The game of soccer (or football to many countries) is the backdrop for this romance featuring leads Antonia and Camila. The former recognized as a top female Brazilian player - the latter (while a top UCLA player) is sadly better known as the daughter of a former top Uruguayan soccer player. Camila wants desperately to make her own path without her father's interference. Both women end up playing for the Houston Starlight. From instant dis to eventual sex then sharing an apartment together - the rivalry to excel explodes. Time will tell if they can become more than rivals - maybe lovers as well as friends? Is any sort of future possible?
Scandal and heat, team friendships, homesickness and love of family are woven into a nicely developed plot with unexpected twists and pushed me to read from beginning to end in one shot.
Another fine addition to the ISR series. 5 stars because what the heck I love women's football!!

I rec'd a copy from the author however this is an unbiased, voluntary review.14 s Lorraine Rusnack1,008 27

Very exciting read between the main characters and the soccer matches. Carmen has lived in her father’s shadow for so long she is doubting her success. Antonia loves the sport and wants to succeed so she can help her brother. Carmen blows hot and cold from the beginning but their heat is undeniable. I loved this second book as much as the first.

I received an arc copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.5 s Conny B318 46

I am a huge football (soccer) fan and played myself for a long time. I even got together with  my wife because we played on the same team. That there are rarely any books in this genre where at least one of the women plays this sport is somehow funny or maybe even weird.
 
To make it short I was totally excited for this book, also because I loved Johana Gavez other story. Her last one Tell Me What You Want was totally hot and as it seems she wanted to keep the heat right there with us. I have to say that our weather these days is way too hot and at some point I wasn't sure if it's wise to continue reading this story… lol Of course I didn't stop because I wanted to know what happens next in this enemies to lovers story. Camila and Antonia clash with each other right away on their first day in a new team. Both are looking for their place. Camila as the child of a former football professional finally wants to get somewhere without her dad, but that's easier said then done. Antonia on the other hand left her country Brazil to follow her dream and finally being able to support her brother the way he supported her after the death of their mum.
 
If you ask Camila then Antonia is way too talented and just annoys the hell out of her. Everyone is in awe of her, while her own success often had to do with her father. Running and lashing out is way easier than opening up. But running away isn't easy when there is this pull, one you can't ignore. It's fire and ice meet each other and when they meet the temperatures in the room skyrocket into infinity. As fast as they get together, the slower it takes them to finally open up or rather for Camila to open up to Antonia. I especially loved these moments and wished we would have a bit more of them in the end. one or two more chapters with them talking about their families and pasts. But that's really only a tiny complain. Otherwise I was in heaven reading a story about this sports and had to smile about the assistant coach. She definitely reminded me of a certain football player and I'm almost sure Johana had her in mind too. Lol
 
I definitely recommend this story and I'm already looking forward to Johana's next.

I received an advance reader copy from the author and voluntarily leaving a review.5 s LaurenAuthor 4 books97

I am a big fan of Gavez’s work already so I was so excited to start ‘Score to Love’; although I know literally nothing about football (soccer) so I cannot speak to the sporting aspect of the book, I adored this romance so much!
Antonia is a talented player who pushes herself by dreaming of making a better life for her and her brother. Her life may not have always been easy but it has all led to this opportunity to play for the Houston Starlight team. In contrast Camila has seemingly had it easy in her career but the supposed help from her soccer star father has always felt a target on her back. Needless to say the two women don’t see eye to eye but from their mutual competition comes respect and a definite attraction.
I loved the way Gavez depicted their dynamic relationship and their back-and-forth was brilliantly done. One thing I enjoy about her novels is the character development and the level of detail that brings them right off of the page- their speech and interactions are never forced and it makes her stories a joy to read. Needless to say ‘Score to Love’ has everything you could want in a sapphic romance; humour, gorgeous flirtation and of course some complications along the way. And from a fan POV there are a few great tie-ins to the other novel in her collection ‘Match to Love’, which I also cannot recommend highly enough!

20224 s Ashlee298 22

Score to Love was a great addition to the sports series Johana Gavez is writing. This one centers around the soccer field and two teammates who start out as enemies who prove the line between love and hate is very thin. I really d the chemistry and relationship progression of Camila and Antonia. Their back and forth kept me entertained and wondering if there would be a happy ending. Daniela's agent from book one in this series makes a reappearance and I'm wondering if she may end up being the common link to this series. As always Gavez' writing was great and I can't wait to read the next one.arc-20224 s m&gs388 12

3.5
wish we could’ve seen more of their rivals dynamic before they started hooking up, they meet and camila immediately diss antonia bc she has a natural talent and assumes she hasn’t worked for anything vs antonia assumes that camilla has had everything handed down to her bc her dads a renowned football player and then they kiss at a party the next day. i also thought that camila’s relationship with her parents was done kinda poorly, we’re told as readers that she will only be seen as her father’s daughter and her mother never paid attention to her but it fell so flat, i wish that there had been more focus on antonia’s family especially her relationship with her brother which i really d. but this still fun to read about, always been a fan of the uptight rule sticker + flirty rule breaker dynamics
we really need more sapphic rival sports romances2022-pub gen-contemp gen-lesbians ...more2 s Michelle Schuler756 11

Score to Love

Second book by Johana Gavez that I read. It was as entertaining as the first. I enjoyed the short series. I will look forward to more in the future by her. 2 s Karen794 8

This is another entertaining sports romance by Gavez featuring two young women of South American descent. Antonia comes from Brazil. When her mother died, her brother gave up his dreams to take care of Antonia. That’s a sacrifice she never forgot, and she sees success as a way to be able to pay her brother back. Camila’s father was a Uruguayan soccer star who moved to the US where Camila was born. She’s always wanted to please him, but to also make it on her own. They’re both young, and although Camila may be a couple years older, she seems younger. That might be because she didn’t have to cope with adversity as much as Antonia has until an event much later in the story.

In some ways, this felt a coming-of-age story, at least for Camila. She had to get over her dis of the brash, confident Antonia, and her own self-doubts. Slowly but surely, with a few setbacks, the two young women become closer and the dynamic between them changes. Camila becomes the soccer player she wanted to be, even after the issues that beset her. It took me a while to warm up to Camila, but Gavez won me over. This is not my favorite Gavez book, but it kept my attention.
2 s Wendy73 3

Score to Love is an enemies to lovers sports romance set inside the world of women’s soccer. Camilla and Antonia find themselves playing on the same team and Houston and don’t exactly hit it off. They pretty much hate each other, yet that hate quickly turns into passion and, more slowly, feelings.

The story itself is interesting with Camilla trying to find her way outside of her famous fathers shadow and Antonia trying to stay positive while missing her brother who she left back in Brazil. The soccer scenes were also great. I would give the story 4 stars. I had to knock it down to 3 for the overall review because for too long I reeeaally didn’t Camilla. For almost 3/4 of the book she ran hot and cold and was kinda just a mean jerk. It’s a romance so she obviously comes around, but she really just wasn’t pleasant to read after a while. Antonia’s character was great and much more enjoyable and half the time I was just cut and run already!

If you are a fan of soccer romances I would recommend this, or if you have more patience than me for grumpy protagonists.

I received an ARC and am leaving an honest review in return.sporty1 Arley436 58

SAPPHIC SOCCER PLAYERS.

That’s what got me. I am on a quest to find a sports romance that is amazing. This is better than some I have read, but I have not found it yet.

I’m going to be hella honest, this book was a 2.5 start for over half the book, I don’t know what happened but the last 3rd of the book saved it. I understood the rivalry, Antonia thought Camila had everything handed to her and didn’t actually have to work to get where she is, Camila thought Antonia was a show off, and naturally good at everything so SHE didn’t have to work for anything. So Camila is 22 and Antonia is 19, tell me why Camila was the one who acted a teenager rather than the actual teenager? Camila hated Antonia because she was jealous that Antonia was an amazing player. Antonia only gave the same energy that she was given, but Camila actually pushed her on the field.

Once Camila got over her shit, the book got significantly better. This is the first book I have read by this author.
Overall a good time, 3.5 stars. Might pick up the first book in this series.contemp-rom-sport diversity-rep dual-pov-multi-pov ...more1 Lily MordauntAuthor 1 book11

d but didn’t love

I d but didn’t love this one. I felt for Camila but her character ran too hot/cold. And for how nonchalantly Antonia seemed to be about the relationship, I don’t understand why—besides this being a story—she stuck around. And while I d Antonia more, her arrogance was a little frustrating.
After starting this review with complaints why, you may be wondering did I give this book the rating I did. The sweet moments between the characters were really sweet—the beach and fireworks. I really enjoyed reading the soccer/football scenes and loved Antonia’s relationship with her brother. So 2 felt too low and 4 too high.
Random thought that didn’t quite fit anywhere: since Antonia was 19, was she ever carded when they went out?
I think I would read more by this author.1 karen fitzgerald162 2

Such a great book!
I loved both the main characters, they really came alive for me, especially Antonia who is such a lively happy person. Even though they spend a lot of the time not getting on with each other there are a few moments when they do and the rapport between them put a few smiles on my face as I read. The push and pull between them has been done so well and does not feel stretched out is so often the case in this trope. I always enjoy Johana Gavez’s books but I am really enjoying this sports series, can’t wait for the next one.1 tabz9 3

As a Brazilian I feel is my duty to defend my people. Yes, we put ketchup on our pizza but we mean well.

Fun fact: Rio and São Paulo have an epic rivalry and people from Rio love to put ketchup on everything while people from São Paulo hate it, so when we get together to eat we often end up fighting over ketchup. Exactly Antonia and López.

Also I was really moved by the definition of saudade that Antonia gave, I couldn’t said it better myself. 1 MS J95

I love women's football, used to play it, so I guess this book was always going to be a winner for me.
Good characters, got to know about their backgrounds and what drove them. Great chemistry, some hot moments. All with a HEA.
2nd book I've read from Johana and enjoyed them both.1 Lynette4

Great Story

This was an excellent story of two people finding themselves and each other in the process. As an avid soccer fan, that angle made the story even better. I loved it!1 dovesnook613 232

The conflict towards the end came outta left field latinx-authors1 Kates79 22

This was one of my most anticipated reads and it delivered full pelt!

The enemies with benefits to lovers worked amazing, providing the angst but still maintaining a sweetness to the romance.

Antonia, my love, is patient and understanding with Camila as they navigate their rough first meeting in learning to become civil teammates and more by bonding over football and being in a new city.

With the extra forced proximity element, they really become taken by each other yearning to be sharing space, watching that transition was so cute to see.

5 STARS1 LaraAuthor 11 books60 Read

I edited this book in the International Sports Romance collectioncontemporary edited ff-romance1 Claudia733 6

Camila was not it

I love Antonia! Love her confidence and honesty. As well as her caring side. And who wouldn’t love someone who s to cook!
What didn’t work for me was Camila. The book was mostly focused on her whiny, judgemental and rich kid problems. She hates being judged yet she was very judgmental. I felt she didn’t give enough to Antonia when it came to the relationship because She was always so focused on herself. She kept hurting Antonia with her on and off, hot and cold indecisions. I wanted her to redeem herself but she didn’t at the end because she was still so much focused on herself. even though Antonia had a great opportunity Camila still made it about herself because she was feeling lonely. Camilla was very insecure and because of that we didn’t really get to see her and Antonia be officially in a relationship. they don’t even get together till almost at the end of the book.
I’m glad Antonia put Boundaries when Camila wanted to be intimate with her because she didn’t deserve her. I honestly don’t why Camila was afraid of being vulnerable. I just feel she had very privileged life that her problems were hard to care about.
Also why was Antonia’s friend very outspoken about their feelings and relationship? Seemed a bit insensitive considering they were still working through it. a1,237

Didn't enjoy this one as much as I'd hoped I would.

I think for me what was challenging was that I didn't Antonia and I didn't feel the connection between Camila and her. It really rubbed me the wrong way how arrogant Antonia was and how she constantly talked about how she is a better soccer player than Camila. It also bothered me how throughout the entire book, it came off as if Camila was the weak, emotional one who clearly had a thing for Antonia but Antonia was fine just being friends with Camila if it came down to it. Basically, it felt Camila cared more than Antonia. Even in Antonia's POV, she never talks or thinks about Camila the way Camila does. Camila is ready to do anything to be with her but Antonia has her priorities and while she would to spend more time with Camila, she's perfectly fine leaving her and just being friends if things are going to get too complicated. Even at the end of the book, I still felt Camila was chasing Antonia and in a way, Camila is left completely on her own and Antonia is living her best life with her brother and on a team that pays her good money. Idk, it just didn't sit right with me. Their relationship doesn't work for me. f-f lgbt-reads poc-heroines Ellis Huang5

Sports romances are fun to read, and I really enjoyed Score to Love by Johana Gavez. Carina Sánchez and Antonia Carvalho are newly drafted players for the Houston Starlight, one of the US National Women's Soccer League teams. Carina is trying to make a name for herself outside of the shadow of her father, a legendary player from Uruguay, while Antonia is trying to excel so she can financially help out her family.

The two athletes, who are forced competitors, are immediately at each other's throats, but at the same time can't keep themselves away from each other, and sparks fly.

I enjoyed the dynamic between Antonia, who was social, popular, and a more laid back and go-with-the-flow type, and Camila, who was a lot more prickly, and whose worries and insecurities caused her to lash out at times. Seeing Camila grow to accept the more caring, nurturing Antonia as not only a teammate, but a lover, was wonderful to see.

This was a fun and pretty quick read, and I recommend reading both this and the author's other sports romance book, Match to Love (tennis themed). Cindy Stein661 7

Camila is the daughter of an international soccer superstar dad and a supermodel mother. Her dream is to rise up and become as great a player as her dad. When she lands a spot on a new women's team based in Houston, she is immediately at odds with Antonia, a player from Brazil. Their conflict is as intense as their mutual attraction, which lands them in bed multiple times with little idea of what this could mean.

This enemies-to-lovers story is also one where the sex happens right away and the love has to evolve more slowly. Thus, a lot of push-pull, especially on Camila's part, who has major trust issues.

Somehow I wanted more here. We have a good sense of Antonia's family background, but while we get some info about Camila's I wanted to better understand why she has such a frosty relationship with her mother. I also wanted to know more about any past relationships. 2022 lesfic-romance Kathy943

From jealousy to love!

Antonia has left the poverty of Brazil to play for the Houston Starlight soccer team to better opportunities for her brother and herself. Camilla grew up in the shadow of her famous father, a former soccer star and coach. She wants to prove to everyone that through hard work she deserves her chance to shine.

I have to admit that Antonia was easy to from the beginning, but it took a long while for me to finally understand Camilla. Her emotions were all over the place. Their chemistry was hot, but her interactions with Antonia were whiny, negative and insecure while Antonia remained caring, secure and honest.

I did, however, enjoy the camaraderie with their teammates and the knowledge I gained about soccer. The bonus chapter is the perfect ending to this sports romance! Evolet7159 2

Eh. I d it and I would have given it more than 3* (2.9*) if it wasn't for Camila, I did not her. Antonia was such a sweet and honest person, while Camila run hot and cold and constantly going back and forth with what she wanted it was giving me a whiplash. I wanted to reach into my Kindle and smack her on multiple accasions :D
The story was good, it had sport and romance between teammates, it was steamy. Basicly it had everything I in a book, but Camila kinda ruined for me, Antonia was a saint for puting up with her shit I tell ya, I was way less patient.

Overall good sports romance and if you are a fan of a constant push a pull relationships, this book might be the one for you. Fran Sappharc577 28

Although this is a novel with soccer at its heart a knowledge of the game, or even a liking of the game isn’t needed. The enemies to lovers trope can be quite tricky to do well, but this is done well, in that the enemies bit isn’t just fleeting, also it is among equals. Some of the periphery characters are okay and serve a purpose rather than leap off the page but the mains held my attention well. 3 feels a bit mean for a book that held my attention throughout but 4 seems a bit over generous and unfair to the other 4’s before. It is a good book. Suzi Vilkman20 2

A Total Score!

I loved this story so much. These young women find their match and even though at least one tries hard to fight it, soon enough they both realize that they work well together, both on the field and off.

Their careers separate them for a while but it only makes their hearts grow fonder and I would love to see what's next for them.

Recommended for those in search of a sweet sporty romance. Poll9

I hate sport. Gimme a library any day. But for some reason Johana Gavez has the power to make me sport. She did it with tennis in book one and she's done it now with soccer in book two. A really enjoyable afternoon's read with two relatable (as much as I can relate to anything about sport!) and likable characters. Well done!1 Xiaoqing295 6

I have read The first book in this series " Match to Love" and instantly loved it! This second book is just as good as the first one and I really enjoy the unique and lovely story and can't wait for the next book in this series! Jas78 5

Rating: 4.5/5

I'm not gonna lie, at the beginning, I hated these characters; however, the more I got into the story, I started loving them. It's a quick read, and it got me out of my reading slump! :) Anna Van80

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