraph from 93 reviews, and 4.4 stars across 153 Amazon ratings for the audiobook)
Tropes: Forbidden workplace romance, athlete and trainer, slow burn, women in a man’s world, opposites attract.
Romancing the Kicker is Catherine Lane’s 2018 contemporary lesbian romance from Ylva Publishing. Parker Sherbourne, a former pro soccer player with a talent for seduction, becomes the first woman kicker in pro football; Carly Bartlett is the Rollers’ new athletic trainer.
It holds a 3.75 average across 522 Goodreads ratings, with 63% of them four or five stars, 3.59 on StoryGraph from 93 reviews, and 4.4 stars across 153 Amazon ratings for the audiobook.
What Is Romancing the Kicker About?
Parker knows her position is a stunt, but she has always turned situations to her advantage. Carly needs this dream job for her family’s financial security, and the head trainer has one rule: don’t get involved with a player.
When Parker comes to Carly for treatment, sparks fly — and the macho world of football is against them both.
What Works in This Romance
- Women in sport: Readers appreciated the depiction of discrimination against women and queer people in football.
- Carly’s family: One reader especially loved her grandmother and brother.
- Feel-good tone: Readers call it sweet, understated and pleasant.
- Audio: Abby Craden’s narration wins praise.
Book Synopsis
The league’s first woman kicker and its only other woman on staff are drawn together despite every rule.
Can a charmer who plays the angles slow down for love?
My Review
This is a quiet book that takes its premise seriously. Readers who enjoy understated romance and underdog stories found it satisfying.
Critics found little chemistry — one called it no burn — and felt the family drama and many subplots pulled focus from the romance. Others wanted more sport or more on what it means to be the first woman kicker, found the ending drawn out, or thought the characters acted unprofessionally.
My honest note: Consider the audiobook.
| Element | In Romancing the Kicker |
|---|---|
| Central relationship | Parker Sherbourne, a pro football kicker, & Carly Bartlett, an athletic trainer |
| Core tropes | Forbidden workplace romance, slow burn, women in a man’s world |
| Setting | The Las Vegas High Rollers, a pro football team |
| Heat level | Moderate |
| Length | 311 pages (Kindle listing) |
| Series | Standalone |
| Content notes | Sexism, homophobia, racism (minor) |
How Spicy Is Romancing the Kicker?
Moderately. StoryGraph users tag moderate sexual content; the book is more slow burn than steam.
StoryGraph users have also flagged sexism and minor racism, and readers note homophobia in the locker room.
Who Should Read This Book?
You’ll likely love it if: you want a gentle story about women breaking barriers. It is on our sapphic sports romance list.
You may want to skip it if: you need sizzling chemistry.
In short: Sweet, steady, understated.
What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)
On Goodreads the split is 22% five stars, 41% four, 30% three, 7% two and 1% one. On StoryGraph, 80% tagged it lighthearted and 90% found the characters loveable.
Why readers love it (according to the discourse): The premise first. Second, the social themes. Third, Carly’s family. Fourth, the narration.
What readers argue about and complain about: Little chemistry, above everything. Second, crowded subplots. Third, not enough football.
The comparison worth making first: For another trainer-and-athlete romance, see Love and Sportsball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Romancing the Kicker about?
Parker Sherbourne is signed by the Las Vegas High Rollers as a point-after kicker — the first woman in the league, partly as a publicity stunt. Carly Bartlett, the new athletic trainer, has been warned not to get involved with players.
Do I need to know American football?
No. Readers say most of the story happens off the field.
Is it a slow burn?
Yes. Fans enjoyed the understated build; one critic said it was more no burn than slow burn.
Does it have a happy ending?
Yes. Readers confirm a happy ending.
Is there an audiobook?
Yes, narrated by Abby Craden — and several listeners call her narration a highlight.
If You Loved Romancing the Kicker, Read These Next
Browse our sapphic sports romance list and the full Book Reviews archive.
The Bottom Line
Romancing the Kicker sets out to be a feel-good romance about women in pro football, and it is thoughtful. What holds it back is a romance that rarely catches fire. For fans of quiet slow burns. Check Romancing the Kicker on Amazon →
The Eikna Overall Ranking
On the Eikna scale, Romancing the Kicker ranks as a fair sports romance — pleasant, muted.
The Evidence Scorecard
Overall ★★★☆☆ 3.3/5
- ✓ 3.75 average across 522 Goodreads ratings
- ✓ 63% of Goodreads ratings are four or five stars
- ✓ 3.59 on StoryGraph from 93 reviews
- ✓ 4.4 stars across 153 Amazon audiobook ratings
Romance ★★★☆☆ 2.9/5
- ✓ Slow burn
- ✓ Understated
- ✓ Little chemistry for critics
- ✓ Forbidden
Characters ★★★★☆ 3.5/5
- ✓ 90% loveable characters
- ✓ Charming Parker
- ✓ Grounded Carly
- ✓ Warm family
Writing ★★★☆☆ 3.3/5
- ✓ Smooth
- ✓ Off-field focus
- ✓ Crowded subplots
- ✓ Drawn-out ending
Emotional Impact ★★★☆☆ 3.2/5
- ✓ Tagged lighthearted by 80%
- ✓ Discrimination themes
- ✓ Feel-good
- ✓ Low tension
Heat Level ★★★☆☆ 2.5/5
- ✓ Moderate
- ✓ Mostly slow burn
- ✓ Moderate tag
- ✓ Understated
Ending ★★★★☆ 3.5/5
- ✓ Happy ending
- ✓ Drawn out
- ✓ Standalone
- ✓ Satisfying
Re-read Value ★★★☆☆ 3.2/5
- ✓ $9.99 Kindle price
- ✓ Abby Craden audiobook
- ✓ 311 pages
- ✓ Not on Kindle Unlimited
Affiliate disclosure: Lesbian Romance Reads is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. If you buy through the link below we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
1 thought on “Romancing the Kicker Review — Is It Worth Reading?”