This book was a bit of a let down to me. I don’t know if it was because it was my fourth consecutive MZ book and I’m slow-burned out but nothing about it really stood out to me. It was still good, and I enjoyed it, but I never felt that giddy high when the couple finally gets together 95% of the way in like other MZ books.

Sal feels like a very similar character to Jas (FLWL) and not just because both women are wholly dedicated towards excelling in their sport. They’re both head strong and hard headed and Sal just felt like a toned down version of Jas.

Kulti was there. I didn’t dislike him and even when he was apathetic I never hated him. I think the story should’ve gone more in depth about

his DUI, his injury, and his past failed marriage. They’re all discussed at a surface level it feels.

The worst part of the book was Sal’s constant idolization of Kulti and thinking poop over and over again to remind herself that Kulti poops. It’s weird. When Kulti hurts Sal’s dad’s feelings and she yells at him it’s written as if the bubble has finally popped and she’s opened her eyes to who Kulti really is and that he shouldn’t be idolized, but before they even make up she’s back to thinking about how hot he is. It’s 1) annoying to read and 2) makes for an  unbalanced foundation for a relationship.

The reveal that Kulti

kept Sal’s letter she wrote when she was a child and used it at motivation felt forced and weird. And that, unrelatedly, he chose to coach for her team because he thought she was the best. He didn’t even pay attention to her in the beginning. I don’t think that story really sticks.

Overall it was good but definitely my least favorite MZ.