Kallie Emblidge’s Two Left Feet is an utterly delightful debut featuring a Premier League golden boy and the eager rookie who threatens to steal his spot and his heart. If you loved Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute or Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry (and/or its hit TV adaptation on HBO), you won’t be able to resist Two Left Feet. Full of heart and a deep love of the sport, this soccer romance is a stunner.
Oliver Harris knew from an early age he would one day be a Camden Rose. Now in his mid-20s with several seasons under his belt, he’s practically royalty. Levelheaded and self-possessed, Oliver is a player his team can rely on, but this season is about to test him. With management breathing down his neck to win and a new coach bent on proving himself, the last thing Oliver needs is an injury that sidelines him just when his team needs him most.
To make matters worse, Oliver is asked to train his temporary replacement, the fresh-faced, talented (and extremely attractive) Leonardo Davis-Villanueva. Oliver has always kept his sexuality under wraps, unwilling to be the first out gay player in the Premier League. But as the season heats up, Oliver and Leo find themselves wondering what it means to play for keeps both on and off the field.
The romance world can’t get enough of sports love stories: There is something so tantalizing about two extremely hot teammates, at the peak of their physical fitness, being exceptionally good at sport while also being incredibly bad at feelings, especially when those feelings could cost them their career. The crux of many male-male sports romances hinges on the coming-out process, and Two Left Feet doesn’t stray from this template, which isn’t necessarily bad but certainly isn’t new. However, coming out as a professional athlete is still daunting, and Oliver and Leo must face down a league with a history of homophobia and a reputation for being unwilling to change. Making sure the stakes feel high but not insurmountable, Emblidge builds up two romantic leads with lots to lose—and a love that feels worth it.