Ready to Score

Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter is a story that explores love, identity, and resilience in a small southern town. At its core, this book is a sapphic romance featuring two women of color, bringing to light the unique challenges faced by queer people of color living in a close-knit community.

The narrative dives into the world of football coaching, where both women share a deep passion and confront not just the game itself but also the social and systemic barriers around them. Jodie Slaughter doesn’t hold back in showing what life feels like in that setting, honest, sometimes tough, and filled with moments of hope.

While the book is well written, with smooth pacing and no technical flaws, the character Jade, one of the main protagonists, might not resonate with everyone. Some readers might find her hard to connect with, which affected my overall experience. But the story’s representation and the emotional landscape it paints make it meaningful and worth exploring, especially if you’re drawn to stories about overcoming adversity and finding love in unexpected places.