She's The Only Woman He Wants...And The Only One He Can't Have.

I recently finished reading The Striker by Ana Huang. This is book #1 in the Gods of the Game series.

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT

  Rating: 4/5 stars

"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."

I was so excited to dive back into Ana Huang’s world, and it was amazing to be in her universe again. This book was such a joy to read. Scarlett and Asher’s characters really stood out to me—they both had such unique qualities that made them a perfect match. Of course, Ana delivered her signature swoon-worthy romance, but what really hit me was Scarlett’s emotional journey and the way living with chronic pain was portrayed so authentically.

Scarlett is such an inspiration. wWatching her grow more confident in ballet was so heartwarming, especially because it’s something she loves so deeply. Even though she deals with chronic pain, she never lets it define her, and that’s something I really admire. She reminds everyone around her that it’s part of her life but not who she is.

Asher is such a flirt, but in the best way. He’s charming, funny, and always has you giggling or swooning. I appreciated his personal journey too, especially when it comes to mental health. It was great to see how his support system helped him realize its importance, and the way he paid attention to Scarlett’s chronic pain, knowing what made her feel better during flare-ups—that really melted my heart.

I loved how both Scarlett and Asher had their own personal journeys, but their growth was tied together in such a natural way. It made their relationship feel even stronger. I really enjoy stories that show how relationships can evolve alongside personal growth. Despite all the obstacles they faced, Scarlett and Asher came out stronger, not just individually but as a couple. the way they fought their chemistry was hilarious, and the tension was so good—typical Ana Huang!

Asher’s teammates were hilarious, especially Adil. I couldn’t stop laughing whenever he popped up. i also loved how Asher and Vincent developed (definitely gave me some Ted Lasso vibes- iykyk). Adil’s book club was such a funny touch, and I was so excited to see cameos from Jules, Josh, Kai, and Isa!

I absolutely adored this book! This is Ana’s first time writing a sports romance, and I’m beyond excited for what’s next in the series.

Check out The Striker, and discover what happens when the player has to take on the art of ballet.

Happy Reading :)