I'll start by saying - this book isn't for me. I'm too old and cynical to be sold on a "rich girl, poor boy, star-crossed lovers, who just so happen to be very talented at something and fall for each other instantly" story, but I can imagine for the right age, for people who like this sort of schmaltz, they would adore it. A few stand out points from me, which I think comes from my cynicism, how did her family get so rich? How did they have enough space to have an entire football pitch (?!!?) in their back garden? Why would I root for someone who is spoiled rotten, and gets a bit angsty cos things aren't going their way? Two BMWs for two 17 year olds?
But anyway - while this isn't for me, I appreciate that a cute love story is always a nice treat. Will appeal to people who want that sort of thing.

Okay, I never thought I’d see the day where I read a football book ⚽📖. Like, me?? Reading about football?? But here we are. And to be fair, it wasn’t bad! The book was super easy to read and I flew through it – no complaints there ⏩.

BUT (and it’s a big but)… what even was the relationship between Lexi and Shane?? I don’t understand how they supposedly like each other🫂?? They had like two training sessions mostly spent kissing💋. Where was the buildup? The tension? The actual talking?? Their “bond” just felt surface-level, like they were thrown together and the plot was like yep, that’s enough.

It honestly felt like they knew each other for three days MAX ⏳. And Lexi’s already demanding full transparency from Shane?? Girl be for real. You’ve known him for 72 hours. Relax. Let the boy breathe 🧍‍♂️💨. Yes, communication is great—but she was acting like he betrayed her after one vague answer. Come on now.

Also, the timeline🗓️?? I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Everything just kind of happened out of nowhere.

Can we talk about that moment when Shane says Lexi’s funny🤣? LIKE WHERE. When??? What joke did I miss🤡?? I felt like the book told me they were into each other, but never really showed me why.

One second they’re strangers, the next they’re soulmates🌹. It needed more breathing🗣️ room, more scenes where we actually see their connection grow. I have to give it 2 stars ✨ because I just don't think it reaches the expectation that my 3 stars have.

BUT—I will say—the cover is adorable. Like, seriously cute. 10/10 for vibes and aesthetic ✨.

Thanks Netgalley and the author for the ARC 👏🏻🎯💫

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Children’s for approving me for this ARC!

This book is so freaking adorable 🫶🏻

It’s a YA romance based on 17 year old twins Lexie and Niall who love football. We follow their clubs friendship group and get an insight into all the teen’s friendships, home lives and relationships.

As an 18 year old who missed a lot of school due to Covid, this felt like such a comforting read 🥰

I really loved the characters and their unique personalities, yes some of them REALLY got on my nerves but that’s teens for you I guess 🫠

I loved that each one had their own flaws and slowly over came them, especially Lexie and Shane 🥹

Thank you again for this ARC I loved it so much!

I will definitely be trying more of Jenny’s writing 🫶🏻

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for approving me to read this book!

This was such a fun YA romance that I absolutely devoured! As someone who played football as a teenager I really enjoyed the football team setting and Lexi’s determination to be best as it’s so easy to compare your skills to others in such a sport.

Lexis character growth is admirable as she self reflects and grows from her mistakes. I think that this makes a perfect teenage first love/ coming of age story.

The relationship between Lexi and Shane is so so so cute! I love reading about teenagers falling in love for the first time and navigating a romantic relationship.

This is the first book I have read by Jenny Ireland and it definitely won’t be the last!

Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for approvinf me to read this book, I’m rating it 5 stars.

The vibes were immaculate.

There’s something so special about YA Romance, it’s all those first big emotions and tough talks that really get me in my feels. Jenny Ireland is a recent favourite author of mine for this genre because of a previous read so I had been overjoyed to be approved for this new book. I will literally read anything by this author now.

This book sucked me in and I feel like I felt every emotion alongside the FMC, it was a fantastic read. I will recommend this to everyone!

I never knew I needed a football romance until I read it - Jenny Ireland, the woman that you are!

Matched Up is a romance that will have you feeling all the feels - annoyance, giggles, and warmth. The book follows Lexie who wants more than anything to be on the first team but struggles to do so while her best friend doesn't even have to try to be good. And oh, her bestie is dating her twin brother. There's so much drama and conflict and it's exactly what you need!

The book itself is quite short so it is easy to devour in one sitting.

I do like Jenny Ireland's YA romances - they're an enjoyable read, even if I'm not exactly the target audience.

Lexie is obsessed only with football - playing it, watching it, thinking about it, desperately trying for a starting spot on her team - until she meets Shane. Then she's obsessed with football and Shane. Which is fair enough - he's pretty great.

Unfortunately her other relationships, with twin brother Niall and best friend Megan, aren't going so well.

Lexie's a rich girl - her father built a football pitch in the garden for her and her brother, for goodness sake - and Shane not so much, but that's not really where the conflicts are among the characters. There's jealousy - mainly football related - on various sides and there's something important that Shane's not telling. I did think Lexie was a bit immature at times - but she's only young, after all.

A good, fun read.

Gosh, I devoured this in one sitting. Literally inhaled it within a few hours 😭😭😭

While this is definitely a romance, the star of the show is our wonderful, endearing, determined and slightly flawed heroine, Lexie. She IS the book. She’s what had me devouring the pages, wanting to cry, wanting to rage, wanting to give her a big hug and protect her from the world. I just connected so thoroughly with her that I didn’t even fully register the romance. I was just so attached to her and her journey, and that’s what makes this an effortless five star read.

Jenny Ireland just has this way with storytelling that breaks your heart and pieces it back together again.

Just a delightful read! And as a woman who loves football, this was just the perfect icing on the cake ;)

This was such a great easy read for YA involving the sports world. I highly enjoyed and recommend it. I was able to finish it a quick sitting and it’s the perfect Epcot novels for fans of Jenny Hahn book ect.