REVIEW: The Striker by Ana Huang

The Striker by Ana Huang: When you think football legend or Premire League, it’s no surprise that the first name that comes up is Asher Donavan, after all he is footballs darling and all time league top scorer. While Asher might be golden on the feild his behavior off the feild has gotten him into more than a few tight spots, the most recent being his rivalry with now teammate Vincent DuBois. With thier tension and animosity now bleeding into the way the team plays; Coach decides to force the two into off season cross training as a form of bonding the two.

Suffering through an entire summer training with Vincent is not ideal but Asher can survive, well that is until he meets his new trainer… beautiful, talented and witty Scarlett. There is nothing that Asher doesn’t not find appealing about Scarlett well nothing except the fact that she is Vincent’s sister! As a former prima ballerina turned teacher there is nothing less appealing than the idea of dating a footballer again, so realisticly training Asher Donavan should be a cake walk… well it would be if only he wasn’t so damn charming and had a knack for pushing past every wall Scarlett puts up. Training Asher is going to be the easy part, trying to keep her heart locked away is going to prove to be a whole challenge on its own, especially seeing as her brother absolutely hates the guy…

I loved reading this book! I strongly feel that there needs to be more football related romcoms so I am happy to see Huang starting this new series centered around the English football world. Now I will say this is a bit of a long slow burn read but gosh was it worth it! I loved the build up between our main characters and getting to see all the tension escalate. I liked the balance between the football world and the romance in this book, and getting to see how athletes have to balance their personal lives with their public image.

I just adored Asher, he was charming but sweet, cocky but could back himself and most of all he had a heart of gold. We really get to see his character go through a wave of emotions, from transferring teams mid-season and having to find his feet with his once rival team, go dealing with losing the support of his former teammates and even his own father. Gosh his relationship with his father was a bit hard to digest, at first I really wanted to dislike him but I had a feeling that there would be more to their uphill relationship and I am glad that I didn’t write this relationship off. Though the thing that really broke my heart was seeing that Asher still carried guilt over the death of his childhood friend, this was just heartbreaking but I did like the way this chapter ended. Now for our leading lady, well Scarlett had her own battles to face and for the most part I really just wanted to give her a big hug. I loved that even though she has been through so much she never gave up her love for dance. Though I do have to say that my heart just hurt for her and the fact that she was still in pain after her accident. I loved the fact that Asher helped push her to dance again and helped her find herself as a dancer again, this was just beautiful.

The chemistry between these two was just perfection. The underlying tension was ever present and I just loved seeing both of them trying to deny their attraction. As much as I love the brothers best friend trope, brothers rival might just be my new favourite! The added forbidden element to their relationship only made this book all the more delicious and spicy to read. Good gosh was there spice! These two did not lack in the steam department at all! As much as they steamed up the pages I also really enjoyed getting to see them support each other and help each other become better versions of themselves. I think the only thing that I did not love was the third act break up, personally I felt Scarlett was being a bit dramatic but in the end Asher won her back with a romance worthy gesture.

As much as this was about Scarlett and Asher, it would be a miss to not give Vincent a bit of credit. At first he came across as an arrogant ass but the more we got to know him the more I warmed to his character, until I can safely say I want his book next asap! I really liked that he was so fiercely protective of Scarlett and getting to see their relationship unfold. Though I have to say I loved seeing his relationship with Asher grow from enemies to sort of friends. As for the rest of the Blackcastle team, well they were hilarious. I loved all the parts with the guys and all their wacky comments. As much as I lived their Blackcastle bookclub idea, I couldn’t help but feel like this was a bit to close to The Bromance Bookclub. Granted the Bromance boys have never gone into Dino smut…

I loved reading The Striker, this book was the perfect combination of slow burn goodness, sassy banter, forbidden romance and a pretty swoony love story. If you are like me and a fan of football and romcoms then this is definitely the book for you!

Book Info:

Publication: October 22, 2024 | Bloom Books | Gods of the Game #1

She’s the only woman he wants…and the only one he can’t have.

Asher Donovan is a living legend—the darling of the Premier League, the (arguably) greatest footballer in the world.

But his reckless antics and recent team transfer have caused much controversy, and when his feud with his rival-turned-teammate costs them a championship, they’re forced to “bond” during off-season cross-training.

Surviving the summer shouldn’t be hard…until Asher meets their new trainer. She’s beautiful, talented, and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t take his mind off her.

The only problem? She’s his rival’s sister—and completely off limits.

***

Scarlett DuBois is a former prima ballerina whose career was cut short by a tragic accident.

Now a teacher at a prestigious dance academy but still haunted by the ghosts of her past, the last thing she wants is to spend the summer cross-training Asher Donovan, of all people .

She swore she would never date a footballer, but when her brother leaves town for an emergency, she finds herself thrown into dangerously close proximity with the gorgeous, charming striker.

Training, she can deal with. But falling in love? That’s out of the question—especially when he’s the only person with the power to break her heart.