The Striker (Deluxe Edition) (Gods of the Game, 1) Paperback – October 22, 2024

Tropes:🩰brother's rival⚽️ballerina x football player🩰forced proximity⚽️semi-secret dating🩰set in London, England⚽️he grovels (it's amazing)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This is hands down one of my top reads of the year! I really tried to take my time reading this one because I don't know how I'm supposed to wait till March for another new Ana book, but every time I picked up this book I just didn't want to stop reading. This book was almost 600 pages and I could have easily read 600 more about these two. The chemistry, the tension, the hardships, the growth all of it was truly 10/10. And what I love so much about Ana's books is the universes she creates. When I read I feel like I can picture everything so vividly and I feel like I am in a movie. I connected so deeply to these characters and was so invested in them right from page one. If Ana is gonna do one thing, she's gonna write a bad ass FMC who knows how to hold her own and that's exactly what Scarlett was. She had been through so much but every time she came out stronger and she was so inspiring. And Asher & I don't even know where to start. When I say this man owns me, y'all don't even understand how serious I am. I was down BAD for him immediately and everything he did for Scarlett throughout the book had me falling more and more in love with him page after paged and let me tell you, the spice in this one🥵🥵I also cannot wait for book two!! We got a few snippets of who the couple in book two will be and their dynamic and I KNOW it's gonna hit did someone say coaches daughter?

While i’m so tired of 700 page books, i still devoured it. Could easily have been a cutesy 300 pager but there were so many different tidbits throughout the story that kept me going. There were SO many different cameos from every other series that made it so fun to read. Literally the mentions of characters from the If Love series, Twisted series and Kings of Sin took place. it was fabulous! Also related, I was a ballerina when a ligament in my knee started to tear and i couldn’t dance anymore AND my boyfriend is a soccer player so that’s cool!I love the family involvement throughout the series and all the obstacles the mmc and fmc persevered through. The supporting characters were equally entertaining throughout this read!

If you're looking for a quick, steamy read, The Striker might do the trick. This brother's rival sports romance features a soccer star and a former prima ballerina, and it works as a standalone. While I didn't strongly connect with the characters, I appreciated the cameos from characters in previous books – those are always a treat! The spicy scenes were decent, but overall, the book was just okay for me. Nothing particularly stood out, but it wasn't bad either.

I honestly don't know what took me so long in reading this book But I am kind of glad I did so I don't have to wait too long for the next 1. Anna just has a way of creating the most romantic Men and the most fierce FMCs

I listened to the audio version of this book and so happy i did to get the full effect of the characters. Not my favorite book from Ana twisted love still has that title. But did love that Kia and Isabella made a cameo. Asher and Scarlett chemistry is cute. The fact that Asher did anything and everything to make sure Scarlett wasn't ever in any pain if he could help it. He gave her the push and security to that she needed to find the strength in herself to try and dance again that no matter what he would be there for her. Just as she was there for him without question. My favorite part was that he built the room for her but not as much as his six month anniversary present 💜💜💜

I have been on a Huang kick since starting Twisted Love in March!!! Loving ALL of her characters and their stories!!!!

I'm by no means a sport fanatic, so I was a bit spectacle about starting this series. Asher and Scarletts story was great. Can't wait to see what Vincent and Brooklyn's story will be.

was really excited about finally reading Asher’s story. But this book lacked Ana’s characteristic drama-infused plot. Erotic romance is Huang’s main attraction, but her books actually have plots worth following. The secret dating wasn’t that exciting, there wasn’t charged tension (like Kai and Isabella’s. Ana I will never get over King of Pride). There was so much that could have been explored here: privacy intrusion by the media, rivalry with the brother, trust issues.Asher’s backstory could have been better exploited: I don’t think he was spinning out of control or unwilling to face his demons. He has a past, but until 80% of the book, it’s like he went through it and was living a rather functional life. One could argue that many live that way: burying their issues, and then something triggers it. Nonetheless, I never felt like Asher was struggling with impulsiveness or self-destruction👀Now, we all love a man who is assertive and communicative. Asher ticked all the romantic boxes. No notes, 10/10.As for Scarlett, I appreciated her growth as a character. It was rather refreshing to get the POV of someone who is rebuilding their life and finding new direction after a personal tragedy. Also, that she is willing to put herself out there and trust. On an unrelated note, ballet was supposed to be a major part of Scarlett’s life but it fell flat in my opinion. Some lingo, students, a tough headmistress. But that was it. Ballet deserved more page-time.